Power Density

A Key to Understanding Energy Sources and Uses

De: Vaclav Smil

Narrado por: Daniel Henning

In this book, Vaclav Smil argues that power density is a key determinant of the nature and dynamics of energy systems. Any understanding of complex energy systems must rely on quantitative measures of many fundamental variables. Power density—the rate of energy flux per unit of area—is an important but largely overlooked measure. Smil provides the first systematic, quantitative appraisal of power density, offering detailed reviews of the power densities of renewable energy flows, fossil fuels, thermal electricity generation, and all common energy uses.

Smil shows that careful quantification, critical appraisals, and revealing comparisons of power densities make possible a deeper understanding of the ways we harness, convert, and use energies. Conscientious assessment of power densities, he argues, proves particularly revealing when contrasting the fossil fuel-based energy system with renewable energy conversions.

Smil explains that modern civilization has evolved as a direct expression of the high power densities of fossil fuel extraction. He argues that our inevitable move to new energy arrangements involving conversions of lower-density renewable energy sources will require our society—currently dominated by megacities and concentrated industrial production—to undergo a profound spatial restructuring of its energy system.

©2015 Massachusetts Institute of Technology (P)2022 Tantor

Great explanation on energy

This is a detailed review of energy, present and future. I’m not sold on the author’s lack of faith on the prospects of fossil fuel independence.

A Different Look at the Pros and Cons of Renewable Energy and Fossil Fuels

A captivating analysis of how impactful it is that fossil fuels are such a dense store of energy and the benefits that arise from that. A non apologetic look at the costs, in both space and resources, of switching to a renewable grid.

Many parts of the book read more like a text books due to the large quantity of supporting data and analysis. Despite sounding dry, the arguments remain cohesive, even in an audiobook format.

There were a few inconsistencies in the audio and a few unnatural pauses that were a but jarring so the performance did not get a full 5 stars.