Energy resources Books

Book SynopsisâœToday, over two billion people in developing countries live without any electricity. They lead lives of misery, walking miles every day for water and firewood, just to survive. What if there was an existing, viable technology, that when developed to its highest potential could increase everyoneâs standard of living, cut fossil fuel demand and the resultant pollutionâ said Peter Meisen, President, Global Energy Network Institute in 1997. Even though energy is available, technology was not matured enough to tap this energy in the nineties. Now, with the advancement of drilling technology, extracting heat from hot rocks has become a reality. Very soon when CO2 replaces the circulation fluid to extract heat from granites then both fossil fuel based and renewable energy sources will coexists balancing the CO2 emissions and providing energy, food and water security to the rich and the poor countries. Red Sea rift represents the youngest spreading ridges in the world with a vast amount of heat energy stored on either side. The Red Sea is surrounded by countries with a weak economy. Developing a geothermal energy based economy in countries like Eritrea, Djibouti and Ethiopia will provide food and water security to these countries while for other countries, geothermal energy will help in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Although geothermal energy sources are available in all the countries since the opening of the Red Sea, millions of years ago, this was not brought to the light. Oil importing countries became highly dependent on the oil rich countries to sustain their economy and growth and thus remained poor. This book unfolds the huge energy source, hydrothermal and EGS, for the benefit of the poor countries to reduce poverty and lift the socio economic status of these countries. The book deals with i) future energy demand, ii) CO2 emissions associated with fossil fuel based power plants, iii) black carbon emissions associated biomass energy source and iv) strategies to reduce CO2 emissions by using geothermal energy as energy source mix in all the countriesâoil exporting and oil importing countriesâ around the Red Sea. The amount of energy available from hot granites in all the countries is well documented. EGS being the future energy source for mankind, this book will form the basis for future research by young scientists and academicians. Availability of fresh water is a matter of concern for all countries. The only way to satisfy the thirst of a growing population, to meet drinking water demand and food security, is to depend on seawater. A large volume of CO2 is being emitted from desalination plants supported by fossil fuel based energy sources. This book describes the advantages of using geothermal energy sources for the desalination process to meet the growing water and food demand of the countries around the Red Sea. Oil rich countries, using its geothermal resources, can now reduce food imports and become self sufficient in food production.This book gives hope for millions of children living in the underdeveloped countries around the Red Sea to satisfy their hunger and live a decent life with a continuous source of electricity, water and food available. This book ends with a note on the economic benefits of geothermal energy vs other renewables. With the signing of the GGA (Global Geothermal Alliance) by several countries during the December 2015 CoP 21 summit in Paris, policy makers and administrators will work together in implementing the necessary infrastructure and support to develop this clean energy source.Table of Contents1. Introduction 2. Electricity demand and energy sources 3. Carbon dioxides emission 4. Geothermal provinces 5. CO2 mitigation strategy 6. Exploration techniques 7. Power generation techniques 8. Direct application of geothermal resources 9. Enhanced Geothermal Systems

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe wind power business has grown from a niche sector within the energy industry to a global industry that attracts substantial investment. In Europe wind has become the biggest source of new power generation capacity, while also successfully competing with the gas, coal and nuclear sectors in China and the US. Wind Power looks at the nations, companies and people fighting for control of one of the worldâs fastest growing new industries and how we can harness one of the planetâs most powerful energy resources. The book examines the challenges the sector faces as it competes for influence and investment with the fossil fuel industry across the globe. Over the course of this volume, Backwell analyses the industry climbers, the investment trends and the technological advancements that will define the future of wind energy. This second edition is revised throughout and contains new material on frontier wind markets and industry consolidation, as well as the cost reductions and market gains that led to 2015 being a landmark year for the big wind turbine companies.This is an important resource for professionals working in wind and wider renewable industries, energy finance, conventional energy companies and government as well as researchers, students, journalists and the general public.Trade Review'Ben Backwell's new book on wind power is a great read, provides the best current overview of the wind industry, how it got to where it is, and what the future challenges are. Highly recomended!' Henrik Stiesdal, Wind Power Pioneer Table of ContentsForewordIntroductionChapter 1. From Maoism to Lear JetsChapter 2. Big industry moves inChapter 3. China shakes the wind industryChapter 4. Emerging powersChapter 5. The offshore frontierChapter 6. After CopenhagenChapter 7. Turbine manufacturers in troubleChapter 8. The Wind Industry Bounces BackChapter 9. Tipping point: Windpower’s iPhone momentChapter 10. Challenges for the wind-turbine industryConclusion

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe wind power business has grown from a niche sector within the energy industry to a global industry that attracts substantial investment. In Europe wind has become the biggest source of new power generation capacity, while also successfully competing with the gas, coal and nuclear sectors in China and the US. Wind Power looks at the nations, companies and people fighting for control of one of the world's fastest growing new industries and how we can harness one of the planet's most powerful energy resources. The book examines the challenges the sector faces as it competes for influence and investment with the fossil fuel industry across the globe. Over the course of this volume, Backwell analyses the industry climbers, the investment trends and the technological advancements that will define the future of wind energy. This second edition is revised throughout and contains new material on frontier wind markets and industry consolidation, as well as the cost reductionsTrade Review'Ben Backwell's new book on wind power is a great read, provides the best current overview of the wind industry, how it got to where it is, and what the future challenges are. Highly recomended!' Henrik Stiesdal, Wind Power Pioneer Table of ContentsForewordIntroductionChapter 1. From Maoism to Lear JetsChapter 2. Big industry moves inChapter 3. China shakes the wind industryChapter 4. Emerging powersChapter 5. The offshore frontierChapter 6. After CopenhagenChapter 7. Turbine manufacturers in troubleChapter 8. The Wind Industry Bounces BackChapter 9. Tipping point: Windpower’s iPhone momentChapter 10. Challenges for the wind-turbine industryConclusion

