Energy for a Sustainable World: From the Oil Age to a Sun-Powered Future

The subjects are presented in a way that makes reading a real pleasure and promotes reflecting on the complex issues, thereby presenting the reader sustainable knowledge in its best sense. A clear recommendation!. (Energy Technology, 1 August 2014) "It describes the complexity and importance of energy, and opportunities for future energy technologies and practices that will enhance sustainable development. Summing Up: Recommend. All readers." (Choice, 1 January 2012) "The appeal of this as a compact reference volume is therefore broad and I would strongly recommend it for all who are interested in finding out more about the energy issues that we need to think about in modern and future society." (Chemistry World, 1 August 2011) "An excellent source of updated and carefully documented information on the entangled aspects of the energy issue, this book is a guide for scientists, students and teachers looking for ways out of the energy and climate crisis, and the problems and disparities generated during the fossil fuel era." (ETDE Energy database, 14 February 2011)

An easy read, balancing the pros and cons, this book surveys the energy issue from a broad scientific perspective while considering environmental, economic, and social factors. It explains the basic concepts, provides a historical overview of energy resources, assesses our unsustainable energy system based on fossil fuels, and shows that the energy crisis is not only a tough challenge, but also an unprecedented opportunity to become more concerned about the world in which we live and the society we have built up. By outlining the alternatives for today and the future, it gives an extensive overview on nuclear energy, solar thermal and photovoltaics, solar fuels, wind power, ocean energies and other renewables, highlighting the increasing importance of electricity and the long-term perspectives of a hydrogen-based economy. An excellent source of updated and carefully documented information on the entangled aspects of the energy issue, this book is a guide for scientists, students and teachers looking for ways out of the energy and climate crisis, and the problems and disparities generated during the fossil fuel era.