Making Technology Work

Fifteen interdisciplinary case studies on the application of technology in the energy and environment sectors include applications of solar, wind, fuel cell, nuclear, and other coal combustion and emission control technologies. The case studies reveal the interrelationships among technical and non-technical factors, and demonstrate that the successful application of new technologies requires the synthesis of technical, economic, political, environmental, and social aspects.

This book presents fifteen interdisciplinary case studies of the application of technology in the energy and environment sectors. The case studies include applications of solar, wind, fuel cell, nuclear, and other coal combustion and emission control technologies. Both successes and failures are analyzed. The case studies reveal the interrelationships among technical and non-technical factors, and demonstrate that the successful application of new technologies require the synthesis of technical, economic, political, environmental, and social aspects of the problem. The case studies are also used to introduce a toolbox of analytical techniques useful in the context of realistic technology application.