Read more less

Book SynopsisFor the Movers, Shakers, and Policy Makers in Energy Engineering and Related IndustriesThe latest version of a bestselling reference, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Handbook, Second Edition covers the foremost trends and technologies in energy engineering today. This new edition contains the latest material on energy planning and policy, with a focus on renewable and sustainable energy sources. It also examines nuclear energy and its place in future energy systems, includes a chapter on natural gas, and provides extensive coverage of energy storage for numerous forms of energy generation. The text also provides energy supply, demand, and pricing factor projections for the future.Explore the Future of Global EnergyThe authors address problems that industry now faces, including the limited availability of conventional energy resources such as oil, natural gas, and coal, and considers renewTrade Review"Excellent text. Covers the ground very well. An excellent companion when you are on a learning journey in Energy. A good handbook to hold hands with!"—Prof Ajith P. de Alwis, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, Coordinating Secretariat for Science Technology and Innovation (COSTI) Sri Lanka"The book provides a very comprehensive and clear description of present, immediate future and future sources, technologies and systems for a sustainable energy use in all countries of the world. The book also deals with the aspects of Energy Infrastructure and Storage necessary for Distributed Energy Systems with smart grid integration."—Professor N.K.Bansal, CEPT University Ahmedabad"Overall, this is an interesting and comprehensive book that summarises well various information. It is a great reference point and can be used by both practitioners involved in RET and EE and students learning about sustainable built environment. It deals with RET and EE from technical, financial and governance points of view based on the examples from all over the world."—Ksenia Chmutina, Loughborough University"This is the most comprehensive and complete treatment I’ve seen of the issue of energy and our society. The international coverage adds a great deal to the discussion which is generally western-focused. The coverage of technologies is extremely balanced, providing a valid reference frame on which engineers, individuals and policy makers can base solid decisions."—John Gardner, Professor, Boise State University"A comprehensive handbook which covers the most cut edge improvement technologies of energy efficiency for energy generation and transportation facilities using either conventional petroleum-based energy or renewable energy. … The handbook could be beneficial to both experienced researchers / engineers as a guide or reference book and novices / university students as a textbook in energy related fields."—Prof. Cherng-Yuan Lin, National Taiwan Ocean University"Overall, the book covers a wide range of topics on energy efficiency and renewable energy. This will serve as a good Reference for practicing engineers, policy makers, and the students working in the area of Energy."—Prof. Kaushik Rajashekara, University of Texas at DallasTable of ContentsGLOBAL ENERGY SYSTEMS, POLICY, AND ECONOMICS. Global Energy Systems. Sound Finance Policies for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. State and Federal Policies for Renewable Energy. Strategies and Instruments for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Internationally, in Europe, and in Germany. Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy Policies in China. Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in India. Renewable Energy Policies in Brazil: Bioenergy, Photovoltaic Generation, and Transportation. Energy in Israel: A Case for Renewables. Renewable Energy in Australia. Japan’s Post-Fukushima Energy Policy. Policies for Distributed Energy Generation. Economics Methods. Environmental Impacts and Costs of Energy. ENERGY GENERATION THROUGH 2025. Distributed Generation Technologies through 2025. Demand-Side Management. Fossil Fuels. Nuclear Power Technologies through Year 2035. Outlook for U.S. Energy Consumption and Prices, 2011-2040. ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE AND STORAGE. Transportation. Infrastructure Risk Analysis and Security. Electricity Infrastructure Resilience and Security. Electrical Energy Management in Buildings. Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning Control Systems. Stirling Engines. Energy-Efficient Lighting Technologies and Their Applications in the Residential and Commercial Sectors. Energy-Efficient Technologies: Major Appliances and Space Conditioning Equipment. Heat Pumps. Electric Motor Systems Efficiency. Industrial Energy Efficiency and Energy Management. Process Energy Efficiency: Pinch Technology. Analysis Methods for Building Energy Auditing. Cogeneration. Energy Storage Technologies. Advanced Concepts in Transmission and Distribution. Smart Grid Technology. RENEWABLE TECHNOLOGIES. Solar Energy Resources. Wind Energy Resource. Municipal Solid Waste. Biomass Properties and Resources. Active Solar Heating Systems. Passive Solar Heating, Cooling, and Daylighting. Concentrating Solar Thermal Power. Wind Energy Conversion. Photovoltaics. Thin-Film PV Technology. Concentrating PV Technologies. Waste-to-Energy Combustion. Energy Recovery by Anaerobic Digestion Process. BIOMASS ENERGY SYSTEMS. Biomass Conversion to Heat and Power. Biomass Conversion to Fuels. Geothermal Power Generation. Hydrogen Energy Technologies. Fuel Cells.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn 2006 Abu Dhabi launched an ambitious project to construct the world’s first zero-carbon city: Masdar City. In Spaceship in the Desert Gökçe Günel examines the development and construction of Masdar City''s renewable energy and clean technology infrastructures, providing an illuminating portrait of an international group of engineers, designers, and students who attempted to build a post-oil future in Abu Dhabi. While many of Masdar''s initiatives—such as developing a new energy currency and a driverless rapid transit network—have stalled or not met expectations, Günel analyzes how these initiatives contributed to rendering the future a thinly disguised version of the fossil-fueled present. Spaceship in the Desert tells the story of Masdar, at once a “utopia” sponsored by the Emirati government, and a well-resourced company involving different actors who participated in the project, each with their own agendas andTrade Review"Spaceship in the Desert is the fascinating story of a 'zero-carbon eco-city' that demonstrates the stark difference between vision and reality. . . . Günel’s first-hand reportage is insightful and objective." -- Barry Silverstein * Foreword Reviews *"The book is not only a rich ethnographic description of Masdar in all of its intricacies, but also a larger reflection on how global risks are framed according to the beliefs and situated actions of various interest groups." -- Gerardo del Cerro Santamaría * International Journal of Urban and Regional Research *"The global climate crisis is serious, but Günel shows that our attempts to tackle it are less so. . . . Our contemporary moral mess, from the GCC to Massachusetts, can be seen all too clearly through the pages of Günel’s account." -- Deen Sharp * Public Books *"Günel’s deft ethnographic sensibilities and creatively designed fieldwork further distinguish her contributions to anthropological studies of climate change, governance, knowledge production, infrastructure, materialism, and futurity more broadly. . . . Through fascinating and critical ethnographic descriptions, Günel offers a piercing glimpse into the front-lines of global climate change action." -- Gebhard Keny * Ethnos *"Spaceship in the Desert is a timely contribution to a growing field of anthropological scholarship on energy. . . . This book has the potential to attract readers from across the social sciences, not just within anthropology. The richness of ethnographic detail drawn in connection with the work of key thinkers may satisfy some readers." -- Idalina Baptista * Anthropological Quarterly *"Compelling and thought-provoking. . . . Günel encourages us as academics and as persons to rethink, renegotiate, and recreate our imaginations of the future through climate change technologies that do not preserve the status quo, but rather, alter it in the present." -- Hai Ri (Sophia) Jeon * Anthropology Book Forum *“[Günel’s] brilliant ethnography of Masdar reminds us of the limits of the third pilot of Spaceship Earth—the market.... Günel’s study also shows how the scope of climate change demands administrative bodies beyond corporations and states.” -- Troy Vettese * Viewpoint Magazine *Table of ContentsAcknowledgments vii Introduction. The Soul of Carbon Dioxide 1 Part I. Knowledge 1. Inhabiting the Spaceship 37 2. Beautiful Buildings and Research Contracts 65 Part II. Technology 3. Ergos: A New Energy Currency 101 4. An Expensive Toy 127 Part III. Governance 5. Subsurface Workings 157 Epilogue. The Potential Futures of Abu Dhabi's Masdar 183 Notes 199 References 237 Index 249

Read more less

Book SynopsisDominic Boyer examines the politics of wind power and how it is shaped by myriad factors—from the legacies of settler colonialism and indigenous resistance to state bureaucracy and corporate investment—while outlining the fundamental impact of energy and fuel on political power.Trade Review"Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty; professionals." -- L. L. Johnson * Choice *"Howe and Boyer look back on the past with fresh eyes. . . . Howe and Boyer’s project has many virtues. For one, it articulates the perils of corporate wind economies. For another, it positions Indigenous communities (like the Zapotec) not as outmoded objects for anthropological inquiry, but (á la Gayatri Spivak) as 'active [producers] of culture.' Most importantly, perhaps, is how Wind and Power in the Anthropocene documents alternatives to corporate wind ventures like Mareña. The book highlights, for example, community-based initiatives that also seek to harness the awesome power of istmeño wind—projects that promote communal welfare and environmental justice." -- Stacey Balkan * Public Books *"The duograph is an interesting and novel way to approach collaborative writing, which I enjoyed engaging with. . . . Energopolitics elegantly brings together political theory and ethnography. -- Anna G. Sveinsdóttir * Journal of Latin American Geography *“In Wind and Power in the Anthropocene, a two-volume ‘duograph,’ Cymene Howe, in Ecologics, and Dominic Boyer, in Energopolitics, explore the development of wind parks during the early twenty-first century on the isthmus of Tehuantepec…. One of the most refreshing components of their collaborative and individual writing is the clarity of their position as researchers in this project as they circulated among politicians, indigenous peoples, and corporate officials. It is a necessary exercise, as they argue, for appreciating the entrenchment of the wind in local political and social relations.” -- Nathan Kapoor * Technology and Culture *“Boyer’s book seeks ways around human-centered notions of politics.... More important than his theoretical discussion is his contention that in order to understand aeolian politics in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, one must attend to situated, historical processes with which transitions to renewable energy become intimately entangled.” -- Chakad Ojani * Anthropology Book Forum *“[Ecologics and Energopolitics] make strong arguments on political processes in the field of wind energy in Mexico...[and] are important contributions to an anthropology of energy, a still growing field within the discipline.” -- Oliver D. Liebig * Anthropos *Table of ContentsJoint Preface to Wind and Power in the Anthropocene / Cymene Howe and Dominic Boyer ix Acknowledgments xix Introduction 1 1. Ixtepec 27 2. La Ventosa 60 3. Oaxaca de Juaréz 95 4. Distrito Federal 127 5. Guidxiguie' (Juchitán de Zaragoza) 158 Joint Conclusion to Wind and Power in the Anthropocene / Cymene Howe and Dominic Boyer 194 Notes 199 References 225 Index 251

