Vaclav Smil

Energy Transitions (eBook, PDF)

Global and National Perspectives

• Format: PDF

Produktbeschreibung

This book provides a detailed, global examination of energy transitions, supplying a long-term historical perspective, an up-to-date assessment of recent and near-term advances in energy production technology and implementation, and an explanation of why efforts to limit global warming and to shift away from fossil fuels have been gradual. Based on the best international and national statistical sources, the second edition of Energy Transitions: Global and National Perspectives supplies an in-depth evaluation of how economies and nations around the world are striving to move away from traditional energy sources, the unfolding decarbonization process, and problems with intermittent energies and national transition plans. It supplies readers with a clear introduction to the basic properties of energy systems and key concepts of their appraisal, puts energy transition patterns in long-term historical perspective, and looks at the energy transition in eight of the world's leading economies. The last chapters focus on the advances in the decarbonization of the global energy supply and consider how the energy transition will continue in the coming decades. This fully updated and substantially expanded edition addresses the many new developments affecting energy supply, such as the recent expansion of hydraulic fracturing, oil price fluctuations, the Fukushima nuclear power plant catastrophe, advances in solar and wind generation, adoption of combined cycle gas turbines, and increased availability of electric cars. The coverage highlights the differences in the pace of transitions in various countries, thereby providing a complete and accurate picture of the current state of energy development in different parts of the world. The book serves as an invaluable resource for students as well as for anyone interested in a realistic appraisal of the current state of energy transitions in various nations and regions and the likely future development of the global energy supply.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: Bloomsbury Publishing Inc
• Seitenzahl: 296
• Altersempfehlung: ab 7 Jahre
• Erscheinungstermin: 5. Dezember 2016
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 9781440853258
• Artikelnr.: 68206267

Autorenporträt

Vaclav Smil is Distinguished Professor Emeritus in the Faculty of Environment at the University of Manitoba.

Inhaltsangabe

Preface to the New Edition Introduction: The Book's Raison d'Être Chapter 1
Energy Systems: Their Basic Properties Resources and Prime Movers
Conversions and Uses Infrastructures and Impacts Chapter 2 Energy
Transitions: Universal Patterns Processes and Paces: Complexities of Energy
Transitions Grand Fuel Sequence: From Biomass to Coal and Hydrocarbons A
New Quality: Generation of Electricity History of Prime Movers: From
Muscles to Machines Quantifying the Transitions: Uncertainties and Trends
Chapter 3 National Transitions: Commonalities and Particularities United
Kingdom and France: Great European Powers Netherlands and Sweden: Very
Different Experiences United States and Russia: Energy Superpowers Japan
and China: Asia's Leaders Changing Patterns: Commonalities and Exceptions
Chapter 4 Decarbonization: Progress So Far Slow Gains: Relative Global
Decarbonization Inadequate Shifts: Hydrocarbons and Primary Electricity New
Renewables: Solar Energy and Wind Electricity Modern Biofuels: Electricity
and Liquids National Trajectories: Aspirations and Accomplishments Chapter
5 Looking Ahead: Possibilities and Constraints Long-term Forecasts: Past
Failures and New Visions Climate Change Challenge: How Much More CO2 Can We
Emit? Indispensable Fossil Fuels: Steel, Cement, Ammonia, and Plastics Pace
of Transitions: Innovations, Inertia, and Surprises Realistic
Anticipations: More Than a Great Transition Chapter 6 Recapitulations
Appendices References Index