Reviews (26)

A "Must Read" book for the new millennium !
The Living Energy Universe is an engaging book for the new millennium. Dr.s Gary Schwartz and Linda Russek,two University of Arizona scientists begin with introducing their basic but controversial theory,The Universal Living Memory Theory. Then, they lead you through the research, past and present that support their theory. Once you understand the concept and dare to believe, they take you on a journey of epic proportion. From understanding cellular memory of transplant patients to the mechanism of homeopathy. From mind/body medicine to mediumship and survival of consciousness. From the evolution of the photon to the evolution of the universe. The ramifications are staggering. This book,if nothing else,will change your perspective about the evolving life around you.

Living Energy --- that's Gary Schwartz alright!
The Living Energy Universe Gary Schwartz & Linda Russek The living Energy Universe is an incredible book-- incredible because it is hard to believe, especially when you think of all the repercussions the theory it proposes presents. But the authors do a very credible job of arguing for its feasibility.

Basically, it posits that every action, every moment of existence is reflected out into the universe to reverberate and interact as a living energy memory with the universe, including the myriad of other living energy memories. The book ties together everything, from eastern philosophical ideas of non-duality and connectedness to Rupert Sheldrake's morphogenic field theory (which is elegantly explained) to the phenomenon of organ transplant memory, in which recipients of heart and other organ transplants develop habits or experience memories whcih could only come from the organ donor.

This theory has so much potential to change the world and the way we think of it. I'm not just talking about technology. It can change the way you think about God, death, the afterlife, relationships, karma, organ transplants.

A beautiful aspect of this book is it manages to let the reader get to know the joyful, loving personalities of its authors. And that even flows into the theories-- theories filled with love. The book is unusual for its author, because it is the first book not written for a professional audience. Gary Schwartz has a huge CV, with several hundred publications to his credit, and he is one of the most respected psychologists in America. It's a treat-- like candy for the mind-- (vitamin enriched) to get such a digestable big chunk of Schwartz's ideas (most likely made more easily understood by his lifemate, Linda Russek. Isaac Newton, in crediting his scientific predecessors, commented that he got his ideas by standing on the shoulders of giants. If you want to stand on an extra tall pair of visionary shoulders, try the ones who wrote this book. As the organizer of The Futurehealth Winter Brain Meeting, I've had a wonderful opportunity to get to know some of the world's most brilliant visionary scientists and thinkers. Gary Schwartz, a regular speaker at the conference, is, among this stellar group of peers, regarded as somewhat special, guaranteed to surprise and delight by not only expanding the realms and reach of science, but by doing it with scintillating, clear sparkle. He not only sees what others have never seen before, but he shares his ideas with the excitement of discovery he must have experienced on his own.

It is a wonder to watch a room full of brilliant, world famous brain researchers shake their heads in astonishment and surprise when Gary, giving a lecture, drops another of his new explosive ideas. There are always a few who literally walk out, shocked by the boldness of the proposals. But most keep coming back for more, because the ideas force us (or better, lift us up) to see the world with new eyes, and that's a very special gift. Read this book and you will change the way you see the world and your relationship to it and everyone and eveything in it. Take Gary's advice, and read chapters 6 through the end first, before going into the scientific explanation. Rob Kall, President, Futurehealth, Inc, Founder/organizer The Winter Brain Meeting

A Well-Intentioned Mess
I really wanted to like this book. How wonderful it would be, to know that everything in the universe is not only interconnected, but alive, evolving and eternal. To know that we and our loved ones and our happy memories live forever - what could be better than that?

That may well be how the universe works, but this book fails to prove it. Instead, the authors present a muddled, heartfelt, personal 'proof' consisting of questionable assumptions, faulty logic, confusion of categories and much wishful thinking. I stopped reading about three-fourths of the way through the book, after one too many of the authors' leaps from questionable assumptions to incredibly sweeping - and incredible - conclusions.

To be fair, I did take away from the book a new appreciation for the way that systems work, and the many levels on which memory may (possibly) be encoded. But that's a far cry from being convinced that everything is alive, evolving and eternal.

The best thing about this book is the Selected Readings list at the end. My recommendation is to skip this book, and go directly to some of the book's much better sources: The Heart's Code by Paul Pearsall; Healing Words by Larry Dossey; Miracles of Mind by Targ and Katra, to name a few.

Sweeping Conclusions, nort science
The Author claims to be a scientist (and anyone with a science degree from a university can claim), but I am afraid his personal quest has gotten in the way. The author makes sweeping conclusions from data that can be observed in the natural world, and then because of a faulty logic and false deduction, introduces us to the absolute reality of mediums, angels, guides, etc, without a real proof. It has some interesting ideas if you know where to look.

Soft Science
I read this book shortly after publication. It seemed long on anecdotes and short on empiricism. It still does.
The author included a web site to keep readers apprised of current developments. The site was never activated. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Taking the shock out of the future
From Enron to the September 11, 2001 disasters, it is apparent things are changing in our world, much as we would like to keep things as they were.