Read more less

Book SynopsisCymene Howe traces the complex relationships between humans, nonhuman beings and objects, and geophysical forces that shaped the Mareña Renovables project in Oaxaca, Mexico, which had it been completed, would have been Latin America's largest wind power installation.Trade Review"Research included interviews carried out with key representatives of international, national, regional, and local interests, supporting a richly nuanced account of often emotionally charged encounters. Howe balances multiple viewpoints, ranging from those gained though formal appointments and official press conferences in Mexico City to those observed in restaurant meetings and confrontations between protesters and police on the Isthmus. The chapters oscillate between chronological telling of events—from wind power anticipated, to the project interrupted and ultimately suspended—and consideration of three other-than-human forces that played key roles in the unfolding of events: wind, trucks, and species. Recommended. All readers." -- C. Hendrickson * Choice *"Howe and Boyer look back on the past with fresh eyes. . . . Howe and Boyer’s project has many virtues. For one, it articulates the perils of corporate wind economies. For another, it positions Indigenous communities (like the Zapotec) not as outmoded objects for anthropological inquiry, but (á la Gayatri Spivak) as 'active [producers] of culture.' Most importantly, perhaps, is how Wind and Power in the Anthropocene documents alternatives to corporate wind ventures like Mareña. The book highlights, for example, community-based initiatives that also seek to harness the awesome power of istmeño wind—projects that promote communal welfare and environmental justice." -- Stacey Balkan * Public Books *"The duograph is an interesting and novel way to approach collaborative writing, which I enjoyed engaging with. . . . Howe discusses, through her vivid writing style, what happens when distinct imaginaries of environmental care and environmental harm come into conflict, examining how wind energy—an antidote to the Anthropocene—became both failure and success." -- Anna G. Sveinsdóttir * Journal of Latin American Geography *“In Wind and Power in the Anthropocene, a two-volume ‘duograph,’ Cymene Howe, in Ecologics, and Dominic Boyer, in Energopolitics, explore the development of wind parks during the early twenty-first century on the isthmus of Tehuantepec…. One of the most refreshing components of their collaborative and individual writing is the clarity of their position as researchers in this project as they circulated among politicians, indigenous peoples, and corporate officials. It is a necessary exercise, as they argue, for appreciating the entrenchment of the wind in local political and social relations.” -- Nathan Kapoor * Technology and Culture *“Cymene Howe and Dominic Boyer have crafted two eloquent accounts of the turbulent, aeolian politics that unfolded during their 16-month-long field research in Mexico’s Isthmus of Tehuantepec, between 2009 and 2013.... Ecologics...is perhaps the most evocative half of the duograph.” -- Chakad Ojani * Anthropology Book Forum *“[Ecologics and Energopolitics] make strong arguments on political processes in the field of wind energy in Mexico...[and] are important contributions to an anthropology of energy, a still growing field within the discipline.” -- Oliver D. Liebig * Anthropos *Table of ContentsJoint Preface to Wind and Power in the Anthropocene / Cymene Howe and Dominic Boyer ix Acknowledgments xix Introduction 1 1. Wind 23 2. Wind Power, Anticipated 43 3. Trucks 73 4. Wind Power, Interrupted 103 5. Species 137 6. Wind Power, in Suspension 170 Joint Conclusion to Wind and Power in the Anthropocene / Cymene Howe and Dominic Boyer 191 Notes 197 References 223 Index 243

Read more less

Book SynopsisDominic Boyer examines the politics of wind power and how it is shaped by myriad factorsfrom the legacies of settler colonialism and indigenous resistance to state bureaucracy and corporate investmentwhile outlining the fundamental impact of energy and fuel on political power.Trade Review"Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty; professionals." -- L. L. Johnson * Choice *"Howe and Boyer look back on the past with fresh eyes. . . . Howe and Boyer’s project has many virtues. For one, it articulates the perils of corporate wind economies. For another, it positions Indigenous communities (like the Zapotec) not as outmoded objects for anthropological inquiry, but (á la Gayatri Spivak) as 'active [producers] of culture.' Most importantly, perhaps, is how Wind and Power in the Anthropocene documents alternatives to corporate wind ventures like Mareña. The book highlights, for example, community-based initiatives that also seek to harness the awesome power of istmeño wind—projects that promote communal welfare and environmental justice." -- Stacey Balkan * Public Books *"The duograph is an interesting and novel way to approach collaborative writing, which I enjoyed engaging with. . . . Energopolitics elegantly brings together political theory and ethnography. -- Anna G. Sveinsdóttir * Journal of Latin American Geography *“In Wind and Power in the Anthropocene, a two-volume ‘duograph,’ Cymene Howe, in Ecologics, and Dominic Boyer, in Energopolitics, explore the development of wind parks during the early twenty-first century on the isthmus of Tehuantepec…. One of the most refreshing components of their collaborative and individual writing is the clarity of their position as researchers in this project as they circulated among politicians, indigenous peoples, and corporate officials. It is a necessary exercise, as they argue, for appreciating the entrenchment of the wind in local political and social relations.” -- Nathan Kapoor * Technology and Culture *“Boyer’s book seeks ways around human-centered notions of politics.... More important than his theoretical discussion is his contention that in order to understand aeolian politics in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, one must attend to situated, historical processes with which transitions to renewable energy become intimately entangled.” -- Chakad Ojani * Anthropology Book Forum *“[Ecologics and Energopolitics] make strong arguments on political processes in the field of wind energy in Mexico...[and] are important contributions to an anthropology of energy, a still growing field within the discipline.” -- Oliver D. Liebig * Anthropos *Table of ContentsJoint Preface to Wind and Power in the Anthropocene / Cymene Howe and Dominic Boyer ix Acknowledgments xix Introduction 1 1. Ixtepec 27 2. La Ventosa 60 3. Oaxaca de Juaréz 95 4. Distrito Federal 127 5. Guidxiguie' (Juchitán de Zaragoza) 158 Joint Conclusion to Wind and Power in the Anthropocene / Cymene Howe and Dominic Boyer 194 Notes 199 References 225 Index 251

Read more less

Book SynopsisCymene Howe traces the complex relationships between humans, nonhuman beings and objects, and geophysical forces that shaped the Mareña Renovables project in Oaxaca, Mexico, which had it been completed, would have been Latin America's largest wind power installation.Trade Review"Research included interviews carried out with key representatives of international, national, regional, and local interests, supporting a richly nuanced account of often emotionally charged encounters. Howe balances multiple viewpoints, ranging from those gained though formal appointments and official press conferences in Mexico City to those observed in restaurant meetings and confrontations between protesters and police on the Isthmus. The chapters oscillate between chronological telling of events—from wind power anticipated, to the project interrupted and ultimately suspended—and consideration of three other-than-human forces that played key roles in the unfolding of events: wind, trucks, and species. Recommended. All readers." -- C. Hendrickson * Choice *"Howe and Boyer look back on the past with fresh eyes. . . . Howe and Boyer’s project has many virtues. For one, it articulates the perils of corporate wind economies. For another, it positions Indigenous communities (like the Zapotec) not as outmoded objects for anthropological inquiry, but (á la Gayatri Spivak) as 'active [producers] of culture.' Most importantly, perhaps, is how Wind and Power in the Anthropocene documents alternatives to corporate wind ventures like Mareña. The book highlights, for example, community-based initiatives that also seek to harness the awesome power of istmeño wind—projects that promote communal welfare and environmental justice." -- Stacey Balkan * Public Books *"The duograph is an interesting and novel way to approach collaborative writing, which I enjoyed engaging with. . . . Howe discusses, through her vivid writing style, what happens when distinct imaginaries of environmental care and environmental harm come into conflict, examining how wind energy—an antidote to the Anthropocene—became both failure and success." -- Anna G. Sveinsdóttir * Journal of Latin American Geography *“In Wind and Power in the Anthropocene, a two-volume ‘duograph,’ Cymene Howe, in Ecologics, and Dominic Boyer, in Energopolitics, explore the development of wind parks during the early twenty-first century on the isthmus of Tehuantepec…. One of the most refreshing components of their collaborative and individual writing is the clarity of their position as researchers in this project as they circulated among politicians, indigenous peoples, and corporate officials. It is a necessary exercise, as they argue, for appreciating the entrenchment of the wind in local political and social relations.” -- Nathan Kapoor * Technology and Culture *“Cymene Howe and Dominic Boyer have crafted two eloquent accounts of the turbulent, aeolian politics that unfolded during their 16-month-long field research in Mexico’s Isthmus of Tehuantepec, between 2009 and 2013.... Ecologics...is perhaps the most evocative half of the duograph.” -- Chakad Ojani * Anthropology Book Forum *“[Ecologics and Energopolitics] make strong arguments on political processes in the field of wind energy in Mexico...[and] are important contributions to an anthropology of energy, a still growing field within the discipline.” -- Oliver D. Liebig * Anthropos *Table of ContentsJoint Preface to Wind and Power in the Anthropocene / Cymene Howe and Dominic Boyer ix Acknowledgments xix Introduction 1 1. Wind 23 2. Wind Power, Anticipated 43 3. Trucks 73 4. Wind Power, Interrupted 103 5. Species 137 6. Wind Power, in Suspension 170 Joint Conclusion to Wind and Power in the Anthropocene / Cymene Howe and Dominic Boyer 191 Notes 197 References 223 Index 243

