How can we provide clean, safe, sustainable energy supplies for the world
despite rising population levels and increasing economic development? Today, energy and
sustainability are of primary concern and form the focus of this book and its companion
volume, Renewable Energy.
Interdisciplinary in its approach and global in its
perspective, this book provides a contemporary exploration of the economic, social,
environmental, and policy issues raised by current systems of energy use, as well as
describing their key physical and engineering features. The historical evolution of the
world's energy systems, the principles underlying their use, and their present status and
future prospects are analysed, while emphasizing the important issue of sustainability.
Beginning with a survey of basic energy concepts,
the book describes the magnitude and patterns of human energy needs at various levels.
Focus then turns to an overview of the fossil and nuclear-fuelled energy that, together
with hydroelectric power and traditional biofuels, supply most of the world's commercial
energy needs. Sections on economics describes the basic methods by which the monetary
costs of energy are calculated, and discuss the issue of 'external' costs of energy
production. The concluding chapters consider the sustainabliity problems associated with
both fossil and nuclear fuel use, and ways in which they might be ameliorated by various
technological and social developments. This is done in the context of a rising use of
renewable energy.
DT Extensive coverage of the important concepts and
issues underpinning modern energy production and its future prospects DT Adopts an
interdisciplinary approach making the text readable by engineer and policy maker alike
Table of Contents
1. Introductory Overview
2. Primary Energy
3. What Do We Use Energy For?
4. Forms of Energy
5. Coal
6. Heat to Motive Power
7. Oil and Gas
8. Oil and Gas Engines
9. Electricity
10. Nuclear Power
11. The Future of Nuclear Power
12. Costing Energy
13. Penalties: Assessing the Environmental and Health Impacts of Energy Use
14. Remedies: Making Fossil Fuel Use More Sustainable
640 pages, Paperback