This book examines the visions, fantasies, frames, discourses, imaginaries, and expectations associated with six state-of-the-art energy systems-nuclear power, hydrogen fuel cells, shale gas, clean coal, smart meters, and electric vehicles-playing a key role in current deliberations about low-carbon energy supply and use. Visions of Energy Futures: Imagining and Innovating Low-Carbon Transitions unveils what the future of energy systems could look like, and how their meanings are produced, often alongside moments of contestation. Theoretically, it analyzes these technological case studies with emerging concepts from various disciplines: utopianism (history of technology), symbolic convergence (communication studies), technological frames (social construction of technology), discursive coalitions (discourse analysis and linguistics), sociotechnical imaginaries (science and technology studies), and the sociology of expectations (innovation studies, future studies). It draws from these cases to create a synthetic set of dichotomies and frameworks for energy futures based on original data collected across two global epistemic communities- nuclear physicists and hydrogen engineers-and experts in Eastern Europe and the Nordic region, stakeholders in South Africa, and newspapers in the United Kingdom. This book is motivated by the premise that tackling climate change via low-carbon energy systems and practices is one of the most significant challenges of the twenty-first century, and that success will require not only new energy technologies, but also new ways of understanding language, visions, and discursive politics. The discursive creation of the energy systems of tomorrow are propagated in polity, hoping to be realized as the material fact of the future, but processed in conflicting ways with underlying tensions as to how contemporary societies ought to be ordered. This book will be essential reading for students and scholars of energy policy, energy and environment, and technology assessment.

This thesis outlines the investigation of various electrode materials for Li-ion battery (LIB) applications. Li-ion batteries are widely used in various portable electronic devices owing to their compactness, light weight, longer life, design flexibility and environment friendliness. This work describes the detailed synthesis and structural studies of various novel phosphate based cathode materials and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) composites as anode materials. Their electrochemical characterization as electrode for LIBs has been investigated in detail. The thesis also includes a comprehensive introduction for non-specialists in this field. The research could benefit and will appeal to scientists, especially new researchers working in the field of energy storage.

Science and Engineering of Hydrogen-Based Energy Technologies explores the generation of energy using hydrogen and hydrogen-rich fuels in fuel cells from the perspective of its integration into renewable energy systems using the most sound and current scientific knowledge. The book first examines the evolution of energy utilization and the role expected to be played by hydrogen energy technologies in the world's energy mix, not just for energy generation, but also for carbon capture, storage and utilization. It provides a general overview of the most common and promising types of fuel cells, such as PEMFCs, SOFCs and direct alcohol fuel cells. The co-production of chemical and electrolysis cells, as well as the available and future materials for fuel cells production are discussed. It then delves into the production of hydrogen from biomass, including waste materials, and from excess electricity produced by other renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, hydro and geothermal. The main technological approaches to hydrogen storage are presented, along with several possible hydrogen energy engineering applications. Science and Engineering of Hydrogen-Based Energy Technologies's unique approach to hydrogen energy systems makes it useful for energy engineering researchers, professionals and graduate students in this field. Policy makers, energy planning and management professionals, and energy analysts can also benefit from the comprehensive overview that it provides.

Operation of Distributed Energy Resources in Smart Distribution Networks defines the barriers and challenges of smart distribution networks, ultimately proposing optimal solutions for addressing them. The book considers their use as an important part of future electrical power systems and their ability to improve the local flexibility and reliability of electrical systems. It carefully defines the concept as a radial network with a cluster of distributed energy generations, various types of loads, and energy storage systems. In addition, the book details how the huge penetration of distributed energy resources and the intermittent nature of renewable generations may cause system problems. Readers will find this to be an important resource that analyzes and introduces the features and problems of smart distribution networks from different aspects.

