Global populations have grown rapidly in recent decades, leading to ever increasing demands for shelter, resources, energy and utilities. Coupled with the worldwide need to achieve lower impact buildings and conservation of resources, the need to achieve sustainability in urban environments has never been more acute. This book critically reviews the fundamental issues and applied science, engineering and technology that will enable all cities to achieve a greater level of metropolitan sustainability, and assist nations in meeting the needs of their growing urban populations.
Part one introduces key issues related to metropolitan sustainability, including the use of both urban metabolism and benefit cost analysis. Part two focuses on urban land use and the environmental impact of the built environment. The urban heat island effect, redevelopment of brownfield sites and urban agriculture are discussed in depth, before part three goes on to explore urban air pollution and emissions control. Urban water resources, reuse and management are explored in part four, followed by a study of urban energy supply and management in part five. Solar, wind and bioenergy, the role of waste-to-energy systems in the urban infrastructure, and smart energy for cities are investigated. Finally, part six considers sustainable urban development, transport and planning.
With its distinguished editor and international team of expert contributors, Metropolitan sustainability is an essential resource for low-impact building engineers, sustainability consultants and architects, town and city planners, local/municipal authorities, and national and non-governmental bodies, and provides a thorough overview for academics of all levels in this field.
Critically reviews the fundamental issues and applied science, engineering and technology that will enable all cities to achieve a greater level of metropolitan sustainabilityWill assist nations in meeting the needs of their growing urban populationsChapters discuss urban land use, the environmental impact of the build environment, the urban heat island effect, urban air pollution and emissions control, among other topics

This easy accessible textbook provides an overview of solar to electric energy conversion, followed by a detailed look at one aspect, namely photovoltaics, including the underlying principles and fabrication methods. Professor Wolf, an experienced author and teacher, reviews such green technologies as solar-heated-steam power, hydrogen, and "artificial leaf" approaches, as well as nuclear fusion. Throughout the book, carefully chosen, up-to-date examples are used to illustrate important concepts and research tools.
The opening chapters give a broad and exhaustive survey of long term energy resources, reviewing current and potential types of solar driven energy sources. The core part of the text on solar energy conversion discusses different concepts for generating electric power, followed by a profound presentation of the underlying semiconductor physics and rounded off by a look at efficiency and third-generation concepts. The concluding section offers a rough analysis of the economics relevant to the large-scale adoption of photovoltaic conversion with a discussion of such issues as durability, manufacturability and cost, as well as the importance of storage.
The book is self-contained so as to be suitable for students with introductory calculus-based courses in physics, chemistry, or engineering. It introduces concepts in quantum mechanics, atomic and molecular physics, plus the solid state and semiconductor junction physics needed to attain a quantitative understanding of the current status of this field. With its comments on economic aspects, it is also a useful tool for those readers interested in a career in alternative energy.

In Contesting Hydropower in the Brazilian Amazon, Ed Atkins focuses on how local, national, and international civil society groups have resisted the Belo Monte and Sao Luiz do Tapajos hydroelectric projects in Brazil. In doing so, Atkins explores how contemporary opposition to hydropower projects demonstrate a form of 'contested sustainability' that highlights the need for sustainable energy transitions to take more into account than merely greenhouse gas emissions. The assertion that society must look to successfully transition away from fossil fuels and towards sustainable energy sources often appears assured in contemporary environmental governance. However, what is less certain is who decides which forms of energy are deemed 'sustainable.' Contesting Hydropower in the Brazilian Amazon explores one process in which the sustainability of a 'green' energy source is contested. It focuses on how civil society actors have both challenged and reconfigured dominant pro-dam assertions that present the hydropower schemes studied as renewable energy projects that contribute to sustainable development agendas. The volume also examines in detail how anti-dam actors act to render visible the political interests behind a project, whilst at the same time linking the resistance movement to wider questions of contemporary environmental politics. This interdisciplinary work will be of great interest to students and scholars of sustainable development, sustainable energy transitions, environmental justice, environmental governance, and development studies.

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.

This radical book aims to inject new insight and urgency into the discourse on the retrofitting of commercial and residential buildings in the face of the climate emergency. It is about the why, how and who should take the lead in revolutionising buildings in the face of serious climate and social change. Buildings contribute very significantly to the output of carbon, particularly in developed countries where the stock is old, but it is neither feasible nor desirable to demolish them all and start again! If existing buildings cannot in be replaced in the short-term by new zero carbon stock, retrofitting and adaptation of the existing building stock is critical and urgent. This book explains why and how the improvement of buildings requires a complex, holistic approach that brings all stakeholders together with respect and understanding. Yet to do this against a limited time frame is challenging. The book analyses what must be done, explores how it could be achieved and sets out a manifesto for action by all those engaged: from policy makers, to educationalists, designers, constructors, investors, funders and occupiers. By bringing together authors from across the built environment disciplines, the book stimulates debate within policy, practice and education circles which must lead to action if we are to avoid catastrophe. This is a unique addition to the literature on the sustainability of existing buildings and their retrofitting for the benefit of all.

