Geofuels
Energy and the Earth

An accessible, nontechnical introduction to Earth resources and energy systems, for a broad audience ranging from undergraduate students to lifelong learners.

Alan R. Carroll (Author)

9781107401204, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 5 March 2015

369 pages, 114 b/w illus. 1 table
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.7 cm, 0.61 kg

'This is an excellent book, lively written, and full of insights. Dr Carroll's thorough knowledge of geology shines throughout the text, and makes this book interesting not only to a wide audience, but also to the scientists, who worked in some or most of the aspects of global energy supply. I happen to have worked and published in most of these aspects, and not only greatly enjoyed the book, but also learned several new things. Dr Carroll has set a very difficult goal for his book: to be easily readable by a broad lay audience, yet maintain the level of rigor that makes it also attractive to scientists and engineers. I congratulate him on achieving this goal admirably. I will strongly recommend this book to my family and friends.' Tadeusz Patzek, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia

Our energy use and its consequences (including climate change) motivate some of the most contentious and complex public debates of our time. Although these issues are often cast in terms of renewable versus non-renewable energy, in reality both depend on finite Earth resources. The evolution of the Earth itself therefore offers a uniquely illuminating perspective from which to evaluate alternative pathways toward energy and environmental sustainability. Geofuels: Energy and the Earth systematically develops this perspective using informal, nontechnical language laced with humor. It is well suited to a broad readership, ranging from beginning university students to lifelong learners who are interested in how the Earth's past will influence their own future. It also provides simplified explanations of controversial topics, such as energy return on energy investment, peak oil, and fracking. The focus throughout is on building a sound physical understanding of how natural resources constrain our use of energy.

1. Introduction
2. The living Earth
3. Warmed from above: solar energy
4. Wind, water, and waves: energy from the fluid Earth
5. Covered with green: biofuels basics
6. Fossil farming: the geologic underpinnings of biofuels
7. The light of an ancient sun: fossil fuel origins
8. Digging for daylight: coal and oil shale
9. Skimming the cream: conventional oil and gas
10. Stuck in the mud: fossil fuels that fail to flow
11. Petrified petroleum: oil sand and gas hydrate
12. Water, water, everywhere
13. Primordial power: geothermal and nuclear
14. Out of sight, out of mind: geologic waste disposal
15. How long is forever?: energy and time
16. Conclusions.

Subject Areas: Environmental science, engineering & technology [TQ], Alternative & renewable energy sources & technology [THX], Energy technology & engineering [TH], Energy [PHDY], Alternative & renewable energy industries [KNBT]