This book provides a holistic, interdisciplinary overview of offshore wind energy, and is a must-read for advanced researchers. Topics, from the design and analysis of future turbines, to the decommissioning of wind farms, are covered. The scope of the work ranges from analytical, numerical and experimental advancements in structural and fluid mechanics, to novel developments in risk, safety & reliability engineering for offshore wind.The core objective of the current work is to make offshore wind energy more competitive, by improving the reliability, and operations and maintenance (O&M) strategies of wind turbines. The research was carried out under the auspices of the EU-funded project, MARE-WINT. The project provided a unique opportunity for a group of researchers to work closely together, undergo multidisciplinary doctoral training, and conduct research in the area of offshore wind energy generation. Contributions from expert, external authors are also included, and the complete work seeks to bridge the gap between research and a rapidly-evolving industry.

The Role of Bioenergy in the Bioeconomy: Resources, Technologies, Sustainability and Policy provides the reader with a complete understanding on how bioenergy technologies fit into the new bioeconomy paradigm. Sections focus on the main resources and technologies for bioenergy and its integration in energy systems and biorefining chains, analyze the available methodologies for assessing the sustainability of bioenergy, and address and the propose approaches that are demonstrated through concrete case studies. Additionally, the implications of bioenergy in the water-energy and land nexus is presented, along with new challenges and opportunities. This book's strong focus on sustainability of bioenergy, both as a standalone, and in the larger context of a bio-based economy, makes it a useful resource for researchers, professionals and students in the bioenergy field who need tactics to assess the lifecycle and sustainability of bioenergy technologies and their integration into existing systems.

This book explores key parameters, properties and fundamental concepts of electrocatalysis. It also discusses the engineering strategies, current applications in fuel-cells, water-splitting, metal-ion batteries, and fuel generation. This book elucidates entire category viewpoints together with industrial applications. Therefore, all the sections of this book emphasize the recent advances of different types of electrocatalysts, current challenges, and state-of-the-art studies through detailed reviews. This book is the result of commitments by numerous experts in the field from various backgrounds and expertise and appeals to industrialists, researchers, scientists and in addition understudies from various teaches.

The 20th century is known to the entire world as a century of American greatness. Innovations in energy drove that American superiority; innovations such as oil pipelines, petroleum-based fuel, the light bulb, electricity, and the power grid. However, our legacy energy economy leaves us wanting in the 21st century. Centralized vulnerability, wasted generation capacity, dependence on foreign fuel, and climate change are financed by every one of us at the pump and in our monthly utility bill. However, "Energy Freedom" is not about what is wrong with our current energy economy; rather it describes a bright future that is waiting to be unlocked. It presents a plan where the average homeowner can not only achieve Energy Freedom for their household, but usher in the new energy economy.

Presents current research in AOP techniques along with hybrid technologies Covers latest advances in technological know-how for remediation of wastewater soiled with micropollutants Discusses pressing environmental pollution issues associated with AOPs needed for wastewater remediation Presents future perspective as well as techno-economic analysis in implementing various AOPs Reviews strategies to limit the micropollutants in water bodies

• Covers all aspects of why CBRN studies should be integrated into police education. • Provides guidance on teaching aspects of police education and practical information on scene sampling and chain of custody principles. • The first book to focus on why police need CBRN training to act effectively as first responders to incidents in the community.

PEM Water Electrolysis, a volume in the Hydrogen Energy and Fuel Cell Primers series presents the most recent advances in the field. It brings together information that has thus far been scattered in many different sources under one single title, making it a useful reference for industry professionals, researchers and graduate students. Volumes One and Two allow readers to identify technology gaps for commercially viable PEM electrolysis systems for energy applications and examine the fundamentals of PEM electrolysis and selected research topics that are top of mind for the academic and industry community, such as gas cross-over and AST protocols. The book lays the foundation for the exploration of the current industrial trends for PEM electrolysis, such as power to gas application and a strong focus on the current trends in the application of PEM electrolysis associated with energy storage.

