Book excerpt: The book contains a broad and in depth review by leading world experts of the progress and the problems of current interest in gaseous dielectrics and their use, especially as insulators in high-voltage equipment and substations. Recent advances in superconductivity for power transmission and in plasma technology are also included. The fundamental, applied and industrial research described in the book allows the electric power industry to transmit and distribute electrical energy in more efficient, safe and environmentally acceptable ways.