Read more less

Book SynopsisBetween 2009 and 2013 Cymene Howe and Dominic Boyer conducted fieldwork in Mexico's Isthmus of Tehuantepec to examine the political, social, and ecological dimensions of moving from fossil fuels to wind power. Their work manifested itself as a new ethnographic form: the duographa combination of two single-authored books that draw on shared field sites, archives, and encounters that can be productively read together, yet also stand alone in their analytic ambitions. In his volume, Energopolitics, Boyer examines the politics of wind power and how it is shaped by myriad factors, from the legacies of settler colonialism and indigenous resistance to state bureaucracy and corporate investment. Drawing on interviews with activists, campesinos, engineers, bureaucrats, politicians, and bankers, Boyer outlines the fundamental impact of energy and fuel on political power. Boyer also demonstrates how large conceptual frameworks cannot adequately explain the fraught and uniquely complicated cond

Read more less

Book SynopsisJacob Blanc examines the creation of the Itaipu Dam—the largest producer of hydroelectric power in the world—on the Brazil–Paraguay border during the 1970s and 1980s to explore the long-standing conflicts around land, rights, indigeneity, and identity in rural Brazil.Trade Review"The colossal Itaipu Dam at the Brazil-Paraguay border may well be the most enduring monument to the ambitions of Brazil's twenty-one-year military dictatorship. And, as Jacob Blanc incisively argues in Before the Flood, its construction also formed part of a longer history of predation, with the spectacular visibility of Itaipu being premised on the invisibility of the region's agrarian population. This remarkable study not only rescues the displaced rural people from oblivion but reveals how their political struggles contributed to the ongoing efforts for a more equitable and dignified way of life in the Brazilian countryside.” -- Barbara Weinstein, author of * The Color of Modernity: São Paulo and the Making of Race and Nation in Brazil *“During the waning years of military rule, tens of thousands of rural Brazilians were permanently displaced from their homes near the Paraguayan border by the Itaipu hydroelectric dam in the name of energy development and binational cooperation. Jacob Blanc's illuminating study traces the diverse historical paths of the affected communities to hierarchies of landholding patterns, cultural capital, and political visibility. In the process, he deftly explores the political dividends and divides that marked rural social movements' struggles for democratic inclusion in the Brazilian countryside.” -- Seth Garfield, author of * In Search of the Amazon: Brazil, the United States, and the Nature of a Region *“… Before the Flood makes a welcome and timely contribution to our understanding of large dam politics and of rural empowerment. Blanc’s arguments are interesting, intricate, and convincing.” -- Peter Brewitt * Environmental History *“A pleasure to read, this book illuminates forces of power and protest mobilized against a useful but predatory, and thus unsustainable, form of green-energy infrastructure—the hydroelectric dam…. Blanc’s fascinating and illuminating book is itself a form of protest, a scholarly performance that makes the hinterlands visible and the complications of history readable.” -- Stephanie C. Kane * Journal of Interdisciplinary History *“[Blanc’s] source base is impressive, drawing from oral history interviews, state archives in Brazil and Paraguay, and—most innovatively—the records of the Itaipú Binational itself.... The result is a fine piece of scholarship with demonstrated value for classroom use.” -- Michael Huner * The Americas *"Blanc’s compelling social history of the rural experiences of Itaipu’s flooding also makes a very important contribution to energy studies. … By situating these peoples as actors and not just collateral costs of development, Before the Flood expands the limits of a growing field in an exciting way." -- Jennifer Eaglin * Ethnohistory *Table of ContentsAbbreviations ix Note on Terminology and Orthography xi Acknowledgments xiii Introduction. History as Seen from the Countryside 1 1. Borders, Geopolitics, and the Forgotten Roots of Itaipu 20 2. The Project of the Century and the Battle for Public Opinion 53 3. The Double Reality of Abertura: Rural Experiences of Dictatorship and Democracy 82 4. Sem Tekoha não há Tekó: Avá Guarani Lands and the Construction of Indigeneity 125 5. The Last Political Prisoner: Borderland Elites and the Twilight of Military Rule 154 6. "Men without a Country": Agrarian Resettlement and the Strategies of Frontier Colonization 170 7. Land for Those Who Work It: Mastro and a New Era of Agrarian Reform in Brazil 197 Conclusion. After the Flood 228 Notes 235 Bibliography 277 Index 291

Read more less

Book SynopsisJacob Blanc examines the creation of the Itaipu Dam—the largest producer of hydroelectric power in the world—on the Brazil–Paraguay border during the 1970s and 1980s to explore the long-standing conflicts around land, rights, indigeneity, and identity in rural Brazil.Trade Review"The colossal Itaipu Dam at the Brazil-Paraguay border may well be the most enduring monument to the ambitions of Brazil's twenty-one-year military dictatorship. And, as Jacob Blanc incisively argues in Before the Flood, its construction also formed part of a longer history of predation, with the spectacular visibility of Itaipu being premised on the invisibility of the region's agrarian population. This remarkable study not only rescues the displaced rural people from oblivion but reveals how their political struggles contributed to the ongoing efforts for a more equitable and dignified way of life in the Brazilian countryside.” -- Barbara Weinstein, author of * The Color of Modernity: São Paulo and the Making of Race and Nation in Brazil *“During the waning years of military rule, tens of thousands of rural Brazilians were permanently displaced from their homes near the Paraguayan border by the Itaipu hydroelectric dam in the name of energy development and binational cooperation. Jacob Blanc's illuminating study traces the diverse historical paths of the affected communities to hierarchies of landholding patterns, cultural capital, and political visibility. In the process, he deftly explores the political dividends and divides that marked rural social movements' struggles for democratic inclusion in the Brazilian countryside.” -- Seth Garfield, author of * In Search of the Amazon: Brazil, the United States, and the Nature of a Region *“… Before the Flood makes a welcome and timely contribution to our understanding of large dam politics and of rural empowerment. Blanc’s arguments are interesting, intricate, and convincing.” -- Peter Brewitt * Environmental History *“A pleasure to read, this book illuminates forces of power and protest mobilized against a useful but predatory, and thus unsustainable, form of green-energy infrastructure—the hydroelectric dam…. Blanc’s fascinating and illuminating book is itself a form of protest, a scholarly performance that makes the hinterlands visible and the complications of history readable.” -- Stephanie C. Kane * Journal of Interdisciplinary History *“[Blanc’s] source base is impressive, drawing from oral history interviews, state archives in Brazil and Paraguay, and—most innovatively—the records of the Itaipú Binational itself.... The result is a fine piece of scholarship with demonstrated value for classroom use.” -- Michael Huner * The Americas *"Blanc’s compelling social history of the rural experiences of Itaipu’s flooding also makes a very important contribution to energy studies. … By situating these peoples as actors and not just collateral costs of development, Before the Flood expands the limits of a growing field in an exciting way." -- Jennifer Eaglin * Ethnohistory *Table of ContentsAbbreviations ix Note on Terminology and Orthography xi Acknowledgments xiii Introduction. History as Seen from the Countryside 1 1. Borders, Geopolitics, and the Forgotten Roots of Itaipu 20 2. The Project of the Century and the Battle for Public Opinion 53 3. The Double Reality of Abertura: Rural Experiences of Dictatorship and Democracy 82 4. Sem Tekoha não há Tekó: Avá Guarani Lands and the Construction of Indigeneity 125 5. The Last Political Prisoner: Borderland Elites and the Twilight of Military Rule 154 6. "Men without a Country": Agrarian Resettlement and the Strategies of Frontier Colonization 170 7. Land for Those Who Work It: Mastro and a New Era of Agrarian Reform in Brazil 197 Conclusion. After the Flood 228 Notes 235 Bibliography 277 Index 291

