Energy Transitions: History, Requirements, Prospects

Es un libro fundamental para entender la complejidad de la actual transición energética. Adicionalmente,la entrega fue muy rápida.

This guy has to all together when it comes to energy. His vision is awesome. I captured some of his quotes for my web site.

Muy bueno

Energy transitions that have occurred because of technological progress (from wood to coal to oil and to renewables) may also be driven by government investments in the future. As the author explains many facts and examples, the physics and chemistry of each type of energy, matters not ordinarily considered by the general public, are nearly always the underlying reason for use of one energy source over another. One of the largest sources of primary energy, particularly the chemical energy in plants and wood, is of course solar energy. In a global warming scenario nations in the tropics and temperature latitudes, may be forced to consider whether solar PV and solar thermal energy, or crops and woodlands will be priority for maintenance. A hot world condition may reduce a substantial part of the Great Plains in the US and farmland in China (in areas of similar latitude) to arid lands. At that juncture, new canals and pipelines that transport water from high latitudes (where new rainfall patterns would exist because of the loss of the mid-latitude jet stream and the new importance of the polar jet stream) to temperate farmland would be an option; the other being the large scale construction of solar PV and solar thermal power stations to use sunlight that used to supply crops. Considering this challenge optimistically, though, a third option of canals and solar power stations exists: this would involve canals and drip irrigation pipes that efficiently water the land, and provide water for cover crops to reduce soil erosion and some harvests, and above this irrigated cropland, interspersed solar panels and mirrors would be constructed. The land would be stabilized against erosion and sandstorms, some crop production derived, and the ongoing production of renewable electricity would occur. Other ideas about combining renewable energy and cropland has been proposed, and successfully implemented, with wind power. However, this is unlikely to perform at continental scale because of rare earth shortages and the vulnerability to tornadoes, whereas solar power stations are much closer to the ground and can be shielded with adjustable steel plates and beams, perhaps even with a structure using steel and wood. Our huge economic gains obtained from oil, gas, and coal are unquestioned, and efficiency and energy transitions occur. However, the sunlight necessary for crops which feed a world of 7, 8, or 9 billion people are unlikely to found in the sub-Arctic and sub-Antarctic regions, now matter how advanced greenhouses may become. Thus, the national interests of the US, China, European, and most other nations will be served by maintaining adequate freshwater flows if rainfall in the temperature regions diminishes and if deserts and arid lands spread through most of the mid-latitudes. With good planning and wise use of money, and various treaties and UN guidelines, a substantial part of the money spent on conventional wars will go towards building a vast and historic canal and pipeline system on each continent. With this success, every continent will be sufficient in food production, in water resources, and famine will never destroy one of the world's major powers.

The information about the history of human energy use is informative and concise. Taking figures, where possible, from historical records. An interesting read but remember it was written a decade ago so, as the author astutely points out, the future predictions herein are subject to change. Ten years later, we can see that to be the case.

The first two thirds of the book is a detailed review of the transition from wood and human power to the 21st century dependence on fossil fuels. Dispells some myths along the way. Paints rather gloomy but realistic picture of the difficulties of transitioning away from fossil fuels, without offering any specific solutions. Very much a technical view of the innevitable changes that he acknowleges must come. Smil only touches lightly on the social, political, and commercial aspects of how to achieve / accelerate the coming transition. Good, realistic background reading.

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