Book Review - Ten Technologies to Save the Planet

Collect Free Energy

"Ten Technologies to Save the Planet"
is written by Chris Goodall.
This book describes indeed 10 technologies for power generation and replacements for our fossil fuels. It is fascinating to read what the possibilities are for alternative power generation.
It becomes also clear how urgent it is for humanity to pay attention to this matter. First of all alternative energy is no longer just the hobby of the "environmentalists" who are concerned about climate change. More and more it becomes obvious that something needs to be done about CO2 emission. Secondly we have known all along that the fossil fuels we exploit for our power production will run out. And they run out sooner than we would like to think. If we ignore the call for switching to alternative power production our society will come to a screeching halt within the lifetime of most of us.
This book gives an excellent overview of the alternatives for fossil power generation. Anyone who is just slightly interested in this topic will be much better informed after reading this book and able to form a sensible opinion about government and politician initiatives.

The author Chris Goodall has studied many sources of information on the various energy sources and provides good statistics and references on real applications in a number of countries.
Technologies described in "Ten Technologies":
1. Wind energy. We have all seen pictures of century old windmills in Holland and their modern editions with gigantic propellers sitting on huge poles. Wind energy has been around since many centuries, but is quickly gaining importance and being applied on a larger scale than ever. Many countries bordering oceans, or in mountainous regions have huge potential for capturing energy from winds.
2. Solar energy has been used for ever to heat homes and to dry produce. New technologies are aimed at converting the solar energy into heat and/or electricity. Solar panels on individual roofs are used to provide hot water to the household or heating the pool. Power companies are building huge photovoltaic panel farms or mirrors projecting solar heat on a tower and produce electricity. Solar technology is not exclusively for the sunbelt countries, but also countries like Germany make good use of solar energy.
3. Electricity from oceans. The constant motion in the oceans can be a source for energy production. Tidal movement can power submerged propellers, as can the prevailing ocean currents. Also the movement of waves can be captured and converted into electricity. Even the difference in temperature between the surface and deep sea can generate power.
4. Combined heat and power. Microgenerators in homes can generate power when needed and the by-product heat is used for heating the home and or hot water. In this context fuel cells are used to store the energy which is the used at other times. District heating also falls in this category of making clever use of power and heat generation.
5. Super efficient homes. Multiple technologies are reducing the consumption of energy. Improved insulation and floor heating. Sophisticated ventilation systems recover heat from the discarded air. These homes capture solar heat via south facing windows.
6. Electric cars. Current electric motors deliver impressive performance. Acceleration and speed are comparable to the best combustion engines. Major improvements in batteries have been made, but more is needed. There is no doubt that electric cars are a realistic technology to provide our future mobility.
7. Motor fuels from cellulose. Fast growing forests and agricultural products are able to provide the cellulose that can be converted to fuel similar to fossil fuels. As long as this agriculture production does not compete with food production it can provide a good alternative.
8. Capturing carbon. Reducing the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere is a priority. Capturing carbon out of the atmosphere or at the production source of CO2 can extend the use of fossil fuels such as coal. Reducing the CO2 levels will lessen the burden on the climate.
9. Biochar. Tree and other plants absorb CO2 during the growth. Dying trees and other plan material return the CO2 to the atmosphere. Converting the plant material to charcoal by partly burning avoids the emission of CO2. The captured CO2 in charcoal is buried in the soil.
10. Soil and forests. Trees absorb CO2 and reforestation will reduce the CO2 levels in the atmosphere. Utilization of soil needs to be changed. Tilling of soil emits CO2. Emission of CO2 can be avoided or reduced by limiting tilling. Barren land erodes easily and therefore groundcover should be promoted by promoting vegetation, such a natural grass or other plants. A new approach to soil utilization must be developed to serve fuel and/or food production while at the same time reducing the CO2 emissions.

The list of technologies and the variety indicate that our world will look different in the future. It also shows there is (better) life without fossil fuels possible. Ten technologies by Chris Goodall is a very interesting book and an eye opener.

One point of criticism applies to the introduction. This first chapter of the book is too detailed and presents conclusions ahead of the description of the technologies. The reader is not in a position to underwrite or comprehend the conclusions before having read the book. A more general "real" introduction would have made sense and the detailed conclusions belong after the explanation of the technologies. If one wants to avoid this issue, feel free to read the introduction after the other chapters, or re-read the first chapter after completing the book. This point does not reduce the positive judgment of the book.

I can highly recommend this book "Ten Technologies" to a wide audience. Read it, this topic will affect your life sooner rather than later.

The reviewer Marinus M. Grootenboer is a consultant and program/project manager with extensive international experience.

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