First published in 2002. This book examines the full scope of technologies available to address the electricity supply crisis. The author details the tools and technologies available for incorporating smaller, cleaner, more efficient energy into energy management plans. He examines the role of new technologies in reducing operating costs and developing more innovative and practical approaches to energy management. Topics include implementation of alternative energy programs, management of power quality, cost-effective power generation solutions, cost-effective energy services, information monitoring and diagnostic systems, energy storage options, integration of lighting and cooling systems, and more.

The use of energy is being shaped by environmental issues including the fear of global warming. This has resulted in the development of renewable energy sources and more efficient building technology. Examining trends in energy efficiency, this book explores energy technologies and fuels, their prospects in a world with greenhouse gas restrictions. It looks at the technical and economic tradeoffs of traditional renewables such as wind and solar, as well as large scale PV and concentrated thermal power. It also considers biomass technologies. For each of these technologies, it discusses planning, siting, installation, operation and maintenance, health and safety, power conditioning, and efficiency innovations.

The hydrogen car has been proposed as the solution to our oil problems, but how would it work, and what potential problems associated with it? This book addresses these questions and provides specifics about current developments toward a hydrogen-based energy infrastructure. It offers the reader an informed look at the current state of fuel cell power and transportation technology, and where it's headed.

Emergency and Backup Power Sources: Preparing for Blackouts and Brownouts provides invaluable information on emergency and backup power sources, as we deal with an aging power distribution system that often fails to provide reliable power. The massive power outage in the summer of 2003 that affected eight states and parts of Canada exemplifies the importance of this topic.
You will find much useful information on the types of systems that can take over during power interruptions, such as standby power systems that employ batteries, kinetic energy storage, fuel cells, reciprocating engines, and turbines. Topics include power disturbances and interruptions, spikes and noise, sags and surges, surge suppression, voltages regulation, load management, power quality issues, reliability and maintainability, comparison of operating costs, environmental issues, blackout planning, emergency procedures, and more.

Revised and updated, Alternative Fuels addresses many of the factors affecting our energy use, including the availability and desirability of various fuels-especially the use of hydrogen. This new edition covers new hydrogen developments in technology, oil supplies and new drilling techniques, latest information on hydrogen highway projects, breakthroughs in fuel cell technology and ultra low emissions in transportation, the latest statistics on emerging oil markets, energy reserves, and carbon dioxide increases. Also included is material on energy policy, fuel supply trends, alternative scenarios, energy utilization, sustainable energy, cost analysis, fuel escalation, energy and development, regulatory issues, barriers to implementation, conversion systems, storage systems, thermodynamic efficiency, fuel chain efficiency, life-cycle efficiency, technology issues extracting, refining, air emission issues, safety, natural gas hydrogen gas, methanol, ethanol, steam reforming and fuel cells.