Customer Reviews

Energy Power Shift: Benefiting from Today's New Technologies

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Before reading this book I didn't realize how much technology is emerging for renewable energy. The book is a bit repetitive and I find myself suspicious of Mr. Hanson's claims about the possibilities of renewable energy. However, spot checking with a few Google searches I'm finding articles that appear to substantiate the information in this book.