Power Up is a very readable introduction to all parts of the energy transition – how it’s generated, how it’s moved to where it’s needed, and how we consume it.
How we generate electricity sustainably is arguably the easy part of the decarbonisation challenge. The first section of the book features a chapter each on fossil fuels, nuclear, solar, and wind and hydro. Each explores the history of the technology – in some cases going back into prehistory – the current state of the market, and a few promising emerging technologies.
The second section then looks at the connecting infrastructure – how fossil fuels have been carried by ship, road and rail; pipelines for oil, gas and hydrogen; cables for electricity; and the increasingly important role of energy storage to help smooth the daily and seasonal irregularities of renewable generation.
Finally, how we use energy in heating and cooling our buildings; industry, including concrete and fertiliser production; and transport by land, sea and air. This is where some of the biggest challenges of decarbonisation lie. None are insurmountable, though, or even uneconomic.
Clear and clean
It could be a dry and technical read, but engineer-turned-author Yasmin Ali keeps it all very readable and understandable for the non-specialist. Where some technical explanation is required, it’s as clear as you could hope for – her introduction to the merits and challenges of high-voltage AC versus DC for long-range electricity transmission is probably the best I’ve read.
There’s some intriguing side-journeys into aspects of energy infrastructure which would be overlooked by other authors. Highlights for me were the robotic cleaners which keep the panels of a huge solar power station in the Rajasthani desert clear of sand, and the demanding working conditions endured by the technical divers who weld underwater gas pipelines.
Ali also includes a wealth of personal anecdotes, including cold opens to each chapter. I can find that a cloying technique with some writers, but not here. It helps that she’s had an interesting personal journey from a childhood in Iraq and other parts of the Middle East, through a move to the UK and an early career in a gas-powered power station, to embracing the need for a decarbonised power system.
Crucially, she makes infrastructure engineering sound like fun. She has an infectious enthusiasm for giant installations such as floating offshore wind turbines and (one of my favourites) the Cruachan hydroelectric plant in western Scotland, as well as an eye for the telling detail. For a young person contemplating their future career, this could nudge them in the right direction.
Valuable message
Overall, Power Up is a great survey of many different parts of the energy system. It offers less technical depth than, say, Chris Goodall’s Possible, but is more accessible and engaging for the general reader. It’s closer in tone to Deb Chaudra’s How Infrastructure Works, but with a tighter focus.
If you’re working in one area of energy, it’s a good opportunity to catch up with what’s happening in other sectors. Any of the chapters could be read in isolation, though the book’s value comes from its breadth.
If you are relatively familiar with the big picture, there’ll likely be some corners which are new to you. For me, solar thermal cooling systems stood out as an exciting tech which I wasn’t familiar with.
But the biggest audience will be the majority of people who know little about how energy infrastructure works, but want to understand how it all can be made more sustainable. A book like this is especially valuable when we’re continually being told by certain parties that emissions reduction is far too complicated or expensive to be realistic.
Power Up was originally published in 2024, and I didn’t spot anything that seemed glaringly out of date. The paperback edition was due to be released in May but seems to have been pulled. I hope it’s not delayed long, because Power Up deserves to reach a larger audience.
Thanks to Yasmin for providing the review copy.
I’m always looking for interesting books on climate, sustainability and communications topics to read and review. Recommendations are welcome – email me at tim@othersfield.com