There Is No Energy Problem

The purpose of this book is to demonstrate how our forward-looking and progressive nation can be free of dependence on limited energy sources, such as foreign oil. This book will define energy and describe its current uses and sources. We will ultimately recognize how we can economically and efficiently use the sun's energy to supply all of our current and future needs.

The book begins by defining energy and then giving examples, such as hoisting a weight, pushing a piston, or boiling a pail of water. Some of the common forms of energy are known as kinetic, thermal, chemical, electrical, radiant, sound, stored, potential, and nuclear. These forms are described and exemplified.

Concern is sometimes expressed that world energy is being "used up." This is a meaningless concern. Here we will evaluate and quantify the world's principal energy usage (food, heat, transportation, and industrial processes), and consider the energy sources which provide this usage. A sensible and economically viable plan is then proposed and described for meeting all our energy needs.

As we consider and examine various energy sources which mankind has available, we easily come to the most dramatic and most important source for a sensible energy policy: direct solar radiation. We would satisfy all U.S. energy requirements if we were able to capture and make use of one hundredth of 1% of all the solar energy intercepted by the earth. This is not a very difficulty thing to do. All we need is creative vision, governmental support, and the determination to become energy independent soon, and our sensible goals will be achieved completely and economically.

In 1986, Coleman Raphael retired as C.E.O. and Chairman of the 5000-employee Atlantic Research Corporation. Following that, he was appointed Dean of the School of Business Administration at George Mason University, bringing it to accreditation and national recognition by 1991. Earlier in his career, Dr. Raphael taught mechanical engineering at Pratt Institute. He was also a program manager at Republic Aviation Corporation; a rocket scientist at Avco; and a Vice President of Fairchild Industries. He has been a director of G.E.I.C.O. and the National Bank of Washington, an advisor and energy consultant toVirginia and Maryland governors, and an author of several textbooks and many journal articles. He has many civic and academic awards, appears in Who's Who, and was elected to the Washington Business Hall of Fame. He also taught capitalism for the Commerce Department in China. Dr. Raphael has two degrees in Civil Engineering and a Doctorate in Applied Mechanics. He has been a keynote speaker at national symposia, a commentator on T.V., and the commencement speaker at G.W. University. His lectures and writings have included scientific as well as sociological issues, as well as ethical behavior and rational governmental policies.