序言は東大総長、文相などを歴任した日本を代表する原子核物理学者である有馬朗人「これこそエネルギーについて我々が切望していたハンドブックであると確信した」（日本語原文より）。The handbook provides comprehensive, reliable and timely sets of data on energy resources and uses. It gathers in one publication a brief description of the current state-of-the-art for a wide variety of energy resources, including data on resource availability worldwide and at different cost levels. Experts in various areas who provide relevant data for further exploration and research include former head of the Nuclear Reactors Directorate of the CEA; Director of the Potential Gas Agency; former CEO of an Icelandic engineering company.