This book describes the scale and complexity of China's energy system, using Sankey diagrams to visualize the energy flows across the economy and categorizing the differences between provinces. China's provinces extend over a vast area and are at different stages of economic development. Regional planning and inter-regional optimization will be essential for planning a future infrastructure that will allow China as a whole to optimize and avoid overcapacity and inefficiency. In this context, it introduces a new energy systems modeling approach and demonstrates its application in the power sector. This power model can help optimize the overall design of the power system and reveal how different future investment choices, e.g. natural gas fired power, only emerge when details such as regional, seasonal and diurnal demand factors are considered. Lastly, it looks at options for mitigating carbon and the major role that renewables & natural gas could play, as well as carbon pricing.

Underground thermal energy storage (UTES) provide us with a flexible tool to combat global warming through conserving energy while utilizing natural renewable energy resources. Primarily, they act as a buffer to balance fluctuations in supply and demand of low temperature thermal energy. "Underground Thermal Energy Storage "provides an comprehensive introduction to the extensively-used energy storage method.

"Underground Thermal Energy Storage" gives a general overview of UTES from basic concepts and classifications to operation regimes. As well as discussing general procedures for design and construction, thermo-hydro geological modeling of UTES systems is explained. Finally, current real life data and statistics are include to summarize major global developments in UTES over the past decades.

The concise style and thorough coverage makes "Underground Thermal Energy Storage" a solid introduction for students, engineers and geologists alike.

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This book focuses on developing strategies for ultra-lean combustion of natural gas and hydrogen, and contributes to the research on extending the lean flammability limit of hydrogen and air using a hot supersonic jet. The author addresses experimental methods, data analysis techniques, and results throughout each chapter and: Explains the fundamental mechanisms behind turbulent hot jet ignition using non-dimensional analysis Explores ignition characteristics by impinging hot jet and multiple jets in relation to better controllability and lean combustion Explores how different instability modes interact with the acoustic modes of the combustion chamber. This book provides a potential answer to some of the issues that arise from lean engine operation, such as poor ignition, engine misfire, cycle-to-cycle variability, combustion instability, reduction in efficiency, and an increase in unburned hydrocarbon emissions. This thesis was submitted to and approved by Purdue University.

This book performs a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis to examine the current food crisis and how it relates to the use of crops for energy. It analyses how energy crops may help solve humankind's environmental changes and summarises the economic and practical changes of cultivating and utilising energy crops. Two of humanity's greatest challenges are the need for more food production as well as growing demands for energy. Biofuel cultivation has been identified as a solution to growing energy use, and biomass power plants offer a rare renewable energy source that requires only basic technology. In this context, a dilemma arises concerning whether energy crops should be used for energy or to help remedy the food crisis. SWOT analysis allows us to organise and weigh different pros and cons against each other in terms of economics, job creation, environmental impacts, the climate change agenda, and European Union (EU) directives that promote biofuels over fossil fuels. By pursuing this approach, the book helps researchers and decision-makers cut through the many competing arguments in connection with this complex subject.

The book provides an encompassing overview of all aspects relating to the sharing economy paradigm in different fields of study, and shows the ongoing research efforts in filling previously identified gaps in understanding in this area. Control and optimization analytics for the sharing economy explores bespoke analytics, tools, and business models that can be used to help design collaborative consumption services (the shared economy). It provides case studies of collaborative consumption in the areas of energy and mobility. The contributors review successful examples of sharing systems, and explore the theory for designing effective and stable shared-economy models. They discuss recent innovations in and uses of shared economy models in niche areas, such as energy and mobility. Readers learn the scientific challenging issues associated with the realization of a sharing economy. Conceptual and practical matters are examined, and the state-of-the-art tools and techniques to address such applications are explained. The contributors also show readers how topical problems in engineering, such as energy consumption in power grids, or bike sharing in transportation networks, can be formulated and solved from a general collaborative consumption perspective. Since the book takes a mathematical perspective to the topic, researchers in business, computer science, optimization and control find it useful. Practitioners also use the book as a point of reference, as it explores and investigates the analytics behind economy sharing.

"Power Conversion of Renewable Energy Systems "presents an introduction to conventional energy conversion components and systems, as well as those related to renewable energy. This volume introduces systems first, and then in subsequent chapters describes the components of energy systems in detail. Readers will find examples of renewable and conventional energy and power systems, including energy conversion, variable-speed drives and power electronics, in addition to magnetic devices such as transformers and rotating machines. Applications of PSpice, MATLAB, and Mathematica are also included, along with solutions to over 100 application examples.

