Life after Fossil Fuels: A Reality Check on Alternative Energy

This book examines the future of energy and explores whether renewable energy sources can replace or supplement fossil fuels. It also looks at substitute energy sources from the standpoint of energy users, such as manufacturing and transportation.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 207 pages
Publication date: 31 March 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This book serves as a reality check on the future of energy sources, as our economy is currently heavily reliant on fossil fuels. These fuels are crucial for transportation, manufacturing, farming, electricity generation, and the production of a wide range of products, including fertilizers, cement, steel, roads, cars, and half a million other items. However, it is inevitable that fossil fuels will become scarce and unaffordable in the future. Global oil production is expected to decline, and some experts predict oil shortages as early as 2022 to 2030.

In light of this, it is essential to explore alternative energy sources that can replace or supplement fossil fuels. The book examines a diverse range of options, including wind, solar, hydrogen, geothermal, nuclear, batteries, catenary systems, fusion, methane hydrates, power-to-gas, wave, tidal power, and biomass. It also considers substitute energy sources from the perspective of energy users, such as manufacturing, which requires high heat that electricity may not be able to provide.

The author, Alice Friedemann, takes a critical and objective approach to analyzing these alternatives. She examines the feasibility, potential benefits, and challenges of each technology, and evaluates their suitability for different applications. Friedemann also sheds light on the industries that rely on fossil fuels as feedstock and the need for them to find alternatives.

In the chapter titled "When Trucks Stop Running: Energy and the Future of Transportation," the author explores the replacement of diesel, which is used to fuel ships, locomotives, and heavy-duty trucks. She examines various options, including electric vehicles, biofuels, hydrogen fuel cells, and renewable diesel. Friedemann assesses the pros and cons of each technology and discusses the challenges and opportunities associated with their deployment.

Another important aspect of the book is its consideration of the societal and environmental impacts of transitioning to alternative energy sources. Friedemann emphasizes the need for sustainable and socially responsible practices, as well as the importance of addressing climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. She also raises concerns about the potential risks and uncertainties associated with some of these technologies, such as the potential for job losses in the fossil fuel industry and the need for infrastructure investments.

Overall, this book provides a comprehensive and insightful examination of the future of energy sources. It offers valuable insights into the alternatives available, the challenges and opportunities they present, and the steps needed to transition to a more sustainable and resilient energy system. Whether you are an energy professional, policymaker, or simply interested in understanding the future of energy, this book is a must-read.

Weight: 349g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030703370
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021