Energy Systems and Sustainability - ed G Boyle

[Simon]

This is a  companion volume the book mention by Ted (http://www.navitron.org.uk/forum/index.php/topic,4800.0.html) and is also an OU T206 course book. You can read the index on Amazon.

Quite a useful book as it covers a wide range of topics including basic information on how some things "work", for example, the Stirling engine. You also get a bit of a history lesson on each topic which often puts things into perspective (how did we get here?). There is also a basic introduction to thermodynamics for those who have not explored this before. Very few equations to frightened the non engineer/scientist.

Some of the data are a bit dated as the book was published in 2003. For example the economics section, "Costing Energy", shows heating oil at about 1p/kWh (about 10p/litre - ha ha!). However it gives you the basis to work things out for yourself using current data.

I have it in my library and maybe worth having in yours.

Simon

[Green Transitions]

Having just finished the T206 course a while back, I will concur this is a very good book to give you background information and basic calulations for a range of energy sources, not just renewables but 'traditional' fossil and nuclear based supplys.

Once they update it from 2003 data, as long as they keep the same format and ease with which you can pick up the information, I think it should be a part of the curriculum for schools! It really does get across the basic information everyone should know about energy production and use, something which is an inherent and important part of everyones lives.