Energizing Our Future: Rational Choices for the 21st Century

A comprehensive review of practical alternative energy choices for the twenty–first century Developing an environmentally benign and strategically sound energy economy for the twenty–first century is one of the biggest and most complex challenges of our time. Energizing Our Future surveys and analyzes in considerable depth the present and future economic and technical viability of all known potential energy sources in the context of real–world production, distribution, and environmental constraints. It addresses three critical energy–related topics that are causing great confusion in public debate—global warming, the hydrogen economy, and nuclear power—and gives readers an opportunity to form a grounded, factually correct foundation for understanding the energy challenge and develop their own informed and actionable opinion. Coverage includes: Global warming The hydrogen economy Nuclear energy and the plutonium economy Conventional oil and oil reserves Coal and bituminous reserves Biomass and ethanol Methanol Diesel and biodiesel Solar energy and photovoltaics Fuel cells for stationary and mobile use This insightful and much–needed perspective represents the first comprehensive review of the rational alternative energy choices for the twenty–first century. The subject matter is engaging and factual, enabling readers to grasp the gravity and urgency of impending choices, some of which will have to be made individually in practice. It is a must–read for political and industrial leaders, business and technology consultants, well–informed general readers, and students and teachers in chemistry, physics, engineering, energy technologies, politics, and the environmental sciences. John R. Wilson, PhD, is President of TMG/Energy, an energy consulting firm. Dr. Wilson is a chemical engineer and materials scientist who has taught at the University of Birmingham in the UK and at Queen?s University in Kingston, Ontario, and has worked extensively in the energy and automotive industries. Since 1987, Dr. Wilson has worked as a consultant to develop and implement numerous conventional and alternate energy technologies for a wide range of users. He has also collaborated in developing commercially successful biodegradable and composite materials.