If we continue our highly inefficient, dangerous energy usage, we’re headed for both economic and environmental catastrophe. However, the hard truth is that alternative fuels can’t fully replace fossil fuels for decades. What’s more, new research indicates that energy inefficiencies are retarding economic growth even more than most experts ever realized. Crossing the Energy Divide is about solving all these problems at once. The authors, two leading experts in energy and environmental economics, show how massive improvements in energy efficiency can bridge the global economy until clean renewables can fully replace fossil fuels. Robert and Edward Ayres demonstrate how we can radically reform the way we manage our existing energy systems to double the amount of “energy service” we get from every drop of fossil fuel we use. These techniques require no scientific breakthroughs: Many companies and institutions are applying them right now, but tens of thousands more could. This book offers a strategic guide for using them to solve the energy crisis once and for all—reducing carbon emissions, achieving true energy security, and reigniting economic growth for decades to come. More energy, without more emissions Recapturing lost energy from today’s fossil fuels There is such a thing as a free lunch Mitigating climate disaster and improving prosperity at the same time The future of electricity Reforming tomorrow’s electrical system: smarter, more productive, and more reliable The implications for cities, transportation, business, and government Making the decisions that prepare you for a high-cost energy future
This Element is an excerpt from Crossing the Energy Divide (ISBN: 9780137015443) by Robert U. Ayres and Edward H. Ayres. Available in print and digital formats. Finally: a coherent, integrated energy strategy based on techniques and technologies that have already been proven in the real world! We envision a national energy strategy with eight main components. One (increased energy efficiency of consumer products, including automobiles) has received serious media attention. Two others (increased energy efficiency in buildings and industrial plants, and decentralized electric power) have received moderate attention in industry and academia, but little public discussion. Few know the other five. Yet all eight have proven productive....
This Element is an excerpt from Crossing the Energy Divide (ISBN: 9780137015443) by Robert U. Ayres and Edward H. Ayres. Available in print and digital formats. How to reuse the enormous amounts of energy we throw away--and save a fortune along the way! The Cokenergy plant captures waste heat and uses it to generate electricity as a byproduct. This “recycled” energy is produced without any incremental CO2 emissions or other pollution. The byproduct electricity it produces is as clean as if it were made by solar collectors....
This Element is an excerpt from Crossing the Energy Divide (ISBN: 9780137015443) by Robert U. Ayres and Edward H. Ayres. Available in print and digital formats. Why biofuels won’t work--except for gigantic agribusinesses and their lobbyists. If the entire U.S. corn crop were converted to ethanol, the aggregate reduction in total fossil fuel (gasoline) energy consumption would be just 2.4%. Considering that we still want our corn flakes, pork chops (corn feeds hogs), and cooking oil, any realistic level of crop consumption for fuels would do virtually nothing to end U.S. dependence on foreign oil.
This Element is an excerpt from Crossing the Energy Divide (ISBN: 9780137015443) by Robert U. Ayres and Edward H. Ayres. Available in print and digital formats. How electric bikes may help reshape urban transportation--slashing fuel use and carbon emissions, and improving convenience, too. Battery-equipped electric-bikes have the potential to change the commuter game radically. Even if limited to 15-20 mph, they’ll be able to use the bike paths or reserved lanes many cities are building into their plans. If just 20-30% of short urban trips shift to “e-bikes,” fuel use will drop enough to help bridge us to a cleaner, more secure energy future....
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