Human survival depends on a continuing supply of energy, but the need for ever-increasing amounts of it poses a dilemma: How can we find energy sources that are sustainable and ways to convert and utilize energy that are more efficient? This textbook is designed for advanced undergraduate and graduate students as well as others who have an interest in exploring energy resource options and technologies with a view toward achieving sustainability on local, national, and global scales. It clearly presents the tradeoffs and uncertainties inherent in evaluating and choosing sound energy portfolios and provides a framework for assessing policy solutions. The second edition examines the broader aspects of energy use, including resource estimation, environmental effects, and economic evaluations; reviews the main energy sources of today and tomorrow, from fossil fuels and nuclear power to biomass, hydropower, and solar energy; treats energy carriers and energy storage, transmission, and distribution; addresses end-use patterns in the transportation, industrial, and building sectors; and considers synergistic complex systems. This new edition also offers updated statistical data and references; a new chapter on the complex interactions among energy, water, and land use; expanded coverage of renewable energy; and new color illustrations. Sustainable Energy addresses the challenges of making responsible energy choices for a more sustainable future.

Sustainable energy : the engine of sustainable development -- Estimation and evaluation of energy resources -- Technical performance : allowability, efficiency, production rates -- Local, regional, and global environmental effects of energy -- Project economic evaluation -- Energy systems and sustainability metrics -- Energy, water, and land use -- Fossil fuels and fossil energy -- Nuclear power -- Biomass energy -- Geothermal energy -- Hydropower -- Solar energy -- Ocean wave, tide, current, and thermal energy conversion -- Wind energy -- Energy carriers : electric power, hydrogen fuel, other? -- Energy management: storage, transportation, and distribution --Transportation services -- Industrial energy usage -- Commercial and residential buildings -- Synergistic complex systems.

Includes bibliographical references and index.