December 22, 2009
Sustainable Energy – Without the Hot Air
Posted by: andrew99 : Category: Energy
- ISBN13: 9780954452933
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
Product Description
Addressing the sustainable energy crisis in an objective manner, this enlightening book analyzes the relevant numbers and organizes a plan for change on both a personal level and an international scale—for Europe, the United States, and the world. In case study format, this informative reference answers questions surrounding nuclear energy, the potential of sustainable fossil fuels, and the possibilities of sharing renewable power with foreign countries. While un… More >>
Sustainable Energy – Without the Hot Air
December 22nd, 2009 at 8:37 am
The overall condition of the book was good. The shipping arrival was good. However, the front cover of the book has a large cut running from left to right about a third of the way down from the top, starting from the spine and extending to about halfway across the front. The cut penetrated the front cover and the first page of the book. The cut appears clean, as if a knife was being used. This must have occurred before the book was placed in the final package as the package was not damaged and the package was opened by separating the layers of one end of the box and sliding the book out.
Rating: 1 / 5
December 22nd, 2009 at 11:25 am
Prof. MacKay did an excellent job – easily the most informative current book on energy.
BUT Amazon sent me a pirated draft copy full of errors, misplaced paragraphs etc.
I protested to Amazon – no response except for a belated response from Jeff Pohlman – who I assume is the pirating publisher.
The original publisher in England “UIT Cambridge” generously rose to the occasion and sent me a replacement copy.
My next order will go to Barnes & Noble
Gerry McDonald
Rating: 5 / 5
December 22nd, 2009 at 11:39 am
Sustainable Energy – Without the Hot Air is a brilliant and entertaining introduction to the Energy Dilemma: We are using so much fossil fuel that we inevitably will cause catastrophe through global warming inside one hundred years, AND we will run out of economic fossil fuel, which is currently a necessity for the way we live, but most countries have no sustainable source of renewable energy.
The book is so good because it addresses the fundamental question of “What do I believe” with really simple physics (and yes there are some equations)for the energy we use, and the energy we can generate. Scientists have known for one hundred years that this is the only way we EVER can know about the future, but we still try to use “proofs” using Aristotelian logic when we talk to the media: it doesn’t work because it is, literally “illogical” and while arguing from analogy may help you understand,it does not form a basis for KNOWING.
David MacKay also moves to “solutions”: which are sound enough for addressing the Fossil Fuel Running Out, but getting from “here” time to “there” time will be too late to save the Arctic: for that we need much greater reductions by 2020. Still, those technologies needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 will come straight out of the simple physics and equations so beautifully presented here. When we look back in ten years and ask, what initiated the rapid shift to lightweight commuter vehicles, shorter legs on international flights, and “passive house” acceptance, I think we will source the movement to these simple equations.
Rating: 5 / 5
December 22nd, 2009 at 12:49 pm
One of the three core drivers to Dynamic Work is Environmental especially through the carbon footprint reduction of reduced commuting and business travel. Anyone who takes a serious interest in this side must read the definitive work on the energy calculus (which being primarily hydro-carbon fed is also directly proportionate to carbon impact), must read the definitive, authoritative, objective and comprehensive analysis `Without Hot Air.’ It breaks through the myths of the Green movement and Establishment intransigents. It is the Rosetta Stone of the cacophonous eco-debate.
If one really wants to understand the simple, cold numbers about energy production and consumption, current and potential, in the world today, it is the definitive, objective work. It puts into perspective all of the various components of `greening’ one life. It takes no issue with people who want to do every little thing to help, but in the concept of broader strategy and policy, it makes the compelling point that scale and perspective are essential. One can be penny-wise and pound foolish. One can expend lots of energy and focus on low yield initiatives (or even counter productive ones), when certain other initiatives deliver much bigger gains. Author David MacKay contradicts the common refrain of activists who say `every little helps’. He asserts, the reality is that `every big helps.’
In this fully objective, very comprehensive catalogue of energy outgoings by worldwide society, the second biggest use of energy is car travel. Car travel, especially in the context of commuting and other business travel, is a major benefit to Dynamic Work where workers’ activities are more closely aligned to `where they are available.’
Bruce ([...]
Rating: 5 / 5
December 22nd, 2009 at 2:30 pm
MacKay’s attempt to provide an insight to the real numbers involved in the overall energy challenge and to make people think is highly laudable. Unfortunately, he is not always very exact with his assumptions (and garbage in -> garbage out…) Just one example: he assumes an average wind speed for the UK of 6 m/s, but a brief look at the European wind atlas [...] instead of guessing would have told him that e.g. for the whole of Scotland the value (on hills and ridges where wind turbines are placed usually) is at least twice as high, therefore he underestimated the available energy (which goes with the cube of the wind speed) by a factor of 8 there (in fact, for a value of 6 m/s you’d have to look for some sheltered place even in the rest of the UK!) There are other arguable assumptions, but since all his calculations are very easy to follow it’s no big deal to replace faulty input with some more realistic data in order to get a more accurate picture. In any case, many of his general conclusions are still valid. Overall a highly recommended book for people who are not too lazy to think for themselves!
Rating: 4 / 5