Electric Power & Utilities/Expert Profile

Expertise

I can explain the technical and economic tradeoffs of making electricity from natural gas, coal, nuclear, wind, solar, and biomass energy sources. I'm familiar with air pollution control technologies. I have a good understanding of the science on global warming and can explain how the various fuels and energy conversion technologies contribute to that process. I can tell you why we have to build more new nuclear, wind, and solar power plants, but will still have to keep using coal for a long time to make elctricity. I understand energy conversion efficiency. However ... I'm not an electrician, so probably cannot help with any questions on motors or wiring.

Experience in the area

Forty years as a registered professional mechanical engineer.

Education/Credentials

Graduate of Purdue University, School of Mechanical Engineering.

Past/Present Clients

EPA, DOE, State Department, USAID, World Bank, Bechtel Power Corporation, U.S. Generating Company, numerous electric utility and independent power companies.

What do you like about this subject?

Energy conversion makes the world go round! Everyone is interested in energy matters, but not many are asking the kind of questions needed to make informed choices about our energy future and how it affects the environment of our planet.

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

I want to share my 40 years experience and knowledge of energy conversion and electric power generation with as many people as possible.

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:

The electricity consumed by an average American household in a year requires burning about 5,000 pounds of coal to produce that electricity.

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

By the time today's 1st grader graduates from an engineering college, electricity use will have increased by 50% or more and energy prices will have at least doubled in real terms, and the world may need to use more than twice as much coal and nuclear energy. The times are changing, and way too little public education is being provided on all of this.