Renewable energy is crucial to preserve the environment. This energy involves various systems that must be optimized and assessed to provide better performance; however, the design and development of renewable energy systems remains a challenge. It is crucial to implement the latest innovative research in the field in order to develop and improve renewable energy systems. Applications of Nature-Inspired Computing in Renewable Energy Systems discusses the latest research on nature-inspired computing approaches applied to the design and development of renewable energy systems and provides new solutions to the renewable energy domain. Covering topics such as microgrids, wind power, and artificial neural networks, it is ideal for engineers, industry professionals, researchers, academicians, practitioners, teachers, and students.

This publication analyzes the use of clean and efficient cooking technologies in the Philippines and identifies opportunities and challenges to fast-track their uptake. In Asia and the Pacific, 1.8 billion people still rely on traditional cooking methods using fires and solid fuels. The wider uptake of cleaner cooking solutions is vital for achieving the Sustainable Development Goal 7 objective of universal access to modern, affordable, reliable, and sustainable modern energy. It is also important for the environment and human health. Based on a study of household cooking practices in the Philippines, this publication provides insights and recommendations to encourage clean cooking in the country. The findings identify policy, information, technology, and financing gaps that must be addressed to boost the development and market expansion of clean cooking technologies.

This publication discusses issues and resolutions on the clean energy and network efficiency investment project in Sri Lanka as one of the Office of the Special Project Facilitator's Lessons Learned series of case studies on complaint management. The Office of the Special Project Facilitator is responsible for the problem-solving function of ADB's Accountability Mechanism. It aims to actively respond to the concerns of people affected by ADB-assisted projects through fair, transparent, and consensus-based problem-solving. The case studies in series aim to support ADB operations departments, government and private sector partners, and other stakeholders by documenting grievance redress management experiences and identifying important lessons and good practices on problem-solving that are useful for future projects.

Despite recent efforts by the Government of Indonesia to promote renewable energy investments, fossil fuels continue to account for around 90% of the national power generation mix. High financing costs and low power purchase agreement tariffs have been identified as major roadblocks for renewable energy investments in the country. This report examines how an Energy Resilience Fund can be designed to overcome the investment challenges by providing financial incentives for renewable energy developers. It makes recommendations for the fund's scope, structure, institutional design, function, and operation. Potential funding sources are also assessed.

Air pollution policy is closely connected with climate change, public health, energy, transport, trade, and agriculture, and generally speaking, the Earth has been pushed to the brink and the damage is becoming increasingly obvious. The transport sector remains a foremost source of air pollutants - a fact that has stimulated the production of biofuels. This book focuses on the biodiesel industry, and proposes a modification of the entire manufacturing chain that would pave the way for further improvements. Oil derived from oilseed plantations/crops is the most commonly used feedstock for the production of biodiesel. At the same time, the UK's Royal Academy of Engineering and 178 scientists in the Netherlands have determined that some biofuels, such as diesel produced from food crops, have led to more emissions than those produced by fossil fuels. Accordingly, this book re-evaluates the full cycle of biodiesel production in order to help find optimal solutions. It confirms that the production and use of fertilizers for the cultivation of crop feedstocks generate considerably more GHG emissions compared to the mitigation achieved by using biodiesel. To address this fertilization challenge, projecting future biofuel development requires a scenario in which producers shift to an organic agriculture approach that includes the use of microalgae. Among advanced biofuels, algae's advantages as a feedstock include the highest conversion of solar energy, and the ability to absorb CO2 and pollutants; as such, it is the better choice for future fuels. With regard to the question of why algae's benefits have not been capitalized on for biofuel production, our analyses indicate that the sole main barrier to realizing algae's biofuel potential is ineffective international and governmental policies, which create difficulties in reconciling the goals of economic development and environmental protection.