Portable Hydrogen Energy Systems: Fuel Cells and Storage Fundamentals and Applications covers the basics of portable fuel cells, their types, possibilities for fuel storage, in particular for hydrogen as fuel, and their potential application. The book explores electrochemistry, types, and materials and components, but also includes a chapter on the particularities of their use in portable devices, with a focus on proton exchange membrane (PEM) type. Topics cover fuel storage for these cells, in particular hydrogen storage and an analysis of current possibilities. In addition, portable fuel cell systems are examined, covering auxiliary elements required for operation and possibilities for their miniaturization. Engineers and developers of portable applications and electricity will find this book to provide fundamental information on the possibilities of portable hydrogen fuel cells, including costs and market information, for their planning, modeling, development and deployment. Graduate students and lecturers will find this to be a complementary resource in general hydrogen and fuel cell courses or in specialized courses covering portable systems.

Biomass Gasification, Pyrolysis and Torrefaction, Third Edition, is enhanced with a new topic on processing and cleaning of product gas of gasification and a brief introduction to biomaterials, making it a versatile resource that not only explains the basic principles of energy conversion systems, but also provides valuable insight into the design of a complete biomass conversion systems. With a dedicated focus on the design, analysis and operational aspects of biomass gasification, pyrolysis and torrefaction, this edition offers comprehensive coverage of biomass in its gas, liquid or solid states in a single accessible source. The author provides many worked design problems, step-by-step design procedures and real data on commercially operating systems. Although the book carries the name 'biomass', the bulk of its content is also applicable to non-biomass fuels like coal, petcoke, municipal solid waste and others. This book will help engineers, scientists and operating personnel of biomass gasification, pyrolysis or torrefaction plants, gain better comprehension of the basics of biomass conversion. Biomass Gasification, Pyrolysis and Torrefaction, Third Edition, is enhanced with a new topic on processing and cleaning of product gas of gasification and brief introduction to biomaterials making it a versatile resource that not only explains the basic principles of energy conversion systems, but also provides valuable insight into the design of a complete biomass conversion systems. With a dedicated focus on the design, analysis, and operational aspects of biomass gasification, pyrolysis, and torrefaction, this edition of the book offers comprehensive coverage of biomass in its gas, liquid, or solid states in a single easy-to-access source. The author provides many worked out design problems, step-by-step design procedures and real data on commercially operating systems. Although the book carries the name 'biomass', the bulk of its content is also applicable to non-biomass fuels like, coal, petcoke, municipal solid waste and others. This book will allow professionals, such as engineers, scientists, and operating personnel of biomass gasification, pyrolysis or torrefaction plants, to gain a better comprehension of the basics of biomass conversion.

This book addresses a range of solutions and effective control techniques for Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs), intended as a response to the increased energy consumption and wastewater production stemming from globalization. It describes the fundamentals of MFCs and control-oriented mathematical models, and provides detailed information on uncertain parameters. Various control techniques like robust control with LMI, adaptive backstepping control, and exact linearization control are developed for different mathematical models. In turn, the book elaborates on the basics of adaptive control, presenting several methods in detail. It also demonstrates how MFCs can be developed at the laboratory level, equipping readers to develop their own MFCs for experimental purposes. In closing, it develops a transfer function model for MFCs by combining a system identification technique and model reference adaptive control techniques. By addressing one of the most promising sources of clean and renewable energy, this book provides a viable solution for meeting the world's increasing energy demands.

Fuel Cells and Hydrogen: From Fundamentals to Applied Research provides an overview of the basic principles of fuel cell and hydrogen technology, which subsequently allows the reader to delve more deeply into applied research. In addition to covering the basic principles of fuel cells and hydrogen technologies, the book examines the principles and methods to develop and test fuel cells, the evaluation of the performance and lifetime of fuel cells and the concepts of hydrogen production. Fuel Cells and Hydrogen: From Fundamentals to Applied Research acts as an invaluable reference book for fuel cell developers and students, researchers in industry entering the area of fuel cells and lecturers teaching fuel cells and hydrogen technology.

