The Science of Energy: Principles, Concepts, and Applications

by Frank R. Spellman

Overview

The Science of Energy: Principles, Concepts, and Applications fills a crucial gap by exploring the science behind today's energy revolution and the environmental impacts of various energy sources. It explains the technologies that produce, store, and use energy, with a focus on sustainability, environmental health, and safety. Designed for students and professionals alike, the book simplifies key energy principles—covering both traditional and emerging technologies. It also examines the role of AI in energy production and sustainability, offering a practical, accessible guide to understanding modern energy systems.

• Explores traditional, renewable, and emerging energy technologies, examining their environmental impacts, safety concerns, and sustainability potential.
• Explains the fundamental energy principles, making complex concepts like energy production, usage, and sustainability easier to comprehend.
• Integrates basic physics, environmental science, and technological advancements to provide a well-rounded understanding of the energy landscape.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781040402832
Publisher:	CRC Press
Publication date:	07/01/2026
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	368

About the Author

Frank R. Spellman, PhD, is a retired assistant professor of environmental health at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, and the author of more than 165 books covering topics ranging from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) to all areas of environmental science and occupational health. He has also authored several novels. Many of his texts are readily available online, and several have been adopted for classroom use at major universities throughout the United States, Canada, China, Europe, S. Korea, and Russia; two have been translated into Spanish for South American markets. Dr. Spellman has been cited in more than 1250- publications. He is a professional expert witness for three law groups and an incident/accident investigator for the U.S. Department of Justice and a northern Virginia law firm. In addition, he consults on homeland security vulnerability assessments for critical infrastructures, including water/wastewater facilities nationwide. He also conducts nationwide pre-Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)/Environmental Protection Agency EPA audits. Dr. Spellman receives frequent requests to co-author with well-recognized experts in several scientific fields; for example, he is a contributing author of the prestigious text The Engineering Handbook, 2nd ed. (CRC Press). Dr. Spellman lectures on sewage treatment, water treatment, homeland security lectures, and safety topics throughout the country and teaches water/wastewater operator short courses at Virginia Tech (Blacksburg, Virginia). He holds a BA in public administration, a BS in business management (Summa Cum Laude), an MBA, and an MS and PhD in environmental engineering.

Table of Contents

Preface

About the Author

Acronyms/Abbreviations/Units/Conversions

The Energy Professionals Toolbox

Prologue

PART I

THE BASICS

CHAPTER 1 SETTING THE STAGE

CHAPTER 2 FORMS OF ENERGY

CHAPTER 3 FOSSIL ENERGY SOURCES

CHAPTER 4 AI FOR ENERGY

CHAPTER 5 THE DIGITAL ENERGY PROFESSIONAL

PART 2 ENERGY SOURCES

CHAPTER 6 THE WIND INDUSTRY & AI

CHAPTER 7 SOLAR ENERGY & AI

CHAPTER 8 BIOENERGY & AI

CHAPTER 9 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY & AI

CHAPTER 10 OCEAN ENERGY

CHAPTER 11 ENERGY/FUEL CELLS

CHAPTER 12 SMALL MODULAR REACTORS (SMRs)

CHAPTER 13 TRANSFORMATIVE ENERGY

CHAPTER 14 WHEN WATER & ELECTRICITY MIX

GLOSSARY

INDEX