Energy and Climate Change

Our New Future

1st Edition - February 26, 2025
Editors: Trevor Letcher, Vasilis M. Fthenakis
Language: English
Paperback ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 4 4 3 - 2 1 9 2 7 - 6
eBook ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 4 4 3 - 2 1 9 2 8 - 3

Energy and Climate Change: Our New Future provides an understanding of future energy, energy transition, and climate change. Sections cover key concepts, enabling readers to better… Read more

Purchase options

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Innovate. Sustain. Transform.

Save up to 30% on top Physical Sciences & Engineering titles!

Explore today

Physical science & engineering for sustainable development book covers

Institutional subscription on ScienceDirect

Request a sales quote

Energy and Climate Change: Our New Future provides an understanding of future energy, energy transition, and climate change. Sections cover key concepts, enabling readers to better understand root causes and future implications while also assessing the current role and future outlook for fossil fuel-based energy sources. Coverage of the very latest cleaner energies gives readers tactics to solve the problems of global warming and climate change. The book also explores how various renewable energy options are affected by climate change, such as strong winds impacting wind turbines, flooding of renewable energy infrastructure, droughts affecting hydroelectric schemes, rising temperatures affecting solar panels, and more.

This is an invaluable resource for all those with an interest in energy transition, renewable energy, climate change, and sustainability, including researchers, graduate students, scientists, engineers, practitioners, consultants, industry leaders, urban planners, and government personnel.

Title of Book
Cover image
Title page
Table of Contents
Copyright
List of contributors
Preface
Part A: Introduction
1. Evidence and causes of climate change
Abstract
1.1 Evidence for climate change
1.2 What societal changes can we expect with climate change?
1.3 Causes of global warming and climate change
1.4 Can we prove that global warming is due to greenhouse gases?
1.5 Feedback mechanisms
1.6 Tipping points
References
2. The need to reduce CO2 production and boost renewable energy
Abstract
2.1 Introduction: the climate is in freefall
2.2 A detailed look at the greenhouse effect
2.3 Contributors to carbon dioxide production
2.4 How can we reduce the production of CO2?
2.5 What renewable energy is available for our use?
2.6 A summary of the basic energy options, which do not produce CO2
References
3. Evidence of climate change (intertidal indicators)
Abstract
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Climate change and biogeography
3.3 Mechanisms and microclimate
3.4 Additional impacts of global change
3.5 Conclusions
Acknowledgments
References
4. Evidence of change (bird ecology)
Abstract
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Indicators of change
4.3 Conclusions
References
5. Global surface temperatures
Abstract
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Observations of surface temperature
5.3 Observation characteristics, identification, and reduction of data artifacts
5.4 Global fields of surface temperature
5.5 Global changes
5.6 Characterization of extremes and variability
5.7 Future research directions
5.8 Conclusions
Funding acknowledgments
References
Part B: Fossil fuels
6. Oil and natural gas, present, and in the future
Abstract
6.1 Introduction to oil and natural gas
6.2 Oil and natural gas in the present global energy economy
6.3 Resources and reserves
6.4 Oil and natural gas as sources of greenhouse gases
6.5 Noncombustion uses of oil and gas
6.6 Substitutes for fossil fuels
6.7 Decarbonization and the energy trilemma
6.8 Scenarios
6.9 Stranded assets
6.10 Outlook for oil and natural gas
6.11 Conclusion
Appendix A: List of OECD Nations Table A 6.1 (Source: )
Appendix B: Standard Cubic Foot versus Standard Cubic Meter
Appendix C: Scientific and Oilfield Multiplier Abbreviations (Table A 6.2)
References
Further Reading
7. Coal and climate change
Abstract
7.1 Introduction
7.2 What is climate change?
7.3 Why is the climate changing?
7.4 Greenhouse gases emissions
7.5 Role of coal in industries
7.6 Different pathways of coal utilization
7.7 Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from coal
7.8 Conclusion
References
Part C: Renewable energy and storing energy
8. Wind energy: status and outlook with focus on offshore wind
Abstract
8.1 Energy from wind (history) and energy transition (present and future)
8.2 Innovation in wind turbines
8.3 Aside—the oldest, largest, and a smart machine
8.4 Power curve for a turbine
8.5 Sustainability of wind farms and tackling intermittency of wind power
8.6 Hydrogen production using offshore wind—the Japanese “Jidai” concept
8.7 Increasing resilience of nuclear power plant using offshore wind turbines
8.8 Economics of offshore wind energy and levelized cost of energy statistics
8.9 Challenges and opportunities in new geographical regions
8.10 Discussion and conclusions
References
9. Status and outlook of solar photovoltaics
Abstract
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Technologies
9.3 Photovoltaic markets and future perspectives
9.4 Sustainability of large growth
9.5 Conclusions
References
10. Status and perspectives of concentrating solar technologies
Abstract
10.1 Introduction
10.2 State of the art technologies
10.3 Applications—now and future prospects
10.4 Future of concentrated solar technologies
10.5 Conclusion
References
11. An uncertain future for global hydropower
Abstract
Abbreviations
11.1 Introduction
11.2 The advantages of hydro electricity
11.3 Hydropower: environmental and social problems
11.4 Hydroelectricity compared with other energy sources
11.5 Hydropower: future technical and economic potential
11.6 Discussion and conclusions
References
12. Geothermal energy now and in the future
Abstract
12.1 Introduction
12.2 Who is driving geothermal development—now and into the future?
12.3 What technologies are in the future of geothermal?
12.4 Where will future developments in geothermal energy happen?
12.5 Concluding remarks
References
13. Marine energy
Abstract
13.1 Introduction
13.2 Marine energy power and devices
13.3 Optimal application of marine energy
13.4 Blue Economy growth and power at sea
13.5 Resilient coastal communities
13.6 The future of marine energy
13.7 Challenges to getting marine energy established
13.8 Marine energy development timeline and future scenarios
References
14. Oceans—tidal energy
Abstract
14.1 Introduction and historic development
14.2 Theory and measurement
14.3 Resource characterization
14.4 Techno-economic assessment
14.5 Projects and suppliers
References
Chapter 15. Storing energy: options to balance renewable energy
Abstract
Nomenclature
15.1 Introduction
15.2 Mechanical energy storage
15.3 Thermal energy storage
15.4 Chemical energy storage systems
15.5 Electrochemical energy storage
15.6 Electrical energy storage
15.7 Developing energy storage projects
15.8 Conclusion
References
16. Hydrogen production and hydrogen as an energy vector
Abstract
16.1 Introduction
16.2 Water electrolysis
16.3 Integration with electrolyzer
16.4 Hydrogen economy
16.5 Hydrogen applications toward a sustainable society
16.6 Conclusion
References
17. Solid air hydrogen liquefaction, the missing link of the hydrogen economy
Abstract
17.1 Introduction
17.2 Solid air hydrogen liquefaction
17.3 Methodology
17.4 Results
17.5 Discussion
17.6 Conclusions
References
Part D: Nuclear energy
18. The role of nuclear fission technology in decarbonization
Abstract
18.1 Introduction
18.2 Conversion of nuclear energy to electricity
18.3 Challenges facing nuclear energy
18.4 Advanced nuclear reactor technologies
18.5 Uses of nuclear energy other than grid-scale electricity
18.6 Future deployment
18.7 Conclusions
References
19. Small modular reactors: economic, safety, and environmental aspects
Abstract
19.1 Introduction
19.2 Economics of small modular reactors
19.3 Safety and environmental aspects of small modular reactors
19.4 Small modular reactor deployment and a system of provision approach
Acknowledgment
References
Part E: Carbon capture and potential new energy technologies
20. Carbon capture and sequestration: a critical view of its future
Abstract
Abbreviations
20.1 Introduction
20.2 Carbon capture and storage
20.3 Direct air capture
20.4 Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage
20.5 Underground or undersea biomass burial
20.6 Carbon dioxide utilization
20.7 Conclusions
References
21. Nuclear fusion (including safety, impact on the environment, and potential capacity in 2030 and 2050)
Abstract
21.1 What is nuclear fusion?
21.2 How can we use fusion for energy?
21.3 Impacts of fusion
21.4 Climate change and fusion’s place in a future energy system
21.5 Potential capacity of fusion
21.6 Conclusions
References
22. Space-based-solar energy: current status and prospects
Abstract
Abbreviations
22.1 Introduction
22.2 Constraints and technical challenges
22.3 Conclusion
References
Further reading
Part F: Final word
23. The transition to 100% clean, renewable energy
Abstract
23.1 Introduction
23.2 Analysis
23.3 Discussion on the feasibility of transition
23.4 Sustainability of fast growth toward 100% clean, renewable energy
23.5 Conclusion
References
Index

