A Few Thoughts on "Power Hungry" by Robert Bryce
I've just finished reading Power Hungry: The Myths of "Green" Energy and the Real Fuels of the Future, by journalist and author Robert Bryce.
Bryce's book is generally well-written and well-argued, if sprawling and at times more pastiche than systematic argument. His book has three parts. The first surveys our demand for energy and why it is inevitably going to increase. The second seeks to dispel a slew of "myths" about green energy -- 13 myths in all. His overall argument is that many of the present notions being discussed of replacing fossil fuels with wind, solar, biomass, efficiency or reducing emissions via carbon capture and storage or fiat, are just that -- myths. The third part argues that natural gas and nuclear power are the fuels of the future and, in his view, offer the only plausible paths for a significant decarbonization of the global economy.
There is a lot to like in this book -- he relies heavily on the arguments of Vaclav Smil and Jesse Ausubel, while poking some fun at the inanity of Joeseph Romm -- its hard to go wrong with that approach! He bases his arguments in numbers and simple math, which demands critique in similar terms. Yet, even with his attempts to present simple math, the book contains a dizzying array of units, concepts and arguments that remain difficult to engage without some effort. For those willing to engage the details there are some delightful nuggets of information about energy, such as the fact that all of France's nuclear waste -- from its 50-odd nuclear power plants -- is stored in a single facility the size of a soccer field.
Power Hungry will not be very satisfactory to those concerned with limiting the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Bryce is a committed agnostic on issues of human-caused climate change -- itself enough to put off some potential readers -- yet is supportive of efforts to diversify energy supply and ensure its security. Bryce never really engages the mathematics of emissions reductions, focused instead on energy supply, cost and security. He also never really engages issues of technological innovation in the energy sector aside from potential advances in the nuclear sector. This oversight makes it appear that he has prematurely written off technological innovation with respect to other alternatives to fossil fuels. The book has a decided US focus, though not exclusively.
Bryce has produced a well-argued set of challenges to much of conventional wisdom in popular discussions of energy policy. For this reason, I will be adding this book to the syllabus for my fall graduate seminar as a way to introduce students to challenges of energy policy and to get their attention. Power Hungry with do both. Bryce's arguments force a reaction that requires engaging the simple mathematics of energy and emissions. In the end, whether you wind up agreeing or disagreeing with his policy arguments, engaging the arguments and the numbers on which they are based is well worth your time.
Posted by Roger Pielke, Jr. at 5/13/2010 04:51:00 AM
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7 comments:
1. jae said...
"He also never really engages issues of technological innovation in the energy sector aside from potential advances in the nuclear sector."
Probably because he believes, as I do, that there is very little hope there. The energy density is too low to ever expect these "alternative energy" sources to be any where near competitive with the "normal" sources. That's why the dreamers of the world keep pushing cap and trade and energy taxes, because they realize somewhere down deep in their souls that these alternative sources will be used ONLY if the governments subsidize them or if the costs of "normal" sources get much, much higher. We will never run out of dreamers who think a 100 mph carburetor is possible.
Thu May 13, 08:01:00 AM MDT
2. Aaron said...
Sounds like a very compelling book. There are similar reports that claim just the opposite of what author Bryce is stating though. Although both sides do have rational arguments, most likely the future will hold both sides as the winner. The United States must adopt a balanced approach towards energy security. We are not going to get away form fossil fuels anytime soon to meet our growing demand. However, even mathematics and economics cannot account for technological advances. Who knows what may enter the market which could transform our entire infrastructure.
Want to learn more about balanced energy for America? Visit www.consumerenergyalliance.org to get involved, discover CEA’s mission and sign up for our informative newsletter.
Thu May 13, 08:23:00 AM MDT
3. Frontiers of Faith and Science said...
jae,
What do you think promoters of windmills are dreaming of?
Thu May 13, 08:34:00 AM MDT
4. jae said...
Of course, that should be 100 mpG carburetor. Sorry.
Thu May 13, 09:19:00 AM MDT
5. Roger Pielke, Jr. said...
-2-Aaron
Please do post references to those reports that you mention, I'll take a look at them for my syllabus, thanks!
Thu May 13, 09:43:00 AM MDT
6. jae said...
3: They are dreaming of an energy source that has less impact on the planet than the combustion of fossil fuels. IMHO, their dream is a nightmare.
Thu May 13, 10:16:00 AM MDT
7. Panta Rei said...
RE focused on energy supply, cost and security
often forgotten is the importance of
proper competition in electricity grids to keep down costs to consumers, regardless of sources used
US distribution reform
(http://ceolas.net/#cc16x )
Sat May 15, 04:31:00 AM MDT
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