Electric Power Principles, 2nd Edition

Preface

Since the first edition of this book was published in 2010, generation of electric power in the United States has held nearly constant at very nearly four trillion kilowatt hours each year, for an average of over 450 GW. That power consumption is nearly constant while the efficiency of important uses such as lighting is increasing sharply indicates that electric power is becoming more important in our daily lives.

Now, as at the time of the first edition, there is a high awareness of the importance of electric energy to our social welfare. There are, in my opinion, two reasons for this. First, there is an awareness of the finite supply of fossil fuels stored beneath the surface of our planet, and that one day we will have to make do with sustainable sources of energy. Second, is the fact that use of these fossil fuels releases carbon into the atmosphere, leading to possible changes in heat transfer from the surface of the earth to space with attendant climate change. For both of these reasons the traditional methods for producing and using energy for many uses may have to change. Electric power promises the means for providing carbon‐free energy. This indicates the need for well‐educated, innovative engineers to build the power systems of the future.

In addition to the need for engineering of the electric power system itself is the plain fact that electric power, in the broad sense, is being used for a wider range of applications as time goes on. Virtually all rail ...