As the largest energy consuming country and the second largest oil importing country, China has been the net importer of all fossil energy since 2009. With its increasing external energy dependence year by year, as well as frequent occurrences of oil, coal, and electricity shortages, the issue of energy security has been increasingly serious. What is the level of energy security in China? How might we improve national energy supply security and reduce energy trade risks? This book sets out a systematic piece of research which attempts to tackle these hot issues. It starts with the history of world energy geopolitics and domestic energy security, focusing on the hot issues of the complexity of the international energy market, and moves to domestic energy import trade risks, domestic strategic energy reserve strategies, and the impact of the energy crisis on domestic economy. Further insights include the environmental and health effects of energy consumption, the development potential of renewable energy, energy security early-warning and contingency plans, and an international comparison of energy security. The book will be an insightful resource for researchers and students of energy economics and energy management. It will also be a helpful support and reference tool for decision-makers in the energy industry.

This book provides details on the innovations made to achieve sustainability in manufacturing. It highlights the trends of current progress in research and development being done to achieve overall sustainability in manufacturing technology. Green-EDM, Hybrid machining, MQL assisted machining, sustainable casting, welding, finishing and casting, energy- and resource-efficient manufacturing are some of the important topics discussed in this book.

The need for clean sources of energy has increased dramatically as the realities of climate change have begun to effect life on earth. As a result, the demand for pioneering businesses in the sustainable energy industry will increase. Entrepreneurship and Business Development in the Renewable Energy Sector is a critical scholarly resource that examines the growing industry of clean energy as an opportunity to create and expand enterprises, as well as discusses the need for entrepreneurial thinking in this new and growing market. Featuring coverage on a broad range of topics such as corporate entrepreneurship, business growth cycles, and photovoltaic energy, this book is geared towards academicians, researchers, and professionals seeking current research on the expanding economic market of clean energy.

This book examines the role played by civil nuclear energy in Britain's relationship with Europe between the end of the Second World War and London's first application to join the European Communities. Tracing the development of the British nuclear programme as it emerged as a global leader in constructing the world's first atomic power stations, it analyses how the threat of energy shortages throughout the 1950s presented ministers with a golden opportunity to utilise nuclear cooperation as an instrument to influence the political shape of Europe. Importantly, this book will show how this chance was missed by ministers due to a combination of disorganization and diplomatic pressure, as well as a perennial lack of domestic resources. In so doing, this book joins the long-disconnected historiographies of European integration and nuclear energy to offer a new perspective on both scholarly fields.

Bioethanol and Beyond: Advances in Production Process and Future Directions discusses the advances in the production process of bioethanol, ranging from first to fourth generation bioethanol. Bioethanol is currently applied besides simple fuels (biofuel): it is mixed with other fuels, such as gasoline and diesel, and used for generating renewable fuels, such as hydrogen. Advances in the industrial bioethanol (first and second generation) chain point towards the co-energy generation, in situ, and the possibility of generating outside the industry via energetic densification of the residues. A biorefinery is suggested as a strategy to use the industrial residues by amplifying the products portfolio and, thus, collaborating with the process feasibility. The book covers the technological possibilities to produce bioethanol. These processes include the second generation with the use of structural sugars from the plant cell wall and residues from algae (third and fourth generation bioethanol). The fermentation process and contamination in the industrial fermentation is presented, as well as strategies for its control. Pretreatment technologies, enzymatic hydrolysis technologies, and the search for enzymes are described based on recent developments and finds. When it comes to commercialization, technical-analytical standards have been developed in order to control bioethanol quality, contributing to overcome technical barriers and providing product reliability. This book covers the most important tasks in the production process and future directions for the uses, which is a very useful source of information for everything involved in bioethanol science. In particular, this book will answer the questions of students and researches regarding bioethanol production process, as well as professionals in the industry supply chain.

