Alternative Energy: Facts, Statistics, and Issues

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.