In "The Prosperous Way Down" H.T. Odum does not give us feel-good babble.

Instead, he delivers to us a coherent and timely way to do the hard work of knowing how our world works, the changes that are already upon us, and some of the things we may do to increase our opportunity for security and satisfaction in a world that may be very different from what we know today.

There is a lot of contention about Odum and his eMergy methodology. This is to be expected. Odum brings things together, where others are content to be expert with parts.

The bottom line is that with the intellectual tools Odum lets us discover, we can learn to manage far more complexity than any would normally think possible. He lets us first recognize the problems we have with the signals our society sends out through economic and other circumstances of social behavior. And then the tools he provides let us clean up those signals, so we may make better use of the energy and other resources, the environment, and all the benefits (and problems) inherent in our diverse cultures.

The difficulty in all this is indicated by the fact that there is no Nobel prize for looking at the whole of our world. Those fabulous awards go to those who are very good at knowing parts, with very little idea of how the parts come together.

Instead, there is the very quiet Crafoord Prize for those who try to let us know more about the systems of our world--which of course H.T. Odum and his brother Eugene won back in the early 1980s. ... Read more

Book Description

This four volume set brings together for the first time in a single reference work the fundamentals, principles and the current state-of-the-art in fuel cells. Its publication reflects the increasing importance of and the rapidly growing rate of research into alternative, clean sources of energy.

With internationally renowned Editors, International Advisory Board members, and Contributors from academia and industry, it guides the reader from the foundations and fundamental principles through to the latest technology and cutting-edge applications, ensuring a logical, consistent approach to the subject.

The Handbook is divided into three main themes, covered in four volumes:

• Volume 1: "Fundamentals and Survey of Systems"
• Volume 2: "Fuel Cell Electrocatalysis"
• Volumes 3 and 4: "Fuel Cell Technology and Applications"

Volume 2, "Fuel Cell Electrocatalysis", is concerned with the most important basic phenomenon of fuel cell electrodes, electrocatalysis. It includes an introduction to the topic, and a detailed account of the theory. A number of the key practical methods used to study this phenomenon are discussed, as are a number of the key surface reactions. Finally, a number of other related topics associated with energy conversion are discussed.

Volumes 3 and 4, "Fuel Cell Technology and Applications" open with an overview of a range of sustainable energy supplies for fuel cell development. The key issue of fuel storage is considered in detail, before a detailed discussion of the most important types of fuel cells and their applications is presented. Among these, polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell systems, alkaline fuel cell modules and systems, phosphoric acid fuel cells, direct methanol fuel cells, molten carbonate fuel cells and solid oxide fuel cells are covered in depth. The use of fuel cells in a range of systems is then considered, including portable systems, propulsion systems and electric utility systems. In addition to domestic and industrial systems, use of fuel cells in such novel environments as the space shuttle and submarines is addressed. Finally, Volume 4 closes with a discussion of the future prospects of fuel cell systems.

Comprising approximately 170 articles by more than 200 contributors, "The Handbook of Fuel Cells: Fundamentals, Technology and Applications", will be an invaluable source of reference for all those working directly in this important and dynamic field, for electrochemists, and for scientists, engineers and policy-makers involved in the quest for clean and sustainable energy sources. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A fuel cell technology bible
If you're interested in the fuel cells, I suggest you to start with this book (though it's very expensive!). It will provide you the necessary knowledge on the fuel cell technology under every detailed issue or topic you can think of. This "state of the art" book also includes very good literature reviews and outlooks, which save you a heck of time looking for scattered papers! ... Read more

Book Description

This book is designed to provide the economic skills to make better management or policy decisions relating to energy. It requires a facility with calculus and contains a toolbox of models along with institutional, technological and historical information for oil, coal, electricity, and renewable energy resources. ... Read more

Book Description

Electricity markets are structurally different to other commodities, and the real-time dynamic balancing of the electricity network involves many external factors. Because of this, it is not a simple matter to transfer conventional models of financial time series analysis to wholesale electricity prices.

The rationale for this compilation of chapters from international authors is, therefore, to provide econometric analysis of wholesale power markets around the world, to give greater understanding of their particular characteristics, and to assess the applicability of various methods of price modelling.

Researchers and professionals in this sector will find the book an invaluable guide to the most important state-of-the-art modelling techniques which are converging to define the special approaches necessary for unravelling and forecasting the behaviour of electricity prices. It is a high-quality synthesis of the work of financial engineering, industrial economics and power systems analysis, as they relate to the behaviour of competitive electricity markets.
... Read more

Book 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

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 reneawable 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.

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

Book Description

In this highly original book, ecologist Vaclav Smil presents a comprehensive and integrated survey of all the forms of energy that shape our world, from the sun to the human body, from bread to microchips. Written in a scientifically sophisticated yet accessible style, Energies consists of eighty-two short essays organized under six headings: Sun and Earth, Plants and Animals, People and Food, Preindustrial Societies, Fossil-Fueled Civilization, and Transportation and Information. Each essay explains the science of the energy form as well as its implications for the functioning of the universe, life, or human society. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Excellent -- a joule of a book
This is an incredibly easy book to read and understand, amply illustrated by clear graphics. This is not a simple book. It is an encyclopedia of energy, from sunlight, to the biology produced by sunlight, to the energy we gain from using our environment as fuel. Reading through each section (they are clear and cogent) is an exercise in connecting simple inputs with complex outputs. The section on transportation takes you from walking to running to riding the bicycle, all the way to trains, planes, and rocket boosters, all of which developed differently and use energy very differently.

