Alternative Energy For Dummies^?

by Rik DeGunther

• ISBN13: 9780470537053
• ISBN10: 0470537051
• Format: eBook
• Copyright: 2009-04-01
• Publisher: For Dummies

Summary

Get the truth about alternative energy and make it part of your lifeWant to utilize cleaner, greener types of energy? This plain-English guide clearly explains the popular forms of alternative energy that you can use in your home, your car, and more. Separating myth from fact, this resource explores the current fossil fuel conundrum, the benefits of alternatives, and the energy of the future, such as hydrogen and fuel cell technology.The ABCs of alternative energy - what it is, how it works, and what the real costs areWhere we are now - learn where our current energy comes from and how much longer it will lastTake the first step - see how energy efficiency and conservation can reduce your reliance on fossil fuelsGrasp the alternatives - from nuclear power to geothermal energy to wood burning, understand the benefits that alternative energy can have on the nationApply alternative fuels to transportation - from biofuels to exotic propulsion to electricity, see how they are best used and how hybrid, all-electric, and fuel cell-powered vehicles workGet a peek into the future - see what the outlook holds for each form of alternative energy discussedOpen the book and find:The pros and cons of alternative energyA review of the current world energy economyThe problems with fossil fuels, from smog to global warmingAdvantages of alternative energyPractical results of alternatives you can use in daily lifeGuidelines for investing in alternative energy vehiclesTen ways you can bring about change right nowInsight into the future of energy production - and how you can invest in it

Table of Contents

Introduction

The Basic Facts of Energy Life.

What a Mess!

What Energy Is and How It's Used (Politically and Practically)

Putting Together Each Piece of the Energy Puzzle

Digging Deeper into the Current State of Affairs.

Developing a Snapshot of Fossil Fuel Use and Availability

Burning Up with Conventional Energy Sources

The First Alternative-Energy Sources: Effi ciency and Conservation

Understanding the Demand For Alternatives

Alternatives - Buildings.

Going Nuclear

Harnessing the Sun with Solar Power

Treading Water with Hydropower

Blowing Away with Wind Power

Digging into Geothermal

Exploring Biomass

Burning Wood

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technologies

Alternatives - Transportation.

Alternative Transport Technologies

Alternative-Fuel Vehicles

Plugging In: Electric Vehicles

Hybrid-Electric Vehicles

Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Vehicles

Exotic Propulsion Systems

The Part of Tens.

Ten or So Myths about Energy

Ten-Plus Ways to Invest in an Alternative-Energy Future

Index

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.