Key Features:
The only text to provide a fresh, contemporary perspective on energy and sustainability for an undergraduate audience
- Includes extensive coverage of the important concepts and issues underpinning modern energy production
- Gives detailed descriptions of the main methods used to produce energy today
- Lavishly illustrated with full-colour photographs and diagrams
- Boxes throughout the text present in-depth case studies and further explanation of more advanced topics
- Written by an experienced and authoritative course team at the Open University
Description:
Energy Systems and Sustainability provides a thorough introduction to the economic, social, environmental and policy issues raised by current systems of energy use, as well as describing their key physical and engineering features.
The book begins with an introductory account of the present world energy situation. This is followed by chapters explaining basic energy concepts and describing the magnitudes and patterns of human energy needs.
The central part of the book deals with the historical evolution and present status of the conventional fossil and nuclear fuelled energy systems that, along with hydropower and traditional biofuels, currently supply the majority of the world's commercial energy needs. A section on economics describes the basic methods by which the monetary costs of energy are calculated, and discusses the issue of the 'external' costs of energy production.
The concluding sections then deal with the sustainability problems associated with both fossil and nuclear fuel use and ways in which these might be ameliorated by various technological developments.
The interdisciplinary approach of the book will appeal not only to specialists but also to non-specialist readers who wish to improve their understanding of these complex and increasingly important issues.
This book will be an ideal companion to the forthcoming second edition of Renewable Energy by Godfrey Boyle, which deals with the different forms of renewable energy and how these can be utilised.
Competition:
Energy; A Guidebook, 2nd Edition by Janet Ramage. Published 1997, £9.99. Publisher: Oxford University Press. Comments: Covers some of the field at a more popular level. HOW WE CAN DIFFERENTIATE OUR TEXT: Janet Ramage is one of the principal authors of Energy Systems & Sustainability and her material will cover similar topics but in greater depth.
Energy for a Sustainable World by Goldemburg et al. Published 1988, £12.50. Publisher: John Wiley. Comments: Covers much of the field. HOW WE CAN DIFFERENTIATE OUR TEXT: Aimed at policy makers rather than students. Much has changed since 1988 and the book is now out of date in a number of respects.
CONTRIBUTORS:
Godfrey Boyle, Bob Everett, Janet Ramage, David Crabbe, David Elliott, Stephen Peake
All of the contributors are from the Open University in the UK
Contents:
Godfrey Boyle: Introductory Overview; Janet Ramage: Primary Energy; Bob Everett and Janet Ramage: Energy Needs; Janet Ramage: Forms of Energy; Janet Ramage: Coal; Janet Ramage and Bob Everett: Heat to Motive Power; David Crabbe: Oil and Gas; Janet Ramage, Bob Everett, David Crabbe: Engines and Turbines; Janet Ramage and Bob Everett: The Rise of Electric Power; Janet Ramage: Principles of Nuclear Power; David Elliott: The Future of Nuclear Power; Bob Everett: Principles of Energy Costing; Janet Ramage, Bob Everett, Stephen Peake, Godfrey Boyle: Penalties; Godfrey Boyle: Remedies
The only text to provide a fresh, contemporary perspective on energy and sustainability for an undergraduate audience
- Includes extensive coverage of the important concepts and issues underpinning modern energy production
- Gives detailed descriptions of the main methods used to produce energy today
- Lavishly illustrated with full-colour photographs and diagrams
- Boxes throughout the text present in-depth case studies and further explanation of more advanced topics
- Written by an experienced and authoritative course team at the Open University
Description:
Energy Systems and Sustainability provides a thorough introduction to the economic, social, environmental and policy issues raised by current systems of energy use, as well as describing their key physical and engineering features.
The book begins with an introductory account of the present world energy situation. This is followed by chapters explaining basic energy concepts and describing the magnitudes and patterns of human energy needs.
The central part of the book deals with the historical evolution and present status of the conventional fossil and nuclear fuelled energy systems that, along with hydropower and traditional biofuels, currently supply the majority of the world's commercial energy needs. A section on economics describes the basic methods by which the monetary costs of energy are calculated, and discusses the issue of the 'external' costs of energy production.
The concluding sections then deal with the sustainability problems associated with both fossil and nuclear fuel use and ways in which these might be ameliorated by various technological developments.
The interdisciplinary approach of the book will appeal not only to specialists but also to non-specialist readers who wish to improve their understanding of these complex and increasingly important issues.
This book will be an ideal companion to the forthcoming second edition of Renewable Energy by Godfrey Boyle, which deals with the different forms of renewable energy and how these can be utilised.
Competition:
Energy; A Guidebook, 2nd Edition by Janet Ramage. Published 1997, £9.99. Publisher: Oxford University Press. Comments: Covers some of the field at a more popular level. HOW WE CAN DIFFERENTIATE OUR TEXT: Janet Ramage is one of the principal authors of Energy Systems & Sustainability and her material will cover similar topics but in greater depth.
Energy for a Sustainable World by Goldemburg et al. Published 1988, £12.50. Publisher: John Wiley. Comments: Covers much of the field. HOW WE CAN DIFFERENTIATE OUR TEXT: Aimed at policy makers rather than students. Much has changed since 1988 and the book is now out of date in a number of respects.
CONTRIBUTORS:
Godfrey Boyle, Bob Everett, Janet Ramage, David Crabbe, David Elliott, Stephen Peake
All of the contributors are from the Open University in the UK
Contents:
Godfrey Boyle: Introductory Overview; Janet Ramage: Primary Energy; Bob Everett and Janet Ramage: Energy Needs; Janet Ramage: Forms of Energy; Janet Ramage: Coal; Janet Ramage and Bob Everett: Heat to Motive Power; David Crabbe: Oil and Gas; Janet Ramage, Bob Everett, David Crabbe: Engines and Turbines; Janet Ramage and Bob Everett: The Rise of Electric Power; Janet Ramage: Principles of Nuclear Power; David Elliott: The Future of Nuclear Power; Bob Everett: Principles of Energy Costing; Janet Ramage, Bob Everett, Stephen Peake, Godfrey Boyle: Penalties; Godfrey Boyle: Remedies