The second edition of a widely used textbook that explores energy resource options and technologies with a view toward achieving sustainability on local, national, and global scales.

Human survival depends on a continuing supply of energy, but the need for ever-increasing amounts of it poses a dilemma: How can we find energy sources that are sustainable and ways to convert and utilize energy that are more efficient? This widely used textbook is designed for advanced undergraduate and graduate students as well as others who have an interest in exploring energy resource options and technologies with a view toward achieving sustainability on local, national, and global scales. It clearly presents the tradeoffs and uncertainties inherent in evaluating and choosing sound energy portfolios and provides a framework for assessing policy solutions.

The second edition examines the broader aspects of energy use, including resource estimation, environmental effects, and economic evaluations; reviews the main energy sources of today and tomorrow, from fossil fuels and nuclear power to biomass, hydropower, and solar energy; treats energy carriers and energy storage, transmission, and distribution; addresses end-use patterns in the transportation, industrial, and building sectors; and considers synergistic complex systems. This new edition also offers updated statistical data and references; a new chapter on the complex interactions among energy, water, and land use; expanded coverage of renewable energy; and new color illustrations. Sustainable Energy addresses the challenges of making responsible energy choices for a more sustainable future.

About the Author

Jefferson W. Tester is Croll Professor of Sustainable Energy Systems at Cornell University.

Elisabeth M. Drake is Emeritus Researcher at the MIT Energy Initiative.

Michael J. Driscoll is Professor Emeritus of Nuclear Science and Engineering at MIT.

Michael W. Golay is Professor of Nuclear Science and Engineering at MIT.

William A. Peters is Executive Director of the Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies at MIT.

