Progress in Optics, Volume 63 is the latest release in a series that presents an overview of the state-of-the-art in optics research. In this update, readers will find timely chapters on measuring polarization states, quantum measurement, optical trapping, spatial/spectral correspondence for mono/poly chromatic light diffraction, and photonic fractional signal processing, amongst other timely topics.

Surface passivation of silicon solar cells describes a technology for preventing electrons and holes to recombine prematurely with one another on the wafer surface. It increases the cell's energy conversion efficiencies and thus reduces the cost per kWh generated by a PV system. In the past few years, new tools have been developed to ensure low cost of ownership for high volume production of passivated silicon solar cells. Different deposition techniques (ALD, PECVD, APCVD) and different materials (SiO2, Al2O3, Si3N4) have been tested during the development process of more than 10 years. Now, the silicon solar cell manufacturing industry is picking up the concept of rear side passivation. The next generation silicon solar cells in production will be the PERC (Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell) type using all the reported achievements including novel tool concepts and process technologies. This timely overview of silicon solar cell surface passivation, written by the leading experts in the field, is a key read for students and researchers working with silicon solar cells, as well as solar cell manufacturers.

Plug-in electric and hybrid vehicles (PEVs) have the potential to provide substantial storage to a city's grid, a key component in mitigating intermittency issues of power sources. But the batteries of these vehicles also need to be charged at times when their users need them. Thus, V2G (vehicle-to-grid) is becoming an important issue in the future grid. An integrated treatment of this system, from power generation, monitoring, storage in stationary and PEV batteries to control is a complex task. This book explores the connection between the stationary grid and PEV power storage. Topics covered include: the impact of PEVs and V2G on smart grid and renewable energy systems; distributed energy resource with PEV battery energy storage in the smart grid; power conversion technology in smart grid and PEVs; power control and monitoring of smart grid with PEVs; PEV charging technologies and V2G on distributed energy resources and utility interfaces; economic, social and environmental dimensions of PEVs in the smart grid. This book will be of interest to researchers and advanced students in electric vehicles and smart grid technologies, and policy-makers and planners developing smart grid infrastructure and sustainable transport initiatives.

The only one-stop reference to design, analysis, and manufacturing concepts for power devices utilizing HTS.

High temperature superconductors (HTS) have been used for building many devices for electric grids worldwide and for large ship propulsion motors for the U.S. Navy. And yet, there has been no single source discussing theory and design issues relating to power applications of HTS--until now. This book provides design and analysis for various devices and includes examples of devices built over the last decade.

Starting with a complete overview of HTS, the subsequent chapters are dedicated to specific devices: cooling and thermal insulation systems; rotating AC and DC machines; transformers; fault current limiters; power cables; and Maglev transport. As applicable, each chapter provides a history of the device, principles, configuration, design and design challenges, prototypes, and manufacturing issues, with each ending with a summary of the material covered. The design analysis and design examples provide critical insight for readers to successfully design their own devices. Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) designers, industry and utilities users, universities and defense services research groups, and senior/postgraduate engineering students and instructors will rely on this resource.

"HTS technology reduces electric losses and increases the efficiency of power equipment. This book by Swarn Kalsi, a leading expert on the HTS subject, provides a survey of the HTS technology and the design rules, performance analyses, and manufacturing concepts for power application-related devices. It compares conventional and HTS technology approaches for device design and provides significant examples of devices utilizing the HTS technology today. The book is useful for a broad spectrum of professionals worldwide: students, teaching staff, and OEM designers as well as users in industry and electric utilities."
--Professor Dr. Rolf Hellinger, Research and Technologies Corporate Technology, Siemens AG

Fuel Property Estimation and Combustion Process Characterization is a thorough tool book, which provides readers with the most up-to-date, valuable methodologies to efficiently and cost-effectively attain useful properties of all types of fuels and achieve combustion process characterizations for more efficient design and better operation. Through extensive experience in fuels and combustion, Kiang has developed equations and methodologies that can readily obtain reasonable properties for all types of fuels (including wastes and biomass), which enable him to provide guidance for designers and operators in the combustion field, in order to ensure the design, operation, and diagnostics of all types of combustion systems are of the highest quality and run at optimum efficiency. Written for professionals and researchers in the renewable energy, combustion, chemical, and mechanical engineering fields, the information in this book will equip readers with detailed guidance on how to reliably obtain properties of fuels quickly for the design, operation and diagnostics of combustion systems to achieve highly efficient combustion processes.