The book is packed with wonderful essays that are well written, ideas that jump off the page, and graphic illustrations that make sense. It's one of those books you can actually flop open at random and get engrossed in all over again. If there's a criticism to this book, it is that it is only a sampler. It could easily have been twice as long.

Not a book for the layperson
I recently bought this item after reading the review for this book. I found this to be a mistake. I am an engineer by trade, and I found myself reading old school books so I could understand what this book was talking about. This book covers a wide variety of information and is difficult to read. This is not a book for the layman.....

A reference book for energy
This is a fascinating book. It provides a comprehensive and integrated survey of the energies shaping our world. It is filled with diagrams, graphs, maps, drawings and photographs to support the text.

This book can't be described. It has to be experienced: energy production of the sun, global patterns of latent heat flux, a horse's suspensory and check ligaments that allow it to use hardly any additional energy for standing, preindustrial societies, cars and computers and much more.

Use this book for reference and for browsing. Spend an afternoon with a calculator and the figures listed in the tables in this book. You will begin to appreciate the complex relationships involving the energies that shape our world. ... Read more

Book Description

A must have first text for any homeowner wanting to install a back up power system for their home or home business.

Addresses new ways to prepare for power outages including Y2K, brownouts, storm outages, and rolling blackouts.

Step by step guide to become independent of the utility grid.

Answers all installation questions about solar photovoltaic systems, generators, battery inverters, wind turbines, and battery banks, including wiring diagrams and safety issues. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Misleading title; good, but sparse, content
Jeffrey Yago certainly has the credentials to write an authoritative book on energy independence; he's a professional engineer, a specialist in alternate energy applications, and - most importantly - he's done it himself; he lives in a large home that embodies his philosophy. The book reflects this wealth of knowledge and experience.

You should know that at least 90% of this book, and perhaps more, is centered around electricity production through the use of solar panels. Wind generators are mentioned, but only briefly - as in a few paragraphs, and one picture; and other important solar energy topics, such as the use of solar hot water systems, are barely mentioned. The importance of heat conservation through upgrading insulation and the use of triple pane, low-e argon filled windows is not mentioned at all. This is particularly disappointing, because for most climates in North America, ranging from the very cold to the very hot, reducing energy losses through passive insulation is one of the most cost effective things the average person can do. You get more bang for your buck through insulation - in most cases - than any other solar energy upgrade you can perform. But Yago doesn't mention this fact.

(Think you don't need insulation, because you live in Arizona? Well, more insulation keeps the heat out, and the cold in, better. Something to consider, when you next pay the electrical bill for running your air conditioner.)

I would like to have seen plans for a do it yourself domestic solar water heater; but they're not here. A solar oven can be easily constructed, and is a very inspiring and educational way to learn about the power of the sun; but there's nothing in this book on the topic. Solar showers can be easily constructed, or even inexpensively purchased commercially; but you won't find them mentioned here. There's no indication of how much insulation to use in your home's walls and ceilings, and there's no discussion of how much heat loss occurs through regular windows. There's nothing on passive solar gain through the use of Trombe walls, and no information on heat storage through the use of water or rock mass. Electricity generation through the use of small hydroelectric units is barely mentioned (as in, yeah, you can do it). But you won't find any discussion of height versus water pressure, or suppliers of hydro generation units, or cost/benefit ratios (how much water do I have to have flowing, from what height, before hydro units are a better value than solar panels?)

In short, the book confines itself to the topic of ELECTRICITY conservation, and ELECTRICITY generation - and that, primarily through the use of solar panels and gasoline generators, often connected to the grid through utility intertie systems.

For the beginner, this is a good book. The information, although very limited in scope, is correct; and Yago's experience in this small aspect of solar power is quite evident. His information regarding batteries - selection, housing, charging, equalization - is important for those new to solar power.

(One important point: Yago states that homeowners should replace their existing light bulbs with replacement florescent lighting. He's correct; the payback is dramatic. But Yago also states that hallways and rooms should be equipped with motion sensor switches, that turn on the lights when you enter and turn them off when you leave. The trouble is, most motion sensor switches of this type will not work with florescent tubes; and of the few that do, none will work with the electronic ballast, screw in replacement florescent bulbs most likely to be used by the consumer. They'll cause the switches to overheat, burn out, and represent a fire hazard. This is mentioned in the fine print on the switch; so, if you go this route, make CERTAIN that the motion detector switch is compatible with an ELECTRONIC ballast, florescent fixture. I don't know of any that are.)
(UPDATE: Scott Ermatinger found one at Smarthome - do a Google Search to locate their website. So finally, it is an option, although at $55 each it's a somewhat expensive one. Thanks, Scott, for the information!)