"Power Conversion of Renewable Energy Systems "aims to instruct readers how to actively apply the theories discussed within. It would be an ideal volume for researchers, students and engineers working with energy systems and renewable energy.

This book provides a collection of recent research works, related to structural stability and durability, service life, reinforced concrete structures, recycled materials, and sustainability with endogenic materials. Intended as an overview of the current state of knowledge, the book will benefit scientists, students, practitioners, lecturers and other interested parties. At the same time, the topics covered are relevant to a variety of scientific and engineering disciplines, including civil, materials and mechanical engineering.

This monograph focuses on methanol and its utilization in transportation sector, namely in spark ignition (SI) engines. The contents focus on methanol production and presents a variety of production technologies from different feedstocks. The potential of methanol utilization in transportation in SI engines is discussed, its challenges, limitations, aspects related to its utilization and current global use of methanol are also presented. The book also contains chapters related to pollutant formation and exhaust emissions from methanol fuelled SI engines, one chapter is focused specifically on formaldehyde emissions, which possesses one of the greatest challenges of methanol use in IC engines. Readers will learn about the production aspects of methanol, its potential as a sustainable fuel, its utilization in SI engine and the effect of methanol and its utilization techniques on engine performance, combustion, exhaust emissions, efficiency and other important parameters. This volume will be a useful guide for professionals, post-graduate students involved in alternative fuels, spark ignition engines, and environmental research.

This book contains selected papers presented during technical and plenary sessions at the World Renewable Energy Congress, the world's premier conference on renewable energy and sustainable development. All papers were rigorously peer reviewed.The Congress, held at Murdoch University in Perth, Western Australia from February 5 -9, 2017, with the theme of "Transition Towards 100% Renewable Energy", featured keynote speakers and parallel technical sessions highlighting technical, policy, and investment progress towards achieving 100% renewable energy ranging in scale from households to cities to large regions, with a focus on the challenges and opportunities transforming the global energy systems. The book highlights contributions from thought leaders involved in the supply, distribution, consumption, and development of sustainable energy sources.

This book reports on a novel approach for generating mechanical energy from different, external heat sources using the body of a typical piston engine with valves. By presenting simple yet effective numerical models, the authors show how this new approach, which combines existing internal combustion technology with a lubrication system, is able to offer an economic solution to the problem of mechanical energy generation in piston engines. Their results also show that a stable heat generation process can be guaranteed outside of the engine. The book offers a detailed report on physical and numerical models of 4-stroke and 2-stroke versions of the EHVE together with different models of heat exchange, valves and results of their simulations. It also delivers the test results of an engine prototype run in laboratory conditions. By presenting a novel theoretical framework and providing readers with extensive knowledge of both the advantages and challenges of the method, this book is expected to inspire academic researchers, advanced PhD students and professionals in their search for more effective solutions to the problem of renewable energy generation.

Spectroscopic ellipsometry has been applied to a wide variety of material and device characterizations in solar cell research fields. In particular, device performance analyses using exact optical constants of component layers and direct analyses of complex solar cell structures are unique features of advanced ellipsometry methods. This second volume of Spectroscopic Ellipsometry for Photovoltaics presents various applications of the ellipsometry technique for device analyses, including optical/recombination loss analyses, real-time control and on-line monitoring of solar cell structures, and large-area structural mapping. Furthermore, this book describes the optical constants of 148 solar cell component layers, covering a broad range of materials from semiconductor light absorbers (inorganic, organic and hybrid perovskite semiconductors) to transparent conductive oxides and metals. The tabulated and completely parameterized optical constants described in this book are the most current resource that is vital for device simulations and solar cell structural analyses.

This book outlines issues related to massive integration of electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles into power grids. Electricity is becoming the preferred energy vector for the next new generation of road vehicles. It is widely acknowledged that road vehicles based on full electric or hybrid drives can mitigate problems related to fossil fuel dependence. This book explains the emerging and understanding of storage systems for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. The recharging stations for these types of vehicles might represent a great advantage for the electric grid by facilitating integration of renewable and distributed energy production. This book presents a broad review from analyzing current literature to on-going research projects about the new power technologies related to the various charging architectures for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. Specifically focusing on DC fast charging operations, as well as, grid-connected power converters and the full range of energy storage systems. These key components are analyzed for distributed generation and charging system integration into micro-grids. The authors demonstrate that these storage systems represent effective interfaces for the control and management of renewable and sustainable distributed energy resources. New standards and applications are emerging from micro-grid pilot projects around the world and case studies demonstrate the convenience and feasibility of distributed energy management. The material in this unique volume discusses potential avenues for further research toward achieving more reliable, more secure and cleaner energy.

This reference offers an overview of the field of airborne wind energy. As the first book of its kind, it provides a consistent compilation of the fundamental theories, a compendium of current research and development activities as well as economic and regulatory aspects. In five parts, the book demonstrates the relevance of Airborne Wind Energy and the role that this emerging field of technology can play for the transition towards a renewable energy economy. Part I on "Fundamentals" contains seven general chapters explaining the principles of airborne wind energy and its different variants, of meteorology, the history of kites and financing strategies. Part II on "System Modeling, Optimization and Control" contains eight contributions that develop and use detailed dynamic models for simulation, optimization, and control of airborne wind energy systems, while Part III on "Analysis of Flexible Kite Dynamics" collects four chapters that focus on the particularly challenging simulation problems related to flexible kites. Part IV "Implemented Concepts" contains eleven contributions each of which presents developed prototypes together with real-world experimental results obtained with the different concepts. Finally, in Part V on "Component Design," five papers are collected that address in detail the technical challenges for some of the components of airborne wind energy.

"Airborne Wind Energy "presents all basics in a single source to someone starting to explore wind power in the upper atmosphere and serves as a valuable reference for researchers, scientists, professionals and students active in the innovative field of Airborne Wind Energy.

Advances in Oxygenated Fuels for Sustainable Development: Feedstocks and Precursors for Catalysts Synthesis provides a roadmap to the sustainable implementation of oxygenated fuels in internal combustion engines through sustainable production, smart distribution and effective utilization. Focusing on the sustainability of feedstocks, the book assesses availability, emissions impact and reduction potential, and biodiversity and land utilization impact. Existing technologies and supply chains are reviewed, and recommendations are provided on how to sustainably implement or update these technologies, including for rural communities. Furthermore, effective supply and distribution network designs are provided alongside methods for monitoring and assessing their sustainability, accounting for social, economic, environmental and ecological factors. This book guides readers through every aspect of the production and commercialization of sustainable oxygenated fuels for internal combustion engines and their implementation across the global transport industry.

Energy has moved to the forefront in terms of societal and economic development. Modern Energy Markets is a comprehensive, economically oriented, exploration of modern electricity networks from production and distribution to deregulation and liberalization processes. Updating previous work by the authors, different aspects are considered resulting in a complete and detailed picture of the systems and characteristics of modern electricity markets. Modern Energy Markets provides clear detail whilst encompassing a broad scope of topics and includes: *A method to model energy production systems including the main characteristics of future demand side management, *Different applications of this model in nuclear and renewable energy scenarios, *An analysis of Real-Time Pricing of electricity and its potential effects across the market, and, *A discussion of the need for regulation in an easily monopolized industry. Engineering and Economics students alike will find that Modern Energy Markets is a succinct and informative resource, as will researchers interested in environmental and energy issues. The inclusion of timely and relevant issues related to economic decision will also be of value to industry and civil officials.

This resource is the first-ever compilation of industry-authored case studies on how power companies are making strides toward achieving sustainable electricity in North America. The book features recent game changing efforts, candid insider stories about challenges and process, and forecasts for the next decade of innovation. Each chapter shares topic-focused case studies regarding the reality of implementing operational changes and strategies that will lead to sustainable electricity. Key technical staff and managers from top companies candidly report on failures, insights, trade-offs, internal process, resulting improvements to operational efficiencies, and natural resource and stakeholder benefits. Electric power company managers seeking to identify specific opportunities and understand the process for advancing sustainability in their own organizations will discover solid paths forward through potentially treacherous terrain. Educated stakeholders, agencies, and regulators will benefit from the greater understanding of the reality of realizing change in the electric power industry engendered by this unique strategic resource.

This book provides an up-to-date, rigorous analysis of the state of the art of solar photovoltaic (PV) generation. It focuses on the economic analysis of solar PV generation technologies as well as the policies that have been devised and implemented around the globe to support it. It provides the main theoretical tools for understanding the cost of these technologies, and discusses them from both a historical and comparative perspective with respect to other competing technologies (both conventional and renewable). In addition, it presents the conceptual rationale to maximize reader insights into whether and how public support for these technologies is justified as well as the consequences for the economy of different promotion measures. Integrating concepts from different economics disciplines (environmental economics, innovation economics, industrial economics and public economics) into a coherent basis for the analysis of the costs and policies for solar PV electricity, it provides an update to the literature to reflect recent advances in and deployments of solar electricity and the drastic reduction in associated costs.

