Our energy future : introduction to renewable energy and biofuels / Carla S. Jones and Stephen P. Mayfield.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Overview of energy usage in the united states and the world -- Why fossil fuels energize our society -- The impact of energy usage on climate change -- Methods for reducing our fossil fuel usage: Renewable energy sources and uses -- Linking food and fuel: The impact of industrial agriculture -- The past and present of bioethanol: Corn, sugarcane, and cellulosics -- Biofuels from fats and oils: Biodiesel -- Gaseous biofuels: Biogas and biohydrogen -- Aquatic versatility for biofuels: Cyanobacteria, diatoms, and algae -- Biochemistry and biotechnology for biofuels development -- Thermochemical conversion technologies -- Environmental impacts of biofuels: Water, land, and nutrients -- Lifecycle assessments for evaluating biofuels production -- Economics and politics of biofuels -- Our energy future: The prospects for developing and using sustainable biofuels.

"Our Energy Future is an introductory textbook for a college course in energy production, alternative and renewable fuels, and related issues involved in building a sustainable energy future. Our society is consuming energy at an alarming rate as trends in energy consumption continue to rise. Jones and Mayfield explore the creation and history of fossil fuels, their impact on the environment, and how they have become critical to our society. They warn that continuing fuel-usage patterns could permanently damage our environment. Jones and Mayfield also outline how the adoption of sustainable biofuels will be key to our future energy stability. They discuss a number of renewable energy options, and then discuss different biofuel feedstocks and their potential as replacements for petroleum-based products. This book emphasizes the importance of continued scientific, agricultural, and engineering development, while outlining the political and environmental challenges that are coupled with a complete shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy and biomass. Our Energy Future is an excellent, accessible resource for undergraduate students studying biofuels and bioenergy."--Provided by publisher.

Print version record.

English.

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