Alternative Fuels and the Environment

Alternative Fuels and the Environment evaluates the timely issue of renewable, alternative resources to fossil fuels and nuclear energy, such as solar, anemoelectric, hydroelectric, and geothermal energy. These alternative power sources not only have the advantage of being renewable, but they are also economically attractive and have minimal adverse environmental impact, such as the waste emission of SO2, NOx, or greenhouse gases. This book analyzes the harnessing of the sun's energy by photochemical reactions, artificial photosynthesis, and photovoltaic electric power generation. It further discusses how hydrogen as fuel is produced by solar photoelectrolysis of water and how wind turbines generate electricity, while ocean thermal energy produces electric power and fresh water. Geothermal energy and hydroelectric power are also renewable sources of electricity. Biofuels and biomass are useful as energy sources, and surplus land is usable for woody, herbaceous, high-yield energy crop production. The book also investigates reformulated gasoline with oxygenated fuels, such as ethanol or methanol.