Archive for January, 2011

Renewable and Alternative Energy Resources: A Reference Handbook (Contemporary World Issues)

January 31st, 2011

Are renewable and alternative energy solutions needed to combat many of the negative effects of fossil fuel (including global warming)? Can such solutions be “clean,” and still economically viable? For readers wanting clear, objective answers to questions like these, this fascinating, highly informative volume is the ideal source.

Renewable and Alternative Energy Resources: A Reference Handbook provides an authoritative, unbiased overview of existing and potential renewable and alternative energy technologies, covering the benefits and drawbacks associated with each. It then looks at a number of specific questions and controversies on this issue, examining the social, political, and economic aspects of renewable and alternative energy use in the United States and other countries—detailing different approaches and activities of international organizations, national governments, and private sector initiatives.

List Price: $ 55.00

Price: $ 55.00

Energy 2050: Making the Transition to a Secure Low Carbon Energy System

January 31st, 2011

The United Kingdom is committed to reducing its gas emissions by at least 80% by 2050, a target that will only be achieved by transforming the way that energy is supplied and used. At the same time there are anxieties about the security of energy provision in terms of European dependency on natural gas and the reliability of electric supply. This book explores in detail those factors which could help or hinder the attainment of the UK’s climate change targets, and how these factors interact with the parallel objective of maintaining a robust and secure energy system. The book is the result of a major national energy research effort by the UK Energy Research Center, which includes some of the UK’s leading energy experts. The results and recommendations are essential reading for policymakers, professionals, researchers and anyone concerned with achieving large-scale reductions in carbon emissions, both from the UK and internationally.

List Price: $ 84.95

Price: $ 64.84

The Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI) – Mission Description and Early Results

January 31st, 2011

The Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI) satellite was launched on 5 February 2002. Its objective is to study the energy release and particle acceleration in solar flares through observations of X-rays and gamma rays. Two novel technologies are combined to obtain both spectra and images over a broad energy range. For the spectroscopy, cooled hyperpure germanium detectors are used to cover the energy range from 3 keV to 17 MeV with unprecedented keV-class resolution. Since focusing optics are not possible for making images with such high energy photons, tungsten and molybdenum absorbing grids are used to modulate the X-rays and gamma-rays coming from the Sun as the spacecraft rotates. This allows the spatial Fourier components of the source to be determined so that images can be made in spectral ranges where astronomical images have never been produced before. These new instrumental techniques require equally innovative software to reconstruct X-ray and gamma-ray spectra and images from the observations.
Ample solar activity, abundant observations, and an open data policy have attracted many researchers. Astronomers face in the RHESSI mission an exciting new scientific potential. It has unusually broad possibilities for improving our understanding of the enigmatic solar flare phenomenon that is becoming increasingly important as society depends more and more on space-based technologies.
In this volume, the functioning of RHESSI is explained, the data analysis techniques including spectroscopy and image reconstruction are introduced, and the experiences of the first few months of operation are summarized. First scientific results are presented that provide the essential base for more extended studies using RHESSI data and complementary observations by instruments on other spacecraft and at ground-based solar observatories.
The accompanying CD-ROM contains X-ray and EUV movies showing the dynamics of several solar flares. It also contains color versions of the graphics in the printed papers and additional material.
Scientists and students will find here the latest discoveries in solar flare research, as well as inspiration for future work. The papers will serve as references for the many new discoveries to come from the continuing RHESSI observations.

List Price: $ 199.00

Price: $ 139.00

Alternative Energy For Dummies

January 31st, 2011

Get the truth about alternative energy and make it part of your life

Want 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 are
  • Where we are now — learn where our current energy comes from and how much longer it will last

  • Take the first step — see how energy efficiency and conservation can reduce your reliance on fossil fuels

  • Grasp the alternatives — from nuclear power to geothermal energy to wood burning, understand the benefits that alternative energy can have on the nation

  • Apply 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 work

  • Get a peek into the future — see what the outlook holds for each form of alternative energy discussed

Open the book and find:

  • The pros and cons of alternative energy
  • A review of the current world energy economy

  • The problems with fossil fuels, from smog to global warming

  • Advantages of alternative energy

  • Practical results of alternatives you can use in daily life

  • Guidelines for investing in alternative energy vehicles

  • Ten ways you can bring about change right now

  • Insight into the future of energy production — and how you can invest in it

List Price: $ 21.99

Price: $ 5.78

A Renewable World: Energy, Ecology, Equality

January 30th, 2011

Climate change and energy shortages are set to become the greatest challenges for humanity in the twenty-first century. While a few reports have given some indication about what can be done to come to grips with these problems, very little has been written about how these necessary changes can be brought about. A Renewable World outlines the key steps needed to make the crucial transition actually happen.

