Keeping the Lights On: Towards Sustainable Electricity [Hardcover]

Walt Patterson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2007 | ISBN-10: 1844074560 | ISBN-13: 978-1844074563

�This is such a timely book. Combining extraordinary historical insight with the sharpest analysis of where we are now, Walt Patterson carves out the most applied and practical of 'road maps' as to where we need to go if we are to deliver a genuinely sustainable electricity system for the future. As we go into a period of considerable turbulence, primarily because of the impacts of climate change, Keeping The Lights On will undoubtedly be seen as a very well informed Guidebook.� JONATHON PORRITT CBE, CHAIR, UK SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION �A very important and timely book. Walt Patterson persuasively challenges traditional assumptions about how we think of energy and electricity, and presents an exciting vision of an innovative and sustainable future.� NICK MABEY, CHIEF EXECUTIVE, E3G (THIRD GENERATION ENVIRONMENTALISM), FORMER SENIOR ADVISER IN THE UK PRIME MINISTER�S STRATEGY UNIT �Walt has got this exactly right. It should be compulsive reading, if not compulsory reading, for all politicians and other players that determine or have a role to play in energy policy and, more importantly, in tackling climate change. Knowing what we know now, you would not implement such a wasteful and polluting electricity system as centralized power generation. As Walt has indicated, we do have to overcome the grid mindset of those who should know better.� ALLAN JONES MBE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, LONDON CLIMATE CHANGE AGENCY �What can I say? Clearly thought out, simply written, and straight to the heart of the major issues in energy today. I can�t think of anyone else who could bring together the technology, the economics, and the basic human relationship with energy that Walt has here. This is really great stuff.� RONAN PALMER, CHIEF ECONOMIST, UK ENVIRONMENT AGENCY �Fashions come and fashions go in the energy world. Security of supply, climate change and market liberalization have all vied for our attention. It�s good to have one voice that�s stayed constant over thirty years of turbulence and change. Keeping The Lights On distils Walt Patterson�s thinking over the last three decades. As ever, he provokes us to re-examine our own thinking about energy policy. Essential reading as we face up to new challenges.� PROFESSOR JIM SKEA OBE, RESEARCH DIRECTOR, UK ENERGY RESEARCH CENTRE 'Even more important now than when first released.' Energy News In Keeping The Lights On, Walt Patterson starts from a simple premise: that we are making a mess of energy, and this is endangering the planet. Using accessible, everyday language Patterson describes how we could do much better, outlining a different way to think about energy, what we want from it and how we get it. Drawing on over 35 years of work from one of the leading voices in the field, Keeping The Lights On explains how we could go about improving energy security and services while reducing costs and vulnerability, globally and rapidly. The book discusses the timely and heated debates surrounding energy and power, and emphasizes that electricity is about infrastructure; we have to stop treating it as a commodity. The result is a comprehensive introduction to the most important issues, providing the reader with innovative and expert ideas and solutions. Published with Royal Institute of International Affairs.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'...challenging, thought-provoking and very readable' Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers

Review

"Patterson shines his own penetrating light into the future of electricity, identifying some surprising possibilities He has a remarkable talent for explaining technical concepts in simple, compelling terms, and for drawing lessons from history that help define positive, possible futures. If you use electricity, you should read this book." —Ralph Torrie, Vice President, ICF International, Toronto

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 170 pages
• Publisher: Earthscan (August 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1844074560
• ISBN-13: 978-1844074563
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,506,707 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Important insights, a bit wordy, October 14, 2007

By 

William F. Davidson (Annapolis, MD) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Keeping the Lights On: Towards Sustainable Electricity (Hardcover)

Mr. Peterson presents important insights about the necessarily changing roles and inadequacies of the power grids, in developed and developing countries, and sadly widening gaps in public policy. I found it quite worth the price and time to read (I read it in two on a long plane rides), but I also found myself wanting him to stop repeating the same messages move on. To be fair, in his forward, he hints that the book was developed essentially as a stringing together of smaller articles, which may lend to its repetitive style. It is an important read for those in power-related public policy, and I will look forward to his next work.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great addition, August 13, 2007

By 

Jim Harding (Olympia, WA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Keeping the Lights On: Towards Sustainable Electricity (Hardcover)

A lot of conventional wisdom about the energy and electric utility business is shredded and left in tatters on the floor by this short but important book. It asks us to change the way we think and talk about electricity, how we regulate and sell it, and why we need to change all that to build a sustainable future over the long haul and keep the lights on meanwhile.

5.0 out of 5 stars A 'Lightbulb Moment' For Sustainable Energy Policy, August 12, 2007

By 

Gavin D. J. Harper (Essex England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Keeping the Lights On: Towards Sustainable Electricity (Hardcover)

I can highly recommend this book, without any hesitation, to anyone with even the vaguest interest in energy, sustainability and the environment.

At a time when many countries are concerned about climate change, energy security and the challenges that lie ahead; in maintaining our lifestyles in a world of scarce resources, Walt Patterson offers practical solutions and a prophetic vision for how we can adapt our energy industries to meet our future needs.

`Keeping the Lights On', makes for addictive reading, for anyone who is interested in how we are going to meet our insatiable need for electricity in the years to come. The book is pertinent and `of the age' as our governments' launch from policy blunder, to policy blunder, ignoring the lessons of the past and neglecting to think about the ramifications of their actions on our energy future.

Walt Patterson clearly distils over thirty-six years experience as the rational voice of energy policy into a publication which is both accessible and challenging. Walt Patterson brings to the book the benefit of his considerable knowledge and observation of the energy industry over the past several decades to the table, and communicates his vision of the future clearly and articulately.

His analysis is particularly timely, as having witnessed and documented the failures of the energy industry in the past, he can offer a considered; albeit fresh and inspiring take on the current decisions that are being made about our energy policy.

If you enjoy `Keeping the Lights On', I can also highly recommend `Transforming Electricity', also by the same author.