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Focusing on trends in energy supply and demand, this text provides students with a comprehensive account of the subject and an understanding of how to use data analysis and modeling to make future projections and study climate impacts. Developments in technology and policy are discussed in depth, including the role of coal, the fracking revolutions for oil and gas, the electricity grid, wind and solar power, battery storage, and biofuels. Trends in demand are also detailed, with analysis of industrial demands such as LEDs, air conditioning, heat pumps, and information technology, and the transportation demands of railroads, ships, and cars (including electric vehicles). The environmental impacts of the energy industry are considered throughout, and a full chapter is dedicated to climate change. Real-life case studies and examples add context, and over 400 full-color figures illustrate key concepts. Accompanied by a package of online resources including solutions, video examples, sample data, and PowerPoint slides, this is an ideal text for courses on energy and is accessible to a range of students from engineering and related disciplines.
List of contents
1. Preliminaries; 2. Horses, whales, and wood; 3. Models; 4. Coal; 5. Hydrocarbons; 6. Farming and fishing; 7. Electricity and the alternatives; 8. Stationary demand; 9. Transportation demand; 10. Climate change.
About the author
David B. Rutledge is the Tomiyasu Professor of Engineering, emeritus, at the California Institute of Technology. He is a founder of the Wavestream Corporation (a manufacturer of transmitters for satellite uplinks) and his recent research has focused on modeling for projections of energy supply. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and a recipient of the Teaching Award of the Associated Students at the California Institute of Technology.
Summary
Exploring historic and future trends in energy supply and demand, this text explains how to use modeling to make projections and study climate impacts. With color illustrations, real-life examples, homework exercises, and online teaching resources, it is ideal for courses on energy in engineering and related disciplines.
Report
'Filled with relevant facts, this book gives a unique insight into the many feedback mechanisms in the global energy balance. The connection to historical events and specific technological milestones, such as the invention of oral contraceptives, is eye-opening. Clear and no-nonsense data analysis teaches the reader a critical and quantitative approach to understanding energy supply and demand, and brings the topic to a personal level.' Zoya Popovic, University of Colorado, Boulder
