5
The Alternative, Carbon-Free Primary
Energy Sources and Relevant
Technologies
Abstract
In this chapter, carbon-free perennial primary energy sources are described and
the potential of relevant technologies to produce electric or thermal energy is
highlighted. Solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal power are analyzed for their
contribution to substitute fossil-C in coming decades.
5.1 Carbon-Free Primary Sources Alternative to Fossil-C
and Biomass
The use of biofuels, and man-made fuels (see Chaps. 9–11), may contribute to
reduce the CO 2 atmospheric burden by cycling CO 2 and avoiding the extraction of
fossil-C. As discussed in Chap. 4, the biofuels’ contribution to the mitigation of
CO 2 is not straight to evaluate and cannot be measured on the basis of substituted
fossil fuels. As a matter of fact, only upon adopting innovative culture practices,
advanced harvesting techniques, and processing technologies, one can expect a
positive contribution from biofuels. In a Business as Usual (BAS) frame, the risk is
that biofuels may increase the emission of CO 2 with respect to fossil-C. Moreover,
a limitation is set by the kinetics of biomass growing that can be improved only to a
marginal extent. Alternative to the use of biomass is the use of C-free perennial
energies. Such energy sources are connatural to our planet and always available.
Man, since ever, has made attempts to use them in the best of ways. We refer to
• Solar energy,
• Wind energy,
• Hydroenergy (internal waters and oceans), and
• Geothermal energy.
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
M. Aresta and A. Dibenedetto, The Carbon Dioxide Revolution,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-59061-1_5
61
The Alternative, Carbon-Free Primary
Energy Sources and Relevant
Technologies
Abstract
In this chapter, carbon-free perennial primary energy sources are described and
the potential of relevant technologies to produce electric or thermal energy is
highlighted. Solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal power are analyzed for their
contribution to substitute fossil-C in coming decades.
5.1 Carbon-Free Primary Sources Alternative to Fossil-C
and Biomass
The use of biofuels, and man-made fuels (see Chaps. 9–11), may contribute to
reduce the CO 2 atmospheric burden by cycling CO 2 and avoiding the extraction of
fossil-C. As discussed in Chap. 4, the biofuels’ contribution to the mitigation of
CO 2 is not straight to evaluate and cannot be measured on the basis of substituted
fossil fuels. As a matter of fact, only upon adopting innovative culture practices,
advanced harvesting techniques, and processing technologies, one can expect a
positive contribution from biofuels. In a Business as Usual (BAS) frame, the risk is
that biofuels may increase the emission of CO 2 with respect to fossil-C. Moreover,
a limitation is set by the kinetics of biomass growing that can be improved only to a
marginal extent. Alternative to the use of biomass is the use of C-free perennial
energies. Such energy sources are connatural to our planet and always available.
Man, since ever, has made attempts to use them in the best of ways. We refer to
• Solar energy,
• Wind energy,
• Hydroenergy (internal waters and oceans), and
• Geothermal energy.
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
M. Aresta and A. Dibenedetto, The Carbon Dioxide Revolution,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-59061-1_5
61