Energy, Global Warming and Impact of Power Electronics in the Present Century

The chapter gives a brief but comprehensive review of the world's energy resources and climate change problems due to fossil fuel burning, along with possible solutions or mitigation methods. Then, it discusses the impact of power electronics on energy conservation, renewable energy systems, bulk storage of energy, and electric/hybrid vehicles in the present century. Although tidal and geothermal powers may not use power electronics, these are included for the completeness of the discussion on renewable energy systems.