Energy myths and realities
Subtitle: bringing science to the energy policy debate
By: Vaclav Smil
Publisher: AEI Press
Published: 2010
Place of publication: Washington, D.C
Language: eng
Format: Hardcover
Number of pages: 230
ISBN-13: 9780844743288
Description: Myth: New energy sources and technical innovations will eliminate the need for fossil fuels within a few decades. Reality: Comprehensive energy transitions take several generations. Myth: Carbon sequestration is the solution to global climate change. Reality: Because of its costs, technical challenges, and problems with social acceptance, carbon sequestration will not be able to prevent further substantial rise in carbon emissions. Myth: Electric cars will replace conventional automobiles in the near future. Reality: Electric cars are expensive, their adoption rate will be slow, and internal combustion engines will dominate the market for decades to come. These are just a few of the misconceptions about the future of global energy often presented as facts by the media, politicians, business leaders, activists, and even scientists--wasting time and money and hampering the development of progressive energy policies. Energy Myths and Realities: Bringing Science to the Energy Policy Debate debunks the most common fallacies to make way for a constructive, scientific approach to addressing the global energy challenge. When will the world run out of oil? Should nuclear energy be adopted on a larger scale? Are ethanol and wind power viable sources of energy for the future? Vaclav Smil advises the public to be wary of exaggerated claims and impossible promises. The global energy transition will be prolonged and expensive and hinges on the development of an extensive new infrastructure. Traditional energy sources and established energy conversions are persistent and adaptable enough to see the world through the transition. Energy Myths and Realities brings a scientific perspective to an issue often dominated by groundless assertions, unfounded claims, and uncritical thinking. Before we can create sound energy policies for the future, we must renounce the popular myths that cloud our judgment and impede true progress.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: Introduction.; title: Lost opportunities; title: Persistent myths; title: Challenging the myths; title: Part one : Lessons from the past.; title: 1. The future belongs to electric cars.; title: Electric- versus gasoline-powered cars; title: Recent history of electric cars; title: Recent electric models; title: Electric cars and the supply of electricity; title: More efficient gasoline engines; title: 2. Nuclear electricity will be too cheap to meter.; title: Peaceful uses of nuclear fission; title: Retreat from nuclear power; title: Hope for fast Breeder reactors; title: New case for nuclear energy; title: Successful failure; title: 3. Soft-energy illusions.; title: Advantages of soft energy; title: Soft energy today; title: The hypercar; title: Other soft-energy dreams; title: Soft energy in China; title: The "perfect" solution; title: The future of soft and small approaches; title: Part two : Myths in the headlines.; title: 4. Running out : peak oil and its meaning.; title: Predictions of peak oil production; title: Untapped resources; title: Nonconventional oil reserves; title: Production, demand, and prices; title: Countering the claims of peak-oilers; title: 5. Sequestration of carbon dioxide.; title: Organic approaches; title: Technical fixes; title: The energy penalty on sequestration; title: 6. Liquid fuels from plants.; title: Liquid fuels for transportation; title: Corn-based ethanol; title: Sugar cane-based ethanol; title: Impacts of ethanol production; title: Cellulosic ethanol, "a huge new source of energy"; title: Biofuels, an inappropriate solution; title: 7. Electricity from wind.; title: Evolution of wind power; title: Estimated potential of wind power; title: Key constraints of wind power; title: Realizing the potential of wind power; title: 8. The pace of energy transitions.; title: Present realities; title: Past transitions; title: Why energy transitions are gradual; title: The repowering challenge; title: False analogy; title: Conclusion : Lessons and policy implications.; title: Electric vehicles; title: Nuclear power; title: Soft-energy conversions; title: Peak oil; title: Carbon sequestration; title: Crop-based ethanol; title: Wind-powered electricity generation; title: Energy transitions; title: A quick summation; title: About the author