Batteries are of vital importance for storing intermittent renewable energy for stationary and mobile applications. In order to charge the battery and maintain its capacity, the states of the battery - such as the current charge, safety and health, but also quantities that cannot be measured directly - need to be known to the battery management system. State estimation estimates the electrical state of a system by eliminating inaccuracies and errors from measurement data. Numerous methods and techniques are used for lithium-ion and other batteries. The various battery models seek to simplify the circuitry used in the battery management system. This concise work captures the methods and techniques for state estimation needed to keep batteries reliable. The book focuses particularly on mechanisms, parameters and influencing factors. Chapters convey equivalent modelling and several Kalman filtering techniques, including adaptive extended Kalman filtering for multiple battery state estimation, dual extended Kalman filtering prediction for complex working conditions, and particle filtering of safety estimation considering the capacity fading effect. This book is necessary reading for researchers in battery research and development, including battery management systems and related power electronics, for battery manufacturers, and for advanced students in power electronics.

Control of Power Electronic Converters, Volume Two gives the theory behind power electronic converter control and discusses the operation, modelling and control of basic converters. The main components of power electronics systems that produce a desired effect (energy conversion, robot motion, etc.) by controlling system variables (voltages and currents) are thoroughly covered. Both small (mobile phones, computer power supplies) and very large systems (trains, wind turbines, high voltage power lines) and their power ranges, from the Watt to the Gigawatt, are presented and explored. Users will find a focused resource on how to apply innovative control techniques for power converters and drives.

This book presents a state-of-the-art analysis of energy efficiency as applied to mining processes. From ground fragmentation to mineral processing and extractive metallurgy, experts discuss the current state of knowledge and the nagging questions that call for further research. It offers an excellent resource for all mine managers and engineers who want to improve energy efficiency to boost both production efficiency and sustainability. It will also benefit graduate students and experienced researchers looking for a comprehensive review of the current state of knowledge concerning energy efficiency in the minerals industry.

This book presents a selection of recently developed collective and computational intelligence techniques, which it subsequently applies to energy management problems ranging from performance analysis to economic analysis, and from strategic analysis to operational analysis, with didactic numerical examples. As a form of intelligence emerging from the collaboration and competition of individuals, collective and computational intelligence addresses new methodological, theoretical, and practical aspects of complex energy management problems. The book offers an excellent reference guide for practitioners, researchers, lecturers and postgraduate students pursuing research on intelligence in energy management. The contributing authors are recognized researchers in the energy research field.

Well Control for Completions and Interventions explores the standards that ensure safe and efficient production flow, well integrity and well control for oil rigs, focusing on the post-Macondo environment where tighter regulations and new standards are in place worldwide. Too many training facilities currently focus only on the drilling side of the well's cycle when teaching well control, hence the need for this informative guide on the topic. This long-awaited manual for engineers and managers involved in the well completion and intervention side of a well's life covers the fundamentals of design, equipment and completion fluids. In addition, the book covers more important and distinguishing components, such as well barriers and integrity envelopes, well kill methods specific to well completion, and other forms of operations that involve completion, like pumping and stimulation (including hydraulic fracturing and shale), coiled tubing, wireline, and subsea intervention.

This book introduces and analyses the latest maximum power point tracking (MPPT) techniques, which can effectively reduce the cost of power generated from photovoltaic energy systems. It also presents a detailed description, analysis, and comparison of various MPPT techniques applied to stand-alone systems and those interfaced with electric utilities, examining their performance under normal and abnormal operating conditions. These techniques, which and can be conventional or smart, are a current hot topic, and this book is a valuable reference resource for academic researchers and industry professionals who are interested in exploring and implementing advanced MPPT for photovoltaic systems. It is also useful for graduate students who are looking to expand their knowledge of MPPT techniques.

This book offers a complete guide to designing Linear Fresnel Reflector Systems for concentrating solar radiation. It includes theoretical analyses, computational tools and mathematical formulae to facilitate the development, design, construction and application of these systems. In addition, the book presents a concise yet thorough treatment of the theory behind these systems, and provides useful and efficient calculation procedures that can be used to model and develop their practical applications. Along with the theoretical analyses provided in the book, the physical background is explained using mathematical formulae, illustrations, graphs and tables. Methods are presented for solving the non-linear mathematical systems that describe a significant variety of cases. In addition, MATLAB codes are supplied (both in the text and online). Consequently, readers interested in applying the methodology presented here will have all the source codes at hand, allowing them to easily expand on them by introducing appropriate modifications for their respective design configuration. Given its scope, the book will be of interest to engineers and researchers, who can use their scientific background to help them develop more energy-efficient Linear Fresnel Reflector systems. It will also appeal to students studying these systems for the first time, as it supplies a comprehensive overview of their theoretical analysis and applications.