Other, more detailed books on solar electrical power have been written by David Smead, who runs a company called Ample Power. While Smead tends to center his books on the boating industry, most of the issues that face an off grid homeowner are the same as those faced by a cruising boat captain. Smead's texts provide a wealth of factual information on batteries and electrical generation, and should be read by anyone intent on doing solar power. They can be daunting, however; Smead is a very high level engineer, and has designed a few items for solar power which have become widely used - and copied - throughout the industry. You should familiarize yourself with his books and products.

For those looking for more general information on achieving energy independence through solar power, check out the many books written or published by Real Goods, and available through Amazon. Real Goods covers many more of the bases than this book does. Do keep in mind that Real Goods is a commercial retail mail order store; they sell stuff. Even so, I've found their information to be factual, and wide ranging. Becasue of their commercial orientation, I'm always concerned that their information will be designed to sell products, rather than educate consumers; but in truth, I have not found this to be the case.

Yago's book is NOT complete. You will NOT leave this book with all the information necessary to order and construct your own solar power system. It is more of a general, 30,000 foot overview of electrical energy conservation and production through the use of solar panels.

I would recommend this book to individuals new to the solar power movement, who are seeking a broad, non-detailed overview of power production and storage through solar panel usage. It is by no means a one stop shop; you'll need to read many other books to become a solar power guru. But Yagos' book is informative, fairly accurate, and factual - as far as it goes.

It just doesn't go very far.

Good starter book
Book tells you how to "plan" a solar powered system by outlining the loads in your home. Easy to understand but not technical enough. Needs to list more products and where to get them. More pictures would be nice. All in all the book gives a great summary on how to start and plan a system that suits your needs. I recommend getting it for anyone interested in planing a solar powered system for you home or business.

A Great Teaching Tool
Jeff Yago's book is a great tool for solar experts to use when teaching homeowners or training electricians and solar contractors new to the business. My organization, the Maryland-DC-Virginia Solar Energy Industries Association, uses Jeff's book as a text for Training Seminars and Workshops we conduct throughout the year. The book has been an invaluable aid in conveying the sometimes complex information in a user-friendly fashion to our Seminar participants. I highly recommend the book!

This is solar technology for the 2000-decade.
Yago's book is complete and up-to-date. It is great for homeowners and for system suppliers and electricians who need to learn more about principles and practice. It will help system designers to make wise choices and to understand and maintain their systems. This is a very good text and reference book that will not be obsolete for a long time. It is the book that I wanted to write, but I couldn't sit long enough.

A Great Book Regarding Solar Energy
Achieving Energy Independence--One Step at a Time by Jeffrey R. Yago is an excellent book for the new millenium. Our company has supplied components for both solar and thermal electric systems and the sources for independence is well covered in the book. Jeffrey has covered all subjects and is easily readable for the novice or professional who wishes to have complete knowledge of every type of solar system. Earlier books have covered solar cooking etc. very well. This book is a good resource for contemporary use of solar.

Jim Kron Heliotrope General ... Read more

Book Description

Under an ever-increasingly competitive/deregulated environment, power utilities need efficient and effective tools to ensure that electrical energy of the desired quality can be provided at the lowest cost. These usually form highly constrained optimisation problems. Modern Optimisation Techniques in Power Systems is the first book to offer a comprehensive cover of major modern optimisation methods applied to power systems, including: simulated annealing, tabu search, genetic algorithms, neural networks, fuzzy programming, Lagrangian relaxation, interior point methods, ant colony search and hybrid techniques. Various applications and case studies are presented to demonstrate the potential and procedures of applying such techniques in solving complex power system optimisation problems.Written by top international experts in this field, this book will be a useful reference for professional engineers and managers involved in the optimisation of power system operation. It will also be of interest to postgraduates and researchers. ... Read more

Book Description

Using Muncie, Indiana, as a touchstone, David Nye explores how electricity seeped into and redefined American culture. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A fantastic history of the development of electricity
Did you know, in the early days of electricity, the power went off at 11:00 pm each night? Or that electricity was billed at a flat rate of $1 per day? Or that most homes had only one or two outlets and a light bulb hanging from a string?

This book is a compendium of both fascinating facts and substantial histories of the development of residential electrical usage in our country.

I love old houses and historical information, and perhaps because of that, I found this book to be a fascinating read. Some parts of it were a wee bit dry, where he delved into some of the more technical aspects of this modern utility, but the majority of the book was a treasure.

After reading this book, and gaining an better understanding of the history of electricity, I'd say, without hesitation, that introducing the modern convenience of electrical current into our homes may be the most significant discovery of the last 500 years. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (3)

Paucities and Scarcities
An excellent work from one of our most important scholars on Asia. Riddled with numbers and graphs, the book is still readable for those just encountering energy politics. The referencing is also excellent, and allows one to delve further into the topic.

