Energy and global warming

Abstract

The book presents an overview of the current state of global and Ukrainian energy sector, highlighting trends in energy development and detrimental climate changes, particularly the intensification of global warming. Within the context of fundamental thermophysical engineering, the work proposes scientific and technical measures as well as innovation-oriented technologies aimed at increasing the energy efficiency of energy resource utilization, reducing the emission of harmful substances and greenhouse gases, and providing adaptive measures to climate change in communal energy. Specifically, the text discusses how innovative engineering and construction solutions, low-carbon renewable energy technologies, and intelligent energy supply systems can contribute to energy efficiency in the supply of buildings. The work explores the state and trends of energy development in Ukraine, Europe, and the world at large, including the energy efficiency of primary energy resources and CO2 emissions associated with their energy transformations. The technogenic heat balance of the planet is also discussed. The work examines the dynamics of greenhouse gas emissions, causes and consequences of global climate warming, particularly how dissipative emissions of heat into the environment, in accordance with the second law of thermodynamics, contribute to this phenomenon. Furthermore, the document discusses modeling of the interaction between Ukraine’s electric power industry and communal energy, as well as approaches to balancing the country’s energy system with seasonal energy storage. The text highlights that heat pumps based on environmental energy can be considered emission-free renewable energy sources. Additionally, the work shows the relationship between demographic processes of population growth, primary world energy resource volume, and the increase in global climate temperature. Finally, the text evaluates potential challenges and risks to human development arising from excessive growth in energy comfort of life activities, which is often referred to as the “golden billion population.” The need for a comprehensive discussion of decarbonized or low-carbon energy and global warming is emphasized, and the presentation is intended to be both simple and accessible. The book is aimed at engineers, scientists, and students of higher technical educational institutions, as well as anyone interested in energy and global warming issues.