Alternative and Unconventional Energy Sources discusses various alternative energy sources and their present usage, including wind, solar, ocean, and geothermal energy, along with unconventional fossil energy sources, such as shale gas. The text covers the development and global adoption of each energy source, along with their environmental and economic impacts, resulting in a comprehensive and in-depth treatment of the subject. This approach provides the reader with a one-stop reference for each particular energy source, making the information accessible to all, regardless of discipline or current level of experience with each energy source.
Specific topics covered in Alternative and Unconventional Energy Sources include: - The controversial perception of shale gas and its future potential as an energy source - Technologies to reduce harmful emissions of CO2 and other waste gases and their potential to cause less global warming - Downsides of commonly accepted alternative energy sources, such as the disposal of nuclear waste and land requirements for solar panels - How undeveloped countries can make use of local energy sources to become more efficient and competitive
Alternative and Unconventional Energy Sources is a highly accessible and useful resource for geographers, geologists, petroleum engineers, renewable energy specialists, and policy makers who wish to understand the current state of global energy production and where the industry may turn in the coming years.
Table of Contents
Preface xi
Acknowledgments xv
1 Alternative and Unconventional Energy Sources 1
1.1 Introduction 1
1.2 Solar Energy 6
1.3 Wind Energy 11
1.4 Biofuel 13
1.5 Geothermal Energy 15
1.6 Hydro Energy 17
1.7 Ocean Energy 17
1.8 Shale Gas 19
1.9 Nuclear Energy 20
2 Solar Energy 23
2.1 Introduction 23
2.2 Sun 24
2.3 Solar Energy 28
2.4 Photovoltaic Cells 30
2.5 Electricity Generation 32
2.6 Solar Radiation for Architecture 36
2.7 Solar Heating 36
2.8 Solar Energy for Agriculture 38
2.9 Solar Energy for Transportation 39
2.10 Impact on the Environment 40
2.11 Advantages of Solar Energy 42
2.12 Global Development of Solar Energy 42
2.13 Conclusion 46
3 Wind Energy 49
3.1 Introduction 49
3.2 Transportation 58
3.3 Wind as an Energy Source 58
3.4 Development of Wind Energy 64
3.5 Wind Energy for Public Transport 65
3.6 Development of Wind Energy for the Next Decade 66
3.7 Impact on the Environment 68
3.8 Economic Impact 69
3.9 Performance of a Windmill 70
3.10 Reducing Carbon Emissions 72
4 Geothermal Energy 75
4.1 Introduction 75
4.2 Structure of the Earth 76
4.3 Plate Tectonics 80
4.4 The Mantle Plume 84
4.5 Geothermal Energy 87
4.6 The Production of Geothermal Power 89
4.7 Present Status of Geothermal Energy Globally 93
4.8 Advantages of Geothermal Energy 93
5 Ocean Energy 97
5.1 Introduction 97
5.2 Formation of the Ocean and Plate Tectonics 101
5.3 Generation of Ocean Energy 105
5.4 Wave Energy 106
5.5 Tidal Energy 108
5.6 The Thermal Energy of the Ocean 110
5.7 Marine Energy 111
5.8 Global Status of Ocean Energy 112
6 Biofuel 115
6.1 Introduction 115
6.2 Liquid Biofuel 117
6.3 Sources of Biofuel 121
6.4 Biodiesel 122
6.5 Biogas 125
6.6 The Use of Biogas on a Global Scale 127
6.7 Biofuel Contribution 128
6.8 Advantages of Biofuel 129
7 Shale Gas and Shale Oil 131
7.1 Introduction 131
7.2 Sandstone 135
7.3 Limestone 137
7.4 Shale 140
7.5 The Formation of Shale 142
7.6 Carbonaceous or Black Shales 145
7.7 Shale Gas 145
7.8 Shale Oil 147
8 Carbonaceous Shale and Diagenesis 149
8.1 Introduction 149
8.2 Different Weathering Processes 151
8.3 Depositional Environment 151
8.4 Physical Properties of Shale 156
8.5 Chemical Properties of Shale 160
8.6 Diagenesis of Shale 161
9 Hydraulic Fracturing 165
9.1 Introduction 165
9.2 Shale Gas Extraction 167
9.3 Preparation for Hydrofracking 172
9.4 Hydrofracking 172
9.5 Status of Hydrofracking 176
10 Impact on the Environment of Alternate Energy Sources 179
10.1 Introduction 179
10.2 Impact of Solar Energy 179
10.3 Impact of Wind Energy 181
10.4 Impact of Geothermal Energy 184
10.5 Impact of Hydro Energy 187
10.6 Impact of Ocean Energy 190
10.7 Impact of Biofuel 193
10.8 Impact of Shale Gas 193
10.9 Conclusion 197
11 The Development of Alternative Energy Sources and the Global Economy 199
11.1 Introduction 199
11.2 Different Energy Sources Over Time 200
11.3 Development of Alternative Energy Sources 202
11.4 Solar Energy 203
11.5 Wind Energy 207
11.6 Geothermal Energy 211
11.7 Ocean Energy 213
11.8 Biofuel 215
11.9 Economic Impact 215
11.10 Environmental Impact 216
References 218
12 Energy Explorations for the Next Decade 219
12.1 Introduction 219
12.2 Growth of Alternative Energy 220
12.3 Development of Energy Appliances 225
12.4 Storage of Renewable Energy 225
12.5 Advantages of Alternative Energy Sources 225
12.6 Economics of Alternative Energy 229
12.7 Conclusion 230
Index 233
