The rising share of photovoltaic (PV) energy requires sophisticated digital techniques to control, monitor and integrate them with the grid. For movable systems, tracking is necessary. Especially for remote areas, where no trained personnel might be nearby to intervene, such technologies are vital to ensure reliability and power quality, and to harness the solar potential of these locations. This is important to use PV energy in the grid, as well as for desalination, water pumping and hydrolysis. Digital Technologies for Solar Photovoltaic Systems: From general to rural and remote installations focuses on the latest research and developments in PV energy system operation and integration. It provides extensive coverage of R&D to overcome critical limitations to the use of remote PV systems. Chapters cover phase-shifting transformers, grid-connected PV micro-inverter, distribution automation, PV powered water pumping, maximum power point tracking and solar tracking, soiling effects and measurement, cleaning methods, IoT based PV module cooling and cleaning, control of energy storage, and energy management. This book is a highly useful reference guide for researchers, designers, operators, and experts involved with PV systems, as well as for graduate students.

Silicon Anode Systems for Lithium-Ion Batteries is an introduction to silicon anodes as an alternative to traditional graphite-based anodes. The book provides a comprehensive overview including abundance, system voltage, and capacity. It provides key insights into the basic challenges faced by the materials system such as new configurations and concepts for overcoming the expansion and contraction related problems. This book has been written for the practitioner, researcher or developer of commercial technologies.

Handbook of Algal Biofuels: Aspects of Cultivation, Conversion and Biorefinery comprehensively covers the cultivation, harvesting, conversion, and utilization of microalgae and seaweeds for different kinds of biofuels. The book addresses four main topics in the algal biofuel value-chain. First, it explores algal diversity and composition, covering micro- and macroalgal diversity, classification, and composition, their cultivation, biotechnological applications, current use within industry for biofuels and value-added products, and their application in CO2 sequestration, wastewater treatment, and water desalination. Next, the book addresses algal biofuel production, presenting detailed guidelines and protocols for different production routes of biodiesel, biogas, bioethanol, biobutanol, biohydrogen, jet fuel, and thermochemical conversation methods. Then, the authors discuss integrated approaches for enhanced biofuel production. This includes updates on the recent advances, breakthroughs, and challenges of algal biomass utilization as a feedstock for alternative biofuels, process intensification techniques, life cycle analysis, and integrated approaches such as wastewater treatment with CO2 sequestration using cost-effective and eco-friendly techniques. In addition, different routes for waste recycling for enhanced biofuel production are discussed alongside economic analyses. Finally, this book presents case studies for algal biomass and biofuel production including BIQ algae house, Renewable Energy Laboratory project, Aquatic Species Program, and the current status of algal industry for biofuel production. Handbook of Algal Biofuels offers an all-in-one resource for researchers, graduate students, and industry professionals working in the areas of biofuels and phycology and will be of interest to engineers working in renewable energy, bioenergy, alternative fuels, biotechnology, and chemical engineering. Furthermore, this book includes structured foundational content on algae and algal biofuels for undergraduate and graduate students working in biology and life sciences.

Recent Advances in Renewable Energy Technologies is a comprehensive reference covering critical research, laboratory and industry developments on renewable energy technological, production, conversion, storage, and management, including solar energy systems (thermal and photovoltaic), wind energy, hydropower, geothermal energy, bioenergy and hydrogen production, and large-scale development of renewable energy technologies and their impact on the global economy and power capacity. Technological advancements include resources assessment and deployment, materials performance improvement, system optimization and sizing, instrumentation and control, modeling and simulation, regulations, and policies. Each modular chapter examines recent advances in specific renewable energy systems, providing theoretical and applied aspects of system optimization, control and management and supports them with global case studies demonstrating practical applications and economical and environmental aspects through life cycle analysis. The book is of interest to engineering graduates, researchers, professors and industry professionals involved in the renewable energy sector and advanced engineering courses dealing with renewable energy, sources, thermal and electrical energy production and sustainability.

