Page 13 - Geothermal Energy Renewable Energy and The Environment

xii Series Editor’s Preface

also emerging technologies and engineered alternatives that will actually manage the makeup of the
atmosphere but will require significant understanding and careful use of energy.
We need to step back and reconsider our role and knowledge of energy use. The traditional
approach of micromanagement of greenhouse gas emissions is not feasible or functional over a long
period of time. More assertive methods to influence the carbon cycle are needed and will be emerg-
ing in the coming years. Modifications to the cycle means we must look at all options in managing
atmospheric greenhouse gases, including various ways to produce, consume, and deal with energy.
We need to be willing to face reality and search in earnest for alternative energy solutions. There
appears to be technologies that could assist; however, they may not all be viable. The proposed solu-
tions must not be in terms of a “quick approach,” but a more comprehensive, long-term (10, 25 and
50 plus years) approach that is science based and utilizes aggressive research and development. The
proposed solutions must be capable of being retrofitted into our existing energy chain. In the mean-
time, we must continually seek to increase the efficiency of converting energy into heat and power.
One of the best ways to define sustainable development is through long-term, affordable avail-
ability of resources including energy. There are many potential constraints to sustainable develop-
ment. Foremost is the competition for water use in energy production, manufacturing, farming, and
others versus a shortage of fresh water for consumption and development. Sustainable development
is also dependent on the earth’s limited amount of soil, and in the not too distant future we will have
to restore and build soil as a part of sustainable development. Hence, possible solutions must be
comprehensive and based on integrating our energy use with nature’s management of carbon, water,
and life on earth as represented by the carbon and hydrogeological cycles. Obviously the challenges
presented by the need to control atmospheric green house gases are enormous and require “out of
the box” thinking, innovative approach, imagination and bold engineering initiatives in order to
achieve sustainable development. We will need to ingeniously exploit even more energy and inte-
grate its use with control of atmospheric greenhouse gases. The continued development and applica-
tion of energy is essential to the development of human society in a sustainable manner through the
coming centuries. All alternative energy technologies are not equal and have risks and drawbacks.
When evaluating our energy options, we must consider all aspects including: performance against
known criteria; basic economics and benefits; efficiency; processing and utilization requirements;
infrastructure requirements; subsidies and credits; waste and ecosystem; as well as unintended con-
sequences such as impacts to natural resources and the environment. Additionally, we must include
the overall changes and the emerging energy picture based on current and future efforts to modify
fossil fuels and evaluate the energy return for the investment of funds and other natural resources
such as water.
A significant motivation in creating this book series, which is focused on alternative energy and
the environment, was brought about as a consequence of lecturing around the country and in the
classroom on the subject of energy, environment and natural resources such as water. Water is a pre-
cious commodity in the West in general and the Southwest in particular and has a significant impact
on energy production, including alternative sources due to the nexus between energy and water and
the major correlation with the environment and sustainability related issues. While the correlation
between these elements, how they relate to each other, and the impact of one on the other are under-
stood, it is not significantly debated on when it comes to integration and utilization of alternative
energy resources into the energy matrix. Additionally, as renewable technology implementation
grows by various states, nationally and internationally, the need for informed and trained human
resources continues to be a significant driver in future employment resulting in universities, com-
munity colleges, trade schools offering minors, certificate programs and even in some cases majors
in renewable energy and sustainability. As the field grows, the demand for trained operators, engi-
neers, designers and architects that would be able to incorporate these technologies into their daily
activity is increasing. Additionally, we receive daily deluge of flyers, emails, and texts on various
short courses available for interested parties in solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, and so on under