09 Nov 2012 23:17:04
Yergin's doorstep of a book (more than 800 pages) charts in impressive if at times excessive detail "the quest for the energy on which we so completely rely". This is clearly a timely and even important book, describing the origins of our modern energy world and how our cars and computers will be powered in the future. Yergin is an optimist. There have been many Cassandras who have foreseen imminent energy crises. In 1881, Lord Kelvin predicted that "the subterranean coal-stores of the world" were on the verge of exhaustion. The arrival of peak oil has been anticipated since 1956. Yergin doesn't believe in peak oil. He sees oil production reaching a "plateau" around mid-century. He puts his faith in human creativity and innovation to provide alternatives, such as biofuels. In the meantime we need to diversify energy supplies, prioritise efficiency and ensure that our systems are resilient. A "cyber Pearl Harbor" targeting the electricity grid could be catastrophic in today's wired world. This is a balanced though somewhat dry survey of a vital issue.
