Product Description

Covering the latest codes and standards and the Energy Independence and Security Act, this edition includes information on software packages from the Best Practices Program of the U.S. Department of Energy; and emerging technologies such as oxy-fuel combustion, high efficiency burners, enhanced heat exchangers, and ceramic membranes for heat recovery. This reference will guide you step by step in applying the principles of energy engineering and management to the design of electrical, HVAC, utility, process and building systems for both new design and retrofit projects. Topics covered include how to do an energy analysis of any system; electrical system optimization; state-of-the-art lighting and lighting controls; thermal storage; cogeneration; HVAC and building system optimization; compressed air systems; third party financing and much more. The text is thoroughly illustrated with tables, graphs, diagrams and sample problems.

Customer Reviews (2)

Useful Book but Needs Improvement
I purchased this book as a reference for the Certified Energy Manager's exam. At first, I was taken aback by the cost of the book, but rationalized that the price was well worth the future fruits I would gain with certification. I found the material to be very useful. The problem with the book, however, is that it is POORLY organized. The table of contents is a quick short list of topics. The chapters contain sub categories that are covered again and again in other chapters. This makes for alot of confusion. The index of the book is abolutely worthless. I have spent alot of time adding words, subject matter, etc to the existing index in order to be able to quickly access the information. While the content of the book is useful...good luck quickly accessing it. I recommend that the author update the book with an exhaustive index of topics and expand the table of contents to include all of the sub-topics that are located in each of the chapters. I also think more information about the energy policy and codes prior to EPACT or at least a source reference would be useful.

Useful Reference
Useful handbook for introduction to energy analysis
Boring reading for those looking for some exciting material. ... Read more

Product Description
In an age of mounting energy crises, James A. Fay and Dan S. Golomb's Energy and the Environment offers a timely treatment of a critical problem in urban-industrial societies: the worldwide growth of energy use and the destructive relationship between this energy use and environmental degradation. This comprehensive text provides the scientific and technological background for understanding how ever-increasing use of energy threatens the natural environment at local, regional, and global scales and how this threat could be mitigated by more efficient use of conventional energy sources and their replacement by renewable energy sources. Designed for upper-level undergraduate and first-year graduate students, Energy and the Environment is essential reading for students and professionals in energy and environmental sciences and technology. Features BLDescribes energy technologies and their effectiveness in transforming fossil, nuclear, and renewable energy into useful mechanical or electrical power BLEmphasizes the generation of electric power and the technological improvements that increase power generation efficiency and reduce air pollutant emissions from power plants BLExamines the use of energy in the transportation sector and how vehicle design and engine efficiency improvements could reduce fuel use and pollutant emissions BLObjectively surveys the field of renewable energy technologies and the prospects of increasing the share of renewable energy among all energy sources BLAnalyzes the energy sources of toxic emissions to air, water, and land and their effects on environmental quality at local and regional scales BLExamines global climate change, energy consumption's contribution to it, and the salient technologies being developed to mitigate this effect BLEquips engineering majors, science majors, and professionals with the basic facts needed to develop solutions to these pressing environmental problems ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Nuclear Engineering
For one of my nuclear classes. Decent book but I wish there was an answer key for the included problems. It would make my life so much easier. ... Read more

Product Description
"President Bush’s remarks in his State-of-the-Union message proposing a big jump in funding for hydrogen and fuel cell research and development are terrific news. It’s imperative that Congress follows through now and makes available those funds.Aside from the tangible benefits of spending more on an environmentally benign area of energy that for too long has been treated - often condescendingly - like a poor orphan, the political message is of supreme significance. For decades, supporters of hydrogen and other alternative energy fields have argued until they were blue in the face, that the key ingredient missing in moving forward is national political will.President Bush’s support provides a large measure of that political will."--Peter Hoffmann, 31 January 2003About the book:Hydrogen is the quintessential eco-fuel. This invisible, tasteless gas is the most abundant element in the universe. It is the basic building block and fuel of stars and an essential raw material in innumerable biological and chemical processes. As a completely nonpolluting fuel, it may hold the answer to growing environmental concerns about atmospheric accumulation of carbon dioxide and the resultant Greenhouse Effect. In this book Peter Hoffmann describes current research toward a hydrogen-based economy. He presents the history of hydrogen energy and discusses the environmental dangers of continued dependence on fossil fuels.Hydrogen is not an energy source but a carrier that, like electricity, must be manufactured. Today hydrogen is manufactured by "decarbonizing" fossil fuels. In the future it will be derived from water and solar energy and perhaps from "cleaner" versions of nuclear energy. Because it can be made by a variety of methods, Hoffmann argues, it can be easily adapted by different countries and economies. Hoffmann acknowledges the social, political, and economic difficulties in replacing current energy systems with an entirely new one. Although the process of converting to a hydrogen-based economy would be complex, he demonstrates that the environmental and health benefits would far outweigh the costs.Amazon.com Review
The word hydrogen conjures images of devastating bombs and burning zeppelins (the Hindenburg) for most of us, but it inspires visionaries like Peter Hoffmann to picture clear skies and safer roads. Hoffmann's book Tomorrow's Energy traces the history of the volatile gas and explores options for its use as fuel. Though the author can't avoid using some technical language, his writing should still appeal well beyond the community of automotive and power-plant engineers. His coverage, though fairly balanced, tends toward the positive efforts made by government, corporations, environmentalists, and scientists to promote hydrogen as a clean, relatively safe, and potentially cheap alternative to carbon-heavy fuels.