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn The Birth of Energy Cara New Daggett traces the genealogy of contemporary notions of energy back to the nineteenth-century science of thermodynamics to challenge the underlying logic that informs today''s uses of energy. These early resource-based concepts of power first emerged during the Industrial Revolution and were tightly bound to Western capitalist domination and the politics of industrialized work. As Daggett shows, thermodynamics was deployed as an imperial science to govern fossil fuel use, labor, and colonial expansion, in part through a hierarchical ordering of humans and nonhumans. By systematically excavating the historical connection between energy and work, Daggett argues that only by transforming the politics of work—most notably, the veneration of waged work—will we be able to confront the Anthropocene''s energy problem. Substituting one source of energy for another will not ensure a habitable planet; rather, the concepts of energy and work themsTrade Review“Cara New Daggett's The Birth of Energy is a landmark work in the emergent field of energy humanities. In it, Daggett offers a brilliant genealogy of our modern conception of energy, explaining how Victorian empire, evolutionary theory, Presbyterianism, and thermodynamics helped to refashion the Aristotelian idea of energy as ‘dynamic virtue’ into a phenomenon having to do with the movement of matter and, above all, labor. Now facing a world warmed by burning fossil fuels, Daggett gives us a roadmap to thinking energy beyond the Protestant ethic of perpetual work.” -- Dominic Boyer, author of * Energopolitics: Wind and Power in the Anthropocene *“This complex, ambitious book represents a significant contribution to energy studies, offering an innovative history that situates the scientific discovery of energy within nineteenth-century cultures of imperialism, industrialization, and the governance of work. Cara New Daggett helps reframe the Anthropocene as the most recent realization of our profoundly misguided understanding of energy.” -- Stephanie LeMenager, author of * Living Oil: Petroleum Culture in the American Century *"The Birth of Energy is without doubt a landmark contribution to energy humanities and political theory, and one that greatly enriches and advances conceptual debates about energy and work in the Anthropocene." -- James Palmer * Antipode *“The Birth of Energy is a major contribution to the environmental humanities that speaks to the notion of ‘political ecology’ in the most literal sense.” -- Gustav Cederlöf * Journal of Political Ecology *“The book is at its strongest when diagnosing the reverberations of the past in the current moment…. The Birth of Energy has much to offer to scholars engaged in questions of fossil fuels, imperialism, labor, and environmental politics.” -- Jennifer Thomson * Environmental History *“Daggett’s The Birth of Energy is an impressive book, timely in our political and ecological climate and thorough in its systematic narration of energy in the Victorian period.... The book will appeal to a range of scholars, including those interested in the history of science, the energy humanities, global nineteenth-century studies, and post-colonial studies.” -- Kameron Sanzo * Victorian Review *“The Birth of Energy is packed with fascinating details, and Daggett provides an impressive synthesis of a wide range of scholarship on energy.... Daggett argues for interrogating our received concepts and ways of knowing.” -- Alyssa Battistoni * Perspectives on Politics *Table of ContentsAcknowledgments ix Introduction: Putting the World to Work 1 Part I. The Birth of Energy 1. The Novelty of Energy 15 2. A Steampunk Production 33 3. A Geo-Theology of Energy 51 4. Work Becomes Energetic 83 Part II. Energy, Race, and Empire 5. Energopolitics 107 6. The Imperial Organism at Work 132 7. Education for Empire 162 Conclusion. A Post-Work Energy Politics 187 Notes 207 Bibliography 239 Index 255

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn The Birth of Energy Cara New Daggett traces the genealogy of contemporary notions of energy back to the nineteenth-century science of thermodynamics to challenge the underlying logic that informs today''s uses of energy. These early resource-based concepts of power first emerged during the Industrial Revolution and were tightly bound to Western capitalist domination and the politics of industrialized work. As Daggett shows, thermodynamics was deployed as an imperial science to govern fossil fuel use, labor, and colonial expansion, in part through a hierarchical ordering of humans and nonhumans. By systematically excavating the historical connection between energy and work, Daggett argues that only by transforming the politics of work—most notably, the veneration of waged work—will we be able to confront the Anthropocene''s energy problem. Substituting one source of energy for another will not ensure a habitable planet; rather, the concepts of energy and work themsTrade Review“Cara New Daggett's The Birth of Energy is a landmark work in the emergent field of energy humanities. In it, Daggett offers a brilliant genealogy of our modern conception of energy, explaining how Victorian empire, evolutionary theory, Presbyterianism, and thermodynamics helped to refashion the Aristotelian idea of energy as ‘dynamic virtue’ into a phenomenon having to do with the movement of matter and, above all, labor. Now facing a world warmed by burning fossil fuels, Daggett gives us a roadmap to thinking energy beyond the Protestant ethic of perpetual work.” -- Dominic Boyer, author of * Energopolitics: Wind and Power in the Anthropocene *“This complex, ambitious book represents a significant contribution to energy studies, offering an innovative history that situates the scientific discovery of energy within nineteenth-century cultures of imperialism, industrialization, and the governance of work. Cara New Daggett helps reframe the Anthropocene as the most recent realization of our profoundly misguided understanding of energy.” -- Stephanie LeMenager, author of * Living Oil: Petroleum Culture in the American Century *"The Birth of Energy is without doubt a landmark contribution to energy humanities and political theory, and one that greatly enriches and advances conceptual debates about energy and work in the Anthropocene." -- James Palmer * Antipode *“The Birth of Energy is a major contribution to the environmental humanities that speaks to the notion of ‘political ecology’ in the most literal sense.” -- Gustav Cederlöf * Journal of Political Ecology *“The book is at its strongest when diagnosing the reverberations of the past in the current moment…. The Birth of Energy has much to offer to scholars engaged in questions of fossil fuels, imperialism, labor, and environmental politics.” -- Jennifer Thomson * Environmental History *“Daggett’s The Birth of Energy is an impressive book, timely in our political and ecological climate and thorough in its systematic narration of energy in the Victorian period.... The book will appeal to a range of scholars, including those interested in the history of science, the energy humanities, global nineteenth-century studies, and post-colonial studies.” -- Kameron Sanzo * Victorian Review *“The Birth of Energy is packed with fascinating details, and Daggett provides an impressive synthesis of a wide range of scholarship on energy.... Daggett argues for interrogating our received concepts and ways of knowing.” -- Alyssa Battistoni * Perspectives on Politics *Table of ContentsAcknowledgments ix Introduction: Putting the World to Work 1 Part I. The Birth of Energy 1. The Novelty of Energy 15 2. A Steampunk Production 33 3. A Geo-Theology of Energy 51 4. Work Becomes Energetic 83 Part II. Energy, Race, and Empire 5. Energopolitics 107 6. The Imperial Organism at Work 132 7. Education for Empire 162 Conclusion. A Post-Work Energy Politics 187 Notes 207 Bibliography 239 Index 255

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn the shadow of climate change, it is common to presume that solar energy is the big solution to our energy problems. It is a fuel source of infinite supply, resistant to commodification and speculation, and collectible and expendable without the destructive consequences of fossil fuels and nuclear energy. What remains to be understood is not the amount of energy solar power can produce or whether it is truly an adequate replacement for fossil fuels, but the conditions of social and political possibility solar might generate. The contributors to this special issue address the overlapping relationships, strategies, and conflicts that will attend this latest and perhaps last energy transition under the term solarity. By approaching the social implicationsand not just the technical onesof the emergence of solar energy, they investigate whether and how it might avoid or reproduce the pathologies of existing capitalist and colonialist petrocultures. Contributors Joel Auerbach, Nandita B

