Energy Transitions

by Smil, Vaclav

• ISBN13: 9780313381775
• ISBN10: 0313381771
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2010-05-26
• Publisher: Praeger Pub Text

Summary

This bold and controversial argument shows why energy transitions are inherently complex and prolonged affairs, and how ignoring this fact raises unrealistic expectations that the United States and other global economies can be weaned quickly from a primary dependency on fossil fuels.

Table of Contents

The Book's Raison d'être	p. vii
Energy Systems: Their Basic Properties	p. 1
Resources and Prime Movers	p. 2
Conversions and Uses	p. 7
Infrastructures and Impacts	p. 12
Energy Transitions	p. 17
Global Transitions: Universal Patterns	p. 25
Grand Fuel Sequence: From Biomass to Coal and Hydrocarbons	p. 26
A New Quality: Generation of Electricity	p. 39
History of Prime Movers: From Muscles to Machines	p. 48
Quantifying the Transitions: Uncertainties and Trends	p. 61
National Transitions: Commonalities and Particularities	p. 75
European Experience: Britain, France, and the Netherlands	p. 78
U.S. Transitions: The Consuming Superpower	p. 85
Japan and China: The Asian Leaders	p. 92
New Energy Superpowers: Russia and Saudi Arabia	p. 99
Coming Transitions: Expectations and Realities	p. 105
Renewable Energies: Resources, Conversions, and Constraints	p. 107
Pace of Transitions: Innovation, Infrastructures, and Inertia	p. 119
National Aspirations: Goals and Realities	p. 129
Cautious Anticipations: Trends and Possibilities	p. 142
Appendix	p. 155
References	p. 157
Index	p. 167
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