Power to the People: How the Coming Energy Revolution Will Transform an Industry, Change Our Lives, and Maybe Even Save the Planet

by Vijay V. Vaitheeswaran

"By far the most helpful, entertaining, up-to-date and accessible treatment of the energy-economy-environment problematique available." --John P. Holdren, Scientific American A fiercely independent and irresistibly entertaining look at the economic, political and technological forces that are reshaping the world's management of energy resources, Power to the People has been hailed as "as good a manifesto for the new energy world as you will find." (Fred Pearce, New Scientist). The Economist's Environment and Energy correspondent, Vijay V. Vaitheeswaran sees great opportunity in the energy realm today, and he documents an energy revolution already under way. From the corporate boardroom of a Texas oil titan who denies the reality of global warming, to a think tank nestled in the Rocky Mountains where a visionary named Amory Lovins is developing hydrogen fuel-cell technology that could make the internal combustion engine obsolete, Vaitheeswaran gamely pursues the people who hold the keys to our future. Avoiding the traditional divide that pits free markets against the wisdom of conservation and the need for clean energy, Power to the People debunks myths without debunking hope.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Environment

368 pages, Paperback

First published January 3, 2005

Reviews

[Belal Bebo · Rating 3 out of 5]

كتاب جميل .. به معلومات مهمة جداا عن عالم اخر لسه منعرفش عنه حاجة
الطاقة في الدول المتقدمة ... و الصراعات السرية الي من تحت لتحت لتنفيذ مصالح معينة
و مصادر الطاقة البديلة و مدى امكانية نزولها و منافستها لسوق
كان ممل بس في اجزاء كتيرة و بيحكي في تفاصيل ليس لها داعي بس في المجمل جيد

[Nicholas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not since a child have I finished a book and so soon wanted to reread it. This impressive work touches on so many aspects of modern energy issues and offers the author's vision of a clean energy future, gathered from countless interviews with many visionaries and experts all across the world -- in business, engineering, economics, regulation. It tells the stories of the people, the places, and the institutions that are all interconnected via energy. From from Dick Cheney to Amory Lovins, from Beijing to Iceland, from Dutch Royal Shell to Bombay Suburban Electric Supply, the discourse weaves together many sides of the topic and while promoting a unifying goal, acknowledges the messy nature of energy and the contributions to be gleaned from all parties.

It would make a good introductory reading in any course on energy technology or policy. It points to further reading sufficient to flush out a few courses in both areas. However it is not a technical textbook, and noticeably the author does not specify what will be the primary sources of energy as a feedstock for a hydrogen economy that are compatible with zero emissions, although some pathways are discussed. In the decade since the book's publishing, research trends have evolved clearer understanding of concepts only briefly pointed to, particularly solar fuels and net negative power. The reader must follow up on these topics.

Aside from connections to that area of technology, my personal story also includes this book. Through it I understand the character that attracted many to the Rocky Mountain Institute, including my co-advisor. While looking through more conventional energy engineering texts in the library, I saw this book on the shelf, covered in at least a year of dust. I have already let it sit too long on my night stand. Now I'm asking your help to keep it from getting dusty! Read it, or if you are an energy expert, tell your friend, and get back to work.

[Musaadalhamidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

تشمل المواضيع في هذا الكتاب هي كالتالي :
الاحترار العالمي، حالات انقطاع التيار الكهربائي، التسربات الهائلة لناقلات النفط، الاعتماد على النفط: لقد أدت أفعالنا المسرفة إلى الحكم علينا بأن نعاني من تلك المآسي، هل هذا صحيح؟ ربما، لكن المؤلف -وهو مراسل مجلة "الإيكونوميست" لشؤون البيئة والطاقة- يرى فرصة عظيمة في مجال الطاقة اليوم. ويمثل الكتاب الذي بين أيدينا نظرته المستقلة والمشوقة إلى تلك القوى الاقتصادية، والسياسية، والتكنولوجية التي تعيد صياغة طريقة تدبير العالم لمصادر الطاقة.
في هذا الكتاب، يوثق المؤلف لتلك الثورة التي اندلعت بالفعل في مجال الطاقة، وهي ثورة جذرية بقدر الثورة التي حدثت في مجال الاتصالات خلال العقود الماضية. وقد ظهر الكتاب في أعقاب أكبر أزمة في الطاقة أصابت الولايات المتحدة في تاريخها، والتي تمثلت في انهيار شبكات الكهرباء المتهالكة في عدد من كبريات المدن في الولايات المتحدة وكندا، لذا فقد ركز المؤلف على إيضاح الاتجاهات التي يرى أنها ستعمل على تغيير قواعد لعبة الطاقة، وهي تحرير أسواق الطاقة، وزيادة تأثير الحركة البيئية، والابتكارات الحديثة في مجال تكنولوجيا الخلايا الهيدروجينية.

ويعرض الكتاب لأفكار بعض أهم منظري ثورة الطاقة الجديدة، وكذلك يصف توجهات الشركات العاملة في مجال الطاقة، سواء شركات النفط الكبرى أو الشركات المنتجة لخلايا الوقود، من حيث محافظتها على البيئة واستثماراتها الحالية والمستقبلية في مجال الطاقة الصديقة للبيئة. وكذلك يعرض الكتاب بالتفصيل عملية تحرير قيود الطاقة في الولايات المتحدة، كما يتعرض بالنقد لبروتوكول كيوتو، الذي يرى أنه لم يكن ليحل مشكلة الاحترار العالمي حتى لو وقعت الولايات المتحدة عليه.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though Vaitheeswaran finished writing this less than a decade ago, the arc of energy policy couldn't be further from the hydrogen, fuel cell, electric car economy he envisioned. With an impending natural gas glut and the phase-out of coal-fired power plants in the States, goes to show how difficult energy forecasting is. Regardless, he presents a very readable and rich overview of current efforts to decarbonize, the role of the private sector in a deregulated world, and why small is beautiful.

[Bob Kittams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book on Energy economy written by an author who contributes regularly to my favorite weekly news publication The Economist. Minimal technical detail and interesting interviews with energy
gurus.

[Jerick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dated but extensive research.

[Owen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly of interest to me because my work relates to the topic (developing changes to the energy and auto industries) and a little out of date, but certainly a worthwhile read. Oil prices being four times as high as when he wrote it does compromise some of his points and projections but his conclusion that distributed generation and hydrogen fuel storage hold great promise is still relevant. I agree with many overall points, but either through a shortage of compelling evidence in the writing or my own knowledge of the current industry, I was not left convinced that 'micro-power' is the only solution to our power issues. In other words, he failed to completely refute my belief that large infrastructure, including nuclear power, can still play a key role in meeting our current and future energy demands.

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although a lot of the information is outdated as fuel prices continue to rise, this book offers good information on the fuel cell industry and the potential of renewable energy.

[Andrew Cawley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well laid out treatise for energy sector liberalization with very good points. Would like to read a counter argument

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book about the oil industry.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

blech! economics!