Alternative Energy: Facts, Statistics, and Issues

(Paperback)

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Description

As gas and utility prices rise and the concerns about global warming grow, people are taking a renewed interest in alternative forms of energy. But finding comprehensive information on this popular topic is often difficult. Alternative Energy, by Paula Berinstein, is a one-stop source for information about alternative energy and the context in which it operates. Written for the lay person, Alternative Energy includes - Descriptions of different alternative energies and how they work - Pros and cons of each technology - Statistics - Information about the steps needed to make alternative energy practical - News on the latest technical developments - Recent legislation affecting particular alternative energies To provide background, the author includes a chapter on the different types of conventional energy and how they work. She then defines what alternative energy is and dispels some common misconceptions about the field; for example, alternative energy is not synonymous with green energy. Other chapters include information on such topics as - Solar energy - Biomass energy - Wind energy - Ocean energy - Fusion energy - Geothermal energy - Hydrogen energy Also included are chapters on energy storage, transportation, fuel cells, energy efficiency, buildings, appliances, and exotic or unusal sources of energy. Each chapter has an "At a Glance" section for easy access to the most pertinent information on that technology or topic, an overview of how the technology works, and statistics. A timeline of important technology developments and relevant legislation concludes each chapter.

Reviews

.,."a one-stop resource for information about alternative energy and the context in which it operates. Readers can access the most current research in the area, including the companies that are heavily engaged in it."-Business Horizons
"This excellent handbook writes its own very accurate review in its preface: "While a mountain of information about alternative energy exists, laying one's hands on a concise summary of the state of the art remains difficult. Hence, this volume, which gathers disparate and scattered information, provides a pithy overview of the industry, and the context in which it operates..,."well documented, and very interesting volume."-SB & F
...a one-stop resource for information about alternative energy and the context in which it operates. Readers can access the most current research in the area, including the companies that are heavily engaged in it.-Business Horizons
Berinstein's writing is clear, and she provides many charts and illustrations from a variety of sources, along with glossaries, bibliographies, and an index, all of which make finding detailed information a simple task. All levels.-Choice
Paula Berinstein's handbook is an excellent resource with a myriad of uses. This guide acts as a quick, ready reference for specialists in physics and alternative energies, but it also doubles as a thorough overview of alternative energies for the novice....This handy guide would be suitable for any science collection, whether in an academic library, public library, or high school media center. It is a very easily employed resource that would serve many reference collections well.-E-STREAMS
The layout is attractive, with pictures, diagrams, and numerous "At a Glance" information boxes complementing the text....having so much data in one volume is very handy. Of interest to academic and public library patrons; researchers in industry libraries will find the numbers useful.-Library Journal
This excellent handbook writes its own very accurate review in its preface: "While a mountain of information about alternative energy exists, laying one's hands on a concise summary of the state of the art remains difficult. Hence, this volume, which gathers disparate and scattered information, provides a pithy overview of the industry, and the context in which it operates..,."well documented, and very interesting volume.-SB & F
Well organized and well written, with abundant tables and figures, a glossary, and a modest bibliography, this accessible work should appeal to general audiences as well as provide information to specialists. It is, moreover, mercifully free of the polemic and finger-pointing that too often characterizes books on this subject.-American Reference Books Annual
..."a one-stop resource for information about alternative energy and the context in which it operates. Readers can access the most current research in the area, including the companies that are heavily engaged in it."-Business Horizons
"Berinstein's writing is clear, and she provides many charts and illustrations from a variety of sources, along with glossaries, bibliographies, and an index, all of which make finding detailed information a simple task. All levels."-Choice
"The layout is attractive, with pictures, diagrams, and numerous "At a Glance" information boxes complementing the text....having so much data in one volume is very handy. Of interest to academic and public library patrons; researchers in industry libraries will find the numbers useful."-Library Journal
"Well organized and well written, with abundant tables and figures, a glossary, and a modest bibliography, this accessible work should appeal to general audiences as well as provide information to specialists. It is, moreover, mercifully free of the polemic and finger-pointing that too often characterizes books on this subject."-American Reference Books Annual
"Paula Berinstein's handbook is an excellent resource with a myriad of uses. This guide acts as a quick, ready reference for specialists in physics and alternative energies, but it also doubles as a thorough overview of alternative energies for the novice....This handy guide would be suitable for any science collection, whether in an academic library, public library, or high school media center. It is a very easily employed resource that would serve many reference collections well."-E-STREAMS

Author Bio

PAULA BERINSTEIN is the author of several books, including Finding Statistics Online and Finding Images Online. She has run her own research company where she located statistics for clients; she has programmed computers and designed databases in the aerospace industry, and she has worked as a reference librarian in science and technology libraries and in news libraries. For more information, please visit the author's web site at http://www.berinsteinresearch.com.