Innovative Energy Conversion from Biomass Waste offers a new approach to optimizing energy recovery from waste using thermochemical conversion. Instead of conventional pinch technology, the book proposes integrated systems employing exergy recovery and process integration technologies to minimize exergy loss due to entropy generation. This innovative approach is demonstrated in three case studies using high-potential low-rank fuels from industrial waste products with high moisture content, high volatile matter, and high hemicellulose content. From these case studies, readers are provided with three different examples of biomass type, pre-treatment route, and conversion, from fruit bunch cofired within existing coal power plants, black liquor in a stand-alone system, and rice waste processing integrated into existing agricultural systems. Innovative Energy Conversion from Biomass Waste is a valuable resource for researchers and practitioners alike, and will be of interest to environmental scientists, biotechnologists, and chemical engineers working in waste-to-energy and renewable energy.

Sustainable Design for Renewable Processes: Principles and Case Studies covers the basic technologies to collect and process renewable resources and raw materials and transform them into useful products. Starting with basic principles on process analysis, integration and optimization that also addresses challenges, the book then discusses applied principles using a number of examples and case studies that cover biomass, waste, solar, water and wind as resources, along with a set of technologies including gasification, pyrolysis, hydrolysis, digestion, fermentation, solar thermal, solar photovoltaics, electrolysis, energy storage, etc. The book includes examples, exercises and models using Python, Julia, MATLAB, GAMS, EXCEL, CHEMCAD or ASPEN. This book shows students the challenges posed by renewable-based processes by presenting fundamentals, case studies and step-by-step analyses of renewable resources. Hence, this is an ideal and comprehensive reference for Masters and PhD students, engineers and designers.

Advances in Bioenergy, Volume Six in this ongoing series, highlights new advances in the field, with this new volume presenting interesting chapters written by an international board of authors. New sections in this release include Microalgae wastewater treatment and biomass utilization, Lipid Metabolism and Metabolic Engineering of Eukaryotic Microalgae, Aquaculture, Microalgae Cultivation, Life Cycle Assessment, Integration of algae cultivation with anaerobic digestion, Bioenergy and Bioproducts from Industry Hemp, Integration of algae to anaerobic digestion for biofuel and bioenergy production, and more.

A Thermo-Economic Approach to Energy From Waste provides readers with the tools to analyze the effectiveness of biomass waste conversion into value-added products and how thermochemical conversion methods can be commercialized with minimum environmental impact. The book provides a comprehensive overview of biomass conversion technologies through pyrolysis, including the types of reactors available, reactor mechanisms, and the upgradation of bio-oil. Case studies are provided on waste disposal in selected favelas (slums) of Rio de Janeiro, including data on subnormal clusters and analyses of solid waste in the 37 slums of Catumbi. Step-by-step guidance is provided on how to use a life cycle assessment (LCA) approach to analyze the potential impact of various waste-to-energy conversion technologies, and a brief overview of the common applications of LCA in other geographical locations is presented, including United States, Europe, China, and Brazil. Finally, waste-to-value-added functional catalysts for the transesterification process in biodiesel production are discussed alongside various other novel technologies for biodiesel production, process simulation, and techno-economic analysis of biodiesel production. Bringing together research and real-world case studies from an LCA perspective, the book provides an ideal reference for researchers and practitioners interested in waste-to-energy conversion, LCA, and the sustainable production of bioenergy.

Comprehensive Guide on Organic and Inorganic Solar Cells: Fundamental Concepts to Fabrication Methods is a one-stop, authoritative resource on all types of inorganic, organic and hybrid solar cells, including their theoretical background and the practical knowledge required for fabrication. With chapters rigorously dedicated to a particular type of solar cell, each subchapter takes a detailed look at synthesis recipes, deposition techniques, materials properties and their influence on solar cell performance, including advanced characterization methods with materials selection and experimental techniques. By addressing the evolution of solar cell technologies, second generation thin-film photovoltaics, organic solar cells, and finally, the latest hybrid organic-inorganic approaches, this book benefits students and researchers in solar cell technology to understand the similarities, differences, benefits and challenges of each device.

