Innovative Energy Strategies for Co2 Stabilization

by Edited by Robert G. Watts

• ISBN13: 9780521807258
• ISBN10: 0521807255
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2002-08-19
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

The vast majority of the world’s climate scientists believe that the build-up of heat-trapping CO2 in the atmosphere will lead to global warming unless we burn less fossil fuels. At the same time, energy must be supplied in increasing amounts for the developing world to continue its growth. This book discusses the feasibility of increasingly efficient energy use and the potential for supplying energy from sources that do not introduce CO2. The book analyzes the prospects for Earth-based renewables: solar, wind, biomass, hydroelectricity, geothermal and ocean energy. It then discusses nuclear fission and fusion, and the relatively new idea of harvesting solar energy on satellites or lunar bases. It will be essential reading for all those interested in energy issues, including engineers and physicists (electrical, mechanical, chemical, industrial, environmental, nuclear), and industrial leaders and politicians. It will also be used as a supplementary textbook on advanced courses on energy.

Author Biography

Gene D. Berry: Energy Analysis, Policy and Planning, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory David R. Criswell: Institute of Space Systems Operations, University of Houston Hadi Dowlatabadi: Center for Integrated Study of the Human Dimensions of Climate Change, Carnegie Mellon University Susan J. Hassol: Aspen Global Change Institute Atul K. Jain: Department of Atmospheric Sciences, University of Illinois Patrick Keegan: National Renewable Energy Laboratory David W. Keith: Department of Engineering and Public Policy, Carnegie Mellon University Robert Krakowski: Systems Engineering & Integration Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory Alan D. Lamont: Energy Analysis, Policy and Planning, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Robert J. Lempert: RAND Arthur W. Molvik: Fusion Energy Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory John L. Perkins: Fusion Energy Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Michael E. Schlesinger: Department of Atmospheric Sciences, University of Illinois Walter Short: National Renewable Energy Laboratory Neil D. Strachan: Center for Integrated Study of the Human Dimensions of Climate Change, Carnegie Mellon University Robert G. Watts: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tulane University Richard Wilson: Department of Physics, Harvard University Donald J. Wuebbles: Department of Atmospheric Sciences, University of Illinois

Table of Contents

List of contributors	xi
Concerns about Climate Change and Global Warming	1	(26)
Donald J. Wuebbles
Atul K. Jain
Robert G. Watts
Introduction	1	(1)
The Changing Climate	2	(3)
The Changing Atmospheric Composition	5	(6)
Radiative Forcing and Climate Change	11	(7)
Potential Impacts of Climate change	18	(2)
Policy Considerations	20	(3)
Conclusions	23	(4)
References	24	(3)
Posing the Problem	27	(18)
Robert G. Watts
Scenarios	27	(3)
Energy Implications of the Scenarios	30	(8)
An Engineering Problem	38	(7)
References	43	(2)
Adaptive Strategies for Climate Change	45	(42)
Robert J. Lempert
Michael E. Schlesinger
Introduction	45	(2)
The Case for Adaptive-Decision Strategies	47	(4)
Assessing Adaptive-Decision Strategies	51	(7)
Design of Adaptive-Decision Strategies	58	(20)
Conclusions	78	(9)
References	82	(5)
Energy Efficiency: a Little Goes a Long Way	87	(36)
Susan J. Hassol
Neil D. Strachan
Hadi Dowlatabadi
Introduction	87	(3)
What is Energy Efficiency?	90	(2)
Historical Trends and Future Predictions	92	(5)
Developing Nations and Uncertainty in Future Energy Use	97	(4)
Viewpoints on Energy Efficiency	101	(1)
The Development of Energy Efficient Technologies	102	(2)
Adoption of Energy Efficiency	104	(3)
Policy Aspects of Energy Efficiency	107	(4)
Efficiency Case Studies	111	(5)
Conclusions	116	(7)
References	118	(5)
The Potential of Renewable Energy to Reduce Carbon Emissions	123	(58)
Walter Short
Patrick Keegan
Introduction and Overview	123	(2)
Characteristics of Renewable Energy Technologies	125	(20)
Market Issues	145	(13)
Regional Status and Potential of Renewables to Address Climate Change	158	(9)
Scenarios for the Future	167	(1)
System-level Deployment	168	(5)
Policy Requirements	173	(8)
References	177	(4)
Carbonless Transportation and Energy Storage in Future Energy Systems	181	(30)
Gene D. Berry
Alan D. Lamont
Carbonless Energy Carriers	181	(6)
Transition Paths Toward Carbonless Energy	187	(11)
Hydrogen Transportation Technology	198	(2)
Displacing Natural Gas from Transportation	200	(2)
Alternatives to Hydrogen Energy Storage	202	(1)
Hydrogen Vehicles as Buffer Energy Storage	203	(1)
Strategies for Reducing Carbon Emissions	203	(8)
References	204	(2)
Appendices	206	(5)
What Can Nuclear Power Accomplish to Reduce CO2 Emissions	211	(114)
Robert Krakowski
Richard Wilson
Overview	211	(7)
Background	218	(26)
Public Acceptance	244	(10)
Future Directions	254	(31)
Incorporating Nuclear Energy into Energy-Economic-Environmental (E3) Models	285	(13)
Conclusion: A Possible Future for Nuclear Energy	298	(27)
List of Abbreviations	302	(5)
References	307	(8)
Appendices	315	(10)
Nuclear Fusion Energy	325	(20)
Arthur W. Molvik
John L. Perkins
Introduction	325	(2)
Potential of Fusion	327	(4)
Approaches to Fusion Energy	331	(9)
Where to from Here?	340	(5)
List of Abbreviations	342	(1)
References	342	(3)
Energy Prosperity Within the Twenty-first Century and Beyond: Options and the Unique Roles of the Sun and the Moon	345	(66)
David R. Criswell
Summary	345	(1)
Twenty-first Century Challenges: People, Power and Energy	345	(4)
Sources to Supply 60 TWt or 20 TWe Commercial Power by 2050	349	(35)
Lunar Solar Power (LSP) System	384	(9)
LSP System Versus Other Power System Options at 20 Twe	393	(7)
Implications of the Lunar Solar Power System	400	(11)
Acknowledgements	402	(1)
Definitions of Special Terms	403	(2)
References and Notes	405	(6)
Geoengineering the Climate: History and Prospect	411	(43)
David W. Keith
Introduction	411	(1)
Defining Geoengineering	412	(2)
History	414	(11)
Taxonomy and Review of Proposals to Manipulate the Climate	425	(12)
Evaluating Geoengineering	437	(10)
Summary and Implications	447	(7)
Acknowledgment	449	(1)
References	450	(4)
Index	454