Lights Out : The Electricity Crisis, the Global Economy, and What It Means To You

A behind-the-scenes exposure why our electricity system is headed for a state of emergency-and what can be done to head it off Most people don't realize that skyrocketing global energy demand and economic growth severely affect the supply of electricity. Between production (power plants) and delivery is an antiquated, "third-world" transmission grid that is in desperate need of hardening against breakdowns, terrorist attacks, inadequate carrying capacity, and operational obsolescence. And while electricity doesn't hold the headlines or dramatic power of oil, the ability to ensure its uninterrupted supply at a reasonable price is even more essential to global survival and prosperity. Lights Out is today's most detailed, in-depth examination of this largely unreported looming energy crisis. Written by one of the world's top electricity industry experts, this powerful book covers numerous hot button economic and political issues-free markets versus regulation; energy independence versus foreign imports; nuclear power, global warming, and other environmental issues; and much more. Beyond just uncovering and illuminating the problems, however, it proposes a comprehensive road map of technical solutions and regulatory reform from both the production and demand sides of the equation-a framework for rethinking, rebuilding, and enhancing the entire electricity production and delivery infrastructure. Prescriptive and provocative, Lights Out will redefine the simmering debate on how the world can-and must-act now to head off a global catastrophe, one that could eventually wreak even more havoc than the ongoing oil crisis. Jason Makansi is the President of Pearl Street, Inc., a consulting firm; Principal of PS Liquidity Advisors, an advisory service for energy technology companies raising capital; and Executive Director of the Energy Storage Council, a public-policy advocacy organization. A prolific author, respected industry thought leader, and seasoned communicator, Mr. Makansi has been analyzing the technological, business, and regulatory issues in electricity production and delivery for over twenty-five years. He earned a BS in chemical engineering from Columbia University. His earlier books include An Investor's Guide to the Electricity Economy, also published by John Wiley & Sons, and Managing Steam: An Engineering Guide to Commercial, Industrial, and Utility Systems. A Behind-the-scenes Expose Relating Why Our Electricity System Is Headed For A State Of Emergency--and What Can Be Done To Head It Off. Most People Don't Realize That Skyrocketing Global Energy Demand And Economic Growth Severely Affect The Supply Of Electricity. Between Production (power Plants) And Delivery Is An Antiquated, Third-world Transmission Grid That Is In Desperate Need Of Hardening Against Breakdowns, Terrorist Attacks, Inadequate Carrying Capacity, And Operational Obsolescence. And While Electricity Doesn't Hold The Headlines Or Dramatic Power Of Oil, The Ability To Ensure Its Uninterrupted Supply At A Reasonable Price Is Even More Essential To Global Survival And Prosperity. This Book Is Today's Most Detailed, In-depth Examination Of This Largely Unreported Looming Energy Crisis. Written By One Of The World's Top Electricity Industry Experts, It Covers Numerous Hot Button Economic And Political Issues: Free Markets Versus Regulation; Energy Independence Versus Foreign Imports; Nuclear Power, Global Warming, And Other Environmental Issues; And Much More. Beyond Just Uncovering And Illuminating The Problems, However, It Proposes A Comprehensive Road Map Of Technical Solutions And Regulatory Reform From Both The Production And Demand Sides Of The Equation-a Framework For Rethinking, Rebuilding, And Enhancing The Entire Electricity Production And Delivery Infrastructure. Prescriptive And Provocative, It Will Redefine The Simmering Debate On How The World Can-and Must-act Now To Head Off A Global Catastrophe, One That Could Eventually Wreak Even More Havoc Than The Ongoing Oil Crisis. Preface -- Acknowledgments -- The Worst-case Scenario -- Night Of The Living Dead -- The Production And Delivery Value Chain -- Around The World, Around Town -- Preventing The Worst Case -- Insecurities, Vulnerabilities, And An Uneasy State Of The Industry -- Why A First-world Country Has A Third-world Grid -- Living With A Transaction Economy -- The Brain Drain -- Environmental Imperatives -- Houston, We Have A Problem -- The Impact Of Lengthening Supply Lines : How Elastic Are They? -- Fighting The Last War, Planning The Next One -- It's That '70s Show -- Sticker Shock (without The Sticker) -- Electricity Storage -- Coal : Extracting Its Full Value -- Exercising The Nuclear Option -- Savvy Consumption, Empowering Ratepayers -- Distributed Power -- Redefining The Grid With Real Intelligence -- The Rest Of The World -- A Vision For The Future: Daydream, Nightmare, Or A Good Night's Rest? -- Postscript: Personal Accountability -- Bibliography -- About The Author -- Index. Jason Makansi. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 283-289) And Index. A behind-the-scenes exposure why our electricity system is headed for a state of emergency-and what can be done to head it off Most people don't realize that skyrocketing global energy demand and economic growth severely affect the supply of electricity. Between production (power plants) and delivery is an antiquated, "third-world" transmission grid that is in desperate need of hardening against breakdowns, terrorist attacks, inadequate carrying capacity, and operational obsolescence. And while electricity doesn't hold the headlines or dramatic power of oil, the ability to ensure its uninterrupted supply at a reasonable price is even more essential to global survival and prosperity. Lights Out is today's most detailed, in-depth examination of this largely unreported looming energy crisis. Written by one of the world's top electricity industry experts, this powerful book covers numerous hot button economic and political issues-free markets versus regulation; energy independence versus foreign imports; nuclear power, global warming, and other environmental issues; and much more. Beyond just uncovering and illuminating the problems, however, it proposes a comprehensive road map of technical solutions and regulatory reform from both the production and demand sides of the equation-a framework for rethinking, rebuilding, and enhancing the entire electricity production and delivery infrastructure. Prescriptive and provocative, Lights Out will redefine the simmering debate on how the world can-and must-act now to head off a global catastrophe, one that could eventually wreak even more havoc than the ongoing oil crisis. Jason Makansi is the President of Pearl Street, Inc., a consulting firm; Principal of PS Liquidity Advisors, an advisory service for energy technology companies raising capital; and Executive Director of the Energy Storage Council, a public-policy advocacy organization. A prolific author, respected industry thought leader, and seasoned communicator, Mr. Makansi has been analyzing the technological, business, and regulatory issues in electricity production and delivery for over twenty-five years. He earned a BS in chemical engineering from Columbia University. His earlier books include An Investor's Guide to the Electricity Economy , also published by John Wiley & Sons, and Managing Steam: An Engineering Guide to Commercial, Industrial, and Utility Systems. This book was written after a power failure. The author describes the problems in the energy industry. Our grid is outdated, poorly operated and this critical industry is neglected. The book points out that there are about 4 quadrants to the grid and how vulnerable it is. I remember the major blackout in New York City and parts of Canada some time ago. This could easily happen again. I was glad to see that the new administration is including an upgrade in the stimulus package. Reading this book will support the importance of this project. Journalism is dead and to get information one needs to buy books and peruse the internet. I spend lots of money on Amazon. I bought this book when it first came out and sent a copy to my sister. A behind-the-scenes expos?f why our electricity system is headed for a state of emergency-and what can be done to head it off. Most people don't realize that skyrocketing global energy demand and economic growth severely affect the supply of electricity. Between production (power plants) and delivery is an antiquated, "third-world" transmission grid that is in desperate need of hardening against breakdowns, terrorist attacks, inadequate carrying capacity, and operational obsolescence. And while electricity doesn't hold the headlines or dramatic power of oil, the ability to ensure its A critical analysis of the impact of the escalating global energy demand and economic growth on the electricity supply examines the implications of the looming energy crisis, discusses a wide range of related political and economic issues, and proposes a comprehensive program of technical solutions and regulatory reform to avert a global disaster. A behind--the--scenes exposure why our electricity system is headed for a state of emergency--and what can be done to head it off Most people dona t realize that skyrocketing global energy demand and economic growth severely affect the supply of electricity.