Chemistry is considered to be one of the prime causes of environmental pollution and degradation. The United Nations General Assembly also addressed the environmental challenges in its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which have been adopted in 2015. A closer look shows that to meet these goals chemistry will play an important role. Green chemistry encompasses design and synthesis of environmentally benign chemical processes, green approaches to minimize and/or remediate environmental pollution, the development of biomaterials, biofuel, and bioenergy production, biocatalysis, and policies and ethics in green chemistry. When products in use today become waste, we need to treat that waste so that hazardous substances are not re-circulated into new products. In this context, circular economy is also an important point of discussion, which focuses on recycling, reuse and use of renewable sources. The theme of the International Conference on "Green Chemistry in Environmental Sustainability & Chemical Education (ICGC-2016) held in Delhi from 17-18 November 2016 was to discuss the emerging green trends in the direction of sustainability and environmental safety. ICGC-2016 consisted of keynote, plenary and invited lectures, panel discussion, contributed oral papers and poster presentations. The conference provided a platform for high school students, undergraduate and postgraduate students, teaching fraternity and young researchers to interact with eminent scientists and academicians from all over the world who shared their valuable views, experience and research on the harmonious methods in chemistry for a sustainable environment. This volume of proceedings from the conference provides an opportunity for readers to engage with a selection of refereed papers that were presented during the ICGC-2016 conference. The overarching goal of this book is to discuss most recent innovations and concerns in green chemistry as well as practical challenges encountered and solutions adopted to remediate a scathed environment into a pristine one. It includes an extensive variety of contributions from participants of ICGC-2016 that demonstrate the importance of multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approach to problem solving within green chemistry and environmental management. The proceedings is thus a green chemistry monograph resulting from the fruitful deliberations in the conference, which will deeply enhance awareness about our responsibility towards the environment.

Reliability is a fundamental criterium in engineering systems. This book shows innovative concepts and applications of mathematics in solving reliability problems. The contents address in particular the interaction between engineers and mathematicians, as well as the cross-fertilization in the advancement of science and technology. It bridges the gap between theory and practice to aid in practical problem-solving in various contexts.

Fault Diagnosis and Sustainable Control of Wind Turbines: Robust Data-Driven and Model-Based Strategies discusses the development of reliable and robust fault diagnosis and fault-tolerant ('sustainable') control schemes by means of data-driven and model-based approaches. These strategies are able to cope with unknown nonlinear systems and noisy measurements. The book also discusses simpler solutions relying on data-driven and model-based methodologies, which are key when on-line implementations are considered for the proposed schemes. The book targets both professional engineers working in industry and researchers in academic and scientific institutions. In order to improve the safety, reliability and efficiency of wind turbine systems, thus avoiding expensive unplanned maintenance, the accommodation of faults in their early occurrence is fundamental. To highlight the potential of the proposed methods in real applications, hardware-in-the-loop test facilities (representing realistic wind turbine systems) are considered to analyze the digital implementation of the designed solutions. The achieved results show that the developed schemes are able to maintain the desired performances, thus validating their reliability and viability in real-time implementations. Different groups of readers-ranging from industrial engineers wishing to gain insight into the applications' potential of new fault diagnosis and sustainable control methods, to the academic control community looking for new problems to tackle-will find much to learn from this work.

This book offers a revealing picture of the myths and realities of the energy world by one of our most renowned energy experts and managers. At the end of the first decade of the 21st century, the human race finds itself caught in an "energy trap." Carbon-rich fossil fuels—coal, petroleum and natural gas—are firmly entrenched as the dominant sources of our energy and power. Their highly concentrated forms, versatility of use, ease of transport and storage, ready availability, and comparatively low costs combine to give fossil fuels an unassailable competitive advantage over all alternative sources of energy. This economic reality means that fossil fuels will inevitably continue to be the backbone of the global economy for the next quarter of a century, even while the adverse climate and environmental effects of our dependence on fossil fuels hurtle toward global crisis levels. To avert unacceptable environmental consequences, the world must deliberately and incrementally supplant fossil fuels with alternative energy sources, on a schedule that will have them overtake fossil fuels in the world's energy budget by 2035. To achieve this urgent goal without massive economic dislocation and reduction in standards of living, global investment in fossil fuel efficiency will be just as important as the development and massive deployment of alternative energy technologies and delivery systems. In this eagerly awaited sequel to his prize-winning bestseller, The Age of Oil, Leonardo Maugeri, the strategy director of one of the world's biggest energy companies, puts forward a hard-headed, concrete plan in simple everyday language for how to shift the world economy's primary energy dependence from fossil fuels to renewable energies by 2035. Assuming no specialized knowledge, the author walks the reader chapter by chapter through each of the fossil fuels (oil, coal, and natural gas) and each of the alternative energy sources (nuclear, hydroelectric, biofuel, wind, solar, geothermal, and hydrogen). Drawing on the unparalleled data and analysis resources at his command, Maugeri assesses the problems and advantages of each energy source in turn in order to constrain the optimal mix of energy sources that the world should be aiming for in 2035. Critically, he lays out the arduous path for getting from here to there. Maugeri shows that the next 25 years will be a rocky marriage between the old and the new energy paradigms, during which we must dramatically improve the efficiency of our continuing use of fossil fuels, while driving ahead on all fronts to an energy future based on a suite of sustainable energy sources.