Read more less

Book SynopsisA “meticulously researched” (The New York Times Book Review) examination of energy transitions over time and an exploration of the current challenges presented by global warming, a surging world population, and renewable energy—from Pulitzer Prize- and National Book Award-winning author Richard Rhodes.People have lived and died, businesses have prospered and failed, and nations have risen to world power and declined, all over energy challenges. Through an unforgettable cast of characters, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Richard Rhodes explains how wood gave way to coal and coal made room for oil, as we now turn to natural gas, nuclear power, and renewable energy. “Entertaining and informative…a powerful look at the importance of science” (NPR.org), Rhodes looks back on five centuries of progress, through such influential figures as Queen Elizabeth I, King James I, Benjamin Franklin, Herman Melville, John D. Rockefeller, and Henry Ford. In his “magisterial history…a tour de force of popular science” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review), Rhodes shows how breakthroughs in energy production occurred; from animal and waterpower to the steam engine, from internal-combustion to the electric motor. He looks at the current energy landscape, with a focus on how wind energy is competing for dominance with cast supplies of coal and natural gas. He also addresses the specter of global warming, and a population hurtling towards ten billion by 2100. Human beings have confronted the problem of how to draw energy from raw material since the beginning of time. Each invention, each discovery, each adaptation brought further challenges, and through such transformations, we arrived at where we are today. “A beautifully written, often inspiring saga of ingenuity and progress…Energy brings facts, context, and clarity to a key, often contentious subject” (Booklist, starred review).Trade Review"A magesterial history...a tour de force of popular science, which is no surprise from this author."—Kirkus, Starred Review“Rhodes doesn’t minimize the downsides of advances, both human and environmental, yet, on the whole, this is a beautifully written, often inspiring saga of ingenuity and progress, ideal for general readers. Immensely engaging, trusted, and best-selling, Rhodes will attract the usual avid interest as he brings facts, context, and clarity to a key, often contentious subject.”—BOOKLIST, Starred Review “Once again, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and author Richard Rhodes takes on entangled issues around the use of science and technology and makes complicated matters more approachable. Rhodes’s study will appeal to many, not just technophiles. As always, he is an exceptionally engaging writer.”—Library Journal, Starred Review“In this meticulously researched work, Rhodes brings his fascination with engineers, scientists and inventors along as he presents an often underappreciated history: four centuries through the evolution of energy and how we use it.”—The New York Times Book Review“Riveting…Mr. Rhodes has scored another masterpiece.”—The Wall Street Journal“Energy is both a work of history and a passionately written moral tale...Rhodes’s hope that a critical look at past energy technologies will benefit those of the future is heartening.”—Science Magazine“Rhodes delivers brilliantly on the inner workings of steam engines and reactors, and his lively narrative takes readers on thrilling side trips... His fascinating tale will delight technology wonks and particularly appeal to inventors and discoverers.”—Publisher’s Weekly“Energy is an excellent book that manages to be both entertaining and informative, and it's likely to appeal to both science fans and those of us who only passed physics by the skin of our teeth. It's also a powerful look at the importance of science.”—NPR.ORG“Richard Rhodes’ dazzling Energy: A Human History tells a compulsively readable tale of human need, curiosity, ingenuity and arrogance... This exceptional book is required reading for anyone concerned about the human impact on the future of the world.”—Bookpage“Riveting…Mr. Rhodes has scored another masterpiece.”—The Wall Street Journal

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn a speech delivered in Japanese at Cornell University, Naoto Kan describes the harrowing days after a cataclysmic earthquake and tsunami led to the meltdown of three reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. In vivid language, he tells how he struggled with the possibility that tens of millions of people would need to be evacuated.Cornell Global Perspectives is an imprint of Cornell University's Mario Einaudi Center for International Studies. The works examine critical global challenges, often from an interdisciplinary perspective, and are intended for a non-specialist audience. The Distinguished Speaker series presents edited transcripts of talks delivered at Cornell, both in the original language and in translation.

Read more less

Book SynopsisBy making available the almost unlimited energy stored in prehistoric plant matter, coal enabled the industrial age – and it still does. Coal today generates more electricity worldwide than any other energy source, helping to drive economic growth in major emerging markets. And yet, continued reliance on this ancient rock carries a high price in smog and greenhouse gases. We use coal because it is cheap: cheap to scrape from the ground, cheap to move, cheap to burn in power plants with inadequate environmental controls. In this book, Mark Thurber explains how coal producers, users, financiers, and technology exporters drive this supply chain, while fragmented environmental movements battle for full incorporation of environmental costs into the global calculus of coal. Delving into the politics of energy versus the environment at local, national, and international levels, Thurber paints a vivid picture of the multi-faceted challenges associated with continued coal production and use in the twenty-first century.Trade Review“Coal pushed the industrial era into existence. Today, with global warming, coal is among the biggest threats. Mark Thurber applies his sharp analytical mind, the balance of an historian, and an elegant pen to this vital subject. Everyone will learn something important from this lovely little book.”David Victor, University of California, San Diego “Thurber presents an overview of coal's role in past and present energy systems as well as key factors affecting its future in both developed and developing countries, offering a clear non-polemical analysis of coal's economic, environmental, and energy security attributes.”Howard Gruenspecht, former Deputy Administrator, US Energy Information AdministrationTable of Contents CHAPTER 1: THE DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD OF COAL CHAPTER 2: THE QUEST FOR ENERGY SECURITY CHAPTER 3: TENSIONS ALONG THE COAL VALUE CHAIN CHAPTER 4: ENVIRONMENTAL POLITICS AND POLICYMAKING CHAPTER 5: ALTERNATIVES TO COAL CHAPTER 6: POLICY, TECHNOLOGY, AND THE FUTURE OF COAL

Read more less

Book SynopsisBy making available the almost unlimited energy stored in prehistoric plant matter, coal enabled the industrial age – and it still does. Coal today generates more electricity worldwide than any other energy source, helping to drive economic growth in major emerging markets. And yet, continued reliance on this ancient rock carries a high price in smog and greenhouse gases. We use coal because it is cheap: cheap to scrape from the ground, cheap to move, cheap to burn in power plants with inadequate environmental controls. In this book, Mark Thurber explains how coal producers, users, financiers, and technology exporters drive this supply chain, while fragmented environmental movements battle for full incorporation of environmental costs into the global calculus of coal. Delving into the politics of energy versus the environment at local, national, and international levels, Thurber paints a vivid picture of the multi-faceted challenges associated with continued coal production and use in the twenty-first century.Trade Review“Coal pushed the industrial era into existence. Today, with global warming, coal is among the biggest threats. Mark Thurber applies his sharp analytical mind, the balance of an historian, and an elegant pen to this vital subject. Everyone will learn something important from this lovely little book.”David Victor, University of California, San Diego “Thurber presents an overview of coal's role in past and present energy systems as well as key factors affecting its future in both developed and developing countries, offering a clear non-polemical analysis of coal's economic, environmental, and energy security attributes.”Howard Gruenspecht, former Deputy Administrator, US Energy Information Administration

