This book explains the fundamentals of control theory for Internet of Things (IoT) systems and smart grids and its applications. It discusses the challenges imposed by large-scale systems, and describes the current and future trends and challenges in decision-making for IoT in detail, showing the ongoing industrial and academic research in the field of smart grid domain applications. It presents step-by-step design guidelines for the modeling, design, customisation and calibration of IoT systems applied to smart grids, in which the challenges increase with each system's increasing complexity. It also provides solutions and detailed examples to demonstrate how to use the techniques to overcome these challenges, as well as other problems related to decision-making for successful implementation. Further, it anaylses the features of decision-making, such as low-complexity and fault-tolerance, and uses open-source and publicly available software tools to show readers how they can design, implement and customise their own system control instantiations. This book is a valuable resource for power engineers and researchers, as it addresses the analysis and design of flexible decision-making mechanisms for smart grids. It is also of interest to students on courses related to control of large-scale systems, since it covers the use of state-of-the-art technology with examples and solutions in every chapter. And last but not least, it offers practical advice for professionals working with smart grids.

Generation of electricity from renewable sources has become a necessity, particularly due to environmental concerns. In order for renewable sources to provide reliable power, their sporadic availability under certain conditions and the lack of control over the resource must be addressed. Different renewable energy sources and storage technologies bring various properties to the table, and power systems must be adapted and constructed to accommodate these. Power electronics and micro-grids play key roles in enabling the use of renewable energy in the evolving smarter grids. This book, written by well-known researchers with broad expertise and successful publication records, provides a systematic overview of modern power systems with integrated renewable energy. Chapters provide concise coverage of renewable energy generation, of storage technologies including chemical, electrostatic and thermal storage systems, and of energy integration, power conditioning systems, economic dispatch and scheduling, EV integration, as well as communications and cyber-security in power systems. This work is a highly valuable resource for researchers in industry and academia involved with renewable energy technology and power systems, for advanced students of related subjects, and for utilities engineers and professionals.

Artificial intelligence has been applied to many areas of science and technology, including the power and energy sector. Renewable energy in particular has experienced the tremendous positive impact of these developments. With the recent evolution of smart energy technologies, engineers and scientists working in this sector need an exhaustive source of current knowledge to effectively cater to the energy needs of citizens of developing countries. Computational Methodologies for Electrical and Electronics Engineers is a collection of innovative research that provides a complete insight and overview of the application of intelligent computational techniques in power and energy. Featuring research on a wide range of topics such as artificial neural networks, smart grids, and soft computing, this book is ideally designed for programmers, engineers, technicians, ecologists, entrepreneurs, researchers, academicians, and students.

Large Scale Wind Power Grid Integration: Technological and Regulatory Issues presents engineers with detailed solutions on the challenges of integrating and transmitting electricity generated from high power wind installations, covering all of the standard engineering issues associated with high power wind generation. The book includes detailed case studies from eight wind power bases in China, providing important insights for engineers in countries that are seeking to develop large-scale wind power farms. Also discussed is the emergence of 10 GW-level wind power bases that are now operational in China and those that are planned for offshore construction in Europe, the U.S., and other places in the world. China's leadership in Large-scale wind power bases with capacities over 1 GW (which already account for approximately 70%-80% of the total installed capacity in China) means that globally, engineers who are challenged with developing large-scale wind power installations can gain access to the experiences of Chinese engineers in this important technology.

This book examines the economics and related impacts of unconventional shale gas development. While focusing on the Marcellus and Utica Shales in the Mid-Atlantic region, additional insights from other regions are included to provide a broader view of these issues. Shale gas development in recent years has changed the energy discussion in the US, as existing reserves of natural gas coupled with horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing make exploitation of these reserves economically feasible. The importance of natural gas is seen as likely to continue to expand over the coming years, and is expected to increase even further with environmental considerations, such as greenhouse gas emissions. Horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing producing natural gas from deposits such as the Marcellus Shale is making the US a net producer of natural gas. Previous studies have examined the economic impact of exploration and production in the region. Other studies have addressed legal, environmental, biodiversity, and public health impacts of unconventional shale development. This is the first volume to focus solely on the economics and related financial impacts of this development. This book not only fills the research gap, but also provides information that policy makers and the public need to better understand this pressing issue.

