Publisher Description

Presents an overview on the different aspects of the energy value chain and discusses the issues that future energy is facing This book covers energy and the energy policy choices which face society. The book presents easy-to-grasp information and analysis, and includes statistical data for energy production, consumption and simple formulas. Among the aspects considered are: science, technology, economics and the impact on health and the environment. In this new edition two new chapters have been added: The first new chapter deals with unconventional fossil fuels, a resource which has become very important from the economical point of view, especially in the United States. The second new chapter presents the applications of nanotechnology in the energy domain. Provides a global vision of available and potential energy sourcesDiscusses advantages and drawbacks to help prepare current and future generations to use energy differentlyIncludes new chapters covering unconventional fossil fuels and nanotechnology as new energy Our Energy Future: Resources, Alternatives and the Environment, Second Edition, is written for professionals, students, teachers, decision-makers and politicians involved in the energy domain and interested in environmental issues.

Back Cover

Presents an overview on the different aspects of the energy value chain and discusses the issues that future energy is facing This book covers energy and the energy policy choices which face society. The book presents easy-to-grasp information and analysis, and includes statistical data for energy production, consumption and simple formulas. Among the aspects considered are: science, technology, economics and the impact on health and the environment. In this new edition two new chapters have been added: The first new chapter deals with unconventional fossil fuels, a resource which has become very important from the economical point of view, especially in the United States. The second new chapter presents the applications of nanotechnology in the energy domain. Provides a global vision of available and potential energy sources Discusses advantages and drawbacks to help prepare current and future generations to use energy differently Includes new chapters covering unconventional fossil fuels and nanotechnology as new energy Our Energy Future: Resources, Alternatives and the Environment, Second Edition , is written for professionals, students, teachers, decision-makers and politicians involved in the energy domain and interested in environmental issues.

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Presents an overview on the different aspects of the energy value chain and discusses the issues that future energy is facing This book covers energy and the energy policy choices which face society. The book presents easy-to-grasp information and analysis, and includes statistical data for energy production, consumption and simple formulas. Among the aspects considered are: science, technology, economics and the impact on health and the environment. In this new edition two new chapters have been added: The first new chapter deals with unconventional fossil fuels, a resource which has become very important from the economical point of view, especially in the United States. The second new chapter presents the applications of nanotechnology in the energy domain. Provides a global vision of available and potential energy sources Discusses advantages and drawbacks to help prepare current and future generations to use energy differently Includes new chapters covering unconventional fossil fuels and nanotechnology as new energy Our Energy Future: Resources, Alternatives and the Environment, Second Edition , is written for professionals, students, teachers, decision-makers and politicians involved in the energy domain and interested in environmental issues.

Author Biography

Christian Ngô, ScD, was formerly executive general manager of ECRIN (Échange et Coordination Recherche-Industrie) and scientific director of the Atomic Energy's High Commissioner Office. In 2008, he founded Edmonium Conseil, a consulting company. He has worked in fundamental research for twenty years, and has published approximately 200 papers. Dr. Ngô is the author of ten books in French and has been involved as an energy expert in several studies of the OPECST (Parliamentary Office for Evaluation of Scientific and Technological Options), a common committee of the French Parliament and Senate. Joseph B. Natowitz, PhD, is currently University Distinguished Professor Emeritus at Texas A&M University (TAMU). Previously at TAMU, he served as head of the Department of Chemistry and Director of the Cyclotron Institute and held the Bright Chair in Nuclear Science. Among his awards and honors are the American Chemical Society Award in Nuclear Chemistry, the ACS Southwest Regional Award, and the Association of Former Students Research Award at TAMU. Professor Natowitz has served and continues to serve on the program advisory and/or review committees of many national and international research facilities as well as on Advisory Committees for a number of international conferences. Professor Natowitz has published more than 300 research papers.

