Alternative Energy Sources

Abstract

In the beginning of the twenty-first century, our society is faced with an energy challenge: as highly populous, developing countries become more affluent and as the developed nations continue to increase their energy consumption, the energy demand in the entire world has reached levels that cannot be sustained in the future. At the same time, fossil fuels, which are currently providing more than 85% of the total global energy supply, are limited and, in addition, their widespread use has significant adverse environmental consequences. The combustion of fossil fuels produces carbon dioxide, which is one of the causes of global warming as well as of other environmental effects, such as acid rain; higher ozone concen- tration in urban areas; particulates; and aerosols that are detrimental to air quality. The limited supply of the fossil fuels and their effects on the global environment indicate the only long-term solution of the energy challenge: a significant increase in the use of alternative energy sources for the production of electricity as well as for meeting other energy needs of the industrial and post-industrial human society. This book on Alternative Energy Sources is designed to give the reader, a clear view of the role each form of alternative energy may play in supplying the energy needs of the human society in the near and intermediate future (20–50 years). The book is aimed at two types of audience: