Energy is important for the survival of life forms on earth. While energy exists in different forms, fossil fuels, one of the forms of energy source, have played an important role in the history of human development. The widespread use of fossil fuels has severely affected the environment. Climate change and global warming, the outcome of the extensive use of fossil fuels, have forced us to reimagine a fossil fuel-free earth. To save the planet earth, scientists are urging humans to make efforts to contain the rising global temperature below 2°C by reducing emissions from fossil fuel.
Energy and Environment discusses various forms of energy. It examines environmental impacts of energy generation and how non-renewable sources of energy contributes significantly to environmental pollution. In the book the role of renewable energy sources in mitigating global problem of environmental pollution is also discussed at length. It also elaborates on storage of energy, an important subject, in the context of rising energy demands of the present world.
Contents:
Preface
1. Introduction to Energy
Different Forms of Energy
Energy Consumption
Energy Sources
Greenhouse Gases
Green Energy
Impact of Energy Generation
2. Renewable Sources of Energy
Biomass Energy
Wind Energy
Hydro Energy
Geothermal Energy
Solar Energy
3. Non-renewable Energy Sources
Energy from Coal
Energy from Oil
Energy from Natural Gas
4. Nuclear Energy
Atomic energy
Nuclear Fission
Nuclear Power Plants
Nuclear Fusion
Nuclear Episodes
Radioactive Pollution
Global Outlook of Nuclear Energy
5. Alternative Fuels
Types of Alternative Fuels
Checking Pollution of Air by Automobiles
6. Energy Storage and Other Sources of Energy
Storage of Energy in Chemicals
Storage of Energy Using Super Capacitors
Fuel Cells
Pumped-storage Hydro Energy
Solar Pond
Compressed Air Energy Storage
Miscellaneous Sources of Energy
Global Approach Towards Energy Generation from Renewable Sources
Index
About the Author
Professor V K Ahluwalia is Professor (Retd) of Chemistry, University of Delhi. His tenure in this university spanned for more than 30 years. For these three decades, he taught numerous graduate, postgraduate, and MPhil students and provided guidance to about 70 students for their MPhill and Doctoral degrees. He was also Visiting Professor at Dr B R Ambedkar Centre for Biomedical Research, University of Delhi. Professor Ahluwalia worked as a Post-doctoral Fellow for two years (1960−62), and had the opportunity to work with Professor Harold Shechter at the Department of Chemistry, Ohio State University. He also worked with Professor Herbert C Brown (Nobel Laureate) at the Department of Chemistry, Purdue University. Professor Ahluwalia has published more than 250 research papers in national and international journals. He is the distinguished author of a number of books on reaction mechanism, green chemistry, environmental chemistry, and organic synthesis. Some of these include Green Chemistry: environmentally benign reactions, College Practical Chemistry, Comprehensive Practical Organic Chemistry Qualitative Analysis. The Environment, and Green Chemistry and Environment. His co-authored books include New Trends in Green Chemistry; Green Chemistry in 21<sup>st</sup> Century and Beyond; Organic Reaction Mechanisms; Chemistry of Natural Products: amino acids, peptides, and enzymes; Comprehensive Practical Organic Chemistry: preparation and quantitative analysis; Comprehensive Practical Organic Chemistry: quantitative analysis; Environmental Science; A Textbook of Organic Chemistry; and Organic Synthesis: special techniques. His book Green Chemistry: environmentally benign reactions is winner of 2009 Choice Award of Outstanding Title.