This book is an outcome of the 33rd International Conference EnviroInfo 2019, held at the University of Kassel, Germany. It presents a selection of papers that describe innovative scientific approaches and ongoing research in environmental informatics and the emerging field of computational sustainability. The respective articles cover a broad range of scientific aspects including advances in core technologies such as earth observation, environmental modelling, big data and machine learning, as well as applications of ICT solutions intended to support societal transformation processes toward the more sustainable management of resource use, transportation and the energy supply. Given its scope, the book is essential reading for scientists, experts and students in these fields of research.

This textbook is intended for engineering students taking courses in power electronics, renewable energy sources, smart grids or static power converters. It is also appropriate for students preparing a capstone project where they need to understand, model, supply, control and specify the grid side power converters. The main goal of the book is developing in students the skills that are required to design, control and use static power converters that serve as an interface between the ac grid and renewable power sources. The same skills can be used to design, control and use the static power converters used within the micro-grids and nano-grids, as the converters that provide the interface between such grids and the external grid. The author's approach starts with basic functionality and the role of grid connected power converters in their typical applications, and their static and dynamic characteristics. Particular effort is dedicated to developing simple, concise, intuitive and easy-to-use mathematical models that summarize the essence of the grid side converter dynamics. Mathematics is reduced to a necessary minimum, solved examples are used extensively to introduce new concepts, and exercises are used to test mastery of new skills.

Bioethanol Production from Food Crops: Sustainable Sources, Interventions and Challenges comprehensively covers the global scenario of ethanol production from both food and non-food crops and other sources. The book guides readers through the balancing of the debate on food vs. fuel, giving important insights into resource management and the environmental and economic impact of this balance between demands. Sections cover Global Bioethanol from Food Crops and Forest Resource, Bioethanol from Bagasse and Lignocellulosic wastes, Bioethanol from algae, and Economics and Challenges, presenting a multidisciplinary approach to this complex topic. As biofuels continue to grow as a vital alternative energy source, it is imperative that the proper balance is reached between resource protection and human survival. This book provides important insights into achieving that balance.

Advances in Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Power Conversion Systems addresses the technological challenges of fluctuating and unreliable power supply in grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) systems to help students, researchers, and engineers work toward more PV installations in the grid to make society more sustainable and reliable while complying with grid regulations. The authors combine their extensive knowledge and experience in this book to address both the basics of the power electronic converter technology and the advances of such practical electric power conversion systems. This book includes extensive, step-by-step practical application examples to assist students and engineers to better understand the role of power electronics in modern PV applications and solve the practical issues in grid-connected PV systems.

Considers the life-cycle cost analysis of designing energy efficient electrical distribution systems. Addresses design requirements to integrate buildings with smart grids and micro-grids. Provides an overview of both standard and energy efficient electrical distribution components, including transformers, protection devices, conductors, controllers, and panels. Features a new chapter on optimal design energy efficient and resilient power systems. Includes case studies, exercises, and end-of-chapter problems.

Covers three important aspects of smart cities i.e., healthcare, smart communication and information, and smart transportation technologies Discusses on various security aspects of medical documents and the data preserving mechanisms Provides better solution using IoT techniques for healthcare, transportation, and communication systems Includes the implementation example, various datasets, experimental results, and simulation procedures Offers solution for various disease prediction systems with intelligent techniques

This book delves into various solution paradigms such as artificial neural network, support vector machine, wavelet transforms, evolutionary computing, swarm intelligence. During the last decade, novel solution technologies based on human and species intelligence have gained immense popularity due to their flexible and unconventional approach. New analytical tools are also being developed to handle big data processing and smart decision making. The idea behind compiling this work is to familiarize researchers, academicians, industry persons and students with various applications of intelligent techniques for producing sustainable, cost-effective and robust solutions of frequently encountered complex, real-world problems in engineering and science disciplines. The practical problems in smart grids, communication, waste management, elimination of harmful elements from nature, etc., are identified, and smart and optimal solutions are proposed.