His initial chapters on environment/pollution and population growth/demand, and scarcity are important by themselves. Understanding the differences between a scarcity of resources and political limitations or economic bottlenecks on those resources is essential to being able to really forecast the strategic environment. Consequently, the time Manning spends belittling Paul Ehrlich and the Club of Rome is well spent. The country analyses are also very useful, and give one a sense not only of the economics of energy, but of the two way impact of energy and political relationships between countries. With our noble leaders beginning to evoke various fears about Asia, this is very important in understanding the nature and degree of "emerging threats."

Manning might be too bold in divorcing extending military interests with growing energy demands, but it is worth reading the book to develop an opinion on the subject.

I also recommend checking out the Energy Information Administrations's website, which Manning used heavily. It was of great use to me in a recent project: www.eia.doe.gov

Also useful is the cover piece of the January 2001 'Atlantic Monthly.' The piece, "The New Old Economy: Oil, Computers, and the Reinvention of the Earth," in helping advance perspectives of the oil industry. See: http://www.theatlantic.com/issues/2001/01/rauch.htm

Energy Interdependence as an Integrative Force
Robert Manning covers a lot of ground in this book, from the Caspian, to India, to Northeast Asia, and challenges a lot of established notions, but two of the points he makes really stand out:

First, he argues that energy interdependence is a potential positive force for Asian regional stability. While a number of analysts (from the serious scholar Kent Calder to the more shrill "Blue Team" types) have argued that China's entry onto the stage as a major oil importer will have serious negative consequences for regional stability, Manning argues that this is far from clear, and that it may actually have positive consequences. Other energy development issues looming in the future, such as the need for natural gas integration in Northeast Asia, can only be addressed by cooperation among regional governments and some degree of mutual interdependence.

Second, Manning points out in his preface how little contact and exchange there is between American analysts who focus on political and security issues, on the one hand, and those who focus on energy from an economic perspective. (As an example, he points out the differing views of the South China Sea between energy specialists and security policy analysts.) Energy issues involve tie-ins with a broad range of national security, economic, and environmental issues, and Manning argues that the policy community could benefit from more dialogue between these two separate sets of analysts. (I've long known this - since my own academic and professional background sort of straddles both groups.)

While the book does suffer a bit from poor editing in some spots, it is definitely a must-read for anyone interested in Asian security issues and/or the region's rapidly growing energy sector.

Intriguing Analysis of an Emerging Geopolitical Concern
Without a doubt, energy will be among one of the most important factors determining diplomatic behavior and relations in Asia in the coming decades. The Asian Energy Factor tackles this emerging geopolitical concern through an intriguing analysis of Asia's growing demand for energy and its global political, economic, and strategic consequences. Unique from other authors addressing this under-examined issue, Robert Manning sets the stage by exposing the myth that the world is quickly running out of oil. Technology and new methods of both collection and use of energy have made the impending energy crisis espoused by the doomsayers less of a concern. Manning proceeds to focus on the regional powers (China, India, Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia) and where their individual energy abilities and needs puts them on the collective strategic map. He examines the commercial and political dynamic between the countries demanding increasing amounts of energy (China, Japan, and India) and those with the reserves (the Middle East and Southeast Asia).

As The Asian Energy Factor aptly points out, energy security is the crux upon which the economic, social, energy, and military policies of Asian nations converge; it is among the most critical issues in the coming decade. Manning delves deep into these economic and strategic complexities and continues to challenge the prevailing wisdom about Asian power structure and energy competition. ... Read more

Book Description

The prospect of producing clean, sustainable power in substantial quantities from renewable energy sources is arousing renewed interest world-wide.This book provides a comprehensive overview of the

_ principal renewable energy sources: solar thermal, biomass, tidal, _ wave, photovoltaic, hydro, wind, and geothermal. With the aid of 370 detailed illustrations and 50 tables of data, it explains the physical and technological principles underlying each source and examines its environmental impact and future prospects.

_

_ ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Good overview of renewable technologies with UK focus
This is the textbook for the Open University course on renewable energies. Well written, well illustrated, lots of detailed examples, data and references. ... Read more

Book Description

Today’s need-to-know optimization techniques, at your fingertips

The use of optimization methods is familiar territory to academicians and researchers. Yet, in today’s world of deregulated electricity markets, it’s just as important for electric power professionals to have a solid grasp of these increasingly relied upon techniques.

Making those techniques readily accessible is the hallmark of Optimization Principles: Practical Applications to the Operation and Markets of the Electric Power Industry.

With deregulation, market rules and economic principles dictate that commodities be priced at the marginal value of their production. As a result, it’s necessary to work with ever-more-sophisticated algorithms using optimization techniques–either for the optimal dispatch of the system itself, or for pricing commodities and the settlement of markets. Succeeding in this new environment takes a good understanding of methods that involve linear and nonlinear optimization, including optimal power flow, locational marginal prices for energy, and the auction of hedging instruments.

In its comprehensive, skill-building overview of optimization techniques, Optimization Principles puts you on the same footing with algorithm-savvy software developers. Starting with a helpful look at matrix algebra fundamentals, this just-in-time reference covers:

• Deregulated electricity markets: terminology and acronyms
• Solution of equations, inequalities, and linear programs
• Unconstrained and constrained nonlinear optimization
• Applications to practical problems addressing system dispatch, market design, and material procurement
• And related topics

As an aid to the uninitiated, appendices provide a brief description of basic principles of electricity, and the development of network equations.

Optimization Principles allows you to learn optimization methods at your own pace using Microsoft Excel or MATLAB software, and it includes an FTP web site with downloadable Excel spreadsheets and problems. After mastering these practical applications, you can then refer to chapters that highlight the theoretical background of the algorithms and resulting solutions. The book also includes a Web site with downloadable files of all example problems and solved problems.

Ideal for engineers, other electric power professionals, and advanced engineering students, Optimization Principles demystifies the electric power industry under deregulation–and delivers a complete, learn-as-you-go tutorial of optimization techniques that no other resource can match. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Richard Komp: physicist, historian, and social engineer
Practical Photovoltaics is one of the finest, most comprehensive guides to the world of solar energy. The book starts with a beginer's course in solid state physical devices (which taught even an Electrical Engineer such as myself new things) and leads into the history of solar cell materials and procedures over the years. Next comes an in-depth discussion of the various types of materials, and how they are suited for different applications. He makes logical predictions about the future of some of these materials, and hints around at what new techniques scientists are starting to look at today.
In the appendix, he even describes how to assemble your own array of solar cells for those who wish to try a hands-on approach to learning.
Oh, yeah, one more thing: he has a decent list of recomended readings at the end of each chapter, allowing you to select topics that interest you to continue your reading. ... Read more

Book Description

In Energy at the Crossroads, Vaclav Smil considers the twenty-first century's crucial question: how to reconcile the modern world's unceasing demand for energy with the absolute necessity to preserve the integrity of the biosphere. With this book, he offers a comprehensive, accessible guide to today's complex energy issues -- how to think clearly and logically about what is possible and what is desirable in our energy future.

After a century of unprecedented production growth, technical innovation, and expanded consumption, the world faces a number of critical energy challenges arising from unequal resource distribution, changing demand patterns, and environmental limitations. The fundamental message of Energy at the Crossroads is that our dependence on fossil fuels must be reduced not because of any imminent resource shortages but because the widespread burning of oil, coal, and natural gas damages the biosphere and presents increasing economic and security problems as the world relies on more expensive supplies and Middle Eastern crude oil.

Smil begins with an overview of the twentieth century's long-term trends and achievements in energy production. He then discusses energy prices, the real cost of energy, and "energy linkages" -- the effect energy issues have on the economy, on quality of life, on the environment, and in wartime. He discusses the pitfalls of forecasting, giving many examples of failed predictions and showing that unexpected events can disprove complex models. And he examines the pros and cons not only of fossil fuels but also of alternative fuels such as hydroenergy, biomass energy, wind power, and solar power. Finally, he considers the future, focusing on what really matters, what works, what is realistic, and which outcomes are most desirable. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

The Best
ENERGY AT THE CROSSROADS
Vaclav Smil
MIT Press 2003

A Book Review by Steve Baer (email-zomework@zomeworks.com)
December 2003


So many good things about Vaclav Smil's Energy at the Crossroads make it difficult to explain the shortcomings.

Smil's arguments are straightforward and his statistics, with one giant exception, are extensive.
He doesn't bring the false drama to his chapters on oil that so many authors are unable to resist.Smil knows a great deal about our use of fossil fuels. Who should know more than he after over thirty years of study, yet he says he doesn't know how much more oil there is, or how long it will last.Smil is skeptical of such pronouncements.His long chapter on "against forecasting" is alone worth the price of the book.Our relationship with energy is simply too complex for us to see into the future. Some may not wish to read books like this.After all, isn't it easy to say, "I don't know and don't think anyone else does either"?

I am so glad for the few sentences Smil writes about himself, about his youth in Czechoslovakia. He tells of splitting the mountains of firewood during the summer which he lights (with difficulty) before dawn in the winter; about the oil furnace and now the 90% efficient natural gas stove that supplies any heat the sun doesn't for his passive solar home in Manitoba.

Energy at the Crossroads lifts up and away from its numbers and graphs.The joy of the hot-rodder or jet pilot appears many times as Smil recounts how we have arrived at our turbo jets, our 500 kW households (including vehicles), our enormous oil tankers, so effective that shipping costs hardly change with distance.These certainly are accomplishments to revel in, and Smil does.He includes some marvelous paragraphs on steel, energy's companion, guardian and nursemaid for today's technology.With Smil, when you reach the edge of a chapter's topic, the adjoining territory, which he hasn't time to explore thoroughly, is likely completely familiar to him.For Smil has studied more than the carbon in coal, oil, wood and gas.He has also investigated Nitrogen and Phosphorous, which he mentions in passing.

While Smil rejoices in the powers we have, he never appears determined to go ever forward.He is too open minded and sophisticated to crave ever larger, ever more powerful anything.In several places he asks what was so bad about life in France or Japan during the 60's when these accomplished societies used modest amounts of energy.Why do we need more?Smil would be just as happy if we were to go sideways.

