This book is a collection of descriptions of energy systems-past, present, and future-and of many possible and practical ways to replace fossil fuels with renewable fuels or nonfuel energy systems. All of the new systems described could lead to no-net carbon dioxide addition to our atmosphere. Using easily understandable terminology, the book describes the many energy systems, sources, fuels, conversions and usages that comprise our total energy system. Use of the information in the book could lead to new, safer power plants, new powering and fueling systems for our vehicles, and greater energy efficiency and reliability. These systems are real and practical alternatives that will replace the use of fossil fuels and stop the hemorrhaging of billions of U.S. dollars for petroleum imports. Some of these proposed systems are unusual and very recently announced. The book provides many unique and surprisingly workable, long-term answers to the growing concerns about energy, the economy, and greater energy efficiency and reliability. Adopting these new systems would significantly improve our balance of trade, our economy, our job opportunities and our technological presence. We do not have the luxury of time. The economic menace is here, now, and dangerous. If we don't act immediately, the already bad consequences could be catastrophic. Politicians and political forces will have much to do with how we deal with all types of energy related problems. For this reason there is much about politics and the ongoing battle between the federal government and private interests in the book. To ignore these powerful political forces that mostly stand in the way of technical progress and solutions to energy problems would result in an unrealistic view of our total energy situation.
About the Author: My life has been a blast! Born in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1927, I moved to Cleveland Heights, Ohio in 1936 where I graduated from high school in 1945. In 1949, I graduated Purdue University with a BS in Chemical Engineering. After graduation from Purdue, I had a varied engineering career, living in Chicago, Los Angeles, Long Beach and Cleveland. I was in a family dental business from 1954 to 1974. This morphed into my dental office design firm and working all over the country. I did consulting Engineering for NASA, the US Navy and Air Force, traveling extensively including a year in the Philippines in 1980-81. In 1985, I quit consulting and settled in Indiana, opening a computer service firm. I sold this business in 2000 to write full time. September 3, 1949 I married Dolores Osborn, my high school sweetheart. We had four daughters and a son. In 1972, we separated and then divorced in 1974. On May 29, 1992, Barbara True Galbraith and I were married. We lived on Lake Tippecanoe near Leesburg, IN where I live part time to this day. I started my first novel, Blue Shift in 1998 at age seventy. After a series of neurological problems caused by Post Polio Syndrome, Barb died on October 16, 2005. After publishing Blue Shift, I suspended most of my serious writing because of Barb's illness, until after her death. I now spend summers in our home on Tippy with my little Lhasa apso, Charlie, and my lady, Daphne. We spend the winter in her home on the ocean north of St. Augustine, FL, and travel a lot. Daphne is a marvelous companion who likes my writing and is a delightful support and helpful critic for my work. I have five incredible daughters, an equally incredible son, a dozen terrific grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and many dear friends. I have had a most fortunate and rewarding life. My extended family, including Daphne, is the focus of my life. My interests include many field of science with energy and cosmology leading. I am a fierce competitor. I raced sports cars for more than twenty years on most of the road courses in the country. I raced small power boats for a while. For at least forty years I raced sailboats including the demanding and extremely fast Hobie 16. I am an avid fisherman, nature lover, and environmentalist. My active passion ins now writing. My latest books are "Energy, Convenient Solutions," a non fiction book on energy, and "Words from the Lakeside," and anthology.