The important role of metals, their oxides and catalytically-interactive supports in contemporary investigations related to rational construction of next-generation devices as alternative energy sources and hi-tech electronics is ambitiously presented throughout this book. The topics involve: Carbonaceous and non-typical platinum-based nanostructured electrode materials as promising candidates for anodic reactions in low-temperature fuel cells. Ruthenium oxide as electroactive material, presented through its innovative synthesis routes involving microwave heating and ultrasonic spray pyrolysis, with the focus on its performances as an electrochemical supercapacitor, but also as a part of multicomponent electrode coating in electrocatalysis of chlorine and oxygen evolution. Alkaline water electrolysis as the simplest method for hydrogen production especially when using renewable energy sources, offering the advantage of simplicity and environmentally clean technology with zero emission of greenhouse gases. New frontiers in electroconductive composite materials and biopolymers combined with noble metal nanoparticles that can be used in nanoelectronics and medical nanotechnologies. The possibilities for the operational improvement of an aluminum-air battery presented through alternative modifications of an Al-anode by alloying with magnesium and electromagnetic bulk structure homogenization. The improvements of copper-based materials as well as the research toward sustainable production of copper itself as an important component for further development of electronic devices.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of current renewable energy technologies and their basic principles. It also addresses the financial aspects of renewable energy projects and analyzes their profitability, covering the most relevant topics for engineers, economists, managers and scientists who are actively involved in renewable energy research and management. The authors are professionals and researchers who are active in the industry, and supplement the main content with revealing case studies and best-practice examples.

A comprehensive political analysis of the rapid growth in renewable wind and solar power, mapping an energy transition through theory, case studies, and policy. Wind and solar are the most dynamic components of the global power sector. How did this happen? After the 1973 oil crisis, the limitations of an energy system based on fossil fuels created an urgent need to experiment with alternatives, and some pioneering governments reaped political gains by investing heavily in alternative energy such as wind or solar power. Public policy enabled growth over time, and economies of scale brought down costs dramatically. In this book, Michael Aklin and Johannes Urpelainen offer a comprehensive political analysis of the rapid growth in renewable wind and solar power, mapping an energy transition through theory, case studies, and policy analysis. Aklin and Urpelainen argue that, because the fossil fuel energy system and political support for it are so entrenched, only an external shock-an abrupt rise in oil prices, or a nuclear power accident, for example-allows renewable energy to grow. They analyze the key factors that enable renewable energy to withstand political backlash, andt they draw on this analyisis to explain and predict the development of renewable energy in different countries over time. They examine the pioneering efforts in the United States, Germany, and Denmark after the 1973 oil crisis and other shocks; explain why the United States surrendered its leadership role in renewable energy; and trace the recent rapid growth of modern renewables in electricity generation, describing, among other things, the return of wind and solar to the United States. Finally, they apply the lessons of their analysis to contemporary energy policy issues.

Few industries in the U.S. are as stuck in the past as our utilities are. In the face of growing challenges from climate change and the need for energy security, a system and a business model that each took more than a century to evolve must now be extensively retooled in the span of a few decades. Despite the need, many of the technologies and institutions needed are still being designed or tested. It is like rebuilding our entire airplane fleet, along with our runways and air traffic control system, while the planes are all up in the air filled with passengers.
In this accessible and insightful book, Peter Fox-Penner considers how utilities interact with customers and how the Smart Grid could revolutionize their relationship. Turning to the supply side, he considers the costs of, and tradeoffs between, large-scale power sources such as coal plants and small-scale power sources close to customers. Finally, he looks at how utilities can respond to all of these challenges and remain viable, while financing hundreds of billions of dollars of investment without much of an increase in sales.
Upon publication, Smart Power was praised as an instant classic on the future of energy utilities. This Anniversary Edition includes up-to-date assessments of the industry by such leading energy experts as Daniel Estes and Jim Rogers, as well as a new afterword from the author. Anyone who is interested in our energy future will appreciate the clear explanations and the in-depth analysis it offers.

