Renewable Energy: A First Course / Edition 2

by Robert Ehrlich, Harold A. Geller

Overview

This revised edition is fully updated and continues to provide the best in-depth introduction to renewable energy science. It focuses mainly on renewable energy, but also addresses nonrenewable energy (fossil fuels and nuclear technology). The coverage extends from the basic physics to conservation, economic, and public policy issues, with strong emphasis on explaining how things work in practice. The authors avoid technical jargon and advanced math, but address fundamental analytical skills with wide application, including:

• Two brand new chapters giving an introduction to population dynamics and statistical analysis for energy studies
  
• Additional self-study problems and answers
• More worked examples
• Up-to-date coverage of areas such as hydraulic fracturing, integration of renewable energy to power grid, and cost.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781498736954
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	11/08/2017
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	490
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 10.90(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Robert Ehrlich is a professor of physics emeritus at George Mason University. He earned his BS in physics from Brooklyn College and his PhD from Columbia University. He is a fellow of the American Physical Society. He formerly chaired the physics departments at George Mason University and SUNY New Paltz and has taught physics for nearly four decades.

Dr. Ehrlich is an elementary particle physicist and has worked in a ­number of other areas as well. He has authored or edited 20 books and about 100 journal articles. His current scholarly interests include ­renewable energy and the existence of faster-than-light particles.

Harold A. Geller is an associate professor of physics and astronomy at George Mason University. He earned his BS from the University of the State of New York, Albany; his MA in astronomy and informatics; and his doctorate in education from George Mason University. Dr. Geller has been teaching physics and astronomy for over a quarter century. He has been the Associate Chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy; manager of Washington Operations for the Consortium for International Earth Science Information Networks; program manager at Science Applications International Corporation; and, doctoral fellow of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. He has authored or edited 7 books, and has published about 85 papers in education, astrobiology, astrophysics, and biochemistry. His current scholarly interests include energy and the environment; the search for life in the universe; and the exploration of space.

Table of Contents

Introduction. Fossil Fuels. Nuclear Power: Basic Science. Nuclear Power: Technology. Biofuels. Geothermal Energy. Wind Power. Hydropower. Solar Radiation and Earth’s Climate. Solar Thermal. Photovoltaics. Energy Conservation and Efficiency. Energy Storage and Transmission. Data Analytics and Risk Assessment: An Overview. The Dynamics of Population: An Overview. Climate and Energy: Policy, Politics, and Public Opinion. Answers to Even-Numbered Problems. Appendices. Useful Physical Constants. Useful Conversion Factors

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Professor Ehrlich has succeeded in writing a clear, relevant and well-organized book that is very close to a perfect fit for the kind of course I want to teach. This text provides a nice balance between discussing the applied physical principles in energy production and describing state-of-the art technology in the energy field. The text is very clear and readable, and I found the problem sets to be excellent learning tools."
—Professor John Smedley, Bates College, Lewiston, Maine, USA

Editorial Reviews

"This book can help you understand and communicate about topics involving physics of renewable energy. Many good features occupy the over-400 pages of this book. Most importantly, Ehrlich places renewable energy technologies within a context that makes sense for environmental professionals. … deserves a place on the bookshelf of people working on energy projects …"
—John H. Perkins, Environmental Practice, December 2013

"Professor Ehrlich has succeeded in writing a clear, relevant and well-organized book that is very close to a perfect fit for the kind of course I want to teach. This text provides a nice balance between discussing the applied physical principles in energy production and describing state-of-the art technology in the energy field. The text is very clear and readable, and I found the problem sets to be excellent learning tools."
—Professor John Smedley, Bates College, Lewiston, Maine, USA

"Ehrlich’s readable style with humorous touches keeps the reader engaged. I can see this book as being a well-thumbed text by a wide spectrum of science students and others involved in learning about the central importance of energy security for societies. I strongly recommend Renewable Energy: A First Course for advanced level or introductory level graduate students and teachers or lecturers of these courses."
—Alexander Waller, CBiol MSB

From the Publisher