Table of Contents

Preface * Acknowledgements * Introduction Towards Sustainable Electricity * Part 1: Making Energy Sustainable * Making the World Work * The Energy Dilemma * Rethinking Energy * Part 2: Making Electricity Sustainable * Full Circle * The Electric Challenge * Generating Change * Networking Change * Decentralizing networks * Getting the Story Right * Getting Energy Right * Sustainable Electricity: Changing Minds * Annex 1: Running the Planet * Annex 2: Discussing Energy: A Style Guide * Annex 3: Glossary * Annex 4: Further Information * Index

Promotional Information

"Patterson thoroughly understands and explains the failures of the past that led to the dominance of centralized power systems. His inspiring vision for a decentralized future is a positive affirmation that we can indeed improve the health of the planet without hurting the global economy." --David Sweet, Executive Director, World Alliance for Decentralized Energy, Washington "As ever [Patterson] provokes us to re-examine our own thinking about energy policy. Essential reading as we face up to new challenges." --Jim Skea, Research Director, UK Energy Research Centre "A very important and timely book. Patterson persuasively challenges traditional asumptions about how we think of energy and electricity, and presents and exciting vision of an innovative and sustainable future." --Nick Mabey, Chief Executive, E3G, and former senior adviser in the UK Prime Minister's Strategy Unit "Patterson carves out the most applied and practical of 'road maps' as to where we need to go if we are to deliver a genuinely sustainable electricity system for the future." --Jonathon Porritt, Chair, UK Sustainable Development Commission

About the Author

Walt Patterson trained as a nuclear physicist before spending his life teaching, writing, and campaigning. He has published twelve books and several hundred papers, articles and reviews on nuclear power, coal technology, renewable energy, energy systems, energy policy, and electricity. Since 1991 he has been a fellow of what is now the Energy, Environment and Development Programme at Chatham House in London.

Reviews

"It should be compulsive reading, if not compulsory reading, for all politicians and other players that determine or have a role to play in energy policy, and more importantly in tackling climate change." --Allan Jones, Chief Executive Officer, London Climate Change Agency "Patterson shines his own penetrating light into the future of electricity, identifying some surprising possibilities He has a remarkable talent for explaining technical concepts in simple, compelling terms, and for drawing lessons from history that help define positive, possible futures. If you use electricity, you should read this book." --Ralph Torrie, Vice President, ICF International, Toronto "Patterson thoroughly understands and explains the failures of the past that led to the dominance of centralized power systems. His inspiring vision for a decentralized future is a positive affirmation that we can indeed improve the health of the planet without hurting the global economy." --David Sweet, Executive Director, World Alliance for Decentralized Energy, Washington "As ever [Patterson] provokes us to re-examine our own thinking about energy policy. Essential reading as we face up to new challenges." --Jim Skea, Research Director, UK Energy Research Centre "A very important and timely book. Patterson persuasively challenges traditional asumptions about how we think of energy and electricity, and presents and exciting vision of an innovative and sustainable future." --Nick Mabey, Chief Executive, E3G, and former senior adviser in the UK Prime Minister's Strategy Unit "Patterson carves out the most applied and practical of 'road maps' as to where we need to go if we are to deliver a genuinely sustainable electricity system for the future." --Jonathon Porritt, Chair, UK Sustainable Development Commission