Overview
- Stimulates the discussion on the use of biomass for biofuels
- Contributes to the growing interest in alternative energy sources
- 20 chapters by worldwide experts in the field illuminate the global discussion
Access this book
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Other ways to access
About this book
The petroleum age began about 150 years ago. Easily available energy has s- ported major advances in agriculture, industry, transportation, and indeed many diverse activities valued by humans. Now world petroleum and natural gas s- plies have peaked and their supplies will slowly decline over the next 40–50 years until depleted. Although small amounts of petroleum and natural gas will remain underground, it will be energetically and economically impossible to extract. In the United States, coal supplies could be available for as long as 40–50 years, depending on how rapidly coal is utilized as a replacement for petroleum and natural gas. Having been comfortable with the security provided by fossil energy, especially petroleum and natural gas, we appear to be slow to recognize the energy crisis in the U. S. and world. Serious energy conservation and research on viable renewable - ergy technologies are needed. Several renewable energy technologies already exist, but sound research is needed to improve their effectiveness and economics. Most of the renewable energy technologies are in uenced by geographic location and face problems of intermittent energy supply and storage. Most renewable technologies require extensive land; a few researchers have even suggested that one-half of all land biomass could be harvested in order to supply the U. S. with 30% of its liquid fuel! Some optimistic investigations of renewable energy have failed to recognize that only 0. 1% of the solar energy is captured annually in the U. S.
Similar content being viewed by others
Keywords
Table of contents (20 chapters)
-
Front Matter
Reviews
From the reviews:
"The book dedicates most of its 20 chapters to biofuels … . The test is well referenced … . The collection amasses evidence for one side of the increasingly polarized debate about biofuels. It is an important addition to libraries that include works on biofuels … . Summing Up: Recommended. Professional and academic audiences, upper-division undergraduates and up." (M. K. Bomford, Choice, Vol. 46 (7), March, 2009)
Editors and Affiliations
About the editor
David Pimentel is a professor of ecology and agricultural sciences at Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-0901. His Ph.D. is from Cornell University. His research spans the fields of energy, ecological and economic aspects of pest control, biological control, biotechnology, sustainable agriculture, land and water conservation, and environmental policy. Pimentel has published more than 600 scientific papers and 25 books and has served on many national and government committees including the National Academy of Sciences; President’s Science Advisory Council; U.S Department of Agriculture; U.S. Department of Energy; U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare; Office of Technology Assessment of the U.S. Congress; and the U.S. State Department.
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: Biofuels, Solar and Wind as Renewable Energy Systems
Book Subtitle: Benefits and Risks
Editors: David Pimentel
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-8654-0
Publisher: Springer Dordrecht
eBook Packages: Earth and Environmental Science, Earth and Environmental Science (R0)
Copyright Information: Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2008
Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-4020-8653-3Published: 04 August 2008
Softcover ISBN: 978-90-481-7945-9Published: 19 October 2010
eBook ISBN: 978-1-4020-8654-0Published: 22 July 2008
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: XXI, 504
Topics: Environmental Management, Renewable and Green Energy, Environment, general, Renewable and Green Energy, Energy Policy, Economics and Management, Sustainable Development