Energy Explained

Energy Explained presents a comprehensive overview of energy issues from the science, economics and public policy of electricity, oil and natural gas to the latest developments in renewable energy. Readers will learn how energy is produced, how it is bought and sold in global markets, and how it is used in modern society. Volume One concentrates on conventional energy sources, those that predominantly fuel the world we live in today, while Volume Two looks at alternative energy and how those sources work and may come to provide energy for the masses in the future.

Energy is truly the world's most vital commodity. It makes modern societies possible, and the decisions made regarding it have far-reaching repercussions. Every day stories about the price of oil, the resurgence of nuclear power, or the latest clean energy alternative can be found in mainstream news outlets across the country. Yet despite its high profile, energy remains largely misunderstood. People are confused, intimidated and generally discouraged from learning about energy, partly because the topic is so large and opaque, but also because the resources that do exist fail to provide an overall picture the average reader can understand. Here, in easily accessible language accompanied by simple illustrations of difficult concepts, the authors lay out the basics of energy in a palatable and refreshing way. Readers are treated to a vivid presentation of the basics of energy science, alongside the politics, economics, and social issues that impact its harnessing, distribution, and use. Anyone interested in how energy truly works will find answers in these pages that shed light on the past, present, and future of world energy.

1 Volume I: Conventional Energy
2 Preface - A call for Energy Literacy
3 Part 1: The World of Energy
4 Chapter 1: Why is this Topic so Important Now?
5 Chapter 2: A Brief History of Energy
6 Part 2: Oil, Oil Everywhere: The World of Oil
7 Chapter 3: Black Gold: A Brief History of Oil
8 Chapter 4: The Science and Technology of Oil
9 Chapter 5: Refining and Distribution
10 Chapter 6: How do Gasoline Prices Work?
11 Chapter 7: Peak Oil: How Much Do We Have Left?
12 Chapter 8: OPEC and the Role of the Oil Cartel
13 Chapter 9: Oil and the Environment
14 Chapter 10: The Future of Oil
15 Part 3: Fuel From Fossils
16 Chapter 11: King Coal
17 Chapter 12: Natural Gas
18 Chapter 13: Global Warming
19 Part 4: Power Up! The Incredible World of Electricity
20 Chapter 14: What is Electricity?
21 Chapter 15: Power Generation
22 Chapter 16: Transmission and Distribution
23 Chapter 17: Our Electric System
24 Part 5: Energy Policy
25 Chapter 18: Energy Policy at Home and Abroad
26 Chapter 19: Energy Market Regulation
27 Chapter 20: Deregulation
28 Volume II: Alternative Energy
29 Part 1: Renewable Energy
30 Chapter 1: Wind Energy
31 Chapter 2: Solar Energy
32 Chapter 3: Tidal Energy
33 Chapter 4: Biomass Energy
34 Chapter 5: Geothermal Energy
35 Chapter 6: Bottle That Electron! (Energy Storage)
36 Part 2: Energy and Transportation
37 Chapter 7: Land, Sea and Air - Energy in Transportation
38 Chapter 8: Fuels From Fossils (Revisited)
39 Chapter 9: Biodiesel
40 Chapter 10: Ethanol
41 Chapter 11: Hybrids, Plug-ins and Electric Vehicles
42 Chapter 12: Fuel Cells and Hydrogen
43 Chapter 13: The Road Ahead
44 Part 3: Energy Security
45 Chapter 14: Security, Reliability, Diversity and Independence
46 Chapter 15: Our Aging Power Grid
47 Chapter 16: Nuclear Energy
48 Chapter 17: The Geopolitics of Oil
49 Part 4: Energy Efficiency
50 Chapter 18: Reducing Energy Wastage
51 Chapter 19: Energy Efficiency Begins at Home
52 Chapter 20: Green Living
53 Chapter 21: Energy Efficiency on a Broader Scale
54 Part 5: A New Energy Economy
55 Chapter 22: Clean Tech Investments
56 Chapter 23: Energy, Economy, Jobs and Education
57 Chapter 24: The Coming Energy Revolution
58 Epilogue