Read more less

Book SynopsisEver since the Industrial Revolution energy has been a key driver of world politics. From the oil crises of the 1970s to today’s rapid expansion of renewable energy sources, every shift in global energy patterns has important repercussions for international relations. In this new book, Thijs Van de Graaf and Benjamin Sovacool uncover the intricate ways in which our energy systems have shaped global outcomes in four key areas of world politics: security, the economy, the environment and global justice. Moving beyond the narrow geopolitical focus that has dominated much of the discussion on global energy politics, they also deftly trace the connections between energy, environmental politics, and community activism.The authors argue that we are on the cusp of a global energy shift that promises to be no less transformative for the pursuit of wealth and power in world politics than the historical shifts from wood to coal and from coal to oil. This ongoing energy transformation will not only upend the global balance of power; it could also fundamentally transfer political authority away from the nation state, empowering citizens, regions and local communities. Global Energy Politics will be an essential resource for students of the social sciences grappling with the major energy issues of our times.Trade Review"In a complex and rapidly changing energy landscape, this comprehensive overview of the global politics of energy is particularly welcome. It skillfully connects the dots between energy markets, geopolitics, the environment, and local activism across a range of energy technologies and sectors. For anyone who wants to understand the complexities and depth of the global energy challenge, Global Energy Politics is essential reading." —Adnan Z. Amin, Director-General Emeritus of the International Renewable Energy Agency "An important contribution to thinking through the current energy era and the future transition." —Morgan Bazilian, Executive Director of the Payne Institute for Earth Resources and Research Professor of Public Policy, Colorado School of Mines "a well-informed, empirically rich systematic analysis of different parts of the energy sector that builds directly on the latest research." —Gavin Bridge, Durham University "Global Energy Politics is a comprehensive, well-researched, and valuable guide to the energy challenges of our time. Thijs Van de Graaf and Benjamin Sovacool deploy a variety of analytical perspectives: geopolitics, economics, sustainability, and justice, discussing promising technological innovations and the institutional and political challenges to decarbonization." —Robert O. Keohane, Princeton University "We are in the middle of a global energy transformation. Van De Graaf and Sovacool’s comprehensive text provides students with an essential guide to this changing global energy landscape." —Johannes Urpelainen, John Hopkins University "Keeping pace with the changing global energy landscape and its influence on political, economic and social issues has become exponentially more difficult in a world where unprecedented risks and technological advances are upending the norms of the last century. Global Energy Politics is a valuable resource for those seeking to understand and navigate the shifting relationships between energy markets, geopolitics, climate, equity, and emerging technologies at this critical energy crossroad." —Jason Bordoff, Columbia University "[Global Energy Politics] is very welcome… This book provides a wide-ranging panorama of global energy politics … and would be an excellent read for undergraduate and post-graduate students tackling the subject." —Asian Century Institute "The most important contribution of this book comes through employing systems thinking to deal with energy issues. Van De Graaf and Sovacool have opened up a technical and difficult topic to social scientists while at the same time broadening traditional IR approaches." —International Affairs "The book is well-researched, up to date, and it presents complex and interrelated energy topics in an easily accessible and impressively pedagogical way... Their multidisciplinary socio-technical approach offers a deeper understanding than could be attained through the lens of any single discipline in isolation." —International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics "An excellent survey and overview of various elements of global energy politics. The writing is clear and accessible, yet covers impressive ground and accommodates the infinite complexity of the subject at hand. This book serves as a comprehensive introductory text and will be a useful read to students of energy politics across a variety of disciplines, and particularly students attempting to find a point of entry into the rapidly growing subfield of energy geographies." —The American Association of Geographers (AAG) Review of Books "Sovacool and Van de Graaf bring us closer to the broader research agenda we need to map the different pathways of global transformation that may emerge from the transition…Their chapter on “energy justice”, which investigates the detrimental impacts of renewable energy supply chains on communities when social justice concerns are side-lined, is particularly welcome." —Michel J. Albert, Alternatives Table of ContentsForeword by Adnan Z. Amin 1. Introduction: Systems, frames, and transitions 2. The history and functioning of key energy markets Part I: World Politics Through an Energy Prism 3. Energy and security 4. Energy and the economy 5. Energy and the environment 6. Energy and justice Part II: Governing the Energy Transition 7. Energy technologies and innovation 8. National and regional energy policy 9. Global energy governance 10. Conclusions

Read more less

Book SynopsisA THE TIMES BEST SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENT BOOK OF THE YEAR'AN IMPORTANT READ FOR ANYONE IN NEED OF OPTIMISM' BILL GATES'DAZZLING AND DEEPLY REPORTED' DAVID WALLACE-WELLS'HIGHLY READABLE . . . ENGAGING STORIES OF PEOPLE BEHIND SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ADVANCES IN RECENT DECADES' FINANCIAL TIMESIt's now cheaper to save the world than destroy it.Our age will be defined by the climate emergency. But contrary to the doomist narrative that's taken hold, the world has already begun deploying the solutions needed to deal with it.On a journey across five continents, Climate Capitalism tracks the unlikely heroes driving the fight against climate change. From the Chinese bureaucrat who did more to make electric cars a reality than Elon Musk, to the Danish students who helped to build the world's longest-operating wind turbine, or the American oil executive building the technology that can reverse climate damages, we meet the people working to scale technologies that are finally able to bend the emissions curve.Through stories that bring people, policy and technology together, Akshat Rathi reveals how the green economy is not only possible, but profitable. This inspiring blend of business, science, and history provides the framework for ensuring that future generations can live in prosperity and that the wheels of progress don't falter.Trade ReviewFew books on either climate or capitalism manage to be as insightful as they are readable, but Rathi cracks it. He delivers his powerful and hopeful message with both substance and style, and reminds us of the immensely important role of great storytelling as we reimagine our economy -- Paul Polman, co-author of NET-POSITIVE and former CEO of Unilever[A] bold new book. Climate change is a crisis that requires urgent action, but Rathi shows how we can harness capitalism to tackle it. Give it to the doomsayer in your life -- John Schwartz, journalism professor at UT Austin and veteran NYT reporterAre you suffering from climate anxiety? Go take a few deep breaths and then pre-order this book. You'll learn about fascinating people who show that solutions for climate change are both possible and profitable -- Will Mathis, reporter for Bloomberg NewsThere are very few people as well-situated as Akshat Rathi is to describe and assess our current efforts to cope with climate change . . . Here he puts it all together in a marvelous report . . . [Rathi] gives hope that we might make it work. An inspiring book! -- Kim Stanley RobinsonIt's easy to feel fear or despair in the face of humanity's greatest challenge, but fortunately work on solutions began decades ago . . . Rathi's brilliantly written account of some of those stories is an inspiration to keep going in a fight which we have no other option than to win -- Bryony Worthington, member of the UK’s House of LordsAddressing climate change will make us richer, happier, healthier, more equal and more safe. Do we take the bargain? That is the animating question of Rathi's illuminating and incisive book, which offers the dazzling and deeply reported argument that the answer should be, overwhelmingly, yes -- David Wallace-Wells, author of THE UNINHABITABLE EARTHClimate innovation has accelerated far faster than many realize and by shining a spotlight on the solutions and innovators driving progress, Climate Capitalism is an important read for anyone in need of optimism about our ability to build a clean energy future -- Bill GatesA highly readable reminder that efforts to cut emissions are achieving a lot more than is widely realised. Rathi brings this shift to life with engaging stories of people behind some of the most important advances in recent decades -- Pilita Clark, Financial Times

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn this book, Chapter One proposes new tools for energy planning under sustainable development paradigm through models, procedures and methodologies. Chapter Two focuses on Home Energy Planning Systems applied to the residential sector. In Chapter Three, the possibilities to use geothermal technologies in Spain and whether they can reach generation objectives is examined. Chapter Four focuses on the impact that the grid regulatory framework, in force in several islands has had both from the technical and economical point of view, regarding their renewable energy development.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book acts as a reference that provides readers with the broadest available single volume coverage of leading edge advances in the development and optimization of clean energy technologies. One of the objectives of this book is to conduct a primary energy analysis and economic evaluation of solar thermal and photovoltaic cooling systems used for air conditioning in office buildings that apply simulation systems. Due to the climatic conditions that influence the performance of these two systems, the comparison is made for three different climates corresponding to Palermo, Madrid and Stuttgart. For each climate, the same geometry and dimensions of a building are considered, but with different user profiles and construction. Consequently, different heating and cooling loads twelve cases in total are taken into consideration. Another purpose of this book is to highlight water consumption as a key design parameter in determining the most convenient cooling system and selecting the most appropriate location for Solar Parabolic Trough (SPT) plants. Considering the importance of water in guaranteeing environmental sustainability, a review of water consumption parameters is presented, and water consumption in the SPT plants that are in the planning stages for southern Spain are analyzed as examples. The selected region for the present study is exposed to high horizontal solar irradiance, undergoes large seasonal weather fluctuations (prolonged droughts) and is located far from the coast (determining the sites topography and soil availability). These characteristics demonstrate that water consumption is one of the decisive factors for the construction of new solar plants in similar locations worldwide, in addition to other considerations such as capital cost or plant efficiency.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book is a compilation of CRS reports on electric power. The large-scale damage caused by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria is examined in the context of policy options Congress may consider in order to help remediate such damage to the electrical grid in the future. Alternative electric power structures are examined for their ability to meet the post-Hurricane-Maria needs of Puerto Rico. The proposed Environmental Protection Agency plan to lower carbon emissions by providing each state with a carbon reduction target number.

