Understanding the Bigger Energy Picture

DESERTEC and Beyond

verfasst von: Michael Düren

Verlag: Springer International Publishing

Buchreihe : SpringerBriefs in Energy

Enthalten in: Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" , Springer Professional "Technik"

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Über dieses Buch

This book is open access under a CC BY 4.0 license.

This book focuses on the global cycles of energy, water and carbon, which are not only the essentials of our main energy carriers, the fossil fuels, but are also the building blocks of life. The book offers an overview of the basic scientific facts and relationships that are needed to understand today’s energy generation and use, how they relate to global climate, the water cycle and other resources, and the complexities of energy policy. Building on the work of the Desertec project, it presents the main technological options that we will have in a world after the “Energiewende” and presents the possible future solutions for a sustainable world. The book is written in an engaging, descriptive style that can be understood by those without specific knowledge of science or economics and allows readers to form their own conclusions.

Controversy rages over energy problems, climate change and their possible solutions. Expressions like “climate deniers”, “renaissance of nuclear energy”, “stop the war on coal”, and “Energiewende now” represent a diversity of opinions that divide our society and political leaders. This book shows the reader the whole energy picture and how it is part of the wider global problems of overpopulation and uncontrolled economies in a world of limited resources.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Frontmatter

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Chapter 1. Introduction

Abstract

Since thousands of years, the human race has been developing cultural skills and technological capabilities that support its struggle for survival and lead to dominance over all other species. Since about a century, the exponential growth of knowledge, technology, industry and population (see Fig. 1.1) has reached a scale where man modifies biosphere to an extent, that living conditions on the whole planet earth start to change significantly. Resources that had been abundant are becoming scarce within decades.

Michael Düren

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Chapter 2. The Nexus of Energy, Carbon and Water

Abstract

All living species including the human body consist mainly of carbon and water, or—to be more precise—they consist of hydrocarbons and other chemical compounds that are dominated by the elements carbon, oxygen and hydrogen. So, it is not surprising that the carbon and water cycles are of special importance for mankind. Carbon and water in the form of food and beverage have two very different functions: they supply humans with energy and in addition they are the basic building blocks of the body. Stable, closed loops of water and carbon on our planet guaranteed our survival since the beginning of mankind.

Michael Düren

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Chapter 3. Energy in Times After the Energy Transition

Abstract

The global energy transition is a complex and difficult process and neither its pathways nor its target points are well defined. Typically, in political debates the aim and the technologies of the transition are subject to belief, prejudice or a hidden agenda. Governments in a democratic system may be forced by public pressure to take action, however, in order not to lose majorities, only small steps are taken to have a minimum of collateral damage to existing power structures and interest groups and to minimize opposition.

Michael Düren

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Chapter 4. Political Implications

Abstract

The global energy problem is the result of our modern economy and of our basic style of living. We have to consider fundamental changes of our socio-economic systems to find a sustainable solution. A technical solution alone will not be sufficient. This book, written by a physicist, does not raise the claim to solve the socio-economic problems of our modern world. Nevertheless, the view of a scientist might be useful to emphasize a few things that go wrong in our society.

Michael Düren

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Chapter 5. Closing Remarks

Abstract

The book has been written with the intention to give the reader an overview of today’s energy problem, which is caused by the demographic, sociologic and economic conditions of our modern human society and which is embedded in the complex ecosystem of the earth’s biosphere. It is written from the viewpoint of a physicist who is educated in studying complex systems. The proposed solutions for the energy transition are based on general physical considerations and take recent developments in technology into account. The political aspects of the book are based on the conviction of the author, have no stringent scientific validity and are meant as stimuli in the search of the reader for valid solutions.

Michael Düren

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Titel: Understanding the Bigger Energy Picture
verfasst von: Michael Düren
Verlag: Springer International Publishing
Electronic ISBN: 978-3-319-57966-5
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-57965-8
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-57966-5