Party-line Greens may gasp at some of the suggested schemes, which include using limited nuclear power to generate hydrogen from water. But Hoffmann convincingly assures the reader that ultimately, the planet will be better off this way. Many will be surprised at how far hydrogen has advanced since serious research restarted during the 1970s fuel crisis: the range of cars, planes, and power networks using the gas for power storage is impressive and underreported.

Though he makes his case for hydrogen as a means of powering our lives, Hoffmann also shows off its uses in medicine, agriculture, metallurgy, and other fields. Using economic data, he shows that we can expect to live in a hydrogen economy sometime midcentury; if so, we can all breathe a collective, CO2-laden sigh of relief. --Rob Lightner ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Inspiring, but sketchy on the details
A nice vision, and not a new one, but is it practical and realistic?I don't know but I think that fuel made from yeast or algae fed from CO2 from fossil fuel plants can close the carbon cycle and may be much easier to implement within today's infrastructure...but I just flip burgers what do I know?The one big gripe I have with this book is that it doesn't describe the pitfalls of hydrogen, the technical breakthroughs that are required (and the likelihood of success), and what other competitors may be out there that can make hydrogen never get off the ground (yes I know it's lighter than air but can you say greenhouse gas?).

Hydrogen storage is a central issue surrounding adaptation into hydrogen as tomorrow's energy
Hydrogen storage is a central issue surrounding adaptation into hydrogen as tomorrow's energy. Internal Combustion Engines burning hydrogen seem like the popular future.Toyota's Rav 4 prototype uses a metal hydride to carry hydrogen in solid form.Hydrogen extracting micro plant under the hood seems unfeasible and hydride storage seems more probable, as the means for storing hydrogen. Steel pressurized tanks seem unfeasible requiring 5,000 psi, weighting 3,400 lbs, and maintaining 800 atmospheres.Hydrides are safer because they cannot spill or vent hydrogen or burn in a crash.

Energy Conversion Devices touts its magnesium based atomically based engineered hydrides as capable of storing hydrogen efficiently and effectively.In 2004, a Toyota Prius housed a ECD solid hydrogen storage system.The prototype Prius achieved 200 miles ranges, used a turbo charged internal combustible engine too boost horse power, innovated with carbon fiber wound tank reducing weight competitively, maintained 1,500 psi during saturation and an operating pressure of 300-500 psi, timeout at eight minutes for refueling with a goal of reaching five minutes, and a storage capacity of 3 kilograms of hydrogen.

Hydrides slow down fast moving neutrons.Hydrides release and absorb hydrogen at different pressures:Hydrogen under higher pressure than equilibrium is absorbed into the metal and is in solid form and gives off heat; Hydrogen under lower pressure than equilibrium releases and heat must be added. To release hydrogen the gas pressure is simply lowered.

The new ECD carbon fiber tank offers huge advantages over a "steel tank" which can weight 25 times as much for the same carrying capacity of hydrogen. The lighter weighting tank overcomes one barrier towards accepting hydrogen as the alternative fuel to oil. In 1997, transportation consumed 54% of the oil consumption, of 18.6 million barrels of oil a day. The second barrier to overcome will be too solving the refueling time lag, reducing refueling times to five minutes or less. More doubt seems to be direct at fuel cell technology. China seems down on fuel cell technology viewing the technology as too expensive for developing countries.More optimism seems to be swinging towards Internal combustible engines running hydrogen.

Important and Exciting Information
Tomorrow's Energy is a thorough discussion of a topic that is rapidly gaining importance - hydrogen. The book proposes hydrogen as the energy of the near future. It includes the history of hydrogen as a fuel, and what measures are currently being taken to produce hydrogen-powered automobiles, air and space craft, homes, and offices. Hoffmann describes in detail how hydrogen fuel is produced and used, and why hydrogen is a better choice than fossil fuels. The book discusses what must be done in order for non-polluting hydrogen to overtake fossil fuels, and the prospect of a "hydrogen community."

This book, though obviously in favor of hydrogen energy, provides a detailed and, for the most part, many sided report on hydrogen's possibilities. It has a lot of numbers but is generally easily understood by the layman, though it assumes that the reader has a basic knowledge of chemistry. Hydrogen is an interesting and exciting thing, and this book provide a good understanding of its past, present and future. Stylistically, the book is a bit dry, but has sharp and occasionally witty quotes to lighten the tone. I would recommend "Tomorrow's Energy" to anyone who wants to learn more about this promising subject, as long as the reader uses the information to form their own opinion.

