The Energy Problem
Energy Resources: Availability, Management, and Environmental Impacts identifies historical increases in demand and a continuing lack of viable management policies for regional and global energy problems. Considering the state and consumption of energy resources on a worldwide level, the authors outline and address three primary issues that they view as growing concerns: the exploitation of current forms of energy, the environmental consequences, and the social and economic ramifications involved.
The initial chapters offer an overview of energy management, providing an introduction to energy, energy-related engineering principles, regulations, energy conservation, and sustainability. The book discusses all energy resource forms from fossil fuels to renewable resources. The authors introduce an energy matrix providing an analytical structure that quantitatively can be used to evaluate resource options and their impacts.
The concluding chapters provide insight into the driving forces that have shaped energy policy to date and the uncertainties that face future policymakers. The book analyzes various aspects of energy management. It poses concerns and offers solutions, including a proposed approach for developing, organizing, and implementing a national energy plan for the U.S.
A Template for Developing an Energy Policy
-
Examines the issues involved with energy management
-
Explores the best options for achieving energy independence
-
Provides quantitative approaches to energy policy development
-
Discusses specific structural and analytical approaches to solving energy management problems
The book considers conservation and the development of new, less expensive energy forms, and the impact these can make in slowing growth in demand while fueling efficiency. It analyzes the availability of traditional energy resources and a method of quantifying their energy, economic, and environmental impacts to provide adequate, inexpensive, long-term energy supplies. It also examines the feasibility of solar power, wind, tidal, geothermal, nuclear, and other less traditional sources of energy.
Preface
Section I : Basic Principles
Chapter 1 : Introduction to the Issues
Chapter 2 : Thermodynamic Principles : Entropy Analysis
Chapter 3 : Energy Demand
Chapter 4 : Sustainability and Green Science/Engineering
Chapter 5 : Energy Regulations
Chapter 6 : The Modern Energy Matrix : An Overview
Section II : Energy Resources : Fossil Fuels
Chapter 7 : Coal
Chapter 8 : Oil
Chapter 9 : Natural Gas
Chapter 10 : Shale Oil
Chapter 11 : Tar Sands
Section III : Other Energy Resources
Chapter 12 : Solar Energy
Chapter 13 : Nuclear Energy
Chapter 14 : Hydroelectric Energy
Chapter 15 : Wind Energy
Chapter 16 : Geothermal Energy
Chapter 17 : Hydrogen Energy
Chapter 18 : Biomass Energy
Chapter 19 : Other Energy Sources
Section IV : Aspects of Energy Management
Chapter 20 : Energy Demand and Distribution Systems
Chapter 21 : Conservation, Sustainability, and Green Engineering
Chapter 22 : Environmental Considerations
Chapter 23 : Economic Considerations
Chapter 24 : Political Considerations
Chapter 25 : Challenges Facing Future Energy Policy Makers
Section V : Energy Management Solutions
Chapter 26 : Introduction to Energy Policy Issues
Chapter 27 : Energy–Environmental Interactions
Chapter 28 : Quantitative Analysis of Energy Management Options
Chapter 29 : Solving the Energy Management Policy Challenge
Index