Read more less

Book SynopsisPetroleum has played a crucial role in the socio-economic and political welfare of the world. It is a non-renewable form of energy and has an increasing demand in this modern era. To fulfil the demands, the conventional sources of oil reserves are being stressed and are nearly drought. Also, the burning of fossil fuel emits toxic gases contributing to environmental pollution and global warming. The concern about environmental deterioration helped scientists to invent ways to make bio-based products. These bio-based products can replace the use of gasoline, diesel, oil, plastics and much more. Among all the bio-based products, biofuel is the most noticed one for being humanitys first liquid fuel. Biofuels are important for various reasons including reduced environmental impact, an alternative source of energy, and a boost in economic development. In this book, detailed production of biofuels from non-conventional bio-feedstocks and advanced biofuels production have been discussed.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book presents the main conclusions reached by the academic project "Geopolitics of Gas and the Future of the Euro-Russian Relations (Geo4GER)." This project is being developed at IPRI -- Portuguese Institute of International Relations, NOVA University, an academic research institute dedicated to advanced studies in Political Science and International Relations, of NOVA University of Lisbon, Portugal. Energy security is a key issue on the international political agenda, a prerequisite for political stability and economic development and an indivisible part of a state's overall security. For Europe, the high-energy insufficiency is a major challenge, given its dependence on external sources, especially from Russia, the lack of diversification of energy sources, and the poor branch of its transmission network. For Russia, energy has been a geopolitical factor of power and a potential strategic vector to its re-emergence as a great power in the international system. However, in terms of energy, Russia also faces some long-term challenges, given the fall of its production and the low competitiveness of its gas, which is currently saved from the market where competition can hardly enter. Given this scenario, and also the increasingly important role in the political and strategic discussion of energy issues between Europe and Russia, it becomes relevant to diagnose the past and the present to forecast the medium and long term future (2030), taking into account the expected changes in the geopolitical and energetic environment, and the characteristics and dynamics of European-Russian relationship, including its energy interdependence and the energy policies and strategies outlined by Europe and Russia.Table of ContentsFor more information, please visit our website at:https://novapublishers.com/shop/the-future-of-energy-prospective-scenarios-on-eu-russia-relations/

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book is a comprehensive compilation of all reports, testimony, correspondence and other publications issued by the Congressional Research Service on Energy and Environment during the month of March.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe monograph has solved an actual scientific problem, improving the efficiency of electricity networks by developing methods of compensation current non-active components under harmonic distortions and unbalance of mains supply voltage. The research of the compensation system working processes in time- and frequency-domain allows to reach the positive effect for the developed method. The necessity of the analytical methods for analysis of nonlinear elements of electrical systems in the frequency-domain development have been grounded. The expediency and efficiency of the usage of small parameter method, which is realized in frequency-domain using instantaneous admittance components, have been grounded. It is shown that application of a small parameter method with its realization in frequency domain enables significant simplification of the process of the analysis of electric circuits with semiconductor converters in an analytical form and facilitation of calculation automation. Based on this, the algorithm for calculation of the passive filter parameters have been proposed. This allows to reach the desired voltage total harmonic distortion coefficient. The analysis of energy consumption and conversion in electrical systems with semiconductor converters based on the instantaneous power components analysis allowed to make important conclusions. Based on the analysis in analytical form in the frequency domain by numerical analysis and mathematical modeling of compensation, non-active components of current improvement methods were proposed as compensation non-active components under the non-sinusoidal and supply voltage unbalance and proved the effectiveness of its implementation.Table of ContentsPreface; Abbreviations List; Main Symbols; Analysis of the Problem of Compensation for Nonlinear Equipment Influence on Efficiency of the Operation of Electricity Supply System; Theory of Research in Energy Processes in Electromechanical Systems with Nonlinear Elements; Analytical Method for Determination of Harmonic Composition of Load Current for Calculation and Choice of Passive Filters; Analysis of Electric Circuits with Semiconductor Transducers; Analysis of Operation of the Compensation Systems in an Analytical Form in Electricity Supply Networks with a Nonlinear and Unbalanced Load; Mathematical Modeling and Analysis of the Operation of Systems of the Compensation for Current Nonactive Components under Conditions of Harmonic Distortions and Unbalance of Supply Network Voltage; Conclusion; References; Index.

Read more less

Book SynopsisFor centuries, human activity has been dominated by the need to fuel human civilization. Energy is unique: no other physical resource in society has had such a wide-ranging impact on our ecosystems, economy, public health, and personal liberties. And as the era of fossil fuels stumbles to a close in the West, much of the rest of the world is still just waking up to coal. We have found ourselves on the cusp of a transition in how we get energy that is both obvious and profoundly uncertain. We must decide our next steps quickly. How can we invest responsibly now in a way that will ensure our access to clean, affordable, and reliable energy for the decades to come?In Power Trip, energy expert Michael E. Webber takes readers on a global tour of energy's role in society across many regions and several hundred years. Starting with energy's end-uses and outcomes--water, food, wealth, cities, transportation, and war--Webber uncovers the complicated relationship our civilization has both with energy and its outputs. We've stimulated entrepreneurship, innovation, and opportunity beyond our wildest dreams--but it's come at the steep cost of accelerating climate change, geopolitical insecurity, increased economic inequality, and environmental degradation. Energy has proven to be something we can't live with, and we can't live without. But, as Webber argues, with long-term thinking, global interconnection, and an emphasis on conservation, we can simultaneously solve our energy supply's significant downsides while setting ourselves up for a much brighter future.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIf, in the ancient world, it was guns and germs and steel that determined the fates of people and nations, in modern times it is electricity. No other form of power translates into affluence and influence like it. Though demand for it is growing exponentially, it remains one of the most difficult forms of energy to supply and to do so reliably. Storage is even harder. This paradox has shaped global politics, affected the outcome of wars, and underlies the growing chasm between rich and poor, educated and uneducated. It is changing the game for business, and the requirements of national defence. It is altering the landscape and complicating the task of dealing effectively with climate change.In this book, Robert Bryce explains the unique nature of electricity as a commodity. He draws on stories from history to illustrate the stunning impact of our quest to harness it, illuminates exactly what is required to successfully sustain it, and explores the impact on societies and individuals when it collapses.As billions of people around the world still live in darkness, the gap between the electricity haves and have-nots widens, with profound political and ethical consequences. Modern life, even civilisation, has become ever more dependent on a source of energy that must be produced locally and in the moment, in a reliably steady stream at particular wattage, conveyed on wires strung on poles or threaded through pipes. If the lights go out, so does our manner of living, with potentially devastating consequences.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis academic, multi-author reference work serves as a general and non-technical resource for students and teachers to understand the importance of energy; to appreciate the influence of energy on societies around the world; to learn the history of energy; and to initiate educational discussion brought forth by the specific social and topical articles presented in the work. SCOPE AND COVERAGE From Alaska to China to Brazil and around the world, energy is the fuel of modern civilization. The United States alone, which constitutes 5 percent of the world's population, consumes 24 percent of the world's energy. Tracing the routes and roots of energy through history, especially since the Industrial Revolution, and explaining the current levels of energy use and production across the globe, this four-volume encyclopaedia will be the definitive reference to essential energy and power information. From ""clean coal"" to oil to windpower, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, the Encyclopedia of Energy is a world round-up of energy-related curricular disciplines, including: history, sociology, environmentalism, public policy, science, engineering, and business. Especially targeted toward high-school students, this outstanding reference work is edited to tie into the high-school curriculum, making the content readily accessible as well to patrons of public, academic, and university libraries. Pedagogical elements include a Topic Finder, Chronology, Resource Guide, Glossary, Appendix, and thorough index. Presented in four volumes in an A-to-Z format, the Encyclopedia of Energy is richly illustrated with photos, charts, and tables, all comprising a unique resource.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less