Energy and Agriculture: Science, Environment, and Solutions - Hardcover

INTRODUCTION UNIT I: ENERGY AND SOCIETY. 1. Pre-Industrial Energy Use. 2. Industrial Energy Use. UNIT II: CONTEMPORARY NON-RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCES. 3. Modern Coal. 4. Petroleum. 5. Natural Gas. 6. Nuclear Power. UNIT III: CONTEMPORARY RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCES. 7. Solar Power. 8. Hydroelectric Power. 9. Hydrokinetic Power. 10. Wind Power. 11. Geothermal. 12. Secondary Sources of Energy. UNIT IV: THE SCIENCE OF ENERGY AND WORK. 13. Thermodynamics. 14. The Chemistry of Energy. 15. Work and Machines. 16. Heat Engines. 17. Energy Flow Through Living Systems. UNIT V: SOLID BIOENERGY FUELS FROM AGRICULTURE. 18. Solid Fuel Biomass Energy Resources. 19. Solid Biofuel Energy Production. 20. Environmental Impacts of Solid Biomass Fuels. UNIT VI: LIQUID BIOENERGY FUELS FROM AGRICULTURE. 21. Alcohol Transportation Fuels. 22. Biodiesel. 23. Biomass to Liquids. UNIT VII: GASEOUS BIOENERGY FUELS FROM AGRICULTURE. 24. Biogas. Glossary.

As worldwide demand for energy continues to rise and conventional non-renewable resources continue to dwindle in supply, the need for new, environmentally conscious ways to meet society's energy requirements are becoming increasingly important. ENERGY AND AGRICULTURE is designed to introduce readers to the role that agriculture can play in helping to satisfy the world's energy demands. The use of agriculturally based fuel systems, also known as biofuels, as a means to supply energy to our technological society, provides environmentally safe, renewable energy options for all aspects of life, including industry, transportation, and electrical power generation. By providing a solid foundation in the energy and resources used historically combined with a look at future options toward more sustainable resources ENERGY AND AGRICULTURE provides a solid understanding of one of the most important issues of the twenty-first century.