This book is for all those who are looking for a non-conventional mathematical model of electrical network systems. It presents a modern approach using linear algebra and derives various commonly unknown quantities and interrelations of network analysis. It also explores some applications of algebraic network model of and solves some examples of previously unsolved network problems in planning and operation of network systems. Complex mathematical aspects are illustrated and described in a way that is understandable for non-mathematicians. Discussing interesting concepts and practically useful methods of network analysis, it is a valuable resource for lecturers, students, engineers

This book is a concise review of the current status and future prospects of concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) technology. Starting with a summary of the current technical and economic status of CPV technology, it identifies the factors that hold CPV back in the commercial market. The main technical areas considered are solar cells, tracking and optics. The solar cells section focuses on spectrum splitting systems, which offer potentially higher efficiency than multi-junction cells with reductions in the manufacturing constraints that lead to high costs. It also offers a brief survey of the latest developments in spectral splitting alongside a discussion of the advances in solar cell manufacturing that aid the development of such systems. Further, it examines electrical design principles for spectral splitting systems that can improve the spectral stability of these systems' performance. The section on tracking includes a description of tracking integration with an update of the review published in Nature, presenting the latest advances in the field and focusing on surveying conceptual approaches rather than providing an exhaustive description of the literature. The optics section explores 3D printing and other emerging methods of fabricating optics for both prototype and large-scale production, as well as new classes of concentrators, particularly those based on novel photonic materials such as angular filters. Lastly, the authors consider the impact that environmental factors have on the performance of CPV in non-standard environments before concluding with a discussion of the combinations of technologies that they anticipate will most effectively boost CPV in the commercial market.

This volume collects the research papers presented at the 6th International Conference on Sustainable Automotive Technologies (ICSAT), Gothenburg, 2014. The topical focus lies on latest advances in vehicle technology related to sustainable mobility. ICSAT is the core and state-of-the-art conference in the field of new technologies for transportation. Research contributions from the US, Australia, Europe and Asia illustrate the pivotal role of the conference. The book provides an excellent overview of R&D activities at OEMs as well as in leading universities and laboratories.

This book deals with the energy footprints of biorefineries and the hotel and buildings sector. It presents footprint case studies, which include background information, methodological frameworks, assessment checklists, calculation tools and techniques, applications, challenges and limitations. It also discusses the application of each indicator/framework in various industrial sectors and the associated challenges, along with outlooks for the future. Consumption and conservation of energy are key elements in any industry's sustainability strategy.

Geolocation is a process that utilizes sensors to pick up enemy emissions and locate electronic warfare (EW) targets. It is of particular interest among EW professionals because it allows them to use the enemy's own emissions to help set GPS coordinates and accurately pinpoint a target for attack. This book authoritative book is invaluable to EW engineers because it describes the mathematical development underlying current and classical methods of geolocating electronic systems that are emitting. Supported with over 620 equations and more than 115 illustrations, the book provides practitioners with critical information on a variety of geolocation algorithms and techniques. Engineers gain an in-depth understanding of key target location methods that they can effectively apply to their work in the field.

The evidence suggests that many solar programs are being designed and implemented in isolation and without reliance on published guidelines or the experience gained by others. The conclusion is obvious: the likelihood of a program being successful would be greatly improved if program implementers were made more aware of best practice guidelines and of the lessons and experience learned by others in implementing previous programs. Furthermore, the best practice guidelines not only need to be readily available but need to describe the stages, issues and the stakeholders' roles in designing and implementing a SHS program. This book showcases a detailed road map that has been developed for the implementation of rural electrification projects in developing countries using solar PV. Features of this book will be case studies derived from personal participatory observation of the authors on Solar Home Systems, their impact, their advantages and disadvantages and their operation.