Half the story
This book has a lot of useful information but the problem is not the material but the book could use an editor.The story continually jumps back and forth.When the book uses comparisons it goes from Joules to BTUs then Gallons to Liters so you never seem to compare apples to apples or the book should have had a conversion table.It's as if the author is afraid to tell the truth of how it might be a little expensive now to convert,but eventually it will be cost effective. The book also has no diagrams, or graphs that would explain fuel cells or cost effectiveness....

The author seems to shy away from nuclear power as a solution for creating hydrogen.I think it would be a great interim solution where you could put the nuclear reactor on sites off shore or in the Great Lakes so you would have a supply of water and pump all the hydrogen and electricity produced to the city.The hydrogen could be sent to fuel cell power plants and fuel stations for vehicles.Eventually from the money made from this move on to geothermal methods.

I don't want to seem down on this book because it gave me a lot of good information the best part was the different ways that they can create hydrogen. Hydropower, Wind, Solar, Photovoltaic, Biomass, Advanced Solar concepts, orbiting solar mirrors, converting thermal energy from oceans and Geothermal.The one that I left out that I thought was the coolest was the Giant Solar Chimneys.I found out that they are actually making one in Australia; I can only hope that it works. I liked the part with the solar mirrors and why they didn't work, that was kind of funny.

The book never explains why they are not doing some of these things.I guess because of the cost but it is not clear.The best and safest way would be to produce hydrogen is geothermal but the book never explains why we don't do it.

The chapter on the uses for hydrogen started out interesting but ends with a walk into the cosmos with the SETI stuff.It was parenthetical information that the author wanted us to be aware of that did not belong in this book.

This book seem like a confused mass of projects that never seemed to get off the ground and a couple that could be a solution for the future.I wish the book was organized so that the history came first and then focus in on various areas, production, types of fuel cells, different forms of hydrogen, infrastructure, present uses, future use and the road ahead and what are the possible type of plans for the future.

I wish the book could have recommended more books to read on the subject that could answer some of these questions.

I guess I was looking for more clear cut solutions.

Somehow disappointing
This book contains lots of valuable information and is certainly worth reading. But at the same time, I had expected more of it. It describes too many factual details about the history of hydrogen's use in various applications and gives too few technical information about hydrogen as a fuel. The book does not give a very thorough analysis of how a hydrogen economy could be established, how those massive quantities of hydrogen will be produced in a way that is both environment friendly and realistic, why or why not to use nuclear power to do so, etc.
Rather, it leaves a lot of open questions and does not give answers to the issues that really matter (e.g. if hydrogen is produced through reforming of traditional carbon fuels, what to do with the carbon then at the production plant).
Nevertheless, the book is certainly worth reading... I think it's one of the only serious books on hydrogen at this time. ... Read more

Product Description
China is frequently described as a threat to regional and global stability and its rapidly rising demand for imported energy is seen as one cause of this threat. This book shows that domestic politics and foreign policy have both played a part in China's recent major energy policy decisions. However, China's increasing involvement in the global energy markets can be seen as an opportunity to enhance cooperation and interdependence rather than as a threat. ... Read more

Product Description

As one of the eighteen field-specific reports comprising the comprehensive scope of the strategic general report of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, this sub-report addresses long-range planning for developing science and technology in the field of energy science. They each craft a roadmap for their sphere of development to 2050. In their entirety, the general and sub-group reports analyze the evolution and laws governing the development of science and technology, describe the decisive impact of science and technology on the modernization process, predict that the world is on the eve of an impending S&T revolution, and call for China to be fully prepared for this new round of S&T advancement. Based on the detailed study of the demands on S&T innovation in China's modernization, the reports draw a framework for eight basic and strategic systems of socio-economic development with the support of science and technology, work out China's S&T roadmaps for the relevant eight basic and strategic systems in line with China's reality, further detail S&T initiatives of strategic importance to China's modernization, and provide S&T decision-makers with comprehensive consultations for the development of S&T innovation consistent with China's reality. Supported by illustrations and tables of data, the reports provide researchers, government officials and entrepreneurs with guidance concerning research directions, the planning process, and investment.

Founded in 1949, the Chinese Academy of Sciences is the nation's highest academic institution in natural sciences. Its major responsibilities are to conduct research in basic and technological sciences, to undertake nationwide integrated surveys on natural resources and ecological environment, to provide the country with scientific data and consultations for government's decision-making, to undertake government-assigned projects with regard to key S&T problems in the process of socio-economic development, to initiate personnel training, and to promote China's high-tech enterprises through its active engagement in these areas.

Product Description

Customer Reviews (1)

The definitive work on future energy sources
Does nuclear power have a role in the green energy revolution? How about coal? What can we learn from Germany, arguably the world's greatest success story in green power? Morris covers all the bases in Energy Switch: Proven Solutions for a Renewable Future. The author's years of energy reporting for Germany's leading tech publisher have paid off in this book. He gives us a complete and nuanced look at all of the different energy sources -- from biomass, to fuel cells, to photovoltaics, to wind. But Morris, doesn't stop with so-called "alternative" energy sources; he also gives us a detailed look at coal, nuclear, natural gas, and oil, with impartial discussions of both the merits and the pitfalls of each.

