A bit over a decade ago I wrote about the 1st edition the following: “The economics, basic science, and cultural and political dynamics associated with public policy reformulation in the area of alternative energy sources are indeed complex…Simon should be commended for his artful framing of this issue, and for his fair and even-handed assessment of the public policy options…” The decade since the publication of the first edition has NOT witnessed the advent of a consensus on any one (or even a few) of these options as a basis for a minimal fossil fuel use future. Quite to the contrary, while the global consensus on anthropomorphic sources of global warming has been bolstered by convincing evidence of a pending disaster, little agreement is to found on U.S. alternative energy policy. New “next generation” developments in the areas of solar thermal energy, enhanced geothermal, ocean thermal energy conversion, pumped hydro, and simultaneous major advancements in the conceptualization of energy storage systems and battery designs have added further to the need for fair and even-handed discussion of the economics, basic science, engineering and socio-political dynamics associated with alternative energy sources. This 2nd edition of the Simon book is even better than the first; while equally balanced in its treatment of public policy options, it is even better in its discussion of the basic science, engineering, and socio-political dynamics at play in formulating an appropriate energy policy for the U.S. Simon’s maturity of thought, clear dedication to mastery over the feasibility of the policy options at play, and genuine desire to provide a sound and reliable foundation for public policy debate are clearly in evidence in this 2nd edition. I can recommend this book in the full confidence that students and policy makers alike will find it informative and insightful, and that it will contribute importantly to the U.S. energy policy literature.
This second edition is now the definitive overview of the realities of adopting alternative energy technologies. Focusing mostly on the US situation but acknowledging that energy availability and technology choices cannot be understood apart from the international context, Simon makes an unassailable case that the world’s energy needs cannot be met without alternative energy. He points out that adoption decisions are not made in a technocratic vacuum but are instead made according to various political, economic, and social feasibilities. Explaining how the current mix of energy technologies was reached and the possibilities going forward, Simon provides a sophisticated understanding of the policy process. His analysis is comprehensive, accurate, and fair to all technologies—from the more established such as nuclear, solar, and wind to the less common, e.g., biodiesel, geothermal, and hydrogen fuel cells. Neither an advocacy book nor a book for those who want simple answers to solving the US’s (and the world’s) energy problems, this well-written resource is an impressive accomplishment. Summing Up: Essential. All readers.
This second edition is now the definitive overview of the realities of adopting alternative energy technologies. Focusing mostly on the US situation but acknowledging that energy availability and technology choices cannot be understood apart from the international context, Simon makes an unassailable case that the world’s energy needs cannot be met without alternative energy. He points out that adoption decisions are not made in a technocratic vacuum but are instead made according to various political, economic, and social feasibilities. Explaining how the current mix of energy technologies was reached and the possibilities going forward, Simon provides a sophisticated understanding of the policy process. His analysis is comprehensive, accurate, and fair to all technologies—from the more established such as nuclear, solar, and wind to the less common, e.g., biodiesel, geothermal, and hydrogen fuel cells. Neither an advocacy book nor a book for those who want simple answers to solving the US’s (and the world’s) energy problems, this well-written resource is an impressive accomplishment. Summing Up: Essential. All readers.
The world is undeniably undergoing a transition, if not a transformation, to a low-carbon economy. How society harnesses alternative forms of energy such as solar, wind, and geothermal is a central component of both understanding and possibly steering that transformation. This third edition of Alternative Energy is pivotal in equipping readers with the understanding they need of history, legitimacy, policy and even politics for engaging with this highly important topic.
Christopher Simon’s Alternative Energy: Political, Economic, and Social Feasibility, 3rd Edition, is an essential guide for those seeking a deep understanding of the intricate dynamics driving the transition to alternative energy. Simon expertly navigates the intersection of technology, politics, and societal factors, providing a nuanced analysis of renewable energy feasibility. With comprehensive coverage of solar, wind, geothermal energy, and modern fuels, the book addresses key challenges like energy storage, power grid reform, and the role of artificial intelligence in energy markets. Updated to include developments through President Biden’s administration, it critically assesses nuclear power post-Fukushima and evaluates international commitments to renewable energy. Simon’s authoritative and up-to-date analysis makes Alternative Energy an indispensable resource for students, policymakers, researchers, and those interested in understanding the complexities of our global energy transition.
