Alternative and renewable energy sources Books

Book SynopsisGiven the potential disruption of climate change, understanding energy issues and technologies is more important than ever if societies are to make informed choices on policy. Now in its third edition, Introduction to Energy explores the crucial issues connected to modern energy technology and its uses. Fully updated to respond to the substantial developments in the energy sector, the book expands on the relationships of energy use and climate change; of energy availability and the alleviation of world poverty; and of energy consumption and the sustainability of the lifestyles of people in the industrialized world. Directed at a broad readership, it assumes no prior technical expertise and avoids complex mathematical formulations, continuing to provide a standard for introductory energy courses. It is also a useful supplementary text for programs in public policy, business law and resource economics.Trade ReviewReview of previous edition: '… serves as an excellent introduction to energy … well written and directed at a broad readership. It provides valuable assessments of a variety of energy-related issues. Above all, the book is readable by the technical and nontechnical person.' Energy SourcesReview of previous edition: '… an extremely useful book for virtually anyone who wishes to develop a working knowledge of energy, from the various ways it is produced, to the social, environmental and economic implications associated with its production and consumption.' PalaiosReview of previous edition: '… more than achieves its aims as a multi-disciplinary textbook for a range of undergraduate students.' The Times Higher Education Supplement'Cassedy and Grossman's Introduction to Energy is a fascinating and eminently readable account of the sources of energy available to our society and a dispassionate accounting of the costs and benefits of each energy source. In this updated 3rd edition, the authors hit all the right notes, and cover important developments in renewables as well as nuclear and fossil fuels since the 2nd edition was published. New sections are crisply and clearly written; of special note are the sections on solar, wind, and the German energiewende (energy transition) in the final chapter. This book should be read by students and policymakers who wish to be able to think critically about the energy issues confronting our global society in the 21st century.' Louis Schwartzkopf, Minnesota State University'This updated edition of the classic text by Cassedy and Grossman is essential reading for understanding the modern energy landscape in all its economic, technological, and political dimensions. It covers virtually everything, from the basics of energy supply and demand, to the changing aspects of transportation fuels and power generation, to the prospects for a transition toward renewable energy sources. This new edition offers fresh and insightful discussions of contemporary developments and concerns relating to peak oil, fracking, next generation nuclear reactors, solar and wind, energy poverty, the resource curse, the smart grid, and climate change. Introduction to Energy should become a staple of any college curriculum on the subject.' Tyler Priest, University of Iowa'Energy spans disciplines from physics to engineering to biology to economics and public policy. The topic can overwhelm a beginning student. Introduction to Energy by Cassedy and Grossman gives beginners just what they need to get started. The authors take us from the timeless principles of science to - in this latest edition - such timely topics as climate change and energy transitions. This book is a classic introduction to energy, once again intelligently updated for today's students.' Michael Giberson, Texas Tech University'Now in its third edition, Introduction to Energy is a truly impressive book. Cassedy and Grossman integrate and leverage their respective engineering and economics expertise with great effectiveness. The result is a work that will inform experts and non-experts alike. It is also an example of what a true interdisciplinary effort can accomplish. Not least of which are integrated policy implications and potential prescriptions that do not work at cross purposes. In accomplishing this the authors do us a great service - one that leads to the avoidance of unintended and negative policy consequences.' Jim Granato, University of Houston'The late Edward S. Cassedy was an electrical engineering professor at Brooklyn Poly, while Peter Z. Grossman is a former science journalist and professor of economics at Butler University in Indiana. As one might expect then, the economic treatment of energy issues is the strength of the book. … The book not only doesn't take sides, but routinely points out internal contradictions and internal conflicts inherent in many energy positions, which are often ignored by the media. … the book may be one of the best on its subject, as well as one of the most refreshingly honest and unbiased around. Not only will a reader gain a lot of insight, and a lot of good evidence for their next cocktail party discussion on energy, but this book could readily form the basis for an excellent course on energy, societal issues, and public policy matters. It is a worthwhile read.' Robert W. Avakian, The Leading EdgeTable of ContentsPreface; Part I. Energy Resources and Technology: 1. Introduction; 2. Energy resources; 3. Conventional conversion of energy; 4. The demand for energy; 5. Global perspectives; Part II. Power Generation: The Technology and its Effects: 6. Fossil fuels: impacts and technology; 7. Nuclear fission technology; 8. The nuclear fuel cycle, weapons proliferation and nuclear power: the next generation; 9. The economics of electric power; Part III. Energy Technology and the Future: 10. Alternative technologies; 11. Energy transition; Appendix A. Scientific principles; Appendix B. Establishing criteria for safety and health standards; Appendix C. Synopses of new technologies; Index.