The books shifts adroitly from the micro level to the big picture, explaining climate, economic, and social consequences. Morris also interprets the German system of subsidies and political measures in a way that is easy to grasp for American readers. And perhaps the book's greatest contribution is the author's practical recommendations for how America can benefit from some of the strategies that have been so successful in Germany.

Like it or not, energy indepenence and renewable energy is where America is headed. Energy Switch is a must-read book for anybody who wants to understand where the ride is taking us.
... Read more

Product Description

Product Description

Customer Reviews (3)

Great and informative book!
This is a very detailed book which lays out for you what items drains energy needlessly and what a homeowner can do to remedy the situation. A lot of things can be done cheaply and with no effort all.

Practical, Informative, Money-saving
This book is filled with practical advice and energy saving suggestions, with illustrations and instructions that explain the "hows and whys" of energy savings.The book takes you through the house from attic to appliances, from windows to CFL lights, with the Real Story on each. The advice is highly practical and much better than some books that simply point out the obvious. The book is FULL of practical projects you can do this weekend to make your home more efficient.This book will pay for itself the first weekend you own it.

Simple black-and-white illustrations help to clarify key points in this solid money-saving guide.
Written by Jennifer Thorne Amann (Senior Associate in the Buildings and Equipment Program at the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy) Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings is a handy resource for homeowners, state utility companies, and anyone else interested in saving money and reducing environmental impact. Now in its ninth updated edition, Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings offers in-depth comparisons between available energy-saving technologies, cost-effective repair and replacement options, step-by-step instructions for finding the right equipment for one's needs, and much more. "Try to install your clothes washer as close to the water heater as reasonably possible and insulate the hot water pipes leading to it to minimize heat loss through the pipes. Also, if possible, locate the washer and dryer in a heated space. This is particularly important with dryers, which depend on heat to dry." Simple black-and-white illustrations help to clarify key points in this solid money-saving guide. Highly recommended. ... Read more

Product Description
Energy security has become a rallying cry in recent years, especially in the wake of increased terrorist threats in the Middle East and elsewhere. But what does the term energy security really mean? For many it is ensuring the safe supply and transport of energy as a matter of national security. For others, it is developing and moving toward sustainable, low-carbon energy sources to avoid environmental catastrophe. Still others view it as increasing oil drilling to achieve independence from foreign markets and ensure affordability.

Yet the fact remains that the vast majority of global energy production still comes from fossil fuels, and it will take a thorough understanding of the interrelationships of complex challenges&#151finite supply, environmental concerns, political conflict, and economic volatility&#151to develop policies that will lead to true energy security.

This volume presents a realistic, cross-disciplinary look by recognized authorities at the global quest for energy security. While each nation faces different geopolitical, economic, and environmental challenges, the prescriptions offered here could well lead us in the right direction.

Contributors include William Antholis (Brookings), Jason Bordoff (White House Council on Environmental Quality), Marilyn A. Brown (Georgia Institute of Technology), Erin E. R. Carter (Brookings), Manasi Desphande (National Economic Council), Erica Downs (Brookings), Ann Florini (Brookings), Suzanne Maloney (Brookings), Pascal Noel (National Economic Council), Pietro Nivola (Brookings), Michael O Hanlon (Brookings), Andrea Sarzynski (George Washington University), Frank Southworth (Georgia Institute of Technology), Evie Zambetakis (Brookings) ... Read more

Product Description
This book offers a unique insight into the corporate health of energy companies in an evolving landscape of deregulation.Cutting across both historical and present-day situations, it demonstrates important elements vital to the success of energy companies coming out of a safe regulated structure and dealing with a new competitive environment.

Targeted at corporate executives, energy professionals, the financial and investment communities, strategic planners and regulators, readers will find this resource helpful to understand how energy companies can meet the challenges of a competitive environment, what it will take to evolve into healthy energy companies, the impacts of deregulation and assessment of successful and unsuccessful strategies for energy companies, the role of technology in business/product reinvention and a successful business model, and the differences and similarities of electricity to other commodities-the challenges to generation, power delivery, environmental science and end-use sectors of the business. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Improving the Electric Power Industry
"Visions..." is a compelling read concerning the health and outlook for electric power in the U.S.

If the industry is going to meet the increased demand for electric power, at least some of the ideas in this book will have to be pursued in earnest.The content of the book might bethought of as a composite of the best thinking of the most enlightened professionals in the industry.The book sets forth specific steps the industry can take toward more respect for the environment and for more careful use of resources while meeting the need for additional power capacity.