Highlights a clear and concise presentation through adequate study material Follows a systematic approach to explicate fundamentals as well as recent advances Incorporates various case studies for major topics as well as numerous academic examples Uses simple, lucid, and a richly annotated writing style targeted at student readers Offers an exhaustive repertoire of Engineering Pedagogy and its application to the current education system

Energy Conversion and Green Energy Storage presents recent developments in renewable energy conversion and green energy storage. Covering technical expansions in renewable energy and applications, energy storage, and solar photovoltaics, the book features chapters written by global experts in the field. Providing insights related to various forms of renewable energy, the book discusses developments in solar photovoltaic applications. The book also includes simulation codes and programs, such as Wien2k code, VASP code, and MATLAB (R). The book serves as a useful reference for researchers, graduate students, and engineers in the field of energy.

Provides extensive coverage of agro-industrial by products and their environmental impact Details production of value-added products from agro-industry waste Describes environmental legislation and future strategies Presents multidisciplinary approaches from fundamental to applied ones and addresses biorefinery and circular economy Includes innovative approaches and future strategies for management of agro-industry waste

Advanced Materials for Wastewater Treatment and Desalination: Fundamentals to Applications offers a comprehensive overview of current progress in the development of advanced materials used in wastewater treatment and desalination. The book is divided into two major sections, covering both fundamentals and applications. This book: Describes the synthesis and modification of advanced materials, including metal oxides, carbonaceous materials, perovskite-based materials, polymer-based materials, and advanced nanocomposites Examines relevant synthesis routes and mechanisms as well as correlates materials' properties with their characterization Details new fabrication techniques including green synthesis, solvent-free, and energy-saving synthesis approaches Highlights various applications, such as removal of organic contaminants, discoloration of dye wastewater, petrochemical wastewater treatment, and electrochemically-enhanced water treatment With chapters written by leading researchers from around the world, this book will be of interest to chemical, materials, and environmental engineers working on progressing materials applications to improve water treatment technologies.

This book takes a unique interdisciplinary look at the latest developments, advances, and trends in the interrelated areas of sustainable engineering, energy, and the environment, focusing on environmental engineering for renewable and green energy. It looks at new research and studies on a variety of topics in green nanotechnology, green processing and solar energy, sustainable energy policies, biofuels, fuel cells, and much more. The first section of Sustainable Engineering, Energy, and the Environment: Challenges and Opportunities looks at myriad issues in sustainable energy, such as sustainable urbanism through space planning and residential building design, a method to convert vibrations from mechanical work into power, energy grid maintenance, mathematical modeling and time analysis of various mechanical activities, and more. Topics on sustainable energy include voltage systems for stand-alone nanogrids, new sources for biodiesel production, solar energy conversion, protection equipment for windmill towers, etc. The section on sustainable environment explores issues such as industrial water recycling, regeneration of spent-activated carbon in pharmaceutical production, smell mitigation and recovery of fuel from waste, the water footprint of agriculture, etc. Key features Presents advances and developments in the areas of engineering, energy, and environment under sustainable development Examines potential issues of understanding of green buildings and their energy efficiency Presents case studies on sustainable urbanization Presents novel clean technology applications for attaining environmental sustainability Assesses green auditing and natural capital accounting Describes relevant experimental techniques This book features important contributions from scientists, academicians, and professionals on the latest developments and advances in the interrelated fields of sustainable engineering, energy, and environment.

Green Technology deals with using science and technology to protect the environment as well as curb the negative impacts of human involvement. The emerging green technologies, covered in this book, will propel our economy in the near future. Their development will lead to global and sustainable powers that will impact our economics, societies, cultures, and the way of life. This book provides researchers, students, and professionals a comprehensive introduction, applications, benefits, and challenges of 15 emerging green technologies. It presents the impact of these cutting-edge technologies on our global economy and its future. The book will help a beginner to have an introductory knowledge about these emerging technologies. The main objective of the author is to provide a concise treatment that is easily digestible. It is a must-read for those graduate students or scholars who consider researching green technologies. It can also serve as a valuable resource for those business professionals who seek ways to green their processes.