This book addresses the problem of building an optimal community energy network in a decentralized distributed energy context. The book introduces a few novel modeling frameworks to assist a single customer or a community of multiple end-user customers in building their optimal electricity system/network and operating their own local energy system. The content of the book is suitable for students, academics and industrial practitioners studying or working in the area of energy management and smart grid energy networks.

Climate change, environmental impact and declining natural resources are driving scientific research and novel technical solutions. Green Energy and Technology serves as a publishing platform for scientific and technological approaches to "green" - i.e., environmentally friendly and sustainable - technologies. While the main focus lies on energy and power supply, the series also covers green solutions in industrial engineering and engineering design. Green Energy and Technology is a monograph series addressing researchers, advanced students and technical consultants, as well as decision makers in industry and politics. The level presentation ranges from instructional to highly technical.

Small Wind Turbines and its associated software provide a thorough grounding in analysing, designing, building and installing a small wind turbine.

Small turbines are introduced by emphasising their differences from large ones and nearly all the analysis and design examples refer to small turbines. The software provided with the book includes MATLAB programs for power production and starting performance, as well as programs for detailed multi-objective optimisation of blade design. An Excel spreadsheet is provided for applying the simple load model of the IEC standard for small wind turbine safety. Small Wind Turbines and its accompanying software represent the distilled outcome of over twenty years experience in fundamental research, design, installation and field testing of small wind turbines.

Besides being a suitable reference for student projects and detailed design studies, it also provides important background material for engineers and others using small wind turbines for remote power and distributed generation applications.

This book gathers an in-depth collection of 45 selected papers presented at the Global Conference on Global Warming 2014 in Beijing, China, covering a broad variety of topics from the main principles of thermodynamics and their role in design, analysis, and the improvements in performance of energy systems to the potential impact of global warming on human health and wellbeing. Given energy production's role in contributing to global warming and climate change, this work provides solutions to global warming from the point of view of energy. Incorporating multi-disciplinary expertise and approaches, it provides a platform for the analysis of new developments in the area of global warming and climate change, as well as potential energy solutions including renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy storage, hydrogen production, CO2 capture and environmental impact assessment. The research and analysis presented herein will benefit international scientists, researchers, engineers, policymakers and all others with an interest in global warming and its potential solutions.

Waste to Renewable Biohydrogen, Volume Two: Numerical Modelling and Sustainability Assessment provides an integrated approach on the experimental, modeling and sustainability aspects of waste-to-biohydrogen systems. The book focuses on processes for waste treatment to hydrogen production, delving into modeling and simulation methodologies for the design and optimization of different processes and systems. In addition, it looks at the application of computational fluid dynamics and artificial neural networks. Finally, it addresses the economic, environmental and sustainability implications of waste-to-biohydrogen systems, covering several techniques for cost-benefit analysis, techno-economic analysis, lifecycle assessment, sustainability ranking and supply chain design. This well-rounded reference supports decision-making for energy researchers and industry practitioners alike, but it is also ideal for graduate students, early career researchers and waste management professionals.

Implementing the Circular Economy for Sustainable Development presents the concept of the circular economy with the goal of understanding its present status and how to better implement it, particularly through environmental policies. It first tackles the definition of a circular economy in the context of sustainability and the differences in defining the concept across disciplines, including its fallibilities and practical examples. It then goes on to discuss the implementation of a circular economy, including the increasing variety of technological, mechanical, and chemical procedures to contend with and the need for stakeholder support in addition to improved business models. The second half of the book, therefore, presents tools, approaches, and practical examples of how to shape environmental policy to successfully implement a circular economy. It analyzes deficiencies of current regulations and lays the groundwork for the design of integrated environmental policies for a circular economy. Authored by an expert in environmental economics with decades of experience, Implementing the Circular Economy for Sustainable Development is a timely, practical guide for sustainability researchers and policymakers alike to move more efficiently toward a circular economy and sustainable development.

This book provides technical data and information on unconventional- and inactive energy sources. After reviewing the current global energy situation, individual chapters discuss fossil fuel sources and renewable energy sources. It focuses on future energy systems and explores renewable energy scenarios including water energy and power, biofuels and algae energy. It also provides essential information on energy from inactive sources, energy from waste materials and the optimization of energy systems.

After an introduction to renewable energy technologies, the authors present computational intelligence techniques for optimizing the manufacture of related technologies, including solar concentrators. In particular the authors present new applications for their neural classifiers for image and pattern recognition. The book will be of interest to researchers in computational intelligence, in particular in the domain of neural networks, and engineers engaged with renewable energy technologies.