Waste-to-Energy Approaches Towards Zero Waste: Interdisciplinary Methods of Controlling Waste provides a comprehensive overview of the key technologies and approaches to achieve zero waste from energy. The book emphasizes the importance of an integrated approach to waste-to-energy using fundamental concepts and principles, and presents key methods, their applications, and perspectives on future development. The book provides readers with the tools to make key decisions on waste-to-energy projects from zero-waste principles, while incorporating sustainability and life cycle assessments from financial and environmental perspectives. Waste-to-Energy Approaches Towards Zero Waste: Interdisciplinary Methods of Controlling Waste offers practical guidance on achieving energy with zero waste ideal for researchers and graduate students involved in waste-to-energy and renewable energy, waste remediation, and sustainability.

Handbook of Biofuels looks at the many new developments in various type of bioenergy, along with the significant constraints in their production and/or applications. Beyond introducing current approaches and possible future directions of research, this title covers sources and processing of raw materials to downstream processing, constraints involved and research approaches to address and overcome these needs. Different combinations of products from the biorefinery are included, along with the material to answer questions surrounding the optimum process conditions for conversion of different feedstocks to bioenergy, the basis for choosing conversion technology, and what bioenergy products make economic sense. With chapters on the techno-economic analysis of biofuel production and concepts and step-by-step approaches in bioenergy processing, the objective of this book is to present a comprehensive and all-encompassing reference about bioenergy to students, teachers, researchers and professionals.

In this new edition of "Renewable Energy Systems," globally recognized renewable energy researcher and professor, Henrik Lund, sets forth a straightforward, comprehensive methodology for comparing different energy systems abilities to integrate fluctuating and intermittent renewable energy sources. The book does this by presenting an energy system analysis methodology and offering a freely available accompanying software tool, EnergyPLAN, which automates and simplifies the calculations supporting such a detailed comparative analysis. The bookprovides the results of more than fifteen comprehensive energy system analysis studies, examinesthe large-scale integration of renewable energy into the present system, and presents concrete design examples derived from a dozen renewable energy systems around the globe. "Renewable Energy Systems, Second Edition" also undertakes the socio-political realities governing the implementation of renewable energy systems by introducing a theoretical framework approach aimed at understanding how major technological changes, such as renewable energy, can be implemented at both the national and international levels.

Provides an introduction to the technical design of renewable energy systemsDemonstrates how to analyze the feasibility and efficiency of large-scale systems to help implementers avoid costly trial and errorAddresses the socio-political challenge of implementing the shift to renewables Free companion analysis software empowers energy professionals to crunch data for their own projectsFeatures a dozen extensive case studies from around the globe that provide real-world templates for new installations
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Water and Thermal Management of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells introduces the main research methods and latest advances in the water and thermal management of PEMFCs. The book introduces the transport mechanism of each component, including modeling methods at different scales, along with practical exercises. Topics include PEMFC fundamentals, working principles and transport mechanisms, characterization tests and diagnostic analysis, the simulation of multiphase transport and electrode kinetics, cell-scale modeling, stack-scale modeling, and system-scale modeling. This volume offers a practical handbook for researchers, students and engineers in the fields of proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are high-efficiency and low-emission electrochemical energy conversion devices. Inside the PEMFC complex, physical and chemical processes take place, such as electrochemical reaction, multiphase flow and heat transfer. This book explores these topics, and more.

Sustainable production of hydrocarbon biofuels from biomass, fuels that are fully compatible with existing internal combustion engines, will allow the global transport economy to transition to a sustainable energy source without the need for capital-intensive new infrastructures. Hydrocarbon Biorefinery: Sustainable Processing of Biomass for Hydrocarbon Biofuels presents a comprehensive and easy to understand consolidation of existing knowledge for the production of hydrocarbon biofuels from biomass. Three major areas for the conversion of biomass to hydrocarbon biofuels are addressed: i) Chemical and thermochemical conversion processes, ii) Biological and biochemical conversion processes, and iii) Conversion processes of biomass-derived compounds. Additionally, the book includes process design, life cycle analysis of various processes, reaction engineering, catalysts, process conditions and process concepts, and is supported with detailed case studies. The economic viability of each process is specifically addressed to provide a clear guide for the economic development of future hydrocarbon biofuels. Hydrocarbon Biorefinery: Sustainable Processing of Biomass for Hydrocarbon Biofuels offers an all-in-one resource for researchers, graduate students, and industry professionals working in the area of bioenergy and will be of interest to energy engineers, chemical engineers, bioengineers, chemists, agricultural researchers, and mechanical engineers. Furthermore, this book provides structured foundational content on biorefineries for undergraduate and graduate students.