This book offers a complete introduction for novices to understand key concepts of biocatalysis and how to produce in-house enzymes that can be used for low-cost biofuels production. The authors discuss the challenges involved in the commercialization of the biofuel industry, given the expense of commercial enzymes used for lignocellulose conversion. They describe the limitations in the process, such as complexity of lignocellulose structure, different microbial communities' actions and interactions for degrading the recalcitrant structure of lignocellulosic materials, hydrolysis mechanism and potential for bio refinery. Readers will gain understanding of the key concepts of microbial catalysis of lignocellulosic biomass, process complexities and selection of microbes for catalysis or genetic engineering to improve the production of bioethanol or biofuel

This important book lays bare the dangers of global warming caused by carbon dioxide emissions stemming from fossil fuel use, and proposes pathways toward mitigation. A discussion of the current main uses of fossil fuels acts as a basis for presenting viable, economically sound alternatives. The author outlines a clear, practical strategy for establishing a carbon-free future by deploying proven policy structures and technologies that are already commercially available.

The thesis has critically examined, both theoretically and experimentally, a novel tri-generation system concept - with encouraging system performance demonstrated. The thesis establishes the significant potential of the novel tri-generation system in providing effective built environment decarbonisation through decentralised generation; strengthening the case for a future hydrogen economy. In response to the critical need to decarbonise the built environment, alternative methods for more effective energy utilisation need to be explored including tri-generation systems. The thesis presents the design, development and testing of a novel proof-of-concept tri-generation system based on solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) and liquid desiccant air conditioning technology to provide electricity, heating and cooling to building applications. No previous work has been reported on such a system. The theme of the work sits within the topics of low-carbon and sustainable energy technologies, building services and low carbon building applications.

This book analyses how socially responsible investments as well as the rising importance of Islamic finance are linked to the shift towards renewable energy. Academics and practitioners in the field take a global perspective and present case studies from several countries. The book is divided into three parts: The first part sheds new light on the energy shift towards renewable energy. The second shows the increasing interest of investors in sustainability, and the authors argue that investors not only look at expected returns and risks, but also at social returns. Finally, the third part explains the need for social returns in Islamic finance, which cannot be explained by traditional finance theory. This is the fifth volume in a series on energy organized by the Centre for Energy and Value Issues (CEVI).

This book presents different aspects of renewable energy integration, from the latest developments in renewable energy technologies to the currently growing smart grids. The importance of different renewable energy sources is discussed, in order to identify the advantages and challenges for each technology. The rules of connecting the renewable energy sources have also been covered along with practical examples. Since solar and wind energy are the most popular forms of renewable energy sources, this book provides the challenges of integrating these renewable generators along with some innovative solutions. As the complexity of power system operation has been raised due to the renewable energy integration, this book also includes some analysis to investigate the characteristics of power systems in a smarter way. This book is intended for those working in the area of renewable energy integration in distribution networks.

This book reviews recent progress in our understanding of tokamak physics related to steady state operation, and addresses the scientific feasibility of a steady state tokamak fusion power system. It covers the physical principles behind continuous tokamak operation and details the challenges remaining and new lines of research towards the realization of such a system. Following a short introduction to tokamak physics and the fundamentals of steady state operation, later chapters cover parallel and perpendicular transport in tokamaks, MHD instabilities in advanced tokamak regimes, control issues, and SOL and divertor plasmas. A final chapter reviews key enabling technologies for steady state reactors, including negative ion source and NBI systems, Gyrotron and ECRF systems, superconductor and magnet systems, and structural materials for reactors. The tokamak has demonstrated an excellent plasma confinement capability with its symmetry, but has an intrinsic drawback with its pulsed operation with inductive operation. Efforts have been made over the last 20 years to realize steady state operation, most promisingly utilizing bootstrap current. Frontiers in Fusion Research II: Introduction to Modern Tokamak Physics will be of interest to graduate students and researchers involved in all aspects of tokamak science and technology.