Energy Science, Principles, Technologies and
Impacts: Second Edition, by John Andrews
and Nick Jelley
Scope: review. Level: general readership, undergraduate,
early career researcher, teacher
CONTEMPORARY PHYSICS
DOI:10.1080/00107514.2014.948920
Ignazio Licataab*
Author affiliations
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•
a
ISEM, Institute for Scientific Methodology, Palermo, Italy
School of Advanced International Studies on Theoretical and Non Linear Methodologies
of Physics, Bari, Italy
b
In his novel ‘Solar’, Ian MacEwan narrates the extraordinary conversion of a ‘pure’ theoretical
physicist to the study of alternative sources of energy. The British writer provides an effective
image to the collective imaginary, thus suggesting that the question of energy is not ‘only’ a
technological problem, incidentally vital for humanity, but also a territory of theoretical challenges
for future physicists. The novel shows its author to be well informed on the research of the Tessa
Calhoun group on quantum coherence in photosynthesis [1]. The welcome second edition of
Andrews and Jelley’s Energy Science book gives an interdisciplinary, systemic view as well as an
organic presentation of the basic principles of each energy cycle. It is difficult to find in a single
book all the fundamental theoretical aspects, and the state of the art of technological
implementation with the related economic scenarios. The book consists of 12 chapters where the
topics introduced range from historically consolidated sources to which new technological
possibilities promise significant innovations up to the frontiers in which the object of research is the
source itself. Thus, thermal energy, energy from fossil fuels, wind power (with a theoretical survey
on fluid mechanics and hydropower necessary for understanding and contextualising the strategies
of use and stockage), solar energy and the scenarios opened up through development of
photovoltaic technology, Biomass, right through to Energy from nuclear fission and fusion. The last
two chapters focus upon the problem of energy storage in all its forms and social aspects (needs,
safety and environmental impact). In each chapter, there are exercises, suggestions for further
reading and a wide webliography. There is also a link to an online resource centre which provides
details on the more technical aspects, thus using the book as a springboard. The expository slant
chosen is clear and concise, and aims to provide a unitary and strongly interconnected vision on
very different topics, in particular for those which have developed in different ways … For
example, although the literature on hydraulic power networks is dispersed in a large number and
variety of technical reports, the theoretical corpus on solar energy can be compared to that on
nuclear energy [2].
The book uses a very pragmatic approach, which is remarkable for a text dealing with such a
culturally and politically sensitive question as energy. In fact, the book provides references to
possible lines of development, but only for already productive and economically consolidated
technologies. The curious researcher in the above-mentioned fields of photosynthesis reproduction
or those concerning nanotechnology and organic developments in photovoltaics (photovoltaic
polymers), will have to look elsewhere. In this way, the content defines rather well the range of
possible readers: physics, engineering, biology and geology students in their first year at university,
but also the ‘neighbourhood’ researcher who wants a quick informational picture of a field where
there is a wide range of possibilities. One such example is that of 18-year-old Eesha Kare who in
her high school science project developed a super-capacitor for recharging batteries in only a few
seconds. But beyond the figure of the extemporary inventor, the most promising perspectives in this
field lie in the ability of new generations to face formidable interdisciplinary challenges. And it is
precisely this accent on the multidimensional aspects of the problems, as well as exploding the myth
of ‘one source’, which gives Andrews and Jelley’s book a cultural advantage with respect to other
books on this theme. Amongst physicists: ‘fundamental problems’ do not exist, only difficult
challenges waiting to be taken up.
Ignazio Licata
ISEM, Institute for Scientific Methodology, Palermo, Italy
School of Advanced International Studies on Theoretical and non Linear Methodologies of Physics,
Bari, Italy
ignazio.licata3@gmail.com
© 2014, Ignazio Licata
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00107514.2014.948920
References
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1. T.R. Calhoun and G.R. Fleming, Quantum coherence in photosynthetic complexes, Phys.
Stat. Sol. b 248 (2011), p. 833.10.1002/pssb.v248.4 [CrossRef]
2. S. Zekai, Solar Energy Fundamentals and Modeling Techniques, Springer, London, 2008.