Summary

It is difficult to identify a defining moment that turned the tide toward less-polluting energy sources, but most people today have a fresh outlook on the environment and realize the importance of conservation. In recent years, a new community of people who want alternative energies for their cars, public vehicles, and houses has emerged.

Renewable Energy reviews the current status of technologies in renewable energy, a critical subject since the world now increases its energy consumption between 1 to 3 percent each year. Covering the current rate of energy consumption and the consequences of continuing this rate, this new book explains how the main conventional forms of energy—including coal, oil, and gas—contribute to economies. The focus of this full-color book is the remarkable diversity of ideas that are born every day in the field of alternative energy.

Chapters include:

• Earth's Energy Sources
• Recycling
• Gasoline Alternative Vehicles
• Biorefineries
• Innovations in Clean Energy
• Green Building Design
• Energy from Solid Biomass.

Specifications

Full-color photographs and line illustrations. Index. Appendixes. Glossary. Sidebars. Print and Web resources. Tables and charts.

About the Author(s)

Anne Maczulak, Ph.D., has more than 25 years of experience as a microbiologist in university laboratories. She completed her undergraduate and master's studies at Ohio State University and earned her doctorate from the University of Kentucky. She has authored peer-reviewed journal articles and technical reports and has served on corporate microbiology committees. Maczulak has given presentations to national environmental health associations as well as workshops on surface water.