Critical Comparison of Low-Carbon Technologies: A practical guide to prioritizing energy technologies for climate change mitigation

Low-carbon technologies differ significantly in terms of their practical effectiveness for addressing climate change. And yet, this topic is rarely discussed! This is unfortunate given that understanding these differences is essential for the efficient use of our limited resources. This book provides an evergreen approach to distinguish between effective and less effective technologies.

Most local/national governments around the globe are pushing for the increased implementation of technologies such as solar, wind, battery storage, biofuels, hydropower, electric cars, etc. A large amount of localized information about the technologies is available in prior books. However, a holistic comparison of these technologies in terms of their practical effectiveness for climate change mitigation is missing. In absence of such a comparison, it is impossible to get a big picture understanding of renewable energy technologies and their wide-scale implementation.

Dr. Tushar Choudhary, a highly awarded technology specialist with twenty-five years of energy R&D experience, has addressed the above important gap by providing a systematic analysis on the following topics:

• Critical challenges associated with the targeted CO2 emission reduction
• Comparison of the technologies in terms of their abilities to address the critical challenges
• Prioritization of the technologies based on this comparison

One additional highlight of this book is that it compares fossil fuel and low-carbon technologies across the power and transportation sectors.

Being aware of the significant data ambiguity in this field, Choudhary has specifically relied on data from the most credible sources available for developing the analysis presented in this book. The concise analysis should benefit readers of all interest & knowledge levels- from the mildly curious to those deeply involved with climate change mitigation.

The book provides unbiased and realistic insights into the wide-scale implementation of renewable energy technologies and should enable more informed climate change mitigation discussions.

Tushar Choudhary has twenty-five years of R&D experience in addressing environmental issues in the energy field. His experience covers a wide spectrum from fundamental research to technology development & commercialization to technology analysis. He has been granted 40 U.S. & International patents and has an excellent track record in commercially applying his cutting-edge research. Prior to retiring from the energy industry, he served in a dual role as the Director of Technology Analysis & Advancement and Sr. Principal Scientist at a multinational energy company. For the last several years of employment, his primary role was to provide research direction to multiple R&D programs. He has received numerous prestigious awards and honors within and external to the energy industry for his impactful technology contributions. Some of his external awards include the Oklahoma Chemist of the Year Award (American Chemical Society), Global Indus Technovator Award (MIT) and South-West Industrial Innovation Award (American Chemical Society). He has given keynote lectures at several International Symposiums and his work has been highlighted in trade/scientific magazines, such as Chemical & Engineering News and Science. He was ranked amongst the World's Top 2 percent researchers (all disciplines) in 2020 in terms of career-long impact from his publications.

Tushar received his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from Texas A&M University, College Station; following which he joined the energy industry as a R&D scientist. One of his greatest joys during his time in the energy industry was receiving and sharing knowledge related to all aspects of technology innovation. Following retirement, his goal is to continue sharing knowledge by writing books in areas that he is passionate about.