Energy and Us

About the Book

This book is not highly technical, but some knowledge of elementary chemistry would be helpful. It first presents an overview of energy which is followed by a discussion of the production, consumption, uses, reserves, costs, advantages and disadvantages of the four nonrenewable fuels: petroleum, natural gas, coal and uranium. A similar discussion of the renewable sources of energy (biomass, geothermal, tidal, solar, water and wind) is then given. Electricity, its uses and how it is generated, is then examined and is followed by a discussion of how and by whom energy is used. The pollution associated with energy and global warming are then considered, and finally, a historic review of energy policy is presented. An appendix on the history and science of energy is also provided for those who would like a general review of science before reading the remainder of the book.

About the Author

Glenn A. Gibson is a Professor Emeritus of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department of The University of Texas at El Paso. He holds a B.S.E.E degree from The University of Kansas and M.S.E. (electrical engineering), M.A. (mathematics) and Ph.D. (electrical engineering) degrees from Arizona State University. He has authored or coauthored a number of journal articles and conference papers and five textbooks, all published by Prentice-Hall, Inc. Although his previous work has almost entirely been computer-related, since retiring he has spent over five years studying and collecting data on all aspects of energy. This book is a simplified summation of his research. “When I began researching energy, I thought that our energy consumption would need to be significantly curtailed as our supply of fossil fuels dwindled. I felt that we would need to depend on future technological innovation to maintain our standard of living. I now believe that the needed technology is currently available and it is predominantly our resistance to change, not conservation or the lack of technology that will determine our energy future and our consequent standard of living. However, the cost of energy may experience a temporary rise and the way we obtain and use energy must change drastically.”