Table of Contents

Preface to the Second Edition xiii Preface to the First Edition xv 1. We Need Energy 1 1.1. Generalities 1 1.1.1. Primary and Secondary Energy 1 1.1.2. Energy Units 3 1.1.3. Power 5 1.1.4. Energy and First Law of Thermodynamics 5 1.1.5. Entropy and Second Law of Thermodynamics 6 1.1.6. Exergy 7 1.1.7. Going Back to the Past 7 1.1.8. Humans and Energy 8 1.2. Always More! 9 1.2.1. Why do we Need More Energy? 10 1.2.2. Energy Sources we Use 13 1.2.3. Security of Supply 18 1.2.4. Environmental Concerns 24 2. Oil and Natural Gas 26 2.1. Genesis of Oil and Natural Gas 27 2.2. Recovering Oil and Gas 30 2.3. Peak Oil 32 2.4. Reserves 34 2.4.1. Crude Oil Reserves 35 2.4.2. Natural Gas Reserves 36 2.5. Properties of Hydrocarbons 38 2.6. Oil Fields 40 2.7. Prices 41 2.8. Consumption 44 2.9. Electricity Generation 46 2.10. Impact on Environment 49 2.11. Conclusion 52 3. Unconventional Oil and Gas Resources 53 3.1. Hydrocarbon Formation 53 3.2. Offshore Hydrocarbons 55 3.3. Unconventional Hydrocarbons 58 3.4. Unconventional Oils 59 3.4.1. Unconventional Oils Contained in Reservoirs 59 3.4.2. Unconventional Oils Contained in Source Rock 60 3.5. Unconventional Gases 61 3.5.1. Unconventional Gases Contained in Reservoirs 61 3.5.2. Unconventional Gases Contained in Source Rocks 62 3.6. Methane Hydrates 69 3.7. Conclusion 70 4. Coal: Fossil Fuel of the Future 71 4.1. Genesis of Coal 72 4.2. Rank of Coals 73 4.3. Classification of Coals 73 4.4. Peat 76 4.5. Use of Coal 78 4.6. Coal Reserves 78 4.7. Production and Consumption 82 4.8. Electricity Production 86 4.9. Coal Combustion for Power Generation 87 4.9.1. Advanced Pulverized Coal Combustion 88 4.9.2. FluidizedBed Combustion at Atmospheric Pressure 88 4.9.3. Pressurized FluidizedBed Combustion 88 4.10. Combined Heat and Power Generation 88 4.11. Integrated Gasification Combined–Cycle Power Plants 89 4.12. CoaltoLiquid Technologies 90 4.13. Direct Coal Liquefaction 90 4.14. Indirect Coal Liquefaction 91 4.15. Direct or Indirect CTL Technology? 92 4.16. Carbon Capture and Sequestration 93 4.16.1. Capture 93 4.16.2. Transport 97 4.16.3. Sequestration 97 4.16.4. Cost 100 4.17. Coal Pit Accidents 100 4.18. Environmental Impacts 101 4.19. Conclusion 102 5. Fossil Fuels and Greenhouse Effect 103 5.1. Greenhouse Effect 104 5.2. Greenhouse Gases 107 5.3. Weather and Climate 111 5.4. Natural Change of Climate 112 5.5. Anthropogenic Emissions 112 5.6. Water and Aerosols 115 5.7. Global Warming Potentials 116 5.8. Increase of Average Temperature 117 5.9. Model Predictions 118 5.10. Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions 119 5.11. Consequences 126 5.12. Other Impacts on Ocean 126 5.13. Factor 4 128 5.14. Kyoto Protocol 129 5.15. Conclusion 131 6. Energy from Water 133 6.1. Hydropower 133 6.1.1. Hydropower: Important Source of Electricity 134 6.1.2. Dams and Diversions 137 6.1.3. Head and Flow 139 6.1.4. Turbines 140 6.1.5. SmallScale Hydropower 142 6.1.6. Environmental Concerns 144 6.1.7. Costs 144 6.2. Energy from the Ocean 145 6.2.1. Offshore Wind Energy 147 6.2.2. Wave Energy 147 6.2.3. Tidal Energy 151 6.2.4. Marine Current Energy 153 6.2.5. Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion 154 6.2.6. Osmotic Energy 155 7. Biomass 157 7.1. Producing Biomass 159 7.2. An Old Energy Resource 161 7.3. Electricity Production 162 7.4. Technologies 164 7.4.1. Direct Combustion Technologies 164 7.4.2. Cofiring Technologies 165 7.4.3. Biomass Gasification 165 7.4.4. Anaerobic Digestion 166 7.4.5. Pyrolysis 166 7.5. Heat Production 167 7.6. Biomass for Cooking 168 7.7. Environmental Impact 169 7.8. Market Share 170 7.9. Biofuels 172 7.9.1. FirstGeneration Biofuels 174 7.9.2. SecondGeneration Biofuels 181 7.9.3. ThirdGeneration Biofuels 182 7.10. From Well to Wheels 182 7.11. Conclusion 183 8. Solar Energy 184 8.1. Solar Energy: A Huge Potential 185 8.2. Thermal Solar Energy 186 8.2.1. Producing Hot Water for Domestic Purposes 186 8.2.2. Heating, Cooling, and Ventilation Using Solar Energy 189 8.2.3. The Solar Cooker 190 8.3. Concentrated Solar Power Plants 191 8.3.1. Parabolic Troughs 191 8.3.2. Power Towers 193 8.3.3. Parabolic Dish Collectors 194 8.4. Solar Chimneys or Towers 194 8.5. Photovoltaic Systems 196 8.5.1. Market Dominated by Silicon 197 8.5.2. Other Photovoltaic Technologies 198 8.5.3. Applications 199 8.6. Electricity Storage 204 8.7. Economy and Environment 205 8.8. Conclusion 205 9. Geothermal Energy 207 9.1. Available in Many Places 210 9.2. Different Uses 212 9.3. Technologies 212 9.4. Geothermal Energy in the World 216 9.5. Conclusion 219 10. Wind Energy 220 10.1. Already A Long History 220 10.2. From Theory to Practice 222 10.3. Development of Wind Power 224 10.4. Offshore Wind Turbines 232 10.5. Conclusion 233 11. Nuclear Energy 234 11.1. Basics of Nuclear Energy 234 11.1.1. Atoms and Nuclei 235 11.1.2. Radioactivity 236 11.1.3. Energy and Mass 238 11.1.4. Fission 240 11.1.5. Fissile and Fertile 241 11.1.6. Chain Reaction 242 11.1.7. Critical Mass 244 11.1.8. Nuclear Reactors 245 11.1.9. Natural Nuclear Reactors: Oklo 246 11.1.10. Conclusion 247 11.2. Uses of Nuclear Energy 247 11.2.1. Different Technologies 248 11.2.2. Selection Process 251 11.2.3. Why Nuclear Energy? 253 11.2.4. Uranium Resources 254 11.2.5. Fuel Cycles 257 11.2.6. Safety 260 11.2.7. Nuclear Waste 263 11.2.8. Conclusion 265 11.3. Thermonuclear Fusion 266 11.3.1. Nuclei: Concentrated Sources of Energy 266 11.3.2. The Sun 267 11.3.3. Fusion of Light Nuclei 268 11.3.4. Difficulties 268 11.3.5. A Bit of History 269 11.3.6. Thermonuclear Fusion in Tokamaks 269 11.3.7. ITER: New Step Toward Mastering Fusion 270 11.3.8. About Fuel Reserves 271 11.3.9. Longer Term Possibilities 271 11.3.10. Safety and Waste Issues 272 11.3.11. Conclusion 272 Appendix 273 12. Electricity: Smart Use of Energy 274 12.1. Rapid Development 275 12.2. Energy Sources for Electricity Production 279 12.3. No Unique Solution 281 12.4. From Mechanical Energy to Consumer 286 12.5. Impact on Environment 288 12.6. Cost 289 12.7. Conclusion 290 13. Weak Point of Energy Supply Chain 292 13.1. Electricity Storage 294 13.1.1. Characteristics of Electricity Storage 296 13.1.2. LargeQuantity Storage Technologies 297 13.1.3. Electrochemical Batteries 303 13.1.4. Supercapacitors 315 13.1.5. Flywheels 317 13.2. Thermal Energy Storage 318 13.2.1. Basic Heat Storage 320 13.2.2. Sensible Heat Storage 320 13.2.3. Phase Change Materials 320 13.2.4. Thermochemical and Thermophysical Energy Storage 322 13.2.5. Applications of Thermal Energy Storage 323 13.2.6. Underground Energy Storage 324 13.2.7. Conclusion 326 14. Transportation 327 14.1. Short History of Transportation 327 14.2. Energy and Transportation 329 14.3. Road Transportation 331 14.4. Ship Transportation 336 14.5. Air Transport 337 14.6. Car Dynamics 339 14.7. Fuels for Road Transportation 340 14.8. Co2 Emissions 343 14.9. Hybrid Vehicles 354 14.10. Electric Vehicles 