Despite the strengths the overall mood of the book is wrong.The problem must be the forces at work on Smil; the pressures he and the rest of us contend with.

First, consider his publisher the MIT Press. Smil mentions how pleased he is that the MIT Press published his last five books.The MIT Press may sell many copies of its books, but they put little effort into editing.The present volume introduces terms such as TOE after we have gotten used to GJ and EJ and never explains what the letters mean (ton of oil equivalent). Why didn't MIT help its author?In Smil's earlier book, Energies, power and energy are confused.The same confusion is in D.E. Nye's book on electrifying America.No freshman could pass physics I making these mistakes.Smil deserves better. Sales, cover design, jacket blurbs, and promotion must outweigh clarity and accuracy with the MIT Press.

An even greater disappointment than ship shod editing is the statistics and treatment of renewable energy.Smil knows all about the power of people at work; how many Watts they are worth, how someone lifting sacks compares to a conveyer belt.He has discussed this in other books.Why does he leave out the muscle power of six billion people from his energy accounting? Why does he forget his own solar heated house?

Something has cast a spell over Smil's energy accounting.Smil's statistics are a hormone to accelerate growth of electricity, coal, oil and large industries.There should be a warning, like those on medicine bottles, of the side effects of taking these studies seriously - the impairment of architecture, agriculture, city planning, and birth defects in forming societies. According to Smil there is no travel by foot or bicycle. No work is done by the strengths of our bodies; no light or warmth passes through windows; clothes don't dry on clotheslines. We don't use brooms, mops, shovels or picks, only power tools. The only renewable energies are wind generators and photovoltaic panels, both of which remain heavily subsidized and are manufactured chiefly by huge international corporations.What introduced this mood into the book?It doesn't fit with the details.

Let us remember what is would cost each and every one of us six billion if we had to pay at today's prices for the sunlight that hits our earth.It would be about $50,000 per day for each of us and another $4,000 a night for a full moon.Though we will never pay this, it doesn't make it any less valuable or any less important to remind ourselves of, as we sell ourselves things dug or pumped out of the earth.

Much ado about nothing
These books on energy are quite good but they all lack one problem:oil depletion rates are proprietary.You really don't know what's still left in the ground.

Personally, I believe fusion will be perfected and the doom and gloomers will be out of luck.Reminds me of the gold industry--all the large riparian nuggets found in streams are long gone.Today a few specs of gold from a ton of rock is considered a rich deposit.But gold production keeps going up, because supply meets demand.Same with energy--where there's a will, there's a way.

Oh, I haven't read this book but I plan to.That should not, I repeat not, preclude you from finding this review helpful.Face it--are you going to penalize me for honesty?That's not right.

Not entirely objective...
Certainly a solidly researched book. Mr. Smil leans over, it seems, to be "objective," but the arguments are weighted; we are warned against the gloom and doom version of the Hubbertites, and it would seem, indeed, that it is sheer folly to predict the imminence of the oil "peak." Much of the argument against the "peakists" (Campbell, Leherrere, etc.) seems to be based on a close reading of Odell--hardly an entirely reliable source. So it seems we will be able to depend on cheap oil for a long time... But then comes the chart on p. 211, which shows 3 (count em) peaks, the first of which is virtually identical to that of Campbell and Co., and the least optimistic of which puts the peak around 2035--essentially the official US version (peak in 36 years). The median is around 2025.

Sorry, Mr. Smil, but 20 years is not, from a historical perspective, a huge difference. The peak is coming soon, we will have to face it, and you do very little to consider the really horrifying implications. Mass starvation, anyone? How will all the fertilizer needed to produce the crops to feed the planet be produced without cheap oil? The author rather hopefully suggests that a new energy source might even replace oil, just as oil once replaced coal. Such as??? To back up his argument on this, (again, p. 211) he quotes no less than Lovins, whom he excoriates elsewhere.

But, have no fear, technology will rescue us, at least in the case of oil--and those rapidly depleting wells? Well, in the past they haven't petered out as quickly as foretold, so that means next time they won't either... Innovations will help us get 65% of the oil, instead of the former 40%... Wind power? Forget it... not a really significant factor, even after 2025, when (according to Mr. Smil himself) oil will be in decline. Why not? The technology won't be developed! It can be for oil, but not for wind! Don't ask why!

A very slanted book, then, still betting everything on oil, despite the fact that it itself demonstrates the imminent end of the fossil fuel regime.

For a more convincing read, see Richard Heinberg's *The Party's Over*.