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Book SynopsisIn this groundbreaking account of an energy revolution in the making, award-winning science writer Richard Martin introduces us to thorium, an alternate source of energy and how it is revolutionizing nuclear power, promising a safe and clean future for millions, and why thorium was sidelined at the height of the Cold War.Table of ContentsThe Lost Book of Thorium Power The Thunder Element The Only Safe Reactor The Shadow Elements The Birth of Nuclear Power The Death of Nuclear Power India and China: A Clash of Civilizations Nuclear's Next Generation The Business Crusade What We Must Do

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Book SynopsisThis energy source is inexhaustible and, although achieving fusion energy is difficult, the progress made in the past two decades has been remarkable.Trade ReviewFrom the reviews:“The ‘indispensable truth’ is that Chen … has written what may well be recognized as the definitive retrospective on the promise of endless supplies of cheap, clean nuclear energy from fusion, offering the prospect of realizing the promise at last. … It is stylishly written, designed, and illustrated to appeal to general readers … . Chen is in his comfort zone as he tells his story, and the indispensable truth is that it is just that–indispensable! Summing Up: Highly recommended. All levels/libraries.”­­­ (L. W. Fine, Choice, Vol. 49 (3), November 2011)"With An Indispensable Truth: How Fusion Power Can Save the Planet, Frank Chen has provided a sweeping perspective on fusion energy. He covers everything from climage change to plasma instabilities. On climate change and energy, the view is best from 30 000 feet: The book provides a good high-level overview of the issues at stake...On fusion plasma physics, Chen's area of expertise, An Indispensable Truth provides an intuitive, up-close explanation of exciting recent advances and future challenges...An Indispensable Truth provides an exciting whirlwind tour of energy issues and technologies, with particular insight into fusion. Chen is correct to emphasize the tremendous progress that has been made in fusion research. ITER will produce hundreds of millions of watts of thermal energy from fusion, for periods of up to an hours. However, it remains for the world, and in particular the US, to decide if we will develop fusion into a practical energy source. We will need it." (Physics Today, Volume 65, Issue 2, February 2012)Table of ContentsPreface.- Prologue.- The Evidence for Climate Change.- The Future of Energy I: Fossil Fuels.- The Future of Energy II: Renewable Energy.- Fusion: Energy from the Seawater.- Perfecting the Magnetic Bottle.- The Remarkable Tokamak.- Evolution and Physics of the Tokamak.- A Half-century of Progress.- Engineering: The Big Challenge.- Fusion Concepts for the Future.- Conclusions.- Epilogue.

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Book Synopsis1.Lithium-ion Battery Materials in Practice.- 2.Optimizing Lithium-ion Battery Materials.- 3.Nanomaterials in Lithium-ion Cells.- 4.Predicting Materials' Performance.- 5.Predicting Lithium-ion Cells' Failure.- 6.Lithium-ion Cells Engineering for High-end Applications.- 7.Lithium-ion Cells in Hybrid Systems.- 8.The Competing Technologies Landscape.Table of Contents1.Lithium-ion Battery Materials in Practice.- 2.Optimizing Lithium-ion Battery Materials.- 3.Nanomaterials in Lithium-ion Cells.- 4.Predicting Materials’ Performance.- 5.Predicting Lithium-ion Cells’ Failure.- 6.Lithium-ion Cells Engineering for High-end Applications.- 7.Lithium-ion Cells in Hybrid Systems.- 8.The Competing Technologies Landscape.

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Book Synopsis1. Introduction to energy economics.- Part 1: Concepts.- 2. Economic concepts applied to the energy sector.- 3. Energy data and energy balance.- 4. Energy demand analysis.- 5. Energy demand forecasting.- 6. Economic analysis of investments.- 7. Economics of non-renewable energy supply.- 8. Economics of renewable energy supply.- 9. Energy Pricing and taxation.- 10. Economics of environment protection.- Part 2: Issues.- 11. Energy challenges.- 12. Energy and Sustainable Development.- 13. Energy Security Issues.- 14. Impact of price volatility.- 15. Energy Investment issues.- 16. Energy Access.- 17. Pollution control from stationary sources.- 18. Pollution control from mobile sources.- 19. Energy saving and energy efficiency improvements.- Part 3: Markets.- 20. International oil market.- 21. Natural gas market.- 22. Coal market.- 23. Electricity market.- 24. Carbon market.- Part 4: Governance.- 25. Institutional perspectives in energy.- 26. Energy sector regulation.- 27. Reform and restruTable of Contents1. Introduction to energy economics.- Part 1: Concepts.- 2. Economic concepts applied to the energy sector.- 3. Energy data and energy balance.- 4. Energy demand analysis.- 5. Energy demand forecasting.- 6. Economic analysis of investments.- 7. Economics of non-renewable energy supply.- 8. Economics of renewable energy supply.- 9. Energy Pricing and taxation.- 10. Economics of environment protection.- Part 2: Issues.- 11. Energy challenges.- 12. Energy and Sustainable Development.- 13. Energy Security Issues.- 14. Impact of price volatility.- 15. Energy Investment issues.- 16. Energy Access.- 17. Pollution control from stationary sources.- 18. Pollution control from mobile sources.- 19. Energy saving and energy efficiency improvements.- Part 3: Markets.- 20. International oil market.- 21. Natural gas market.- 22. Coal market.- 23. Electricity market.- 24. Carbon market.- Part 4: Governance.- 25. Institutional perspectives in energy.- 26. Energy sector regulation.- 27. Reform and restructuring of the energy sector.- 28. Regional energy integration and international cooperation.

