Introduction: What are Unintended Consequences of Renewable Energy and How Can They be Predicted?

Abstract

This introductory chapter describes the concept of unintended consequences, as well as methods and approaches that can be applied to identify the unintended consequences of renewable energy. The chapter includes a brief introduction to consequential life cycle assessment (cLCA), the study of rebound effects, and assessment of environmental impacts, so-called environmental impact assessment (EIA). Also included are other forms of relevant modeling, including molecular dynamics simulations (MDS). The types of unintended consequences addressed in this book are defined with special attention being paid to their impacts on health and the environment. The main renewable technologies covered in the book are also defined. © Springer-Verlag London 2013.