Green Energy (WIRED guides): How to build a sustainable future

by Nicole Kobie

Fossil fuels may be keeping the world running, but they're also destroying the planet. What viable alternatives do we have, and what technological breakthroughs are on the horizon?

In this brilliantly wide-ranging, one-stop guide WIRED journalist Nicole Kobie outlines the environmental threats we face through our reliance on carbon-based energy, and considers whether and when sustainable energy can take its place. She looks at the major technologies currently available - solar, wind and geothermal among them - explaining how they work and what potential they possess. She shows how electricity supply is being transformed by advances in storage and distribution. She assesses how each form of energy is being adapted to serve our industrial and domestic needs. And she addresses the fundamental can the world's energy supply become fully sustainable within the next decade?

Genres: Nonfiction, Science

224 pages, Paperback

Published April 21, 2022

Reviews

[Nadia A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for the basics of understanding the variety of green tech solutions. Perhaps worth exploring sustainability more holistically and going beyond reduction of carbon emissions in future iterations. For example, sustainability of supply chains and acquisition of materials needed for green tech.

[Tanzim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good overview of the challenge we face in wanting to reduce fossil fuel/greenhouse emitting processes.

It focuses on the technological landscape, and where in the chain the are applied and applicable.

Does not go into detail of the challenges.
Only the final chapter focuses on the how and the specific challenges facing this green energy revolution in terms of costs, financing, policy, etc. Which is a shame. Given the tech is here, and the challenges are namely to do with financing, costs, and engineering & construction, I'd like to have known these problem areas in more detail.

Overall good intro books to the energy transition

[Daryl Feehely · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent place to start learning about the options available to us in the switch to renewable and green energy production. The book digs under the surface of the main renewable options of hydro, wind and solar, and also takes a nuanced look at the less established green energy solutions such as tidal power and kinetic storage, among others.

Even more importantly, Kobie shines a light on the need for innovation in smart energy grids, which are essential to allow all the various energy production and storage solutions to be joined together efficiently.

[Duy Tô · Rating 5 out of 5]

An informative and enjoyable book about the transistion to green energy. Definately recommend to anyone who want a non-technical overview about this growing field.

[Joris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Factual, scientific, well written, insightful and to the point. Will definitely read more from this series.