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Book SynopsisIntroduction.- Sources of Geothermal Heat.- Thermodynamics Background and the Properties of Water.- The Equations Governing Heat and Single-Phase Fluid Flow and their Simplification for Particular Applications.- Geothermal Drilling and Well Design.- Well Measurements from Completion Tests to the First Discharge.- Phase Change Phenomena and Two-Phase Flow.- The Discharging Well.- The Transient Response of Formations to Flow in a Well Transient Pressure Well Testing.- The Economics of a Geothermal Electricity Generation Project.- The Power Station.- The Steamfield.- The Resource Development Plan.- Struggles Between Commercial Uses and Conservation Examples from New Zealand.- Appendix 1: Saturation Properties of Water from the Triple Point to the Critical Point.- Appendix 2: Compressibility of Water from 0-100C and 0-1000 Bar.- Appendix 3: The Boiling-Point-for-Depth Curve.Table of ContentsIntroduction.- Sources of Geothermal Heat.- Thermodynamics Background and the Properties of Water.- The Equations Governing Heat and Single-Phase Fluid Flow and their Simplification for Particular Applications.- Geothermal Drilling and Well Design.- Well Measurements from Completion Tests to the First Discharge.- Phase Change Phenomena and Two-Phase Flow.- The Discharging Well.- The Transient Response of Formations to Flow in a Well – Transient Pressure Well Testing.- The Economics of a Geothermal Electricity Generation Project.- The Power Station.- The Steamfield.- The Resource Development Plan.- Struggles Between Commercial Uses and Conservation – Examples from New Zealand.- Appendix 1: Saturation Properties of Water from the Triple Point to the Critical Point.- Appendix 2: Compressibility of Water from 0-100°C and 0-1000 Bar.- Appendix 3: The Boiling-Point-for-Depth Curve.

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Book SynopsisThe Good Solar Guide demystifies the solar buying process in Australia showing you how many panels you need, which panel brands to buy, which to avoid, and how to find a great installer.

