Technologies of energy conversion, storage, and transport in the energy system

More about the book

The urgent need to adapt our energy system due to limited resources and environmental issues, such as climate change, is widely recognized. To effectively engage in discussions and management of this adaptation, a foundational understanding of energy technologies is essential. This book provides an accessible introduction tailored for those without advanced scientific or technical backgrounds. It emphasizes fundamental concepts and effects, explaining how energy systems operate without delving into complex formulas, relying instead on high school-level physics and chemistry. Key points are illustrated through examples, and the text includes links to short online videos that demonstrate various technologies, which can be particularly useful for educational purposes. Additionally, resources for more in-depth scientific and technical exploration are provided. The book outlines essential energy concepts, covering various forms such as mechanical, thermal, electrical, magnetic, chemical, and nuclear energy, as well as processes for energy conversion, storage, and transport. It details individual technologies for these processes, from simple to complex systems, and discusses how they interconnect to deliver energy to users. The concluding sections address energy networks, detailing thermal, electrical, chemical, and nuclear systems and their integration within the global energy framework.