Renewable energy : sources and methods / Anne Maczulak.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 190-198) and index.

Preface -- Acknowledgments -- Introduction -- 1: Earth's Energy Sources -- World's appetite for energy -- Case Study: Western energy crisis, 2000-2001 -- Renewable or nonrenewable -- Oil -- Sun's energy stored in the earth -- Carbon economics -- Our renewable energy resources -- Smart energy grids -- Social aspects of alternative energy -- Energy programs in the global community -- US House Subcommittee on Energy and Environment -- Conclusion -- 2: Recycling -- Grassroots history of recycling -- How recycling saves energy -- Industrial raw materials from waste -- Recycled materials chemistry -- High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) -- Minerals and metals -- Case Study: Recycling during World War II -- Rubber recycling -- Conclusion -- 3: Gasoline Alternative Vehicles -- Evolution of alternative vehicles -- Biofuels -- Case Study: Toyota's Prius -- Synthetic fuels -- Battery power -- Combustion -- Fuel cell technology -- Nuclear fission and fusion -- Natural gas fuels -- Next generation hybrids -- Conclusion -- 4: Biorefineries -- Today's refinery industry -- Pipelines -- US Department of Energy -- Case Study: Alaska's oil economy -- Biorefining steps -- Developing the biorefining industry -- Conclusion -- 5: Innovations In Clean Energy -- Alternative energy emerging -- Wind, wave, and tidal power -- Solar power -- Solar films -- Hydropower and geothermal energy -- Nuclear energy -- Direct carbon conversion -- Fuel cells -- Conclusion -- 6: Green Building Design -- Building green comes of age -- Controlling energy and heat flows -- Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) -- Cooling and ventilation -- Insulation -- Daylighting -- Windows technology -- Water conservation -- Case Study: Four Horizons House, Australia -- Managing waste streams -- Off the energy grid -- Conclusion -- 7: Energy From Solid Biomass -- Earth's biomass -- Types of biomass -- Phosphate bond -- Conversion to energy and fuels -- Energy value of garbage -- Biomass economy -- Case Study: Chicago climate exchange -- Conclusion -- 8: Future Needs -- Appendixes -- Glossary -- Further resources -- Index.

Synopsis: Green Technology is an eight-volume set that examines the relationship between human activities and their sometimes harmful consequences for the environment and explores new methods of repairing and restoring the Earth. Approaching environmental issues confronting society from a technological perspective has spawned significant controversy, and the books in this set present all sides of the debate. Designed to complement science curricula, the set also covers relevant history and new green technologies and innovations that will contribute to the field in the future. Renewable Energy: Sources and Methods examines the current technologies in renewable energy, a critical subject given that the world increases its energy consumption between 1 and 3 percent each year. Considering the current rate of energy consumption and the consequences of continuing at this rate, the book explains how the main conventional sources of energy-including coal, oil, and gas-affect economies worldwide. The book also focuses on the remarkable diversity of ideas and innovations in the field of alternative energy. Sidebars, figures, and case studies enhance fundamental concepts and examine urgent issues related to the future of the environment. The volume includes information on: alternative vehicles; biomass; the biorefining industry; "clean" energy; converting solid waste to energy; Earth's energy sources; green building design and construction; recycling; water conservation; and worldwide energy programs. The book contains more than 40 color photographs and line illustrations, five appendixes, a glossary, a detailed list of print and Internet resources, and an index. Green Technology is essential for general readers who seek information on the important issues that affect the environment worldwide.