The challenges of the new energy revolution
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Douglas B. Riffel
Abstract
The new energy revolution is about a change from a resource based, centralized energy source to a technology based, decentralized topology. There is strong evidence that the energy sources that have driven economic development since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution will be not available for future generations. The humankind is tracing a clear path from a high- to low-carbon energy source. The aim of this paper is evaluate the perspectives of this new energetic era and the relations of our demands. It is clear that is possible to build a more suitable society, but it will be strongly dependent how we will working together as a global economy, more integrated with a clear climate focused policy. Energy security, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, sustainability and social inclusion are the main factors that should guide a change in the route of the world energy profile. Once this set of essential elements has been prioritized, it is possible to minimize climate imbalances on the planet and to improve the conservation of natural resources, a wise use of land for the production of bioenergy (without compromising food security), electricity generation based on renewable sources, the adoption of energy efficient strategies and a new conception of the city. However, none of this effort will be enough without the reduction of our hungry energy demand.
Abstract
The new energy revolution is about a change from a resource based, centralized energy source to a technology based, decentralized topology. There is strong evidence that the energy sources that have driven economic development since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution will be not available for future generations. The humankind is tracing a clear path from a high- to low-carbon energy source. The aim of this paper is evaluate the perspectives of this new energetic era and the relations of our demands. It is clear that is possible to build a more suitable society, but it will be strongly dependent how we will working together as a global economy, more integrated with a clear climate focused policy. Energy security, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, sustainability and social inclusion are the main factors that should guide a change in the route of the world energy profile. Once this set of essential elements has been prioritized, it is possible to minimize climate imbalances on the planet and to improve the conservation of natural resources, a wise use of land for the production of bioenergy (without compromising food security), electricity generation based on renewable sources, the adoption of energy efficient strategies and a new conception of the city. However, none of this effort will be enough without the reduction of our hungry energy demand.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Preface V
- Contents VII
- About the editors XI
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Part I: Future cities
- Biopotent social technology: occupations park and university extensions 1
- Performance potentials: the optimization of buildings in operation 21
- Climate culture building: comparison of different computer generated building envelope designs for different Brazilian climate zones 35
- Electrical energy efficiency in urban infrastructure systems: nonintrusive smart meter for electrical energy consumption monitoring 47
- Distinct approaches to reproduce hygrothermal behavior of building materials based black-box models 61
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Part II: Modern urban agriculture
- Investigating the challenges and opportunities of urban agriculture in global north and global south countries 95
- Social technology and urban agriculture in Brazil: the social technology network and the social technology DataBank project 111
- Orchards from the forest: Urban agriculture as a lab for multiple learning 121
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Part III: Renewable energy
- The challenges of the new energy revolution 137
- Synthesis of inorganic energy materials 159
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Part IV: Sustainable smart materials
- Nature-inspired smart materials for multifunctional applications 177
- Smart fiber-reinforced polymer composites and their resource-efficient production by means of sensor integration 191
- The role of biologically inspired design to 4D printing development 205
- Influence of different carbon nanotubes types in dynamic-mechanical properties of lightweight carbon felt/CNTs composites 215
- Light-assisted synthesis of colloids and solid films of metallic nanoparticles 225
- The influence of polymeric interlayers on damping behavior of a fiber metal laminate 239
- Piezoresistivity of low carbon nanotubes content in elastomeric polymer matrix 259
- Improvement of fatigue strength of carbon fiber reinforced polymers by matrix modifications for ultrafast rotating flywheels 279
- Experimental study of thermal conductivity, viscosity and breakdown voltage of mineral oil-based TiO2 nanofluids 290
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Preface V
- Contents VII
- About the editors XI
-
Part I: Future cities
- Biopotent social technology: occupations park and university extensions 1
- Performance potentials: the optimization of buildings in operation 21
- Climate culture building: comparison of different computer generated building envelope designs for different Brazilian climate zones 35
- Electrical energy efficiency in urban infrastructure systems: nonintrusive smart meter for electrical energy consumption monitoring 47
- Distinct approaches to reproduce hygrothermal behavior of building materials based black-box models 61
-
Part II: Modern urban agriculture
- Investigating the challenges and opportunities of urban agriculture in global north and global south countries 95
- Social technology and urban agriculture in Brazil: the social technology network and the social technology DataBank project 111
- Orchards from the forest: Urban agriculture as a lab for multiple learning 121
-
Part III: Renewable energy
- The challenges of the new energy revolution 137
- Synthesis of inorganic energy materials 159
-
Part IV: Sustainable smart materials
- Nature-inspired smart materials for multifunctional applications 177
- Smart fiber-reinforced polymer composites and their resource-efficient production by means of sensor integration 191
- The role of biologically inspired design to 4D printing development 205
- Influence of different carbon nanotubes types in dynamic-mechanical properties of lightweight carbon felt/CNTs composites 215
- Light-assisted synthesis of colloids and solid films of metallic nanoparticles 225
- The influence of polymeric interlayers on damping behavior of a fiber metal laminate 239
- Piezoresistivity of low carbon nanotubes content in elastomeric polymer matrix 259
- Improvement of fatigue strength of carbon fiber reinforced polymers by matrix modifications for ultrafast rotating flywheels 279
- Experimental study of thermal conductivity, viscosity and breakdown voltage of mineral oil-based TiO2 nanofluids 290
