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Very Short Introductions #620
Energy Systems: A Very Short Introduction
Modern societies require energy systems to provide energy for cooking, heating, transport, and materials processing, as well as for electricity generation. Energy systems include the primary fuel, its conversion, and transport to the point of use. In many cases this primary fuel is still a fossil fuel, a one-use resource derived from a finite supply within our planet, causing considerable damage to the environment. After 300 years of increasing reliance on fossil fuels, particularly coal, it is becoming ever clearer that the present energy systems need to change.
In this Very Short Introduction Nick Jenkins explores our historic investment in the exploitation of fossil energy resources and their current importance, and discusses the implications of our increasing rate of energy use. He considers the widespread acceptance by scientists and policy makers that our energy systems must reduce emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse gases, and looks forward to the radical changes in fuel technology that will be necessary to continue to provide energy supplies in a sustainable manner, and extend access across the developing world. Considering the impact of changing to an environmentally benign and low-carbon energy system, Jenkins also looks at future low-carbon energy systems which would use electricity from a variety of renewable energy sources, as well as the role of nuclear power in our energy use.
ABOUT THE The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
In this Very Short Introduction Nick Jenkins explores our historic investment in the exploitation of fossil energy resources and their current importance, and discusses the implications of our increasing rate of energy use. He considers the widespread acceptance by scientists and policy makers that our energy systems must reduce emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse gases, and looks forward to the radical changes in fuel technology that will be necessary to continue to provide energy supplies in a sustainable manner, and extend access across the developing world. Considering the impact of changing to an environmentally benign and low-carbon energy system, Jenkins also looks at future low-carbon energy systems which would use electricity from a variety of renewable energy sources, as well as the role of nuclear power in our energy use.
ABOUT THE The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
160 pages, Paperback
Published February 1, 2020
26 people are currently reading
237 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 25, 2022
Solid introduction into energy system from fossil fuels to renewable sources with a focus on electricity generation.
November 11, 2022
Incredibly dry. Even worse (2 stars) if listening to the audiobook
October 16, 2025
Great companion piece to Under a White Sky: The Nature of the Future in presenting a pretty pessimistic view of the energy revolution, but with a stronger emphasis on the economic realities and management difficulties of regulating the energy market. The role of fossil fuels in regulating grid demand seems almost unavoidable and the economic dominos of making extraction less profitable through renewables opens up new difficulties like some version of the prisoner's dilemma. Like in Kolbert's book it's skeptical to the carbon recapture visions of the future as unproven and maybe not feasible. Similarly the difficulty of the hydrogen market in embrittling the unbuilt infrastructure required to transport and keep it is discussed.
Perhaps this sides a bit strongly on the side of status quo, but it's also a useful cold shower.
Perhaps this sides a bit strongly on the side of status quo, but it's also a useful cold shower.
May 3, 2022
Comprehensive summary on existing energy systems and their problems.
Not too complicated and understandable
Did already get to use some of the information i learned about renewables in daily debate!
Would recommend if you are even remotely interested in the subject
Not too complicated and understandable
Did already get to use some of the information i learned about renewables in daily debate!
Would recommend if you are even remotely interested in the subject
August 27, 2020
Solid read, gets kind of heady at times, but it's never bad like I've experienced with other Very Short Introductions. I learned a lot.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews