In 1977, at the Xth World Energy Conference in Istanbul, the Conservation Commission presented an initial global study of future trends in energy supply and demand up to 2020. This pioneering work was the origin of large scale global energy surveys. At the Munich Conference of 1980, the Commission made more thorough analyses by concentrating particularly on the specific behaviour of Third World Nations. Today, in New Delhi, in keeping with the tradition established by its previous surveys, the Commission is developing a new global study, the originality of which lies in the procedure adopted in its production. Rejecting centralised forecasting models which have almost exclusively dominated the minds of researchers, the Commission recommended a decen tralised method of approach which was totally different both in its basic principles and in its implementation. Essentially, the inhabitants of the regions were to be given the opportunity of expressing their own views on their energy future, rather than imposing on them an external model and therefore external results.

This timely book presents strategies for mitigation of the greenhouse effect. It provides practical counter measures to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases. Key substitute technologies discussed include energy efficiency and conservation, biomass, and nuclear energy. These technologies are both mature and can be applied on a large scale. Important concepts can apply to other technologies as well. Technologies for a Greenhouse-Constrained Society will help scientists and engineers identify the technological and policy actions needed to counteract the greenhouse effect. Solutions are aimed at both developed and developing countries. Technologies for a Greenhouse-Constrained Society will appeal to environmental engineers and scientists, meteorologists, social scientists, geologists, educators, fuel engineers, energy engineers, economists, and others interested in this field.

Global energy needs are expanding substantially as populations grow and economies develop around the world. There is clear evidence that continued use of fossil fuels as the world's dominant energy supply is damaging the environment and causing changes in global climate patterns. People want higher levels of more efficient, cleaner, and less obtrusive energy services. How much of those needs will be met by fossil fuels, how much by alternative fuels, and how much by efficiency increases and expanded energy conservation is a wide open question. Global Energy Perspectives describes the results of a five-year joint study by the International Institute for Applied systems Analysis and the World Energy Council. It presents six long-term energy futures which lay out the alternatives among future fuels, technologies, efficiency gains, conservation patterns, and pollution levels, and pinpoints the key choices that are most likely to characterize the twenty-first century. The primary audience will include researchers, educators, policy makers in private and public sectors and other workers in the energy, technology, economics and environmental areas, but the book will appeal to anyone interested in the future of energy production as a prerequisite for human development.

Renewable Energy: Technology and the Environment comprises 106 chapters, with the first focusing on integrated resource planning. The following chapters delve into such topics as electricity from geothermal energy; wave energy prospects and prototypes; renewable energy policies for the nineties and beyond; and renewable energy technologies in developing countries. These topics are followed by discussions on harnessing the tax system to benefit alternative energy; energy-meteorology; development energy and environment; solar energy education; solar hydrogen; sky brightness during twilight; and solar instrumentation used in meteorology. Other chapters cover self-acting system tracking for pyrheliometers; directly coupled turbine-induction generator systems for low-cost micro-hydro power; and the utilization of genetic algorithm for the optimal design of a pneumatic hydro-power device. The remaining chapters present field experiments of a wave power converter with caisson breakwater; technical potentials of renewable energies; and air pollution modification due to energy supply diversification. This book will be of interest to practitioners in the fields of meteorology and environmental studies.