New innovations are needed for the invention of more efficient, affordable, sustainable and renewable energy systems, as well as for the mitigation of climate change and global environmental issues. In response to a fast-growing interest in the realm of renewable energy, Renewable Energy Systems: Efficiency, Innovation and Sustainability identifies a need to synthesize relevant and up-to-date information in a single volume. This book describes a systems approach to renewable energy, including technological, political, economic, social and environmental viewpoints, as well as policies and benefits. This unique and concise text, encompassing all aspects of the field in a single source, focuses on truly promising innovative and affordable renewable energy systems. Key Features: Focuses on innovations in renewable energy systems that are affordable and sustainable Collates the most relevant and up-to-date information on renewable energy systems, in a single and unique volume Discusses lifecycle assessment, cost and availability of systems Emphasizes bio-related topics Provides a systems approach to the renewable energy technologies and discusses technological, political, economic, social, and environmental viewpoints as well as policies

This volume is a true shelf reference, providing a thorough overview of the entire renewable energy sphere, while still functioning as a go-to information source for professionals and students when they need answers about a specific technical issue. Crafted over the last 15 years into a problem-solving tool for engineers, researchers, consultants and planners currently working in the field, as well as a detailed map of the renewables universe for those looking to expand into new technological specialties, Renewable Energy by Sorensen offers the most comprehensive coverage of the subject available.
The book has been structured around three parts in order to assist readers in focusing on the issues that impact them the most for a given project or question. PART I covers the basic scientific principles behind all major renewable energy resources, such as solar, wind and biomass. PART II provides in-depth information about how these raw renewable sources can actually be converted into useful forms, transmitted into the grid and stored for future utilization. Finally, PART III undertakes the aspects of energy planning, environmental impacts and socio-economic issues on regional and global levels.
In this fourth edition update, new material includes expanded coverage of biofuels, solar conversion, biomass and fuel cells, storage and transmission, and a new chapter on integrated technologies to introduce the hybrid systems now being explored. New surveys and the most recent research findings are included throughout.
*New, thoroughly updated fourth edition of the authoritative field guide to the entire Renewable Energy universe
*The only books to scientific principles and implementation methods, technologies and socio-economics, environmental impacts and cutting-edge advances, all in one volume.
*New material includes expanded coverage of biofuels, solar conversion, biomass and fuel cells, storage and transmission, and a new chapter on integrated systems.

NABCEP sets the standard for solar certifications in the United States and Canada. The NABCEP PV Technical Sales Certification shows customers, friends and employers that you are knowledgeable and qualified to sell solar systems. If someone is selling solar, they need to know what they are selling and how it is configured. Where will they connect the circuit breaker? Will the house need expensive modifications in order for a PV system to be installed? These are the questions that you as a NABCEP Technical Sales Certified solar salesperson will confidently answer. This book is full of practical information that anyone selling solar should know in order to properly serve their customers and to ethically represent the industry that is solving the world's problems on the ground and rooftop level. This book will be of use to those taking the NABCEP PV Technical Sales Exam, as well as anyone selling or planning to sell solar.

In light of increasing human-induced global climate change, there is a greater need for clean energy resources and zero carbon projects. This new volume offers up-to-date coverage of the fundamentals as well as recent advancements in energy efficient thermal energy storage materials, their characterization, and technological applications. Thermal energy storage (TES) systems offer very high-energy savings for many of our day-to-day applications and could be a strong component for enhancing the usage of renewable/clean energy-based devices. Because of its beneficial environmental impact, this technology has received wide attention in the recent past, and dedicated research efforts have led to the development of novel materials, as well to innovative applications in very many fields, ranging from buildings to textile, healthcare to agriculture, space to automobiles. This book offers a valuable and informed systematic treatment of latent heat-based thermal energy storage systems, covering current energy research and important developmental work.

This book examines the synthesis of graphene obtained from different natural raw materials and waste products as a low-cost, environmentally friendly alternative that delivers a quality final product. Expert researchers review potential sources of natural raw materials and waste products, methods or characterization, graphene synthesis considerations, and important applications. FEATURES Explores the different approaches to the synthesis of graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) from natural and industrial carbonaceous wastes Outlines the modification and characterization methods of GO and rGO Addresses the characterization methods of GO and rGO Details applications of GO and rGO created from natural sources Graphene is a multidisciplinary material with applications in almost every sector of science and engineering. Graphene from Natural Sources: Synthesis, Characterization, and Applications is a noteworthy reference for material scientists and engineers in academia and industry interested in reducing costs and employing green synthesis methods in their work.

Covers the analytical and numerical modelling of wave energy converter technologies Accesible to advanced students as well as specialist engineers. Uniquely explains a series of practical devices and systems

Provides insight to extremophiles. Unveils the mysticism of extreme environments. Explores applications of extremophiles in biorefineries. Throws light on the advancement of industrially important extremozymes. Explores applications in biofilms and microbial corrosion.

