Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
term, solar/wind power plants, whether based on solar thermal
or photovoltaic technology, must become self-replicating, that is,
produced 100% from solar and wind energy without fossil fuels.
Until we reach that point, we cannot relax. From that point on,
we can always produce more energy than we need. If we continue
to use fossil fuel energy for running cars, heating houses, and
producing non-essential products, we may not make it out of the
trap. This will require sophisticated rationing and prioritising
the use of the remaining fossil fuel energy.
1.
Conclusion
The story of wind power is a never-ending story and we are still in
the early days. Assuming we survive the next century, which is far
from given, then the wind and the sun will be our best friends for
millennia to come.
References
2. Hirsch, R.L., Bezdek, R., Wending, R. (2005).
Peaking
of
World
Oil
Production:
Impacts
,
Mitigation
&
Risk
Management
, US Dept. of
Energy, p. 15.
3. Ayres, R.U., Warr, B. (2009).
The
Economic
Growth
Engine;
How
Energy
and
Work
Drive
Material
Prosperity
, UK: Edward Elgar, p. 297.
4. Campbell, C. (1997).
, Petroconsultants, in
association with Multi-Science Publishing Co. Ltd.
The
Coming
Oil
Crisis
5. Heinberg, R. (2009).
Searching
for
a
Miracle
, p. 55 (
www.postcarbon.
org)
.
6. Rutledge, D. (2011). “Estimating Long-Term World Coal Production
with Logit and Probit Transforms”,
International
Journal
of
Coal
Geology
, Vol. 85, pp. 23-33.
7. ibid., p. 3 referring to John Gever
et al
. in
Beyond
Oil
, (Boulder CO:
University Press, 1991).
8. Press Release “Experts Underline Significant Future Role in Cutting
Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Powering Sustainable Development”,
Intergovernmental
Panel
on
Climate
Change
, May, 2011 (see
www.
ipcc.ch)
.
Search WWH ::
Custom Search