Hydropower provides a complete discussion of the most up-to-date considerations of this method of creating renewable energy. After introducing the method's history, the author explores various considerations for engineers, planners and managers who need to determine the best placement and size of a plant. The book then presents various types of hydropower systems, such as Run-of-River Schemes and various types of Dam and Turbines, also considering the important economic, environmental and geological impacts of each. Those involved in the planning, design and management of hydropower systems, such as engineers, researchers, managers and policymakers will find this book a very valuable and insightful resource.

The advent of lithium ion batteries has brought a significant shift in the area of large format battery systems. Previously limited to heavy and bulky lead-acid storage batteries, large format batteries were used only where absolutely necessary as a means of energy storage. The improved energy density, cycle life, power capability, and durability of lithium ion cells has given us electric and hybrid vehicles with meaningful driving range and performance, grid-tied energy storage systems for integration of renewable energy and load leveling, backup power systems and other applications. This book discusses battery management system (BMS) technology for large format lithium-ion battery packs from a systems perspective. This resource covers the future of BMS, giving us new ways to generate, use, and store energy, and free us from the perils of non-renewable energy sources. This book provides a full update on BMS technology, covering software, hardware, integration, testing, and safety.

This thesis focuses on the design and synthesis of novel one-dimensional colloidal chalcogenide hetero-nanostructures for enhancing solar energy conversion applications. Semiconducting nanomaterials are particular attractive for energy conversion due to the quantum confinement effects dictating their unique optical and electronic properties. Steering the photo-induced charge-flow based on unique bandgap alignment in semiconductor heterojunctions is critical for photo-electric/chemical conversion. The author presents the controllable preparation strategies to synthesize 1D chalcogenide hetero-nanostructures with various fine structures, further been used as excellent template materials for preparing other novel and complex hybrid architectures through a series of chemical transformations. The heterogeneous growth mechanisms of novel hetero-nanostructures is studied for developing a facile and general method to prepare more novel heterostructures. The band gap structure simulations, detailed charge carrier behaviour and unique solar energy conversion properties of the prepared hybrid nanostructures are deeply investigated. This work would open a new door to rationally designing hybrid systems for photo-induced applications.

Everybody knows that climate change is one of the greatest threats facing the planet. The costs of failure to act are becoming unthinkable. Yet we know now that if developed countries agree to cut their collective emissions by 30% by 2020, annual economic growth would be trimmed by less than 0.2% - a small price to pay to avoid the potential long-term costs of climate change. Moreover, it is easy to appreciate the positive value of other benefits such as reduced air pollution, security of energy supply at predictable prices, and improved competitiveness through innovation.

Now, for the growing number of enterprises and investors committed to combating climate change with renewable energy technologies, here at last is a minutely detailed analysis of the opportunities and obstacles involved in developing a coherent and effective business strategy. Beginning with an in-depth and up-to-date overview of what we know about the climate change issue, the author goes on to an extensive survey of Renewable Energy Sources (RES), both existing and under development. Recognizing that, in the current state of global awareness, the European Union has taken by far the largest steps in tackling the enormous problems entailed by climate change, she explores in unprecedented detail the various "green" energy incentives and support schemes available under various programs available both at EU level and in each of the 27 Member States.

Both project developers and investors will find out here exactly how to: significantly reduce the main market entry barrier - high costs; exploit synergies and avoid negative spillover effects through coordinated action; draw on all available policy levers, fiscal policies, structural and financial market reforms and external action; ensure full coherence between immediate actions and the EU's medium- to longer term objectives; take full account of the global nature of the problem and shape the EU's contribution to international responses; comply with technical provisions for monitoring, reporting and verification; and discern investment trends in the RES markets.

Providing both knowledge of the industry and of relevant investment instruments, " Renewable Energy Sources" will serve as a powerful liaison between project developers and investors in the renewable energy market. Interested companies and their counsel will find here a ready reference for information on sources of equity/venture capital, detailed knowledge of available subsidies, business expansion strategies, viable investment options, and advantageous networks.