Renewable and Alternative Energy Resources provides comprehensive information on the status of all renewable and non-renewable energy resources. Chapters discuss the technological developments and environmental impacts of each energy source, giving a valuable reference of up-to-date scientific progress, technical application and comparative ecological analysis of each source. In addition to understanding the process involved in generating energy, the book looks at possible merits and demerits relevant to environmental problems, highlighting the importance of the implementation of sustainable, approachable, cost effective and durable renewable energy resources. Designed to highlight relevant concepts on energy efficiency, current technologies and ongoing industrial trends, this is an ideal reference source for academics, practitioners, professionals and upper-level students interested in the latest research on renewable energy.

Most solar cells currently in commercial use are p-type solar cells, due to their historically lower cost and ease of manufacture compared to n-type solar cells. However, due to improved manufacturing technology and falling cost in general, the cost difference between the two types has shrunk, making n-type solar cells an attractive option for future commercial high-efficiency solar cells. n-type solar cells are less prone to light-induced degradation, and are also less affected by iron impurities. This makes n-type solar cells more efficient compared to their p-type counterparts, with efficiencies of up to 25% being feasible in production. Challenges in the manufacturing process and regarding degradation still remain to be solved, in order to realise n-type solar cells' full potential. The challenges, solutions and opportunities afforded by n-type solar cells are explored in this volume. This book conveys current research and development for n-type solar cells and modules. With a systematic build-up, chapters cover the base material, wafer production, and the cell concepts including recent passivation techniques. Also covered are the related issues of solar module technology, such as encapsulation and interconnection, and degradation process management, including comparisons with p-type solar cells. In addition, economic and ecologic aspects and cost modelling are addressed. This thorough, concise reference is a valuable resource for researchers from industry and academia working in the field of photovoltaics.

Salinity Gradient Heat Engines classifies all the existing SGHEs and presents an in-depth analysis of their fundamentals, applications and perspectives. The main SGHEs analyzed in this publication are Osmotic, the Reverse Electrodialysis, and the Accumulator Mixing Heat Engines. The production and regeneration unit of both cycles are described and analyzed alongside the related economic and environmental aspects. This approach provides the reader with very thorough knowledge on how these technologies can be developed and implemented as a low-impact power generation technique, wherever low-temperature waste-heat is available. This book will also be a very beneficial resource for academic researchers and graduate students across various disciplines, including energy engineering, chemical engineering, chemistry, physics, electrical and mechanical engineering.

Renewable Hydrogen Production provides a comprehensive analysis of renewable energy-based hydrogen production. Through simulation analysis and experimental investigations, the book provides fundamentals, compares existing hydrogen production applications, discusses novel technologies, and offers insights into the future directions of this rapidly evolving industry. This all-in-one resource on how to produce clean hydrogen production to enhance energy efficiency and support sustainable development will appeal to a wide variety of industries and professionals.

Hybrid Technologies for Power Generation addresses the topics related to hybrid technologies by coupling conventional thermal engines with novel technologies, including fuel cells, batteries, thermal storage and electrolysis, and reporting on the most recent advances concerning transport and stationary applications. Potential operating schemes of hybrid power generation systems are covered, highlighting possible combinations of technology and guideline selection according to the energy demands of end-users. Going beyond state-of-the-art technological developments for processes, devices and systems, this book discusses the environmental impact and existing hurdles of moving from a single device to new approaches for efficient energy generation, transfer, conversion, high-density storage and consumption. By describing the practical viability of novel devices coupled to conventional thermal devices, this book has a decisive impact in energy system research, supporting those in the energy research and engineering communities.