Preface to the First Edition Acknowledgments from the First Edition Preface to the Second Edition Acknowledgments for the Second Edition 1 Sustainable Energy: The Engine of Sustainable Development 1.1 Sustainable Energy: The Engine of Sustainable Development 1.2 The Energy Portfolio 1.3 Defining Energy: Scientific and Engineering Foundations 1.4 Aspects of Energy Production and Consumption 1.5 National and Global Patterns of Energy Supply and Utilization 1.6 Environmental Effects of Energy: Gaining Understanding 1.7 Confronting the Energy-Prosperity-Environmental Dilemma: Sustainability and Alternative Proposals 1.8 Mathematical Representations of Sustainability 1.9 The Rest of This Book Problems References 2 Estimation and Evaluation of Energy Resources 2.1 Units of Measurement: Energy and Power 2.2 Comparison of Different Forms of Energy 2.3 The Energy Life Cycle 2.4 Estimation and Valuation of Fossil Mineral Fuels, Especially Petroleum 2.5 Estimation and Valuation of Nuclear Fuel Resources 2.6 Estimation and Valuation of Renewable Energy Resources 2.7 Lessons for Sustainable Development 2.8 Summary and Conclusions Problems References 3 Technical Performance: Allowability, Efficiency, Production Rates 3.1 The Relation of Technical Performance to Sustainability 3.2 An Introduction to Methods of Thermodynamic Analysis 3.3 The Importance of Rate Processes in Energy Conversion 3.4 Chemical Rate Processes 3.5 The Physical Transport of Heat 3.6 Energy Requirements for Gas Separation Processes 3.7 Use and Abuse of Time Scales 3.8 Energy Resources and Energy Conversion: Fertile Common Ground Problems References 4 Local, Regional, and Global Environmental Effects of Energy 4.1 How Energy Systems Interact with the Environment 4.2 Adverse Environmental Effects over Local and Regional Length Scales 4.3 Global Climate Change: Environmental Consequences over Planetary Length Scales 4.4 Attribution of Environmental Damage to Energy Utilization 4.5 Methods of Environmental Protection 4.6 Environmental Benefits of Energy 4.7 Implications for Sustainable Energy Appendix: Lessons from SO Emissions Trading Problems References 5 Project Economic Evaluation 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Time Value of Money Mechanics 5.3 Current- versus Constant-Dollar Comparisons 5.4 Simple Payback 5.5 Economy of Scale and Learning Curve 5.6 Allowing for Uncertainty 5.7 Accounting for Externalities 5.8 Energy Accounting 5.9 Modeling beyond the Project Level 5.10 Summary Appendix: Derivation of Relations for Levelized Cost Problems References Websites of Interest 6 Energy Systems and Sustainability Metrics 6.1 Introduction and Historical Notes 6.2 Energy from a Systems Perspective 6.3 Systems Analysis Approaches 6.4 Measures of Sustainability 6.5 Drivers of Societal Change 6.6 Some General Principles of Sustainable Development Problems References Websites of Interest 7 Energy, Water, and Land Use 7.1 Linkages between Energy, Water, and Land Use 7.2 Major Systems, Interactions, and Trends 7.3 Major Planetary Cycles 7.4 Overview of Land-Use Issues 7.5 Overview of Ocean-Use Issues 7.6 Implications for Sustainable Energy Problems References Websites of Interest 8 Fossil Fuels and Fossil Energy 8.1 Introduction 8.2 The Fossil-Fuel Resource Base 8.3 Harvesting Energy and Energy Products from Fossil Fuels 8.4 Environmental Impacts 8.5 Geopolitical and Sociological Factors 8.6 Economics of Fossil Energy 8.7 Some Principles for Evaluating Fossil and Other Energy Technology Options 8.8 Emerging Technologies 8.9 Conclusion: Why Are Fossil Fuels Important to Sustainable Energy? Problems References 9 Nuclear Power 9.1 Nuclear History 9.2 Physics 9.3 Nuclear Reactors 9.4 Burning and Breeding 9.5 Nuclear Power Economics 9.6 Nuclear Power Plant Accidents 9.7 Reactor Safety 9.8 Nuclear Reactor Technologies 9.9 Actinide Burning 9.10 Advanced Reactors 9.11 Nuclear Power Fuel Resources 9.12 Fuel Cycle 9.13 Fusion Energy 9.14 Future Prospects for Nuclear Power Problems References Additional Resources 10 Biomass Energy 10.1 Characterizing the Biomass Resource 10.2 Biomass Relevance to Energy Production 10.3 Chemical and Physical Properties Relevant to Energy Production 10.4 Biofuels Production: Policy Incentives 10.5 Thermal Conversion of Biomass 10.6 Bioconversion 10.7 Environmental Issues 10.8 Economics 10.9 Research and Development Opportunities 10.10 Disruptive Technology 10.11 Summary Problems References Websites of Interest 11 Geothermal Energy 11.1 Characterization of Geothermal Resource Types 11.2 Geothermal Resource Size and Distribution 11.3 Practical Operation and Equipment for Recovering Energy 11.4 Sustainability Attributes reduction and pollution prevention 11.5 Status of Geothermal Technology Today 11.6 Competing in Today’s Energy Markets 11.7 Research and Development Advances Needed 11.8 Potential for the Long Term Problems References Websites of Interest 12 Hydropower 12.1 Overview of Hydropower 12.2 Hydropower Resource Assessment 12.3 Basic Energy Conversion Principles 12.4 Conversion Equipment and Civil Engineering Operations 12.5 Sustainability Attributes 12.6 Status of Hydropower Technology Today Problems References Websites of Interest 13 Solar Energy 13.1 General Characteristics of Solar Energy 13.2 Resource Assessment 13.3 Passive and Active Solar Thermal Energy for Buildings 13.4 Solar Thermal Electric Systems: Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) 13.5 Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems 13.6 Sustainability Attributes 13.7 Summary and Prognosis Problems References Websites of Interest 14 Ocean Wave, Tide, Current, and Thermal Energy Conversion 14.1 Introduction 14.2 Energy from the Tides and Currents 14.3 Energy from the Waves: Overview 14.4 Energy from Temperature Differences 14.5 Economic Prospects 14.6 Environmental and Sustainability Considerations 14.7 The Ocean as an Externalities Sink 14.8 Current Status and Future Prospects Appendix: Constants and Conversion Factors Problems References Websites of Interest 15 Wind Energy 15.1 Introduction and Historical Notes 15.2 Wind Resources 15.3 Wind Machinery and Generating Systems 15.4 Wind-Turbine Rating 15.5 Wind-Power Economics 15.6 Measures of Sustainability 15.7 Current Status and Future Prospects Appendix: Conversion Factors Relevant to Wind Power Problems References Websites of Interest 16 Energy Carriers: Electric Power, Hydrogen Fuel, Other? 16.1 Introduction and Historical Perspectives 16.2 Electricity as an Energy Carrier 16.3 Hydrogen as an Energy Carrier 16.4 Sustainability Issues Problems References Websites of Interest 17 Energy Management: Storage, Transportation, and Distribution 17.1 Overview of Energy Management Systems 17.2 Connected Efficiencies and Energy Chains 17.3 Modes of Energy Storage 17.4 Energy Transmission 17.5 Energy Distribution Systems 17.6 Ways of Organizing the Electric Economy 17.7 Energy Market Impacts on Electricity Generation Options 17.8 Sustainability Attributes 17.9 Opportunities for Advancement of Sustainable Energy Infrastructures Problems References Websites of Interest 18 Transportation Services 18.1 Introduction and Historical Perspectives 18.2 Elements of the Transportation System 18.3 Transportation Fuels and the Fuel Cycle 18.4 Personal Vehicles 18.5 Life-Cycle Comparison of Vehicle Alternatives for Passenger Road Transport 18.6 Freight Vehicles 18.7 Public Transit, Interurban, and Intercontinental Transport 18.8 Motorization Trends 18.9 Sustainability Issues Problems References Websites of Interest 19 Industrial Energy Usage 19.1 Introduction and Historical Perspectives 19.2 Life-Cycle Analysis and Design for Sustainability 19.3 Metals Industries 19.4 Cement and Lime Industries 19.5 Chemical Industries 19.6 Forest Products and Agriculture 19.7 Waste Management Industries 19.8 Sustainability Issues Problems References Websites of Interest 20 Commercial and Residential Buildings 20.1 Introduction and Historical Perspectives 20.2 Life-Cycle Analysis 20.3 Residential Buildings 20.4 Commercial Buildings 20.5 Indoor Air Quality 20.6 Sustainability Issues Problems References Websites of Interest 21 Synergistic Complex Systems 21.1 Introduction and Historical Notes 21.2 The Complex Systems View 21.3 Some Case Studies (Meadows, Meadows, and Randers, 1992) 970 (Hammond, 1998) 21.4 Transitional Pathways 21.5 The Challenge to Society Problems References Websites of Interest 22 Choosing among Options Conversion Factors List of Acronyms Index