User 283977

Book Review: Robert Hefner's 'The Grand Energy Transition'

I did indeed purchase the book based on your recommendation Fitz. I was looking for a primer on large scale energy systems, trends and such and when I saw your initial recommendation a few weeks ago I bought a copy.

The book contains a good deal of references at the end of each chapter, so its not just a journalistic "opinion" piece, it represents a good beginning framework for understanding the large scale utilization of energy over time from a systems perspective. Hefner's section on the amount of natural gas available in the US is a must read, and the author should send a copy directly to Obama.

The book mentions the ITER - the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor project sponsored by Russia, Japan, the United States, the European Union, China, and South Korea that is expected to cost up to $13 billion to develop. Its located in Cadarache in southern France. It seems that 13 billion is chicken feed given the money being thrown at these large financial institutions today. Imagine what could be done with a 50 - 100 billion dollar R&D Manhattan style project directed towards removing this countries dependence on foreign energy resources with the development of clean, green energy. Now that is a worthy goal, and with resources at that level, the probability of success in a shorter time frame is more likely. It would also provide a big shot in the arm to making this country a world leader in energy systems and the long train of related technology and developed products.

I have a background in Physics, and Hydrogen fusion power is absolutely possible. The primary barriers are economic, technological and understanding that large scale power generation does not necessarily have to be continuous when linked with large scale methods for storing power. Yes, fusion power has been under examination for some time now, but the resources provided for research in this area have been tiny. I think we can all agree that that you can't extrapolate rates of progress from a minimally funded research area to the rate of progress in a well funded research area.

I think allowing existent economic forces to drive country level energy policies is intellectually bankrupt because making an energy transition requires long lead times, planning and R&D investments. The first step is recognising that such a change is absolutely necessary for our countries survival as a world power. This book provides a good starting point to that realization. The key to making a change of this magnitude happen is through education by out of the box visionary thinkers who have the ability to see further into the future then most of us.

I think FitzSimions and Petersen's articles are highly informative, and represent must reads in their subject areas. I also highly value the back and forth between these authors and their readers which surfaces more information in these subject areas.

Book Review: Robert Hefner's 'The Grand Energy Transition'

Alex, the book describes Hydrogen as the ultimate goal. You could use solar and wind to generate the hydrogen with the obvious questions concerning scale/ cost. The book does not say we are ready for hydrogen right now, just that Hydrogen is likely the ultimate goal.


There is something else about Hydrogen that the book discusses 137-140, Hydrogen based nuclear fusion reactors, which are being researched in many countries today... Apparently these types of nuclear reactors produce no nuclear waste!

The Fitz is right, the book is a great read.