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Our Energy Future: Introduction to Renewable Energy and Biofuels - Softcover

Jones, Carla S.; Mayfield, Stephen P.

 
9780520278776: Our Energy Future: Introduction to Renewable Energy and Biofuels
Softcover
ISBN 10: 0520278771 ISBN 13: 9780520278776
Verlag: University of California Press, 2016

Inhaltsangabe

Our Energy Future is an introductory textbook for the study of energy production, alternative and renewable fuels, and ways to build a sustainable energy future. Jones and Mayfield explore the creation and history of fossil fuels, their impact on the environment, and how they have become critical to our society. The authors also outline how adopting sustainable biofuels will be key to the future of energy stability and discuss a number of renewable energy options and biofuel feedstocks that are replacements for petroleum-based products.

Our society is consuming energy at an alarming rate, and the authors warn that continuing fuel-usage patterns could permanently damage the environment. This book emphasizes the importance of continued scientific, agricultural, and engineering development while it outlines the political and environmental challenges that will accompany a complete shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy and biomass. Our Energy Future is an accessible resource for undergraduate students studying biofuels and bioenergy.

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Über die Autorin bzw. den Autor

Carla S. Jones is Adjunct Professor of Sustainable Studies at Roosevelt University in Chicago, Illinois. She teaches classes on creating a sustainable future, including topics such as energy, climate change, biodiversity, and water.

Stephen P. Mayfield is Professor in the Section of Molecular Biology, Director of the California Center for Algae Biotechnology, and codirector of the Food and Fuel for the 21st Century Research Unit at University of California, San Diego.

Von der hinteren Coverseite

"Our Energy Future provides an excellent topical examination of the state of energy and the upcoming technologies being developed to mitigate the depletion of fossil fuels. The scope of the text is such that it will be of interest to those pursuing an interest in fields ranging from biotechnology and applied biosciences through to economics and sustainability studies, and it is sufficiently approachable to be accessible to a broad range of readers, from students to senior academics." —Maria Ghirardi, Principal Scientist, National Renewable Energy Institute, U.S. Department of Energy

“There are many university programs focused on renewable energy that could use a book such as this one. While Our Energy Future is targeted to the biosciences, it describes chemical processes as well, which makes it particularly useful." —Ian Blaby, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles

Aus dem Klappentext

"Our Energy Future provides an excellent topical examination of the state of energy and the upcoming technologies being developed to mitigate the depletion of fossil fuels. The scope of the text is such that it will be of interest to those pursuing an interest in fields ranging from biotechnology and applied biosciences through to economics and sustainability studies, and it is sufficiently approachable to be accessible to a broad range of readers, from students to senior academics." —Maria Ghirardi, Principal Scientist, National Renewable Energy Institute, U.S. Department of Energy

“There are many university programs focused on renewable energy that could use a book such as this one. While Our Energy Future is targeted to the biosciences, it describes chemical processes as well, which makes it particularly useful." —Ian Blaby, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles

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Our Energy Future

Introduction to Renewable Energy and Biofuels

By Carla S. Jones, Stephen P. Mayfield

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA PRESS

Copyright © 2016 The Regents of the University of California
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-0-520-27877-6

Contents

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS, 
PREFACE, 
1 Overview of Energy Usage in the United States and the World, 
2 Why Fossil Fuels Energize Our Society, 
3 The Impact of Energy Usage on Climate Change, 
4 Methods for Reducing Our Fossil Fuel Usage: Renewable Energy Sources and Uses, 
5 Linking Food and Fuel: The Impact of Industrial Agriculture, 
6 The Past and Present of Bioethanol: Corn, Sugarcane, and Cellulosics, 
7 Biofuels from Fats and Oils: Biodiesel, 
8 Gaseous Biofuels: Biogas and Biohydrogen, 
9 Aquatic Versatility for Biofuels: Cyanobacteria, Diatoms, and Algae, 
10 Biochemistry and Biotechnology for Biofuels Development, 
11 Thermochemical Conversion Technologies, 
12 Environmental Impacts of Biofuels: Water, Land, and Nutrients, 
13 Life Cycle Assessments for Evaluating Biofuels Production, 
14 Economics and Politics of Biofuels, 
15 Our Energy Future: The Prospects for Developing and Using Sustainable Biofuels, 
VOCABULARY, 
REFERENCES, 
INDEX,


CHAPTER 1

Overview of Energy Usage in the United States and the World


To begin, take a moment to stop and listen. Try to observe all sounds: the tick of a clock, the hum of a computer, the whirl of a passing car, the whisper of a heater, or perhaps the growl of an airplane overhead. These sounds, so common that they often go unnoticed, would likely sound thunderous to societies living 200 years ago. What makes society today so different from those historical societies? The answer is simple: fossil fuel.

The availability of easily accessible and cheap energy has breathed technological life into society. It has influenced the way we transport ourselves, the houses we live in, the offices we work in, the classrooms we study in, and even the food we eat. Energy has single-handedly changed the face of society from one of short walking commutes, locally farmed foods, and face-to-face personal communication to a society where travel distances are unlimited, fresh foods are always available regardless of season, and communication, over even vast distances, is instantaneous and done using battery-operated handheld devices. Although these technological changes have led to a society of convenience, they have not come without cost to our energy supply, our food security, national security, and the environment.

Today, fossil-fuel-based energy is critical to sustaining the lifestyle that many countries have become accustomed to. And the numbers can be overwhelming; today in 2015 we burn 93 million barrels of oil per day, or 1.4 trillion gallons of oil per year, and oil is only about one-third of the energy we consume every year. To maintain this level, let alone allow for increased energy use, we will need to develop new alternative sources of energy if we are going to preserve this lifestyle and prevent further reduction to energy supply, security, and the environment. As a basis for this entire book, this introductory chapter will explore the basic concepts of energy production and utilization and its critical role in modern society.


UNDERSTANDING ENERGY

Energy, by definition, is the ability to do work on a physical system. Yet, what does this really mean? Since energy is the capacity to do work, one must first understand the concept of work. Work is defined as force multiplied

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Verlag
University of California Press
Erscheinungsdatum
2016
Sprache
Englisch
ISBN 10 
0520278771
ISBN 13 
9780520278776
Einband
Taschenbuch
Anzahl der Seiten
221
Kontakt zum Hersteller
Nicht verfügbar
Verantwortliche Person
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