000			02148cam a22002534a 4500
008			100307s2008 ne a 000 0 eng
020			_a 9781402086533 (hbk.)
020			_a1402086539 (hbk.)
035			_a(Sirsi) u4405
040			_aEG-CaNU _c EG-CaNU _d EG-CaNU
042			_ancode
020			_a 9781402086540 (ebook)
082	0	4	_a 333.794 _2 22
245	0	0	_a Biofuels, solar and wind as renewable energy systems : _b benefits and risks / _c David Pimentel.
260			_a[Dordrecht] : _b Springer, _c 2008.
300			_axxi, 504 p. : _b ill. ; _c 25 cm.
504			_aIncludes bibliographical references and index.
520			_aWith shortages of fossil energy, especially oil and natural gas, and heavy biomass energy use occurring in both developed and developing countries, a major focus has developed worldwide on renewable energy systems. Renewable energy systems include wind power, biomass, photovoltaics, hydropower, solar thermal, thermal ponds, and biogas. Currently, a heavy focus is on biofuels made from crops, such as corn, sugarcane, and soybeans, for use as renewable energy sources. Wood and crop residues also are being used as fuel. Though it may seem beneficial to use renewable plant materials for biofuel, the use of crop residues and other biomass for biofuels raises many concerns about major environmental problems, including food shortages and serious destruction of vital soil resources. All renewable energy systems need to be investigated because humankind has only about 40 years of oil and gas reserves remaining. There is a 50 to 100 year supply of coal resources in the ground, but coal will become increasingly difficult to extract and will greatly increase the global warming threat.Serious energy conservation and research on viable renewable energy technologies are needed. This book considers the effectiveness and economics of several renewable energy technologies of current interest, including biofuels, solar and wind.
650		0	_aBiomass energy. _98788
650		0	_aSolar energy. _98789
650		0	_aWind power. _98790
700	1		_aPimentel, David, _d 1925- _98791
596			_a1
999			_c3412 _d3412