Summary

Life-cycle analyses (LCA), vital in detailing the range of a technology's effects upon the environment and human health, afford us solid information for judiciously selecting those that provide the least damage. This book bring us a major step forward in generating well-balanced, accurate assessments of the environmental impacts of new energy conversion and storage technologies. It presents information on the life cycle of photovoltaics. Since this technology is rapidly evolving, periodic updates are essential for ensuring well-balanced comparisons with other technologies. It also focuses on nanomaterial-based technologies for energy storage and includes comprehensive overviews on the use of nanostructured materials in hydrogen storage, environmental issues related to such storage, and descriptions of new nanoscale systems for energy storage and offers interesting new energy storage technologies. The book also features LCA methodologies applicable to energy-systems analysis, detailing ways of quantifying land use and suggesting applicable metrics.