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February 21, 2006
Reading list on Energy
I often get asked what books have been influential in forming my thinking around energy. Especially how someone with a software or technology background can begin to get a handle on some of the macro issues. I am not sure that I have found all the best sources yet and I am SURE I haven't read them in the right order, but for the person just starting out I would recommend you read the following books in the following order:
The Bottomless Well, by Peter Huber and Mark Mills. This is two silicon valley guys talking primarilly about the electrification of everything hand how digital has replaced analogue in many more places than the computer. Lots of familiar language for a tech person to understand the three different energy markets (electricity, direct heat, transportation) and the options in each. After this one I was glad that silicon will eventually make cars solid state, lighter and better, but I realized that this won't happen in my lifetime and for now we are stuck with oil in our transportation system and no option. Huber and Mills definitely have an agenda.
Sleeping with the Devil, by Robert Baer. Robert Baer was CIA station chief in the mid east forever. His story was the basis of the movie Syriana (which I highly recommend). This will scare the **** out of you. When you realize that with less resources and coordination it took to bring down the twin towers, the world oil supply could be crippled for a decade, you should be affraid, very affraid. Baer also goes into how corrupt the Saudi royal family is and how tightly our fate is tied to theirs. Baer definitely has a POV and an agenda.
Energy at the CrossRoads, by Vaclav Smil. Haven't finished this one yet, but after being shocked by the theatrics of the first two (and rightly so), Smil's academic "just the facts" approach can be read without the heart racing too much. But I wouldn't start here, because you won't understand the enormity of the problem without the graphic excesses of the above.
Twilight in the Desert, by Matthew Simmons. More graphic excesses. Simmons is probably the hottest head screaming about "peak oil". The fact that oil is running out. I don't know that I agree with his immediate and dire predictions and he is definitely on the most radical side of "the sky is falling" argument, but it is good to get the worst case scenario out of the way. I am still looking for the best case scenario laid out in a clear an convincing manner. To date I have only found "don't worry about it" guys. That is not an answer.
more to come.
Posted by Martin at February 21, 2006 9:20 PM
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