Energy Power Shift: Benefiting from Today's New Technologies [Paperback]

Barry J. Hanson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2004

Energy Power Shift describes a host of exciting emerging technologies enabling communities to produce their own transportation fuels, electricity and heat. The book argues that the US has five times the renewable energy needed for all energy services using local resources and waste streams, and that money currently spent on energy could create instead thousands of new jobs. This analysis of the science, engineering and economics of renewable energy provides a blueprint for an elegant energy solution spurring a new wave of economic development.

Barry J. Hanson, a chemist and a mechanical design engineer, is renewable energy consultant in Wisconsin.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Barry J. Hanson, a chemist and a mechanical design engineer, currently works as a renewable energy consultant. Their home and business uses passive solar, wind and PV, located a mile from the nearest utility line. This book evolved from a conference presentation on "energy and the military" in August 2002.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Lakota Press (September 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0975850008
• ISBN-13: 978-0975850008
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,713,894 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must read for people interested in Renewable Energy, July 23, 2005

By 

Marc A. Franke "Writer & speaker: energy, pol... (Iowa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Energy Power Shift: Benefiting from Today's New Technologies (Paperback)

This book addresses the issue..."Can we really get off of fossil fuels or nuclear energy?". The author says...Yes! Since 9-11 I've been reading everything I could find on renewable energy and have begun to lecture about renewable fuels (biodiesel in particular). I'm also on the board of directors of our state's renewable energy association. This book gives a great overview of renewable energy technologies. Much of what I have learned in 3 years of research is covered in this book and quite a lot more.

If you are interested in renewable energy at all, you owe it to yourself to read this book. If you are not interested in renewable energy... you should look into how our economic and national security is gravely at risk because of our dependence on imported fuels. Remember the how the recessions of the 70's and 80's were preceeded by energy shortages? It can happen again. It will happen again.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A concise overview of today's alternative energy technology, January 12, 2005

By 

Michael A. Linden (Falcon Heights, MN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Energy Power Shift: Benefiting from Today's New Technologies (Paperback)

In this recently published book, the author gives a complete, concise overview of alternative energy resources. What I like most about the book is that most of the technology presented in the book is currently available and economically realistic. I think that this book will serve as a resource to all those who would like to increase their knowledge base about non-fossil fuel technologies. Furthermore, I hope that it serves as a platform to evoke dialogue... our current economy is dependent on fossil fuel consumption, but it does not need to be. "Energy Power Shift" demonstrates how we can make changes today that will be better for the environment AND the economy. I highly recommend this book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must Read for Renewable Energy, January 30, 2006

By 

CSM "BioConversion Blog" (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Energy Power Shift: Benefiting from Today's New Technologies (Paperback)

I would almost say it is mandatory reading for anyone seriously seeking to develop a reasoned opinion on renewable energy issues. And it is surprisingly easy to read in spite of the technical subject matter.

The scope of the book includes not only a discussion of basic energy concepts and breakthrough technologies (stay tuned for future updates), but also discussions about how energy is acquired, how much is wasted, how much do we really need, how much do we have, and the economic strategies necessary to get there.

What I particularly like about the book:
* The simple graphic presentation of quantified data.
* The extensive footnoting and bibliography.
* The segmented URL listing of internet resources.
* The glossary of terms.

What is missing is a discussion of ethanol and ethanol production processes. He talks in depth about Thermal Conversion Process (TCP) as developed by Changing World Technologies, Inc. and "fast pyrolysis". But he gives no mention to syngas fermentation, enzymatic hydrolysis, or even sugar fermentation - for which there are over 85 production plants in the country producing 2% of U.S. liquid fuel requirements.