Sustainability and Environmental Impact of Renewable Energy Sources

About this book

The world's dependence on fossil fuels is widely acknowledged to be a major cause of rising levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Thus there is an urgent need to develop energy sources with lower environmental impact, with attention focusing on renewable energy sources. This title reviews various energy technologies, as well as taking a critical look at the political, social and economic aspects. Throughout, the emphasis is on renewable energy sources (wind, wave, solar, biomass), but a discussion of fossil fuels and nuclear power is also presented. The text should be of interest to those in the energy industries as well as by policy-makers, consultants and engineers. Students and lecturers should also find the material of use.

Contents

The future of today's energy sources; sustainable energy - choices, problems and opportunities; renewable energy - technology considerations and electricity integration; landfill gas and related energy sources - anaerobic digesters, biomass energy systems; emissions trading schemes - are they a "licence to pollute"?; UK government policy on renewable energy; renewables, sustainability and precaution - beyond environmental cost-benefit and risk analysis.

Customer Reviews

Biography

Ronald E Hester is at the University of York, UK Roy M Harrison OBE is at the University of Birmingham, UK