Energy Economics: A Modern Introduction - Hardcover

Banks, Ferdinand E.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0792377001 ISBN 13: 9780792377009

Publisher: Springer, 2000

Synopsis

"Energy is the go of things", as James Clerk Maxwell pointed out. This th simple truth was largely overlooked during the first 70 years of the 20 century, because in the industrial world most politicians, civil servants, and opinion makers were inclined to believe that virtually an infinite supply of reasonably priced energy would always be available, and so things would continue to 'go' in the manner to which many of their constituents and admirers had become accustomed. Similar opinions were held about fresh air, and water for consumption and agricultural uses. As a result, it was not until the last two decades of the century that serious courses in energy and environmental economics began to be offered at institutions of higher learning around the world. This book is intended as a comprehensive introductory text and/or reference book for courses of this nature having to do with energy economics. (I have also attempted to make the book useful for self study. ) As far as I know, there are no energy economics text or reference books on the level of this book in the English language. Needless to say, if I am wrong then I apologise to their authors; but right or wrong, I would like to see more energy economics books of all descriptions now. We cannot afford to have the same kind of mistakes made with energy policy that (in much of the world) are being made with e. g. employment policy.

About this title

Synopsis

This is a modern text and reference book on energy economics. It assumes as background only the microeconomic portion of the introductory or first course in economics, and the mathematical requirements can, for the most part, be met by secondary school algebra. The subjects taken up in some detail are: oil, gas, coal, electricity, and energy derivatives - i.e. futures, options, and swaps. The long chapter on derivatives is applicable to all commodities, and can serve as an easily read background to financial derivatives. Other topics that are treated include uranium and capital budgeting, and to a lesser extent real option theory and deregulation. There are many simple exercises that are intended to build confidence, and an extensive glossary that both students and energy professionals should find useful.

Edition details

• Publisher: Springer
• Publication date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0792377001
• ISBN 13: 9780792377009
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 287