This book investigates the economic effects of investing in solar energy technologies, given assumptions about the cost of the technologies, and the amount of solar energy that can be supplied. It makes long-range projections of economic growth and capital investment in the 1980-2000 period.

Reveals that the last major electrical discovery occurred in 1938 Identifies five scientific fundamentals that all the major discoveries were based on Shows how all five of those basics were abandoned in the mid-1930s, leaving us stuck with 19th century energy sources Steps on some pretty big toes as it traces back how this all occurred and details two plans (technical and administrative) the world can use to find a new, clean, cheap, and reliable source of electrical energy with which to combat global warming Is written in clear non-technical language

Presents dual aspects of hyperaccumulators in phytoremediation and bioenergy production. Highlights the future face of industries in phytoremediation and bioenergy production. Focuses the promising candidates exploits as hyperaccumulator and biomass producers. Explains the role of algae and microbes in bioremediation and bioenergy production. Represents a comprehensive, up to date analysis in the field of phytoremediation as well as bioenergy production.

This book analyses the case-law of the European Court of Justice on free movement in the energy sector. Sirja-Leena Penttinen provides a comprehensive review of the interpretation and application of the free movement provisions in the energy sector by the European Court of Justice (ECJ), which allow for cross-border energy trade (free movement of goods) and energy investments (free movement of capital). Through detailed analysis of ECJ case-law, Penttinen tracks the development of the legislative framework at EU level in response to the growth of the energy sector, as well as exposing the various political and economic nuances at play. In addition, she sheds light on the dynamic relationship between the EU Member States and their regulatory autonomy, the EU legislator, the Commission and the Court in the establishment of the EU internal energy market. Taking a coherent, systematic approach, this volume will be of great interest to scholars of EU law and energy policy, as well as policymakers and professionals working in this sector.

Adopting an interdisciplinary social science approach, this book examines community reactions to wind farms to form a new understanding of what facilitates social acceptance. Based on empirical research, Wind Power and Public Engagement investigates opposition to wind energy and considers the advantages as well as the limits of the co-operative model of wind farm community ownership. Giuseppe Pellegrini-Masini compares the role of co-operative schemes with community benefits schemes in increasing acceptability, and also sheds light on the impact of social factors including pro-environmental attitudes, perceived benefits and costs, place attachment, trust, as well as individuals' resources such as information and income. Five research cases are investigated in England and Scotland, including the first local, community-owned wind farm co-operative in the UK. Critically reviewing existing social research theories, the book offers a new viewpoint, integrating rational choice and environmental attitudinal theories, from which to assess and understand the social acceptability of wind energy. It also highlights new opportunities for raising consensus in communities around locally proposed wind farms. The book will be of great interest to students and scholars of renewable energy, energy policy, environmental sociology, environmental psychology, environmental planning and sustainability in general, as well as policymakers.

Carbon Nanotubes for a Green Environment: Balancing the Risks and Rewards describes the synthesis, characterization, and unique applications of undoped/doped carbon nanotubes as well as hybrids of them with grapheme or nanocomposites, focusing on green aspects of carbon nanotube applications. The volume shows new approaches used for tapping the potential and promise of key materials in isolation or combined with other materials. The research-oriented chapters highlight a spectrum of applications of carbon nanotubes as novel materials for energy storage as well as for environmental remediation, wastewater treatment, green health care products, and more. Chapters explore the use of carbon nanotubes for remediation methods for wastewater treatment such as by using graphene oxide-carbon nanotube composites and by applying undoped and doped carbon nanotubes for removing contaminates. The book also looks at the application of carbon nanotubes for enhanced oil recovery and for heavy metal separation. Other chapters look at the rheological behavior of carbon nanotubes-based materials and their role in processing for various products, the thermal and electrical transport in carbon nanotubes composites, carbon nanotubes-based composite materials for electromagnetic shielding applications. The biomedical applications of carbon nanotube-based nanomaterials also explored, such as FTIR spectroscopy.

Solid-Liquid Thermal Energy Storage: Modeling and Applications provides a comprehensive overview of solid-liquid phase change thermal storage. Chapters are written by specialists from both academia and industry. Using recent studies on the improvement, modeling, and new applications of these systems, the book discusses innovative solutions for any potential drawbacks. This book: Discusses experimental studies in the field of solid-liquid phase change thermal storage Reviews recent research on phase change materials Covers various innovative applications of phase change materials (PCM) on the use of sustainable and renewable energy sources Presents recent developments on the theoretical modeling of these systems Explains advanced methods for enhancement of heat transfer in PCM This book is a reference for engineers and industry professionals involved in the use of renewable energy systems, energy storage, heating systems for buildings, sustainability design, etc. It can also benefit graduate students taking courses in heat transfer, energy engineering, advanced materials, and heating systems.