This book includes comprehensive and timely information on renewable (solar, wind, and geothermal) and nuclear energy. The third edition significantly expands on the previous editions and adds discussions on energy storage, the power grid, and applications of AI. Readers will significantly enrich their knowledge of the technical, historical, political, and societal aspects of these subjects. My students have used both the first and second editions as the main text in our “Alternative Energy Fundamentals” course. I am eagerly anticipating the implementation of this third edition in the next class.
Simon’s Alternative Energy provides a comprehensive discussion of renewable energy developments in the United States clearly describing the pathway through historical background to current practices. General policy perspectives and specific policy developments are brought together. The spectrum of renewable energy technology developments are discussed and well-illustrated with case studies. I have found the text to be highly accessible to a broad audience including engineering, natural resources management, environmental and sustainability studies, and business students. Simon has made a unique and important contribution.
This second edition is now the definitive overview of the realities of adopting alternative energy technologies. Focusing mostly on the US situation but acknowledging that energy availability and technology choices cannot be understood apart from the international context, Simon makes an unassailable case that the world’s energy needs cannot be met without alternative energy. He points out that adoption decisions are not made in a technocratic vacuum but are instead made according to various political, economic, and social feasibilities. Explaining how the current mix of energy technologies was reached and the possibilities going forward, Simon provides a sophisticated understanding of the policy process. His analysis is comprehensive, accurate, and fair to all technologies—from the more established such as nuclear, solar, and wind to the less common, e.g., biodiesel, geothermal, and hydrogen fuel cells. Neither an advocacy book nor a book for those who want simple answers to solving the US’s (and the world’s) energy problems, this well-written resource is an impressive accomplishment. Summing Up: Essential. All readers.
Americans face a major challenge in the coming decades of reformulating their public policies to reflect a world in which fossil fuels are no longer plentiful, easily accessible and relatively inexpensive to prepare for market and ultimate consumption. The economics, the basic science, and the cultural and political dynamics associated with public policy reformulation in the area of alternative energy sources are indeed complex—and the challenge is appropriately framed as a 'wicked problem' by Christopher Simon in this excellent monograph. Simon should be commended for his artful framing of this issue, and for his fair and even-handed assessment of the public policy options facing citizens and policymakers alike as we struggle to assure future generations of a quality of life at least as good as that we have enjoyed during our period of stewardship over the planet's resources. I can recommend this well-informed overview of the alternative energy challenges which lie ahead for our country without reservation, and in confidence that the readers of this volume will find it at once informative and insightful.
This book takes a persuasive, broad view of the coming paradigmatic shift towards a sustainable energy future. Dr. Simon views this transition as the outcome of interactions among market forces of stakeholder dynamics, values evolution and institutional redesign.
This book is packed with information on most of the major alternative energy sources. Especially useful will be the end-of-chapter summaries and the references. Controversial subjects are treated with an even hand.
This book takes a persuasive, broad view of the coming paradigmatic shift towards a sustainable energy future. Dr. Simon views this transition as the outcome of interactions among market forces of stakeholder dynamics, values evolution and institutional redesign.--T. R. Lakshmanan, director, Center for Transportation Studies; Professor, Department of Geography and Environment; Executive Director, Center for
A comprehensive introduction to alternative energy sources and their political, economic, and social feasibility. The topic is important, and there is much of value in Simon's evenhanded presentation of the vulnerabilities and advantages of each source (e.g., geothermal, solar, wind). Simon has produced an accessible, accurate description of how alternative energy sources work and the obstacles to their broader adoption. His book is a significant contribution to the literature. Highly recommended. General readers; students, lower-division undergraduate and up; researchers and practitioners.--CHOICE
This book is packed with information on most of the major alternative energy sources. Especially useful will be the end-of-chapter summaries and the references. Controversial subjects are treated with an even hand.--John Reynolds, University of Oregon