Trevor Letcher

Professor Trevor Letcher is an Emeritus Professor at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and living in the United Kingdom. He was previously Professor of Chemistry, and Head of Department, at the University of the Witwatersrand, Rhodes University, and Natal, in South Africa (1969-2004). He has published over 300 papers on areas such as chemical thermodynamic and waste from landfill in peer reviewed journals, and 100 papers in popular science and education journals. Prof. Letcher has edited and/or written 32 major books, of which 22 were published by Elsevier, on topics ranging from future energy, climate change, storing energy, waste, tyre waste and recycling, wind energy, solar energy, managing global warming, plastic waste, renewable energy, and environmental disasters. He has been awarded gold medals by the South African Institute of Chemistry and the South African Association for the Advancement of Science, and the Journal of Chemical Thermodynamics honoured him with a Festschrift in 2018. He is a life member of both the Royal Society of Chemistry (London) and the South African Institute of Chemistry. He is on the editorial board of the Journal of Chemical Thermodynamics, and is a Director of the Board of the International Association of Chemical Thermodynamics since 2002.

Affiliations and expertise

Emeritus Professor, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Vasilis M. Fthenakis

Vasilis Fthenakis is the Founding Director of the Center for Life Cycle Analysis (CLCA), Adjunct Professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Engineering and the Department of Electrical Engineering at Columbia University and Distinguished Scientist Emeritus at Brookhaven National Laboratory. Fthenakis is internationally recognized for his leading work in the energy-environment nexus and renewable energy grid integration. With a focus on developing methodologies, models, and tools to analyze cleaner energy alternatives, he has been a pioneer in studying the environmental impact, resource availability and recycling of photovoltaics (PVs), accelerating their commercial adoption around the world. More recently, he broadened the CLCA’s research to explore solar-enabled water desalination and “green” hydrogen production. He is a Fellow of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) and a recipient of several honors and awards including the 2022 Karl Boer Solar Energy Medal of Merit for “distinguished contributions to quest for sustainable energy”.

Affiliations and expertise

Professor, Veterinary Faculty, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece

Life Sciences

Physical Sciences & Engineering

Social Sciences & Humanities

Health