Environmental Impacts of Renewable Energy

Renewable Energy Has a Good Side and a Bad Side Evaluate Both All energy sources affect the environment in which we live. While fossil fuels may essentially do more harm, renewable energy sources can also pose a threat to the environment. Allowing for the various renewable energy sources: solar, wind, hydro, biomass, and geothermal, Environmental Impacts of Renewable Energy examines the environmental effects of all available renewable or alternative sources, as they increasingly play a large part in our energy supply, and provides a counterargument about the benefits of renewable energy. This book discusses both the merits and the physical, mechanical, electrical, and environmental limitations of renewable sources of energy. It discusses the pros and cons of renewable energy, addresses environmental issues and concerns, and determines ways to avoid or minimize these impacts.
This text contains nine chapters reviewing in depth: * Renewable energy impact on the environment * Major renewable energy types * Environmental health, safety, and ecological impacts * Impact on tribal sacrosanct areas Environmental Impacts of Renewable Energy covers the adverse effects of major renewable energy sources. Environmental engineers working with renewable energy, environmental consultants/managers working with municipalities regarding environmental impact and land use, and undergraduate students taking related courses in environmental college programs can greatly benefit from this text.

Setting the Stage: The 411 on Energy Basics Energy Types of Energy Nonrenewable Energy Renewable Energy Energy Use in the United States Measuring Energy Heat Engines Renewable Energy: The Terrorism Factor Thought-Provoking Questions References and Recommended Reading Wind Power: Where Eagles Don’t Dare Introduction Wind Power Basics Wind Energy Wind Power Turbine Components Environmental Impacts of Wind Turbines Wind Energy Construction Impacts Wind Energy Operations Impacts Impacts on Wildlife Impacts on Human Health Environmental Impacts of Power Transmission Lines Energy Transmission Construction Impacts Energy Transmission Operations Impacts Wind Turbine Operations and Maintenance Personnel Safety Concerns Wind Power: The Bottom Line Thought-Provoking Questions References and Recommended Reading Solar Energy Icarus Revisited at Ivanpah Energy from the Sun Environmental Impacts of Solar Energy Ecological Impacts Solar Energy Job Hazards Thought-Provoking Questions References and Recommended Reading Hydropower The Rachel River Hydropower: Historical Perspective Hydropower Basic Concepts Advanced Hydropower Technology Ecological Impacts of Hydropower Biological Impacts of Flow Fluctuations Low Water Levels and Evaporation of Reservoirs Impacts on Human Health and Safety Hydropower: The Bottom Line Thought-Provoking Questions References and Recommended Reading Biomass/Bioenergy Introduction Biomass Plant Basics Feedstocks Biomass for Biopower Biomass for Bioproducts Biodiesel Biogas (Methane CH) Impacts of Biomass Construction, Production, and Operation Human Health and Safety Fatalities and Incidents Biofuels: The Bottom Line Thought-Provoking Questions References and Recommended Reading Geothermal Energy Introduction Geothermal Energy: The Basics Energy Conversion Geothermal Power Plant Technologies Enhanced Geothermal Systems Geothermal Heat Pumps Environmental Impacts of Geothermal Power Development Human Health and Safety Geothermal Energy: The Bottom Line Thought-Provoking Questions References and Recommended Reading Marine and Hydrokinetic Energy Introduction Oceans and Their Margins Ocean Floor Ocean Tides, Currents, and Waves Coastal Erosion, Transportation, and Deposition Wave Energy Wave Energy Conversion Technology Tidal Energy Tidal Energy Technologies Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Ocean Energy Conversion Process Potential Environmental (General) Impacts Toxic Effects of Chemicals Potential Environmental-Specific Impacts Hydrokinetic Energy Facility Construction Impacts Hydrokinetic Energy Facility Operations and Maintenance Impacts Thought-Provoking Questions References and Recommended Reading Fuel Cells Introduction to Hydrogen Fuel Cells Hydrogen Storage How a Hydrogen Fuel Cell Works Environmental Impacts of Fuel Cells Properties of Hydrogen Thought-Provoking Question References and Recommended Reading Carbon Capture and Sequestration Introduction to Carbon Capture and Sequestration Terrestrial Carbon Sequestration Geologic Carbon Sequestration Potential Impacts of Terrestrial Sequestration Potential Impacts of Geologic Sequestration Human Health and Safety Thought-Provoking Questions References and Recommended Reading Glossary Appendices Index

Frank R. Spellman, PhD, is a retired assistant professor of environmental health at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia. The author of more than 90 books covering topics ranging from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) to all areas of environmental science and occupational health, he has been cited in more than 450 publications, and is a co-author to well-recognized experts in various scientific fields. For example, he is a contributing author of The Engineering Handbook, 2nd ed. Spellman holds a BA in public administration, a BS in business management, an MBA, and both an MS and a PhD in environmental engineering.