The demand for electricity will continue to grow and may grow more rapidly than it has in recent years.For example, more electric capacity is needed to operate data centers that are the foundation of the digital economy and to allow plug-in hybrid vehicles to serve as alternatives to automobiles fueled exclusively with gasoline."Visions..." presents a large number of specific suggestions on how a progressive electric power industry in the U.S. can meet its obligations in a responsible manner. ... Read more

Product Description
In this user-friendly and informative book, prolific author and academic Vaclav Smil provides an introduction to this far-reaching term and gives the reader a greater understanding of energy's place in both past and present society.Starting with an explanation of the concept, he goes on to cover such exciting topics as the inner workings of the human body, and the race for more efficient and environmentally friendly fuels. Whether you're after insight or dinner table conversation, Energy: A Beginner's Guide will amaze and inform, uncovering the science behind one of the most important concepts in our universe. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Delightful for nonbeginners
This is not truly a Beginner's Guide. The book is more like an Executive Summary of the many writings by the prolific author, up to 2005.No references are given.There is no appendix with useful tables of values.However, there are many useful tables, lists and values dispersed throughout the book.The book has a few flubs: confusing ultra-violet radiation with infrared, missing a "per year" in a sentence, and draft animals pulling with kg of force.

Some more serious problems occur on page 152, where the parenthetical definition of "net energy ratio" is actually the the definition of EROI, energy return on investment (of energy).The numbers discussed in the remainder of the paragraph are actually values of 1- 1/EROI . A true beginner would be flummoxed.

Another grievance is that the difference between installed capacity of wind power and the actual production of electrical power is not emphasized forcefully enough. A wind production number is given on page 169 (as a percent of world electrical power), but you are on your own to figure out the importantcapacity factor, and then to put wind power in a fair comparison with nuclear power and coal power.The summary of wind energy is otherwise excellent, as is the summary of photosynthesis and biofuels. All ethanol fans should read it.

The focus of the book in not renewable energy policy.The scope is much more grand, all done wonderfully in consistent S.I. Units, with respect for the intelligence of the reader.The author gets to the point.Energetics is the mostconcise way to organize knowledge of your universe. The brilliant author summarizes nearly all of itin 176 pages: your cells, your home economics, your technology, your planet.For larger scalesolar and galactic - you may need to shop elsewhere. Presentation of energetics leads to implications in the sociology of jet travel, urban planning,and history of science and technology. For example, on page 93 we learn how the celebrated inventor James Watt delayed progressive development of the steam engine.

The book would be a great investment of time and money if a better book was not available: "Energy in Nature and Society", published by Smil in 2008.That book has more figures, of better quality, appendices and approximately 3 times the amount of text.The overlap in not complete, though.You won't find that tidbit about Watt in the 2008 work, or the fact that swarms of insects soiling the leading edge of wind turbine blades can cause a nearly instantdrop in power production by up to 20%.

Not necessarily a beginner's guide.
This is an easy to follow guide for the beginner. You don't have to know calculus to follow the math. I daresay it could be a useful review for the more sophisticated reader. ... Read more

Product Description
Energy issues have emerged as one of the leading topics of debate in the late 20th century.This guidebook--originally published in 1983--was designed to provide a much-needed source of information on all aspects of the topic.Authoritative and accessible, it became a best-selling resource for both experts and the general public.Now this popular guidebook has been fully revised and updated to account for the many changes over the past 15 years.Covering today's energy systems and resources, and looking ahead to the problems of tomorrow, the author takes the reader from basic ideas to detailed accounts of both traditional and alternative fuels and technologies. Describingthe options, but supplying no simple answers, she writes, "Like many guidebooks, it includes warnings against hazards and doesn't entirely resist the temptation to award stars, but the choice of destination must be made by the traveller.Only you can decide where you want to go." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great
This book contains a wealth of information well organized in one handy book.This is the place to start, if you want to learn about how energy is used and produced today. ... Read more

Product Description
We are hearing a LOT about renewable energy these days! But unlike most available resources on alternative energy that focus on politics and economic impacts, da Rosa's practical guide, Fundamentals of Renewable Energy Processes, is dedicated to explaining the scientific and technological principles and processes that enable energy production from safe, renewable, clean sources.

Advances in the renewable energy sphere are proceeding with an unprecedented speed, and in order for the world's alarming energy challenges to be solved, solid, up-to-date resources addressing the technical aspects of renewables are essential.

This new, updated 2e of da Rosa's successful book continues to give readers all the background they need to gain a thorough understanding of the most popular types of renewable energy-hydrogen, solar power, biomass, wind power, and hydropower-from the ground up. The latest advances in all these technologies are given particular attention, and are carefully contextualized to help professionals and students grasp the "whys and hows" behind these breakthroughs.

.Discusses how and why the most popular renewable energy sources work, including wind, solar, bio and hydrogen
.Provides a thorough technical grounding for all professionals and students investigating renewable energy
.The new second edition of a highly-regarded guide written by an internationally renowned pioneer ... Read more

Customer Reviews (25)

great product
The product was as it was described and got the book within couple of days...
no problems at all

Fantastic Source...
This book is a fantastic primer on renewable energy. I learned a great deal from reading it, and would highly recommend it.

