DeMYSTiFieD fuels your knowledge of tricky subjects like alternative energyIf you think a Maglev train is a child's toy, or learning about fusion makes your brain reach critical mass, "Alternative Energy DeMYSTiFieD," Second Editionwill power up your knowledge of this topic's fundamental concepts and theories at your own pace.
This practical guide eases you into this field of science, starting at primitive heating sources such ascoal and wood. As you progress, you will master the science behind alternative energies such as evaporative cooling, fuel-cell vehicles, aeroelectric power, and more. You will understand the difference between conventional fluorescent and compact fluorescent lamps as well as the benefits of large-scale wind power. Detailed examples make it easy to understand the material, and end-of-chapter quizzes and a final exam help reinforce key ideas.
"It's a no-brainer! You'll learn "Passive solar heatingThermal-mass coolingPropulsion with biofuelsElectric vehiclesLarge-scale hydropowerSemiconductor lampsGeothermal power
"Simple enough for a beginner, but challenging enough for an advanced student, Alternative Energy DeMYSTiFieD, Second Edition is your shortcut to a working knowledge of this timely topic.
I gave it a fast read, it is a very good book, perfect for anyone who want learn about all forms of energy systems in a run, extremely well illustrated, with a lot of math.
This is a very descriptive book that helps a normal everyday person understand how energy is obtained and created. The book is set up in a teaching format which can be kind of fun to test yourself after each chapter to see if you understand the concepts. The author, Stan Gibilisco, has a long chain of the "Demystified" books that cover many different subjects and all of which have high ratings as well. The best aspect about this book to me is the pros and cons list for each form of energy; it helps put in perspective how some forms work better than others. The pros and cons list is very thorough as it brings up very good points that an average person may not think of. I think that teaching this book will help bring some real life application and issues to the classroom. The variety in this book covers anything from the coal burners that power our house, to the gas and diesel engines that power our modes of transportation. If this book were to make it into the classroom, it would need to be an upper highscjool class that taught the book because there is some chemistry used in the book to help understand the makeup of the fuels needed to make energy. This book could help spark a kids interest to pursue a career in this subject.
Picked up in a second-hand charity bookshop, this dates to 2007 and has an American focus, but doesn't go into too much specifics on the political landscape, so most if not all of the book is still relevant, and applicable outside of the States.
A really good, clear and concise reference guide to all forms of power generation, covering the basics of electricity and every source imaginable, all the way up to nuclear fission and solar sails. As a student of energy policy, and as someone interested in resilience and off-gridding, this was a fascinating read, and I'll be keeping it as a reference book.
good general overview of pros and cons of different types. Lots of great diagrams, and enough detail for a non engineer like me to understand the concepts.