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Alternative Energy: Sources and Future Trends

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Affordable and Clean Energy

Part of the book series: Encyclopedia of the UN Sustainable Development Goals ((ENUNSDG))

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Definitions

The expression “alternative energy” relates to energy sources other than “main” energy sources, usually fossil fuels, considering that there is some overlapping between the definition of “alternative energy” and the concept of “renewable energies,” such as wind, solar, hydroelectric, biomass, biogas, animal waste, geothermal, hydrogen, and marine energies. Alternative energy could refer to energy that does not come from coal, oil, natural gas, or wood.

Broadly speaking, “alternative energy” can also refer to energy conservation and efficiency, since they are complementary sources of energy insofar as they help produce less energy (Tomain and Cudahy 2004). In this sense, the concept is also referred to “alternative energy technologies,” where, for example, a wood-fired oven is replaced by a biogas-fired oven or solar cookers, or where natural gas is substituted by solar power for water heating systems (Pokharel 2003).

The expression is also used within the context of energy...

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Brazilian Institute for Energy Law Studies – IBDEnergia, EDP Brasil, São Paulo, Brazil

    Lucas Noura de Moraes Rêgo Guimarães

Authors
  1. Lucas Noura de Moraes Rêgo Guimarães
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Correspondence to Lucas Noura de Moraes Rêgo Guimarães .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. European School of Sustainability Science and Research, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Hamburg, Germany

    Walter Leal Filho

  2. Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal

    Anabela Marisa Azul

  3. Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, The University of Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo, Brazil

    Luciana Brandli

  4. The University of Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo, Brazil

    Amanda Lange Salvia

  5. International Centre for Thriving, University of Chester, Chester, UK

    Tony Wall

Section Editor information

  1. University of Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil

    Luciana Londero Brandli

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Guimarães, L.N.d.M.R. (2021). Alternative Energy: Sources and Future Trends. In: Leal Filho, W., Marisa Azul, A., Brandli, L., Lange Salvia, A., Wall, T. (eds) Affordable and Clean Energy. Encyclopedia of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-95864-4_1

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