This volume is a result of the NATO Advanced Research Workshop that took place in Naples, Italy on July 4 through 7 of 2007. The workshop brought together the top researchers in energy technology, energy analysis, energy economics, and environmental economics from NATO countries, partner countries and Mediterranean Action countries. The book, like the meeting itself, deals with very crucial aspects of the energy/environmental/social problem such as energy and economic growth, integrated analysis of societal and ecosystem metabolism, status, development and use of renewable energy sources at regional level, and zero emission production patterns in agriculture, industry and the energy sectors. The authors treat in depth all the aspects linked to evaluation methods, multidisciplinary integration of approaches, economic problems of energy use, competition of bioenergy with food production and environmental protection, peak oil and strategies to deal with, trade and societal metabolism. The close interrelationship of these topics emerges very clearly. So much so that the presentations definitely help to place the individual projects and research activities within a larger societal and environmental frame for increased sustainability. Special focus is placed on the fact that increase of renewables, diversification of sources, and decentralization of energy production and use are capable of increasing energy security and environmental integrity.