The latest climate research indicates that the challenge facing us is not just the reduction of our annual global emissions of greenhouse gases, but of their actual concentrations in the atmosphere. After years of inaction, urgent and comprehensive action is now needed to turn an existential crisis for humanity into an opportunity to secure the well-being and prosperity of present and future generations.

This book shows how we can:

  • Accelerate the renewable energy revolution
  • Renew our local economies and our urban habitat
  • Renew the living systems of planet earth
  • Renew and invigorate international cooperation

Illustrated in full color, A Renewable World deals with a variety of urgent issues in a holistic, comprehensive, and accessible way.

List Price: $ 27.95

Price: $ 17.39

Energy Meditation – Healing the Body, Freeing the Spirit: In Conversation with Master Yap Soon-Yeong

January 30th, 2011

Energy healing is a traditional Eastern therapy that exists today as alternative medicine in the West. To gain the most benefits, the roots and principles of therapeutic energy healing evident in Taoism, Buddhism, traditional Oriental medicine, and martial arts practices, need to be understood to nurture effective healing in contemporary living. Since energy healing is an oral tradition and there are few genuine healers today who can truly cure or transmit true teachings. In the author’s travels to South-East Asia in Penang, he was fortunate to meet a remarkable master energy healer of Qigong, Sifu Yap Soon Yeong, who is the founder of Chaoyi Fanhuan Qigong (CFQ). The author soon became convinced that CFQ was unique in that it is the only energy healing system that is truly good enough to deliver on its claims on transforming mind, body, and spirit. This book records, for the first time, Master Yaps CFQ or radiant Goldbody energy meditation healing system.

List Price: $ 12.95

Price: $ 7.56

Basics of Energy Efficient Living: A Beginner’s Guide to Alternative Energy and Home Energy Savings

January 30th, 2011

Whether you’re building a new house or have an existing one, “Basics of Energy Efficient Living” shares the principles behind energy efficient living. Have you ever wondered: What is R-value? How much energy could I get from my creek? Can I use alternative energy in the city? How much heat will it take to keep my house warm? How much heat will I lose if I put in a bigger window? Learn what it takes to save energy, then take the next step and collect your own. Find out how much energy you can get from water, sun, wind, and wood. Discover how much energy you need by making an energy budget specific for your house. Learn energy principles as you design a house step-by-step.

List Price: $ 12.95

Price: $ 7.50

Using STEM to Investigate Issues in Alternative Energy

January 30th, 2011

The STEMs of Learning: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics is an initiative designed to get students interested in these career fields. By using science inquiry and integrated activities, students will solve real-world problems and be encouraged to explore careers in the alternative energy fields. Meets NSE, NCTM, and ITEA standards, and is correlated to state, national, and Canadian provincial standards. 128 pages

List Price: $ 14.99

Price: $ 11.69

Settlement of Investment Disputes under the Energy Charter Treaty (Law Practitioner Series)

January 30th, 2011

Treaty-based investment arbitration is becoming increasingly important in international commerce, with the vast majority of such investment cases being filed within the past three years. The issues associated with investment arbitration are therefore of growing interest not only to governments but also to the business and legal communities. Within this overall picture, the Energy Charter Treaty occupies a singular position, providing a unique multilateral investment protection regime for the energy sector. This book seeks to provide practical guidance to the complex operation of the Treaty.

List Price: $ 125.00

Price: $ 62.50

Vital Healing: Energy, Mind & Spirit in Traditional Medicines of India, Tibet and the Middle East – Middle Asia

January 30th, 2011

The traditional medicines of Middle Asia are rich and varied – from the Ayurveda and Siddha medicines of India, to the Unani and Sufi healing practices of the Middle East. Dr. Marc S. Micozzi unfolds the compelling idea that vital energy, expressed as “prana” in the Indian practice of Ayurveda, is the unifying concept that underpins and connects all of these traditions. Describing the origins, health strategies, diagnostic approaches, and modern-day uses of each tradition, he also draws parallels to, and finds correlations with, mainstream Western concepts – and demonstrates how all these therapies fit within the context of their own cultures and ours. This groundbreaking book will be of interest to practitioners of all Middle Eastern and Asian medical traditions, complementary and alternative health practitioners, and anyone with an interest in Middle Eastern and Asian approaches to health and well-being.

List Price: $ 24.95

Price: $ 7.62