Energy efficiency Books

Book SynopsisUsing full-color visualizations of key concepts and data, Mara Prentiss interprets government reports, technology, and basic physical laws to advance a bold claim: wind and solar power alone could generate 100% of the U.S. average energy demand, without lifestyle sacrifices. And meeting the actual U.S. energy demand with renewables is within reach.Trade ReviewIn this crisp, evidence-based treatise, physicist Mara Prentiss makes a remarkable assertion: that solar and wind power could supply 100% of average U.S. energy needs for the next 50 years. Prentiss argues that a transition to renewables is probable, given that energy revolutions are a historical norm. She stacks up reams of salient data, such as the fact that U.S. energy use per capita has remained steady since 1965, thanks to increasing fuel efficiency. Although optimistic, her analyses of energy sources, combinations, conservation and storage compel. -- Barbara Kiser * Nature *A surprisingly optimistic analysis of the world’s unsustainable, wasteful energy consumption… In a genre rife with forecasts of doom and exhortations in favor of frugal living, Prentiss provides impressive evidence that things may work out just fine. * Kirkus Reviews *[Prentiss] steers a steady course between the wishful thinking and despair that so often colors discussions of energy. Carefully optimistic, the author thinks a combination of renewable power sources could meet 100 percent of the U.S. average total energy demand for the foreseeable future, even without waste reduction… Delightful, deadpan flashes of wit enliven the text throughout… Readers looking for answers on the feasibility of renewables will find the straight talk refreshing. -- Robert Eagan * Library Journal *In this important book, Mara Prentiss brings basic physics to bear on the critical issue of how we produce and consume energy. Using extensive and illuminating graphics to augment her clear writing, she provides a reason for optimism about the role of renewables in our energy future. -- Kenneth W. Ford, author of 101 Quantum QuestionsWith all the justified excitement around the fracking revolution it’s crucial not to lose sight of the ultimate importance of renewables and energy efficiency. Mara Prentiss has written a highly valuable, scientifically grounded guide to the great things that are possible in both these spheres. -- Lawrence H. Summers, Charles W. Eliot University Professor and President Emeritus, Harvard University

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Book SynopsisThis book aims to present a systemic perspective to energetic transition to a discarbonated society implying an increase of energetic efficiency of current production process, new way of energy production - integration of renewable energies, re-use of wastes. Main societal functions are analyzed in order to highlight the ongoing process of technological and non-technological innovations: transport and mobility, food, building. The purpose of this book is to analyze from a global perspective the energetic innovative system on building and to understand the limits of its development and potential new actions.Table of ContentsPreface vii Introduction ix Chapter 1. A Necessary Transition? 1 1.1. Socio-technical systems facing their limits 2 1.1.1. Meeting global demographic pressures 3 1.1.2. Limiting the depletion of natural resources 4 1.1.3. Restrain environmental degradation 5 1.2. An analytical framework under construction: the Transition Studies 7 1.2.1. The emergence of “Transition Studies” 7 1.2.2. The transition as a process of socio-technical systems transformation 8 1.2.3. A transition supported by a systemic vision of innovation 11 1.3. Eco-innovations: facilitators of the transition? 19 1.3.1. Innovation for the environment 19 1.3.2. New management and innovation practices 22 Chapter 2. Energy Transitions 27 2.1. A socially structuring energy model 29 2.2. Fundamentals and characterization of the current energy system 31 2.2.1. Energy and the energy system 31 2.2.2. From primary energy to final energy 32 2.3. The limits of the current energy system 34 2.3.1. An evolution of the world’s energy consumption… 35 2.3.2. …which shrinks fossil energy reserves… 36 2.3.3. …and generates local and global environmental damage 38 2.4. Innovation in the energy transition 40 2.4.1. Improving the current system of energy production and adapting existing technologies to new constraints 41 2.4.2. Producing energy differently from non-carbon resources 43 2.4.3. Using energy differently: electromobility 47 2.4.4. Transition to a radically new energy system: the hydrogen economy 50 2.5. Barriers of the energy transition 55 2.5.1. Market failures 55 2.5.2. Systemic failures 56 Chapter 3. Agro-ecological Transitions 59 3.1. The notion of agro-ecology 60 3.1.1. Towards an ecologically intensive agriculture… 60 3.1.2. … and a sustainable food regime 61 3.2. The implementation of the agro-ecological transition 61 3.2.1. Changing agricultural production systems 62 3.2.2. Eco-innovations in agribusiness companies: a recent and moderate development 63 3.2.3. Consumers committed to the environment 65 3.3. Obstacles and levers for the agro-ecological transition 69 3.3.1. Process of locking and unlocking 69 3.3.2. Obstacles to the development of new agricultural practices 71 3.3.3. Blockages on the side of the agri-food sector 77 3.4. The levers for agro-ecological transition: the role of public policies 79 Conclusion 87 Bibliography 91 Index 115

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Book SynopsisThis book showcases how EcoMechatronics can increase sustainability within engineering and manufacturing. It brings together material from experts in core mechatronics technologies, discussing the challenges related to moving towards more environmentally friendly methods, and presenting numerous case studies and examples of EcoMechatronics oriented applications. The book begins with an introduction to EcoMechatronics in the context of sustainability, before covering core conceptual, technical and design issues associated with EcoMechatronics. It then offers a series of case studies and examples of EcoMechatronics oriented applications and finally, a consideration of the educational issues associated with moving to a new generation of environmentally oriented mechatronic engineers. EcoMechatronics will be of interest to practicing engineers, researchers, system developers. and graduate students in the field of mechatronics and environmental engineering.Table of ContentsEcoMechatronics: Concepts, Objectives, and Outcomes.- Re-Envisioning Innovation for Sustainability.- Mechatronic applications in Respect of Sustainability & Climate Change.- EcoMechatronics and Bioinspired Design: Ecology, Circular Economy and Sustainability.- A Holistic and Sustainable View on the Product Creation Process for Mechatronic Systems.- Applied Sensor Technologies.- MBSE for Mechatronic Systems Design with Human, Energetic, Cyber and Physical Aspects.- Concurrent Multi-domain Modelling and Simulation for Energy-efficient Mechatronic Systems.- Artificial Intelligence, Ethics & Privacy.- Mechatronic Applications in Rail Systems and Technologies.- Sustainable Mechatronic Solution for Agricultural Precision Farming Inspired by Space Robotics Technologies.- The Achievement of Sustainability in the Built Environment.- Eco-design of Hydropower Device in River.- Micro/Nano Positioning Systems with Piezoelectric Actuators and Their Role on Sustainability and Ecosystem.- Energy Saving in Industrial Mechatronic Systems Through Optimal Motion Planning.- Minimisation of C02 Footprint of Hybrid Propulsion Systems for Mobility and Power Tool Applications.- Developing Education in Mechatronics to Support the Challenges for Evolution, Development and Sustainability.- Education and Simulation for Electric and Mechatronic Systems in Renewable Energy.- Robot-Assisted Teaching – The Future of Education?.- EcoMechatronics: Enabling Technologies, and Future Prospects.

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Book SynopsisConsiderable progress in energy efficiency in the building sector is reported in the majority of the UNECE member States, and still reaching the potential often falls short due to flawed policy frameworks, and lack of public awareness on available modern technologies and education on long-term economic and social benefits of energy efficiency improvement. This publication is prepared in response to the outlined challenges and aims to elucidate the status of implementation of energy efficiency standards in buildings and deployment of appropriate technologies, and to identify good policy practices and replicable solutions. It also proposes a set of general recommendations and priority actions arising from the analysis.

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