356 14.11. Conclusion 358 15. Housing 359 15.1. Importance of Housing 359 15.2. Toward More Efficient Housing 363 15.3. Different Regions, Different Solutions 367 15.4. Bioclimatic Architecture 369 15.5. Insulation 370 15.6. Glazing 374 15.7. Lighting 376 15.8. Ventilation 379 15.9. Water 380 15.10. Energy Use in a Household 382 15.11. Heat Pumps 384 15.12. Impact on Environment 387 15.13. Conclusion 390 16. Smart Energy Consumption 391 16.1. Housing 392 16.2. Improving the Way we Consume Energy 393 16.3. Cogeneration 394 16.4. Standby Consumption 396 16.5. Lighting 401 16.6. Transportation 402 16.6.1. Technology 404 16.6.2. Individuals 405 16.7. Conclusion 407 17. Hydrogen 409 17.1. From Production To Distribution 409 17.1.1. Properties 409 17.1.2. Production 411 17.1.3. Storage 420 17.1.4. Hydrogen Transport and Distribution 425 17.1.5. Conclusion 428 17.2. Hydrogen: Energetic Applications 428 17.2.1. Fundamentals of Fuel Cells 428 17.2.2. Different Types of Fuel Cells 431 17.2.3. Transportation 439 17.2.4. Direct Use of Hydrogen 446 17.2.5. Direct Combined Heat and Power 447 17.2.6. Hydrogen and Portable Devices 448 17.2.7. Hydrogen Safety 449 17.2.8. Conclusion 450 18. Nanotechnology and Energy 452 18.1. What is New at the Nanoscale? 452 18.1.1. Surface Effects Prevail 453 18.1.2. Quantum Effects 453 18.2. Nanotechnology and Energy Production 456 18.2.1. Fossil Fuels 457 18.2.2. Syngas 458 18.3. New Energy Technologies 459 18.3.1. Solar Energy 460 18.3.2. Wind Energy 462 18.3.3. Hydrogen 462 18.3.4. Fuel Cells 462 18.3.5. Batteries 463 18.3.6. Thermoelectricity 464 18.3.7. Electrical Distribution 464 18.4. Nanotechnology and Housing 464 18.4.1. Construction Engineering 464 18.4.2. Insulation 465 18.4.3. Lighting 466 18.4.4. Heating, Ventilating, and AirConditioning 468 18.4.5. Surface Materials 468 18.5. Nanotechnology and Transportation 468 18.5.1. Bodywork 469 18.5.2. Interior of the Car 470 18.5.3. Tires 470 18.5.4. Powertrain 471 18.5.5. Electronics 471 18.5.6. Outlook in the Automotive Sector 471 18.6. Conclusion 472 19. Conclusion 474 Exercises 480 Solutions 490 Bibliography 500 Index 505

Long Description

Presents an overview on the different aspects of the energy value chain and discusses the issues that future energy is facing This book covers energy and the energy policy choices which face society. The book presents easy-to-grasp information and analysis, and includes statistical data for energy production, consumption and simple formulas. Among the aspects considered are: science, technology, economics and the impact on health and the environment. In this new edition two new chapters have been added: The first new chapter deals with unconventional fossil fuels, a resource which has become very important from the economical point of view, especially in the United States. The second new chapter presents the applications of nanotechnology in the energy domain. Provides a global vision of available and potential energy sources Discusses advantages and drawbacks to help prepare current and future generations to use energy differently Includes new chapters covering unconventional fossil fuels and nanotechnology as new energy Our Energy Future: Resources, Alternatives and the Environment, Second Edition , is written for professionals, students, teachers, decision-makers and politicians involved in the energy domain and interested in environmental issues.

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