50
Or, as Bill Spencer, the former director of Sematech, explained the first two laws of thermodynamics to me in the fall of 2009: “You can't get something for nothing; and you can't even break even.”
56
The best analogy for electricity is to compare it to water flowing through a pipe. Voltage is akin to the pressure of the water flowing through the pipe. The current, which is akin to the flow of the water, is measured in amperes (amps). And the resistance to flow, which is measured in ohms, is similar to the resistance of a waterwheel that gets rotated by the flow of the water.
Chapter 3
2
Peter W. Huber and Mark P. Mills,
The Bottomless Well: The Twilight of Fuel, the Virtue of Waste, and Why We Will Never Run Out of Energy
(New York: Basic Books, 2005), 27.
4
Joule invented the British Thermal Unit (Btu).
5
One joule is the amount of energy needed to move an object with a force of 1 newton (N) over a distance of 1 meter (m). The newton is a unit of force named after Isaac Newton. One watt is equal to 1 joule per second (1 W = 1 J/s). Americans are well acquainted with the watt from buying lightbulbs, hair dryers, and various other appliances.
7
Richard A. Muller,
Physics for Future Presidents: The Science Behind the Headlines
(New York: W. W. Norton, 2008), 72.
10
Energy-density metrics for area are uncommon.
13
Here's the math. The Fusion produces 70 horsepower per liter, while the Model T produces 7.6, and 70 divided by 7.6 equals 9.2. Thus, the Fusion engine has 9.2 times greater power density than the engine from the Model T.
14
Vaclav Smil,
Energies: An Illustrated Guide to the Biosphere and Civilization
(Cambridge: MIT Press, 1999), 123.
17
International Energy Agency,
World Energy Outlook 2008
, 180.
20
Announced by an unnamed American Airlines pilot during Dallas to Austin flight, July 11, 2009.
26
“2010 Ford Fusion Review.”
28
Calculated by author from home A/C unit, which draws 19.2 amps at 220 volts, for 4,224 watts.
30
Based on author's personal Yard Machines lawnmower.
31
Measured at author's home with a Kill A Watt, August 27, 2009.
35
Measured at author's home with a Kill A Watt, August 27, 2009.
36
Stan Jakuba, “Power Consumption and Generation in Bicycling and in Walking,” n.d. Jakuba estimates that walking at a speed of 2 miles per hour generates 106 watts.
37
Measured at author's home with a Kill A Watt, August 27, 2009.
38
Measured at author's home with a Kill A Watt, August 27, 2009.
39
Measured at author's home with a Kill A Watt, August 26, 2009.
41
Measured at author's home with a Kill A Watt, August 26, 2009.
Chapter 4
1
U.S. Census Bureau,
Historical Statistics of the United States
, “Series Q 148â162, Motor-Vehicle Factory Sales and Registrations, and Motor-Fuel Usage: 1900 to 1970,” 716.
4
Vaclav Smil,
Global Catastrophes and Trends: The Next Fifty Years
(Cambridge: MIT Press, 2008), 90.
5
Jeff Goodell,
Big Coal: The Dirty Secret Behind America's Energy Future
(New York: Houghton Mifflin, 2008), 75. Goodell reported that the first significant rail line was built in the British coal town of Darlington to carry coal to the port at Stockton.
6
Peter W. Huber and Mark P. Mills,
The Bottomless Well: The Twilight of Fuel, the Virtue of Waste, and Why We Will Never Run Out of Energy
(New York: Basic Books, 2005), 4â5.
10
That well was drilled about 43 miles south of Morgan City, Louisiana.
15
Robert Bryce,
Cronies: Oil, the Bushes, and the Rise of Texas, America's Superstate
(New York: PublicAffairs, 2004), 26.
16
William Fisher, geology professor, University of Texas at Austin, personal communication with author, April 8, 2009.
17
Huber and Mills,
Bottomless Well
, 170.
Chapter 5
1
Maury Klein,
The Power Makers: Steam, Electricity, and the Men Who Invented Modern America
(New York: Bloomsbury, 2008), 168.
4
Vaclav Smil,
Creating the Twentieth Century: Technical Innovations of 1867â1914 and Their Lasting Impact
(New York: Oxford University Press, 2005), 89.
7
Smil,
Creating the Twentieth Century
, 56. For weight and power rating, see American Society of Mechanical Engineers, “National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmarks: Edison âJumbo' Engine-Driven Dynamo and Marine-Type Triple Expansion Engine-Driven Dynamo,” May 29, 1980,
http://files.asme.org/ASMEORG/Communities/History/Landmarks/5537.pdf
.
10
Barbara Freese,
Coal: A Human History
(New York: Penguin, 2003), 97.
11
Vaclav Smil,
Energy: A Beginner's Guide
(Oxford: Oneworld, 2006), 120.