Not sure who this book is really for
First off, this book is a huge collection of scientific information on a lot of subjects which don't get detailed explanations in the news.If you want extremely detailed explanations, here they are.

One problem with the book is that it is not for everyone to read.The product description makes it sound like something for almost anyone, but the content is all technical with very little generalized overview.The chapter(s) on Hydrogen are so lengthy, and Rosa goes so far in each chapter to assign us calculation homework.The sheer mass of detailed technical data may distract a layperson from the general fact that Hydrogen is only useful as a means of energy storage, unlike wind or solar power which actually let us capture unused energy as a replacement for petroleum.

Within one of those chapters, Rosa makes a rather gratuitous comment about the future price of fuel cells, based entirely on a very generalized argument about production.But Rosa doesn't have any special knowledge of fuel cell or iron engine production (or at least he does not reveal any such fact here), so this is out of place in what otherwise appears to be a highly academic book.

In addition to the inconsistent point of view (mass science vs. expert vs. opinion), it is unclear why anyone would want such formula-level information about so many subjects, but would not care that it lacks any skilled educational technique to help non-experts understand things.

I could hardly recommend it to anyone.Even as a reference book, you are better off looking things up online for this sort of information than using printed text which ages.

Dense,
At over 800 pages, with ample equations, formulae, and technical descriptions, this is not a book to be read over a leisurely weekend. Be clear - this is an academic text, meant to be studied as part of a formal academic course. The author writes as much in the foreword to the second edition, "This book is based on class notes created in the teaching of Fundamentals of Energy Processes at Stanford since 1976."

The book is divided into four sections:
Part 1: "Heat Engines"
Part 2: "The World of Hydrogen"
Part 3: "Energy from the Sun"
Part 4: "Wind and Water"

Each chapter begins with an introduction to the topic, followed by an in-depth covering of the material, replete with diagrams, schematics (circuit diagrams for example), and formulae and equations.
For example, Chapter 9, "Fuel Cells", the first chapter in the "The World of Hydrogen" section, we are introduced to the types of batteries:
................... | Expendable
Voltaic cells ..... | Nonexpendable ...|.. Rechargeable
....................|..................|.. Refueable

This is followed by an explanation of voltaic cells, with a schematic of a simple fuel cell, containing a cathode and an anode on two sides, and an ion conducting membrane in-between.
The next section describes types of fuel cells, like Alkaline Fuel cells (AFC), Molten carbonate FC, Solid polymer FCs, etc...
Fuel cell reactions are described next, with the equations describing the reactions.

Each chapter has a list of references, and a list of questions and problems.
The index comes in at an anemic 16 pages.

For the non-technical or the lay reader, this book is of limited value, since only a small portion of each chapter is sufficiently simple enough, while the bulk of each chapter gets technical, rapidly.

Not lacking anything theoretical
Everything One Needs to Know onFundamentals of Renewable Energy Processes and More! I work in the energy industry and I was interested in understanding the theory behind some specific renewable energy processes from an engineering perspective and this book delivered that in great depth.Each chapter focuses on a particular source of renewable energy and can be read independent of the previous chapters.This is a very good reference book and a lot more than the typical books on renewable energy which are usually primers. But to be completely fair I must say, that I lack the engineering expertise to really comment on the quality and accuracy of the material. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

handyman "fix it book" for gift
I believe the man liked it and will be able to use it in his home. I couldn't use it as it is too technical. PM

A homeowner must!
Any homeowner can benefit from the information this book provides! Our company - EZBNgreen - suggests that it is a MUST READ for all our customers!

Bob Williams
EZBNgreen
Twin Cities

Very useful book
What makes this book stand out from other similar books are the use of accurate and detailed images to correlate with the energy saving projects. The tips and advice are accurate and the book is organized in a way that makes it easy to read and easy to refer back to you.

Save Energy Save Money
Came across this book and have used it as a visual training aid. As a Certified Home Energy Rater I was pleasantly surprised to find it has all the correct information and visual aids to help train auditrs and explain common, yet difficult to understand home energy problems to homeowners. The book is great! ... Read more

Product Description
Bringing together leading-edge research and innovative energy markets econometrics, this book collects the author's most important recent contributions in energy economics. In particular, the book: applies recent advances in the field of applied econometrics to investigate a number of issues regarding energy markets, including the theory of storage and the efficient markets hypothesis; presents the basic stylized facts on energy price movements using correlation analysis, causality tests, integration theory, cointegration theory, as well as recently developed procedures for testing for shared and codependent cycles; and, uses recent advances in the financial econometrics literature to model time-varying returns and volatility in energy prices and to test for causal relationships between energy prices and their volatilities.It also explores the functioning of electricity markets and applies conventional models of time series analysis to investigate a number of issues regarding wholesale power prices in the western North American markets; and applies tools from statistics and dynamical systems theory to test for nonlinear dynamics and deterministic chaos in a number of North American hydrocarbon markets (those of ethane, propane, normal butane, iso-butane, naptha, crude oil, and natural gas). ... Read more

Product Description

The transformation from a carbon-based world economy to one based on high efficiency and renewables is a necessary step if human society is to achieve sustainability. But while scientists and researchers have made significant advances in energy efficiency and renewable technologies in recent years, consumers have yet to see dramatic changes in the marketplace?due in large part to government policies and programs that favor the use of fossil fuels.