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Book SynopsisThis book explores China’s quest for energy sources, raw materials and natural resources around the world, with a specific emphasis on oil. China’s ubiquitous presence in Africa, Asia and Latin America is reshaping the world with regards to economics, politics and national security. It offers a comprehensive examination of China’s energy security strategy. The first two chapters delve into Chinese relations with energy markets and the world, and the global geopolitics of China's resource quest. This introductory section is complemented by three in-depth country case studies: Angola, Brazil and Cambodia. The two concluding chapters cover opportunities and risks to China, and examine how strategies can be developed into tangible actions. The volume also examines a number of overlapping debates regarding the varieties of capitalisms (autocratic vs. democratic), the urgent need for rebalancing as the world undergoes global financial crises and contestations to traditional powers, and the issues surrounding natural resource extraction in the context of global governance, neoliberalism and poverty traps.Key Features· Offers an in-depth analysis on the geopolitics of China's resource quest.· Assists students and scholars in understanding the Chinese model of autocratic capitalism and China’s novel ways of securing resources across three continents.· Explains China’s energy security strategy and its implications on US national security.· Explores the links between international relations and the geopolitics of scarcity.Trade Review"The Hungry Dragon arrives at a perfect time. Burgos and Ear, already authorities on China’s appetite for resources across the world in journals as varied as Asian Survey, Geopolitics and the Journal of Contemporary China, have written a book of incredible scope and breadth. The Hungry Dragon is the culmination of their scholarly efforts and indispensable for students and scholars of China and energy security alike. If you want to know about China’s energy security strategy and how the rest of the world, but most importantly America, should react, read this book!" - Wei Liang, Monterey Institute of International Studies and co-editor, China and Global Trade Governance: China’s Ten-Year Experience in the World Trade Organization"The dragon has awakened. Its appetite for energy and natural resources vastly exceed its internal supplies. This book examines the geopolitical ramifications of China’s quest for critical inputs. Given the increasing interconnectedness of global economies and the inherent limits of energy and natural resources, this book should be on your reading list. The authors write with fluid style and frame the key elements that pertain to this seminally important issue that applies to everyone, especially energy-gluttonous Americans who occupy 5% of the world population but consume 25% of world energy." - Jack Odle, Distinguished Professor, North Carolina State University"Despite much alarmism about China's rise and global resource shortages, this well constructed volume suggests that fears of disruptions are misplaced. While the global economy is changing rapidly, China's growing confidence in international affairs means that it's rise is both peaceful and transformative. A very useful corrective to simplistic alarmism, this volume deserves a wide readership among both development and international relations scholars and policy makers."- Simon Dalby, CIGI chair in the Political Economy of Climate Change, Balsillie School of International Affairs."The Chinese empire has reawakened! The hungry dragon provides an outstanding vision of China’s quest to engross oil and other natural resources. Whether you are an expert in energy economics, international trade or national security, or if you simply have an interest on any of these areas, this book is a must read. The authors are recognized scholars with an excellent track record in their respective areas of research. Their experience and interesting writing style make this a very distinctive piece of work." - Dr Marco A. Palma, Associate Professor and Extension Economist, Texas A&M University ‘The hungry dragon provides an outstanding vision of China’s quest to engross oil and other natural resources … this book is a must read.’- Dr Marco A. Palma, Associate Professor and Extension Economist, Texas A&M University Burgos and Ear, already authorities on China’s appetite for resources across the world in journals … have written a book of incredible scope and breadth.’ - Wei Liang, Monterey Institute of International Studies and co-editor, China and Global Trade Governance: China’s Ten-Year Experience in the World Trade Organization‘The authors write with fluid style and frame the key elements that pertain to this seminally important issue that applies to everyone.’ - Jack Odle, Distinguished Professor, North Carolina State University‘A very useful corrective to simplistic alarmism, this volume deserves a wide readership among both development and international relations scholars and policy makers.’ - Simon Dalby, CIGI chair in the Political Economy of Climate Change, Balsillie School of International Affairs'... a complete research on the China’s economy for the interest of the international community ... The research of Burgos Cáceres and Sophal Ear is easily accessible to a general audi-ence interested in understanding how China became a global power in our century, but also provides enough data to orient any study on the topic for academic specialists and policy practitioners.' - Albeiro Rodas, Don Bosco Foundation of Cambodia 'With its hard realist no-nonsense subtext on China’s voracious appetite for finite resources matched by genuine concerns over potential for conflict and alarming environmental trends, the authors have produced a compelling, if fact-packed, text that should seek a wider audience.' - Geoffrey C. Gunn, Emeritus, Nagasaki University'The Hungry Dragon by Burgos Cáceres and Sophal Ear is a rare book and a treat to read... The data and analysis contained in the book go a long way in illuminating a dynamic geopolitical situation where large global powers, and their money and influence, play a pivotal role in political economies of the countries where the resources are extracted.' Sean Yiath, University of California‘The hungry dragon provides an outstanding vision of China’s quest to engross oil and other natural resources … this book is a must read.’- Dr Marco A. Palma, Associate Professor and Extension Economist, Texas A&M University Burgos and Ear, already authorities on China’s appetite for resources across the world in journals … have written a book of incredible scope and breadth.’ - Wei Liang, Monterey Institute of International Studies and co-editor, China and Global Trade Governance: China’s Ten-Year Experience in the World Trade Organization‘The authors write with fluid style and frame the key elements that pertain to this seminally important issue that applies to everyone.’ - Jack Odle, Distinguished Professor, North Carolina State University‘A very useful corrective to simplistic alarmism, this volume deserves a wide readership among both development and international relations scholars and policy makers.’ - Simon Dalby, CIGI chair in the Political Economy of Climate Change, Balsillie School of International Affairs'... a complete research on the China’s economy for the interest of the international community ... The research of Burgos Cáceres and Sophal Ear is easily accessible to a general audi-ence interested in understanding how China became a global power in our century, but also provides enough data to orient any study on the topic for academic specialists and policy practitioners.' - Albeiro Rodas, Don Bosco Foundation of Cambodia 'With its hard realist no-nonsense subtext on China’s voracious appetite for finite resources matched by genuine concerns over potential for conflict and alarming environmental trends, the authors have produced a compelling, if fact-packed, text that should seek a wider audience.' - Geoffrey C. Gunn, Emeritus, Nagasaki UniversityTable of ContentsPreface I. Introduction Chapter 1: China, Energy, and the World Chapter 2: The Geopolitics of China’s Global Resources Quest II. Country Case Studies Chapter 3: Angola Chapter 4: Brazil Chapter 5: Cambodia III. Conclusion Chapter 6: Assessing Opportunities, Mitigating Risks Chapter 7: From Strategies to Actions Bibliography Acknowledgements Index

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