Prospects for Alternative Energy Development in the U.S. West

Prospects for Alternative Energy Development in the U.S. West
Author: John C. Pierce
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 264
Release: 2017-04-04
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 3319534149

This book poses the question of whether identifiable individual-level attributes (e.g., values, interests, knowledge, demographic characteristics) lead to support for or opposition to the development and implementation of alternative energy technologies. In recent years, attempts to site alternative energy technologies (e.g., wind, solar, wave) have been met by intense opposition from a variety of sources, including many environmentalists from whom one might expect support for non-carbon based renewable energy initiatives. This volume argues that there are indeed such discernible attributes, and moreover that the identification and exploration are important for the development of support strategies for the well-informed and achievable siting of such technologies.

Electricity from Renewable Resources

Electricity from Renewable Resources
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 386
Release: 2010-04-05
Genre: Science
ISBN: 030913708X

A component in the America's Energy Future study, Electricity from Renewable Resources examines the technical potential for electric power generation with alternative sources such as wind, solar-photovoltaic, geothermal, solar-thermal, hydroelectric, and other renewable sources. The book focuses on those renewable sources that show the most promise for initial commercial deployment within 10 years and will lead to a substantial impact on the U.S. energy system. A quantitative characterization of technologies, this book lays out expectations of costs, performance, and impacts, as well as barriers and research and development needs. In addition to a principal focus on renewable energy technologies for power generation, the book addresses the challenges of incorporating such technologies into the power grid, as well as potential improvements in the national electricity grid that could enable better and more extensive utilization of wind, solar-thermal, solar photovoltaics, and other renewable technologies.

Global Impact of Unconventional Energy Resources

Global Impact of Unconventional Energy Resources
Author: Manochehr Dorraj
Publisher: Lexington Books
Total Pages: 317
Release: 2018-11-26
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 1498566081

The chapters in this volume represent the latest thinking on the development and exploration of unconventional energy resources in the U.S., Canada, Australia, Europe, Russia, Asia Pacific, Middle East, Latin America, and Africa and shed light on its potential and future prospects in these respective regions. The diversity of thinking about the “shale revolution” is also evident in our case studies. Throughout many countries in Europe for example, there is a strong preference for investment in renewable sources of energy over the fossil fuels. In addition to environmental concerns, the falling price of renewables, have also made them more attractive financially. Consequently, global investment in renewables is outpacing that of fossil fuel two to one. Watching this trend, in 2017, the Chinese government has pledged to invest $360 billion on renewable energy. This would make China the largest investor in development of renewables in the world. Other obstacles to development of shale oil and gas in other parts of the world include, lack of adequate shale resources (Africa), the abundance of conventional energy resources (Middle East and North Africa), high cost of production (Russia, China, Japan) and political opposition to hydraulic fracturing (France and Poland). Despite these sentiments the economic imperatives (providing employment) also play a significant role in determining the future prospects for unconventional energy resources globally.