Market fluxes, reserve margins, and politics have combined this past year to create an increasingly complex global stage in the long-running drama that has become known as The Energy Crisis.

Fortunately, there are many alternatives for solving energy problems. Unfortunately, coming up with one that is politically correct and efficient enough to produce long-term results has been nearly impossible.

Different parts of the world have responded to their energy needs in their own ways. In the United States, the push for viable alternatives is especially high, given the increasing cost of oil, coal, and natural gas, plus the growth of deregulated wholesale electricity markets.

In this issue of Mechanical Engineering Power, our fifth annual, we review the past year and examine some options. We also look at novel energy-efficient solutions to specific real- life problems that cry out for more power.

-- John G. Falcioni
Editor-in-Chief

Return to Index