Energy and humanity : an intertwined evolution / by Jami Hossain.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Hossain, Jami, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Humanities.

Genre:

Libros electrónicos.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (241 pages)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Newcastle upon Tyne, England : Cambridge Scholars Publishing, [2020]

Summary:

Sometime around three million years ago, the first hominid walked on this planet. In the time which has elapsed since then, the descendant of this biped has evolved to reach the top of the food chain. Furthermore, it has manipulated other lifeforms and Earth's resources in a manner that makes these entirely subservient to only one species, homo sapiens. In a period less than 0.007% of Earth's age, man has dramatically altered both the biosphere and the climate. This text argues that intelligent manipulation of 'energy' is at the heart of human supremacy.Energy is intertwined in an intricate manner with everything that happens around us. From the very beginning, nearly three million years ago, up until today, the human race has evolved and progressed by gaining mastery and control over energy. This book presents an insightful description of the evolution of human civilization from an energy perspective, showing that 'energy' is the vehicle that has catapulted the human race to a commanding position on Earth. From rudimentary Stone Age tools to classical physics, from animal power to the steam engine, and from relativity and quantum theory to geo-politics and climate change, drawing upon multiple disciplines, it weaves a fascinating story of the history of "energy" in human civilization. It also discusses the "dark side" of energy, exemplified by climate change, pollution, and deforestation, which is compelling modern human civilization to once again go into an energy transition mode, as well as those forms of energy which can counteract such forces: renewable and smart energy and their associated innovations.

Contents:

Intro

Contents

Acknowledgements

Preface

1.0 Energy and Human Civilization

1.1 What is energy?

1.2 Early encounters

1.2.1 The conquest of fire

1.2.2 Animal energy

1.2.3 Stone tools

1.2.4 Energy manipulation methods

1.3 The Wheel

1.3.1 Bow and arrow

1.3.2 Rafts, boats and sails

1.4 Impact on society

1.5 Agricultural revolution

1.6 Renewable energy in the pre-industrial era

1.7 Arrival of the engine

1.8 Electric shock

1.9 The energy platform

1.10 Energy convergence

1.11 The "mesh"

1.12 The declining role of engines

1.13 Geopolitics and energy access

1.14 Smart energy

2.0 Fundamental Concepts of Energy

2.1 Theoretical chaos

2.2 Energy Flows

2.3 Laws of Energy

2.4 Axiom of energy

2.5 Future energy breakthroughs

2.5.1 Gravity Engines

2.5.2 Fusion Engines

2.5.3 Wireless transmission of energy

2.5.4 Hydrogen energy

2.5.5 The dark horse family

3.0 Energy - The Dark Side!

3.1 Climate change

3.2 Planetary deterioration

3.3 Threats and implications

4.0 The Next Wave

4.1 Key elements of the next wave

4.1.1 Breakthrough Advances

4.2.2 The mindset and the socio-economic rationale

4.3 Energy transition strategies

4.3.1 The electrical system

4.4 Why not Nuclear?

5.0 Status and Opportunities

5.1 Thermal energy

5.1.1 Transport

5.1.2 Ships

5.1.3 Trains

5.1.4 Roadways

5.1.5 Tourism

5.2 Urban design and lifestyle changes

6.0 Renewable Energy Resources

6.1 Solar

6.2 Wind

6.2.1 Energy in wind

6.2.2 Atmospheric boundary layer

6.2.3 Height extrapolation of wind speeds

6.2.4 Wind energy in modern times

6.2.5 Global Wind Energy Potential

6.2.6 Wind Resource Assessment

6.2.7 Global Wind Studies

6.2.8 Regional and country-level studies

6.2.9 History of wind energy

6.3 Hydro.

6.3.1 Hydro power potential

6.3.2 Different types of hydro projects

6.3.2.1 Reservoir hydro power

6.3.2.2 Run-of-the-river hydro power

6.3.2.3 Pumped storage

6.3.2.4 Marine power

6.3.2.5 Tidal Power

6.3.3 Worldwide hydro capacity

6.4 Biomass

7.0 Technologies

7.1 Solar Photovoltaics

7.1.1 Mono Crystalline or Single Crystal Solar Cells

7.1.2 Polycrystalline Solar cells

7.1.3 Thin-film photovoltaics

7.1.4 Amorphous Silicon (a-Si) Solar cells

7.1.5 Copper Indium (di)Selenide Cells (CIS)

7.2 Wind Technologies

7.2.1 Predominant technology types

7.2.1.1 Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWTs)

7.2.1.2 Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines (HAWTs)

7.2.1.1 Orientation of the rotor

7.2.1.2 Number of blades

7.2.1.2 Rotational speed

7.2.2 Small wind turbines

7.2.3 Innovations in Wind Technology

7.2.3.1 Wind-Hydro Plants

7.2.3.2 Typhoon Turbines

7.2.3.3 Icewind VAWT

7.2.3.4 Helium-Filled Wind Turbines

7.2.3.5 Vortex Bladeless Wind Turbines

7.2.3.6 Hybrid systems

8.0 Storage Systems

8.1 Types of storage systems

9.0 The grid or the "mesh"

9.1 Grid friendliness

9.2 Wind Forecasting

9.3 The rest of the grid

9.4 Transmission

9.4.1 Power quality issues

9.5 Transport Sector

9.6 Smart grids

10.0 Concluding Remarks

Bibliography.

Notes:

Description based on print version record.

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

ISBN:

1-5275-4242-4

OCLC:

1183030215