A Valuable, Ageless, Energy Resource by a True Expert
From his lifetime as an energy expert and prolific author, Smil writes insightfully about the major energy trends of the past century, and then he attempts to look into the future.He clearly presents, aided by dozens of well designed graphs, an enormous amount of information on global patterns for all energy sources and applications in an exceptionally well organized format.Clearly, Smil was an energy expert of the highest caliber of the twentieth century.Unfortunately, we are now four and a half years into the twenty first century, and it seems to have left Smil behind in a few places.Most of his data are actually pre-1999; and although a few references are dated 2002, almost none of the actual data are post-2000, even though the print date on the book is Nov. 2003.For example, the fact that he thinks there were tens of thousands of fuel cell vehicles on the road in 2003 gives away the fact that the book was largely written in 2001 using references mostly from the late nineties, some of questionable value.(Some "experts" at DOE as late as 1999 were predicting 10,000 FCVs on the road in 2003.Today, however, there are fewer than 400.)Yet, this does not significantly lessen the enormously valuable contribution of Smil's work.

Chapter 2 looks carefully at, in all major countries, a number of important linkages to energy, including such parameters as GDP, infant mortality, life expectancy, food availability, the "human development index", the "political freedom index", air quality, water quality, GHG emissions, war, and terrorism.In Chapter 3, he discusses literally hundreds of failed energy-related projections over the past 40 years; and he congratulates himself on predicting, in 1983, the total energy consumption in 2000 with uncanny accuracy, while the predictions of many others were off by more than a factor of two in either direction.(His forecasts of the various energy segments (coal, oil, gas, renewables) were all individually off by huge amounts.Maybe he got lucky on the total.)Clearly, his appreciation for the interplay of trends in efficiency, markets, resources, and competition was and is of considerable value.(It was also fun to see him point out the silliness of various projections by Amory Lovins, one of the most na?ve physicists among the vocal hydrogen-economy advocates.)

One agenda of this book is to refute the Peak Oil theory of Colin Campbell, as he so well presented in "The Coming Oil Crisis".Smil bases his refutation rather heavily on the fact that most pessimistic oil peak predictions prior to the mid 90's have by now been proven untrue.He points out that some predictions from the early seventies have by now missed the mark by more than 20 years.(He doesn't seem to appreciate that an additional 30 years of data collection and analysis might allow some refinement in the methods.)Rather than attempt a careful, independent, country-by-country analysis of the oil and gas reserves, as carried out by Campbell, he prefers to rely more on extrapolations of production trends of the last twenty years and faith in the power of market incentives to keep the oil and gas flowing liberally for 40 to 100 more years.

Smil is right to emphasize that energy intensity has decreased in the past 30 years and it will likely decrease much more in the next 30 years in some countries (especially, the U.S, Australia, and Canada).There are very positive and powerful life-style implications in this trend, which Paul Roberts, Richard Heinberg, and even David Goodstein and Colin Campbell do not fully appreciate.Smil is certainly right to point out that the immediate potential for enormous improvements in efficiency, especially in private transportation in the U.S., will help to relieve pressure on oil production.But had he taking the time to update his data on increasing oil usage in China and India since 2000, he would have surely realized that a continuation of the small rate of reduction of energy intensity in the U.S. would not begin to offset the voracious oil and LNG markets in the developing world.

Smil's treatment of non-fossil energy sources in Chapter 5 is, for the most part, well-researched, thorough, and sound.His treatments of hydro and wind energy in particular are outstanding, and his appreciation for world-wide biomass utilization pre-1999 is second to none.Unfortunately, his data on advanced biofuels are often 4 to 6 years out of date - cellulosic ethanol, biodiesel from rapeseed and mustard seed, algal biodiesel, and even biomethanol.(This last one is a surprise, as he clearly has some, albeit limited, appreciation for the huge potential of converting stranded natural gas to methanol for oxygenation and extension of gasoline.)Smil leaves the impression that energy balance of biofuels will not likely exceed 1.3, whereas in fact corn ethanol (with co-products) now is up to 1.77, cellulosic ethanol may exceed 2.5, and biodiesel from mustard and biomethanol from switchgrass will both likely soon exceed 4.

His last chapter on Possible Futures is also full of a lot of useful information on trends in various conversion efficiencies and technology developments, but it too is not without its problems.When an engineer or scientist makes errors of two orders of magnitude in important facts critical to projections (as Smil did in the cost of fuel cells), it calls into question the validity of his judgment and foresight regarding future transportation fuels.For a more up-to-date and useful perspective on transportation fuels, see my brief "Fuels for Tomorrow's Vehicles" or "The Hype About Hydrogen" by Joe Romm.

All in all, Smil's latest book is one that should be read by and on the shelf of all energy analysts - along with Campbell's, Romm's, and an up-to-date reference on advanced biofuels.The typical, interested citizen would be better directed to Joe Romm's exceptionally sound and highly readable book. - F. David Doty, PhD, engineering physicist.

Thorough
An excellent overview of the energy picture with a thorough discussion of why predictions tend to fail.Before anyone gets too carried away with doomsday scenarios of impending energy crisis they should read this.Conversely, anyone not concerned about the state of our planet and our rate of energy consumption should also read this.Unfortunately, although the messages of the book are very appropriate for the common person, Smil's writing style may not be.His prose exudes a well educated elitism that at times can be stuffy and difficult to follow.(Or maybe I am just jealous because his command of the language is far superior to my own.) ... Read more

Book Description