The Dynamics of Energy: Supply, Conversion, and Utilization

As mankind searches for energy alternatives with minimal environmental consequences and acceptable cost, it is necessary to identify valid areas of endeavor that can activate favorable energy sources and technological developments. Toward that end, The Dynamics of Energy: Supply, Conversion, and Utilization develops competence in energy matters on three levels: basic concepts, essential computations, and dynamic modeling.

The book reviews the laws of thermodynamics and rate relationships between flows and gradients as a foundation for subsequent topics. Using dynamic analysis, it examines the potential of current energy sources to serve the needs of a growing world economy. The text also describes key fossil conversion, renewable conversion, and utilization technologies. It presents a technique to assess efficiencies from ground (or harvest) to end use, explores the effects of energy use on the environment, and offers an introduction to dynamic modeling. The book concludes with a description of energy technologies that, if suitably employed, could configure a sustainable energy future.

Studying the dynamics of thermal systems is conducive to ascertaining what technologies could indeed make a difference for a desirable energy future. Suitable response time to demand and acceptable fuel lifetimes are necessary conditions for energy systems to compete in the marketplace. The planning effort that should lead the energy endeavor requires projection of the time span of pollution effects. Harnessing the flexibility and speed of VisSim? for dynamic modeling, this book provides the tools to model most thermal systems with moderate complexity. It also evaluates energy supplies, conversion, and end use.

Perez-Blanco (mechanical engineering, Pennsylvania State U.) explains that he writes here for three different levels of competency. Simply reading the text will introduce readers to the concepts of energy movement; the numeral examples explain simple calculations and further conceptual insights; and the simulation software provided on the enclosed disk can be used to develop skills in dynamic modeling. He begins with the laws of energy conservation and conversion. Then he discusses such aspects as equations for transient phenomena, fossil fuels and their technology, chain efficiencies from capture to utilization, energy and its sequels, and the future as a moving green target. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Assessing the existing and future possibilities of energy sources and technologies, this book helps develop competence in energy matters on three levels: basic concepts, essential computations, and dynamic modeling. It provides a complete portfolio of various energy technologies to enhance understanding of the present and enable innovative speculation about the energy future. The text contains numerical examples that further conceptual insights and uses dynamic modeling to show how different energy systems fulfill different needs in a timely manner. The accompanying CD-ROM includes VisSim(TM) examples while Simulink(R) examples and a trial version of VisSim are available for download online.