Energy Revolution examines the policy options for mitigating or removing the entrenched advantages held by fossil fuels and speeding the transition to a more sustainable energy future, one based on improved efficiency and a shift to renewable sources such as solar, wind, and bioenergy. The book:

• examines today's energy patterns and trends and their consequences
• describes the barriers to a more sustainable energy future and how those barriers can be overcome
• provides ten case studies of integrated strategies that have been effective in different parts of the world
• examines international policies and institutions and recommends ways they could be improved
• reviews global trends that suggest that the transition to renewables and increased efficiency is underway and is achievable

Customer Reviews (2)

a pragmatic approach to renewable energy in the U.S.
ENERGY REVOLUTION presents a sensible strategy for promoting the necessary transition to renewable energy in the U.S.I would say the title is misleading (revolution?), but even sensible reforms seem like revolutionary changes in the face of the entrenched power of the oil companies, auto industry, nuclear power lobby, and the rest of the empire of the fossil fuel status quo.

Howard Geller is an old hand and an expert in the field -- he headed the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy for two decades in Washington D.C.He has stepped out of the Beltway, and is now Director of the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project based in Boulder.With that background, you can bet he knows what we're up against.

The core of Geller's book are his presentations of Clean Energy scenarios for the U.S. and Brazil, where he studied.His U.S. scenario has 10 policies:

1) increase passenger vehicle fuel economy standards,

2) establish a national system benefits trust fund (a utility surcharge used to promote energy efficiency),

3) adopt voluntary agreements to reduce industrial energy use,

4) establish a renewable energy portfolio standard for power generators,

5) adopt new appliance efficiency standards and stronger building codes,

6) provide tax incentives for innovative renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies,

7) expand federal R&D and deployment programs,

8) remove barriers to combined heat and power systems,

9) establish renewable or carbon content standards for vehicle fuel, and

10) strengthen emissions standards on coal-fired plants.

Geller calculates that the impact of these policies would be a $600 billion cost and a $1200 billion savings, for a net savings of $600 billion compared to a baseline scenario of continued promotion of fossil fuels.He knows that this economic analysis is critical, given that the fossil fuel lobby will try to portray renewable energy as more costly.Notice that Geller avoids proposing any sort of energy or CO2 emissions tax -- such "green taxes" are already being used to great effect in Europe, but Geller is experienced and pragmatic enough to know that the U.S., the land of cheap gas, long distances and gas-guzzling SUVs, requires a different approach.

Much more could be said about this excellent book.But given the political campaign now going on, let me add a word about Democratic political strategy and vision.The current debate is over who will do a better job of keeping gas prices low.Kerry is certainly realistic in this, and I hope he wins in November -- with Bush/Cheney and the oil industry in the saddle, renewable energy is going nowhere.But keeping gas cheap is doing nothing to encourage renewable energy -- it's sending the wrong price signal.Kerry needs to go on the offensive, making the case that we've got to rapidly wean ourselves from oil for the sake of national security as well as ecological survival.His policy team should take a look at the bold program of the Apollo Project, which includes major labor unions -- a proposed all-out push for renewable energy comparable to the 1960s race to the moon.This would create jobs and revitalize the economy while making the environment cleaner and making the U.S. self-sufficient in energy.Put Bush on the defensive!Renewable energy needs to become the focus of a mass movement, starting now.

For a truly revolutionary strategy for renewable energy, see THE SOLAR ECONOMY by Herman Scheer, a member of the German parliament, the Bundestag, and a Social Democrat (SPD) -- see my review.See my list THE CLEAN/RENEWABLE ENERGY REVOLUTION list for more on oil and energy.

Energy Revolution - an inspiring, practical vision
I would recommend "Energy Revolution" to anyone interested in energy policy. Howard Geller provides an inspired, yet extremely practical and down to earth vision of a path towards sustainable energy use. It is an understatement to say that most people in the energy industry assume that energy demand will continue to grow, and that the increasing supply needs should be met mainly through a mix of coal, nuclear, and natural gas. To successfully debate with the tremendous inertia of this business as usual view, it will be extremely valuable and essential to have available the depth of research and documentation that Geller provides in this book.

Of course all discussions of future energy use scenarios are debatable, but Geller provides numerous examples of policies to promote efficiency and renewables that are currently in use in various countries, as well as the successes and results they have achieved. The bottom line is that an intelligent and rational energy policy in the U.S. or any country would consider the least-cost options to meeting energy needs (including social and environmental costs as much as possible). Analyzed in this way, policies to encourage energy efficiency and renewable sources are clear winners, more often than not. As Geller clearly illustrates, the main obstacles to more sustainable energy use are not technical, but a variety of other obstacles that can be overcome through different types of policy instruments. However, there are also serious political obstacles to smarter energy policies. For example, U.S. oil and automotive companies continue to oppose and successfully block any new standards for increasing the fuel-efficiency of cars and trucks, in order to increase their own short-term profits and despite the negative impacts of wasteful U.S. oil consumption.

