Description
Book SynopsisThe myths and facts about alternative fuels--and how they impact our lives As the price of energy continues to soar, so too has the demand for alternative energy. But there's no clear winner in the race to replace fossil fuels.
Trade Review"...this book really does offer a comprehensive picture of the possible future of energy...well priced." (UK-Energy-Saving.com, August 6th 2009)
Table of ContentsIntroduction 1
Part I: The Basic Facts of Energy Life 9
Chapter 1: What a Mess! 11
Chapter 2: What Energy Is and How It’s Used (Politically and Practically) 25
Chapter 3: Putting Together Each Piece of the Energy Puzzle 37
Part II: Digging Deeper into the Current State of Affairs 57
Chapter 4: Developing a Snapshot of Fossil Fuel Use and Availability 59
Chapter 5: Burning Up with Conventional Energy Sources 73
Chapter 6: The First Alternative-Energy Sources: Efficiency and Conservation 95
Chapter 7: Understanding the Demand For Alternatives 113
Part III: Alternatives — Buildings 127
Chapter 8: Going Nuclear 129
Chapter 9: Harnessing the Sun with Solar Power 151
Chapter 10: Treading Water with Hydropower 177
Chapter 11: Blowing Away with Wind Power 191
Chapter 12: Digging into Geothermal 207
Chapter 13: Exploring Biomass 221
Chapter 14: Burning Wood 235
Chapter 15: Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technologies 249
Part IV: Alternatives — Transportation 261
Chapter 16: Alternative Transport Technologies 263
Chapter 17: Alternative-Fuel Vehicles 271
Chapter 18: Plugging In: Electric Vehicles 283
Chapter 19: Hybrid-Electric Vehicles 297
Chapter 20: Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Vehicles 307
Chapter 21: Exotic Propulsion Systems 315
Part V: The Part of Tens 325
Chapter 22: Ten or So Myths about Energy 327
Chapter 23: Ten-Plus Ways to Invest in an Alternative-Energy Future 335
Index 343
