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Power Density
A Key to Understanding Energy Sources and Uses
Book • 2015
In this book, Vaclav Smil argues that power density is a key determinant of the nature and dynamics of energy systems.
Power density—the rate of energy flux per unit of area—is an important but largely overlooked measure.
Smil provides the first systematic, quantitative appraisal of power density, offering detailed reviews of the power densities of renewable energy flows, fossil fuels, thermal electricity generation, and all common energy uses.
He shows that careful quantification, critical appraisals, and revealing comparisons of power densities make possible a deeper understanding of the ways we harness, convert, and use energies.
Smil explains that modern civilization has evolved as a direct expression of the high power densities of fossil fuel extraction and argues that the move to new energy arrangements involving conversions of lower-density renewable energy sources will require a profound spatial restructuring of our energy system.
Power density—the rate of energy flux per unit of area—is an important but largely overlooked measure.
Smil provides the first systematic, quantitative appraisal of power density, offering detailed reviews of the power densities of renewable energy flows, fossil fuels, thermal electricity generation, and all common energy uses.
He shows that careful quantification, critical appraisals, and revealing comparisons of power densities make possible a deeper understanding of the ways we harness, convert, and use energies.
Smil explains that modern civilization has evolved as a direct expression of the high power densities of fossil fuel extraction and argues that the move to new energy arrangements involving conversions of lower-density renewable energy sources will require a profound spatial restructuring of our energy system.
