Energy Technology and Directions for the Future [Hardcover]

John R. Fanchi PhD (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0122482913 | ISBN-13: 978-0122482915 | Publication Date: February 9, 2004 | Edition: 1

Energy: Technology and Directions for the Future presents the fundamentals of energy for scientists and engineers. It is a survey of energy sources that will be available for use in the 21st century energy mix. The reader will learn about the history and science of several energy sources as well as the technology and social significance of energy. Themes in the book include thermodynamics, electricity distribution, geothermal energy, fossil fuels, solar energy, nuclear energy, alternate energy (wind, water, biomass), energy and society, energy and the environment, sustainable development, the hydrogen economy, and energy forecasting. The approach is designed to present an intellectually rich and interesting text that is also practical.This is accomplished by introducing basic concepts in the context of energy technologies and, where appropriate, in historical context. Scientific concepts are used to solve concrete engineering problems.

The technical level of presentation presumes that readers have completed college level physics with calculus and mathematics through calculus of several variables. The selection of topics is designed to provide the reader with an introduction to the language, concepts and techniques used in all major energy components that are expected to contribute to the 21st century energy mix. Future energy professionals will need to understand the origin and interactions of these energy components to thrive in an energy industry that is evolving from an industry dominated by fossil fuels to an industry working with many energy sources.

* Presents the fundamentals of energy production for engineers, scientists, engineering professors, students, and anyone in the field who needs a technical discussion of energy topics.
* Provides engineers with a valuable expanded knowledge base using the U.S. National Academy of Sciences content standards.
* Examines the energy options for the twenty-first century as older energy sources quickly become depleted.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I recommend the book for anyone working in an energy related field who would like to get a better understanding of another part of the field or the subject of energy as a whole. Working engineers who would like a reference that crosses subject boundaries and collects important information about many of them in one place will find this book a useful reference. Educated readers who may not care about the equations presented, but still want a somewhat in-depth look at the subject of energy in its various forms and the problems faced to provide it can still get a good general understanding of the various forms of energy from this book. Students of any engineering or science discipline, who would like a good understanding of the various forms of energy, their production, and use, will find this book easily readable and immediately useful." - Saeid Mokhatab, Advisor of Natural Gas Engineering Research Projects, Chemical & Petroleum Engineering Department, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, USA

Book Description

The only textbook that present a survey of energy options for the technical-student.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 491 pages
• Publisher: Academic Press; 1 edition (February 9, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0122482913
• ISBN-13: 978-0122482915
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,690,565 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From a Practicing Electrical Engineer, November 28, 2005

By 

Keith Malmedal (Denver, CO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Energy Technology and Directions for the Future (Hardcover)

I found this book very interesting and instructive. I would recommend it for anyone working in one energy-related field who would like to know more about the field as a whole.

I work as an electrical engineer and I found it gave me a better understanding of different types of energy. Fossil based, nuclear based, and renewable sources are covered here along with very useful background information.

This book is also useful as a reference by collecting equations and other information from several branches of engineering and science in one book.

If you work in an engineering field you will find many of the equations familiar. It will also introduce you to the fundamentals of parts of the energy field you may not know much about in an understandable way. Even if you chose not to spend too much time with the equations this text gives an excellent basic understanding of the various fields related to energy production and use.

I also enjoyed this text because it does not try to push some energy agenda, as many books on energy try to do. The author does not include a bunch of statistics that try to hide unpleasant facts while giving a too rosy picture of one type or energy or another. In my opinion it presented an even-handed look at the various types of energy as well as some subjects you may not have identified as energy related before reading this book.

I would recommend this book for:

1. Anyone workiing in an energy related field who would like to get a better understanding of another part of the field or the subject of energy as a whole.

2. A working engineer who would like a reference that crosses subject boundries and collects important information about many of them in one place.

3. An educated reader who may not care about the equations presented, but still wants a somewhat in-depth look at the subject of energy in its various forms and the problems faced to provide it. (Don't let the description of the book intimidate you. Even if you totally ignore the equations you can still get a good general understanding of the various forms of energy from this book.)

4. A student of any engineering or science dicipline who would like a good understanding of the various forms of energy, their producion, and use.

This book may prompt you to do further research into one of the topics covered here. I highly recommend this book.