Solar-Driven Water Treatment: Re-engineering and Accelerating Nature's Water Cycle looks at the use of solar energy and in particular photovoltaic technologies, as a viable, accessible and sustainable option in the treatment of water. Solar-Driven Water Treatment: Re-engineering and Accelerating Nature's Water Cycle provides insight into the different solar powered technologies, in-depth information about the viability of sunlight in the water treatment process, the potential environmental implications as well as the performance, economics, operation and maintenance of the discussed technologies. Elaborating on the potential issues and health risks associated with the water purification systems this reference also covers the need for appropriate technologies in the present scenario to improve worldwide access to clean drinking water. Readers will learn the most appropriate technology for their specific need making this book useful for renewable energy and environmental engineers in investigating energy efficiency, water treatment technologies, and the economics of technological change in the treatment of water by solar technologies.

Residential Microgrids and Rural Electrifications contains an overview of microgrids' architecture, load assessments, designing of microgrids for residential systems, and rural electrifications to help readers understand the fundamentals. Including many new topics in the field of home automation and the application of IoT for microgrids monitoring and control, the book includes sections on the infrastructure necessary for charging Electric Vehicles in residential systems and rural electrifications and how to estimate the energy and cost of various combinations of energy resources. Many examples and practical case studies are included to enhance and reinforce learning objective goals. Those in engineering research and technical professions will be able to perform energy and cost analyses of various combinations of energy sources by using advanced, real simulation tools.

Microgrids: Modeling, Control, and Applications presents a systematic elaboration of different types of microgrids, with a particular focus on new trends and applications. The book includes sections on AC, DC and hybrid AC/DC microgrids and reflects state-of-the-art developments, covering theory, algorithms, simulations, error and uncertainty analysis, as well as novel applications of new control techniques. Offering a valuable resource for students and researchers working on the integration of renewable energy with existing grid and control of microgrids, this book combines recent advances and ongoing research into a single informative resource. The book highlights recent findings while also analyzing modelling and control, thus making it a solid reference for researchers as well as undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Biofuels and Bioenergy: Opportunities and Challenges is the first of two volumes that address the technological developments and challenges in the production of a broad range of biofuels and bioenergy products from renewable feedstock. The book emphasizes the opportunities and challenges involved in various processes including fermentation, transesterification, microbial fuels cells, liquefaction, gasification, and pyrolysis. These are also considered from a biorefinery perspective and discuss all common biomass feedstocks. In addition, the book presents new research on microalgae from waste water treatment, large scale production of microalgae, microbial biooil production, biogas production, computational tools for manipulation of metabolic pathway for enhanced biogas production, production of biofuel from genetically modified microalgal biomass, techno-economic analysis, environmental impact and life cycle analysis. Biofuels and Bioenergy is an ideal reference on the latest research for researchers and students working in the area of biofuels and renewable energy.

PEM Fuel Cells: Fundamentals, Advanced Technologies, and Practical Application provides a comprehensive introduction to the principles of PEM fuel cell, their working condition and application, and the latest breakthroughs and challenges for fuel cell technology. Each chapter follows a systematic and consistent structure with clear illustrations and diagrams for easy understanding. The opening chapters address the basics of PEM technology; stacking and membrane electrode assembly for PEM, degradation mechanisms of electrocatalysts, platinum dissolution and redeposition, carbon-support corrosion, bipolar plates and carbon nanotubes for the PEM, and gas diffusion layers. Thermodynamics, operating conditions, and electrochemistry address fuel cell efficiency and the fundamental workings of the PEM. Instruments and techniques for testing and diagnosis are then presented alongside practical tests. Dedicated chapters explain how to use MATLAB and COMSOL to conduct simulation and modeling of catalysts, gas diffusion layers, assembly, and membrane. Degradation and failure modes are discussed in detail, providing strategies and protocols for mitigation. High-temperature PEMs are also examined, as are the fundamentals of EIS. Critically, the environmental impact and life cycle of the production and storage of hydrogen are addressed, as are the risk and durability issues of PEMFC technology. Dedicated chapters are presented on the economics and commercialization of PEMFCs, including discussion of installation costs, initial capital costs, and the regulatory frameworks; apart from this, there is a separate chapter on their application to the automotive industry. Finally, future challenges and applications are considered. PEM Fuel Cells: Fundamentals, Advanced Technologies, and Practical Application provides an in-depth and comprehensive reference on every aspect of PEM fuel cells fundamentals, ideal for researchers, graduates, and students.