Understanding Alternative Energy
Prepared by staff of the Dallas Public Library'sGovernment Information Center & Business & Technology Division
Introduction
As the global demand for fuel rises, the search for new energy sources has intensified. This guide provides orientation to some of the issues and highlights selected resources.
- Government Agencies & Programs
- Alternative Fuels
- Biofuels
- Cellulosic ethanol
- CO2 sequestration (coal)
- Corn ethanol
- Fuel Cells
- Geothermal Energy
- Hydro Power
- Nuclear Power
- Solar power
- Wind power
- Green Building & Urban Planning
- Energy Conservation
- Transportation Systems
- Research Centers
- Advocacy Organizations
- Resources
1. Government Agencies & Programs
- Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (US Dept. of Energy)
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory (US Dept. of Energy)
- Energy & Fuel (USA.GOV)
- Alternative Fuels & Advanced Vehicles Data Center (US Dept. of Energy)
- Texas Renewable Energy Incentives
- State Energy Conservation Office (SECO)
- Texas Renewable Energy Links
- Vehicle Technologies Program (US DOE)
Books
- Biofuels for Transport: Global Potential and Implications for Energy and Agriculture. By World Watch Institute. (333.954 B615 2007)
2. Alternative Fuels
Biofuels: Biodiesel & Biomass
Books
- Biodiesel: Growing a New Energy Economy (662.669 P141B 2005)
- Biomass: Energy From Plants and Animals (333.9539 B615 2007)
- Biomass For Renewable Energy, Fuels, and Chemicals (662.88 K63B 1998)
Cellulosic ethanol
CO2 sequestration (coal)
Corn Ethanol
Books
- Fuel From Farms: A Guide to Small-Scale Ethanol Production. (662.669 S684F)
Fuel Cells
- Fuel Cells (Wikipedia)
- Hydrogen Economy (Wikipedia)
Books
- Designing and Building Fuel Cells (621.31242 S755D 2007)
- Fuel Cell Projects for the Evil Genius (621.31242 H294F 2008)
- Fuel Cell Systems Explained (621.31242 L324F 2000)
- Handbook of Fuel Cells: Fundamentals, Technology, and Applications (621.31242 H236 2003)
Geothermal Energy
Books
- Geothermal Energy (J 621.44 S257G 2008)
- Geothermal Power (621.44 G352 2007)
Hydro Power
Books
- Fuel From Water: Energy Independence with Hydrogen (665.81 P363F 2003)
- The Hydrogen Energy Transition: Moving Toward the Post Petroleum Age in Transportation (665.81 H995 2004)
- Hydrogen and Fuel Cells: Emerging Technologies and Applications (665.81 S713H 2005)
- Alternative Fuels: The Future of Hydrogen (333.794 H811A 2007)
Nuclear Power
Books
- Nuclear Energy Now: Why the Time Has Come for the World's Most Misunderstood Energy Source (333.7924 H538N 2007)
- Nuclear Power: A Reference Handbook (333.7924 H496N 2000)
Solar power
- Solar Energy (Wikipedia)
- Photovoltaics (Sandia National Laboratory)
- Solar Water Heaters
Books
- Practical Photovoltaics: Electricity From Solar Cells (621.31244 K81P 2001)
- The Passive Solar House (690.83704 K11P 2006)
Wind power
Books
- Wind Energy Basics: A Guide to Small and Micro Wind Systems (621.31213 G514W 1999)
- Wind Energy Explained: Theory, Design and Application (621.31213 M295W 2002)
- Wind Power: Renewable Energy for Home, Farm, and Business (621.45 G514W 2004)
Fuel versus Food
3. Built Environment
Books
- Building Green: A Complete How-to Guide to Alternative Building Methods: Earth Plaster, Straw Bale, Cordwood, Cob, Living Roofs (690.837 S671B 2005)
- Green Roofs in Sustainable Landscape Design (635.9671 2008)
- The Homeowner's Guide to Energy Independence: Alternative Power Sources for the Average American
(333.79 W898H 2006) - Bioclimatic Housing: Innovative Designs for Warm Climates (720.47 B615 2008)
4. Transportation Systems
- Bicycle & Pedestrian Program (US FHWA)
- Smart Growth American - Transportation
- Public Transportation
- Smart Mobility
Local Organizations
- Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART)
- Denton County Transit Authority (DCTA)
- McKinney Avenue Transit Authority (MATA)
- Trinity Railway Express (TRE)
- Bicycling Groups
- Regional Veloweb
Books
- Asphalt Nation: How the Automobile Took over America and How We Can Take it Back (303.4832 K23A 1997)
- Plug-in Hybrids: The Cars That Will Recharge America (629.2293 B742P 2006)
- How To Live Well Without Owning a Car: Save Money, Breathe Easier, and Get More Mileage Out of Life (332.024 B186H 2006)
- Divorce Your Car!: Ending the Love Affair With the Automobile (303.4832 A476D 2000)
6. Research Centers - Academic
- Energy Systems Lab (Texas A&M)
- Gulf Coast Carbon Center (Univ. of Texas)
- Nuclear Engineering (Texas A&M)
Note: See also Government labs, above.
8. Resources
Finders & Maps
- Alternative Energy Sources in the US
- Alternative Fuel Stations Locator
- Energy Sites to visit on the Internet (California Energy Commission)
- Wind Energy Resource Map
Magazines & Catalogs
Books
- Alternative Energy ( 333.794 A466 2006)
- Alternative Energy: An Introduction to Alternative & Renewable Energy Sources ( 333.794 H429A 1996)
- Energy Alternatives (333.79 E56 2006)
- Handbook of Alternative Fuel Technologies ( 662.6 L481H 2007)
- Plunkett's Renewable, Alternative & Hydrogen Energy Industry Almanac ( 333.794 P737)
- Power With Nature: Solar and Wind Energy Demystified ( 621.47 E95P 2003)