Even many people with only a moderate interest in energy policy would enjoy the reading at least the first and last chapters of Geller's book. Hopefully, "Energy Revolution" will become an important part of rational discussions of energy policy issues by policy- makers, researchers, progressive business leaders, students, and informed citizens for at least the next several years. ... Read more

Product Description
The global market for oil and gas resources is rapidly changing. Three major trends - the rise of new consumers, the increasing influence of state players, and concerns about climate change - are combining to challenge existing regulatory structures, many of which have been in place for a half-century. "Global Energy Governance" analyzes the energy market from an institutionalist perspective and offers practical policy recommendations to deal with these new challenges. Much of the existing discourse on energy governance deals with hard security issues but neglects the challenges to global governance. "Global Energy Governance" fills this gap with perspectives on how regulatory institutions can ensure reliable sources of energy, evaluate financial risk, and provide emergency response mechanisms to deal with interruptions in supply. The authors bring together decisionmakers from industry, government, and civil society in order to address two central questions: What are the current practices of existing institutions governing global oil and gas on financial markets? How do these institutions need to adapt in order to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century? The resulting governance-oriented analysis of the three interlocking trends also provides the basis for policy recommendations to improve global regulation. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Advance Praise for the Book
"We have entered an era where the provision of clean, affordable, and secure energy to more of mankind is more than just urgent. It is also increasingly complicated, crossing a multitude of political and institutional fault lines. This volume offers an extensive and insightful analysis of the rules and institutional mechanisms that structure global energy markets, and it provides practical recommendations for policymakers to reshape the global energy governance landscape to foster energy security in the twenty-first century."
-- William C. Ramsay, director for energy at the Institut français des relations internationales (ifri) and former deputy executive director of the International Energy Agency

"This is a far-ranging and sober look at the challenges facing the world energy system. Unlike many studies, which look at only one corner--such as oil or gas or global warming--these authors take on all the challenges. And they are politically astute in offering recommendations for policy reforms that will work. Their focus on the need for new international institutions is particularly welcome."
-- David G. Victor, director of the Laboratory on International Law & Regulation, University of California, San Diego

"Goldthau and Witte have brought together some of the world's finest thinkers on the geopolitical issues surrounding the energy resource strategies being pursued by the world's most powerful nations. By viewing multiple dimensions of energy policy through the lens of institutional structures for market regulation and administration, the authors illuminate the key technological, political, and economic components of the global energy and financial markets. Their analysis ends with a thoughtful set of recommendations for pushing out the boundaries of global energy governance."
--Adam E. Sieminski, chief energy economist at Deutsche Bank
... Read more

Product Description
There's more to you than meets the eye...
Your Seven Energy Centers contains powerful insights and tools forwholeness based on the science of the body's subtle energy system andits seven energy centers (or "chakras").Drawing from the wisdom ofthe world's spiritual traditions, it shows how you can nurture yoursoul through the seven stages of personal growth that correspond tothese centers.

Includes an overview of holistic techniques that help restore thebody's energetic balance-from homeopathy, vitamins and spa therapiesto meditation, affirmation and visualization. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Thank you
I am one of "those" folks that book readers hate.The one that "HI LITE"the parts I love in the books I buy.

This book is filled with information that I pull from constantly

I have used several of the exercises in the book with small groups, as a monthly growth exercise.

Great tool.

Thank you
Rev. Allen

Great, if you are new ageish
I thought this would be something more analytical with real information. It was a little new ageish for my taste, but I have friends who swear by it. I guess it depends on how deeply you believe this stuff. It wouldn't be a good overview of the energy centers, but rather a more in-depth view, with more spiritual explanations.

Energy Healing is important
If you have not checked into Energy Healing, this book is an excellent, easy read. You owe it to yourself and your loved ones to know about this incredible resourse for health NOW.

All you wanted to know
Easy, friendly, complete. The best bookabout chakras ever. I've read a lot of books about this theme till I've found this one I was not buying becasue I thougt it was too small to contain so much wisdom. I was proved wrong. You won't regret. This is a book we all MUST read. You will understand and learn a lot of pratical things. Namaste!

There's more to you than meets the eye!
I am reading this book for a book study group that we have at our local chain bookstore.It is practical and laid out in a way that makes it easy-to-read.It has wonderful stories throughout, many from a variety of spiritual teachers from the world's spiritual traditions, that clarify and expand on the points being made.It is a great study of the body's subtle energy system.For each chakra, the authors give the following correspondences: location, color, sanskrit name, # of petals, positive expression, unbalanced expression, corresponding part of body, musical instrument,gemstone, spiritual tradition and life lesson.I highly recommend this book as it makes the profound practical and enjoyable. ... Read more