This two-volume set focuses on fundamental concepts and design goals (i.e., a switch/router's key features), architectures, and practical applications of switch/routers in IP networks. The discussion includes practical design examples to illustrate how switch/routers are designed and how the key features are implemented. Designing Switch/Routers: Fundamental Concepts, Design Methods, Architectures, and Applications begins by providing an introductory level discussion that covers the functions and architectures of the switch/router. The first book considers the switch/router as a generic Layer 2 and Layer 3 forwarding device without placing emphasis on any particular manufacturer's device. The underlining concepts and design methods are not only positioned to be applicable to this generic switch/router, but also to the typical switch/router seen in the industry. The discussion provides a better insight into the protocols, methods, processes, and tools that go into designing switch/routers. The second volume explains the design and architectural considerations, as well as, the typical processes and steps used to build practical switch/routers. It then discusses the advantages of using Ethernet in today's networks and why Ethernet continues to play a bigger role in Local Area Network (LAN), Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), and Wide Area Network (WAN) design. This book set provides a discussion of the design of switch/routers and is written in a style to appeal to undergraduate and graduate-level students, engineers, and researchers in the networking and telecoms industry, as well as academics and other industry professionals. The material and discussion are structured in such a way that they could serve as standalone teaching material for networking and telecom courses and/or supplementary material for such courses.

Microwave photonics and information optics provide high bandwidth and precision along with ultrafast speed at a low cost. In order to reduce noise at the communication trans-receivers, scattering in the devices needs to be decreased, which can be achieved by replacing optoelectronic devices with photonic devices because in the latter only photons propagate electromagnetic waves. Contemporary Developments in High-Frequency Photonic Devices is a crucial research book that examines high-frequency photonics and their applications in communication engineering. Featuring coverage on a wide range of topics such as metamaterials, optoelectronic devices, and plasmonics, this book is excellent for students, researchers, engineers, and professionals.

This work revolves around the hydrogen economy and energy-storage electrochemical systems. More specifically, it investigates the possibility of using magnetron sputtering for deposition of efficient thin-film anode catalysts with low noble metal content for proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers (PEM-WEs) and unitized regenerative fuel cells (PEM-URFCs). The motivation for this research derives from the urgent need to minimize the price of such electrochemical devices should they enter the mass production. Numerous experiments were carried out, correlating the actual in-cell performance with the varying position of thin-film catalyst within the membrane electrode assembly, with the composition of high-surface support sublayer and with the chemical structure of the catalyst itself. The wide arsenal of analytical methods ranging from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy through electrochemical atomic force microscopy to photoelectron spectroscopy allowed the description of the complex phenomena behind different obtained efficiencies. Systematic optimizations led to the design of a novel PEM-WE anode thin-film iridium catalyst which performs similarly to the standard counterparts despite using just a fraction of their noble metal content. Moreover, the layer-by-layer approach resulted in the design of a Ir/TiC/Pt bi-functional anode for PEM-URFC which is able to operate in both the fuel cell and electrolyzer regime and thus helps to cut the cost of the whole conversion system even further.

This book proposes the air insulation prediction theory and method in the subject of electrical engineering. Prediction of discharge voltage in different cases are discussed and worked out by simulation. After decades, now bottlenecks of traditional air discharge theories can be solved with this book. Engineering applications of the theory in air gap discharge voltage prediction are introduced. This book serves as reference for graduate students, scientific research personnel and engineering staff in the related fields.

This book comprises a selection of the top contributions presented at the second international conference "Smart and Sustainable Planning for Cities and Regions 2017", held in March 2017 in Bolzano, Italy. Featuring forty-six papers by policy-makers, academics and consultants, it discusses current groundbreaking research in smart and sustainable planning, including the progress made in overcoming cities' challenges towards improving the quality of life. Climate change adaptation and mitigation of global warming, generally identified as drivers of global policies, are just the "tip of the iceberg" when it comes to smart energy transition. Indeed, equally relevant towards this current transformation - and key topics in this volume - are ICTs, public spaces and society; next economy for the city; strategies and actions for good governance; urban-rural innovation; rethinking mobility. The book's depth in understanding and insightfulness in re-thinking demonstrate the breaking of new ground in smart and sustainable planning. A new ground that policy-makers, academics and consultants may build upon as a bedrock for smart and sustainable planning.

Heating and Cooling with Ground-Source Heat Pumps in Moderate and Cold Climates, Two-Volume Set focuses on the use of very low-temperature geothermal energy for heating and cooling residential, institutional, and industrial buildings, and aims to increase the design community's awareness and knowledge of the benefits, design, and installation requirements of commercial/institutional building ground-source heat pumps (GSHP). This set helps readers assess applicability, select a GSHP system type, and estimate building thermal load to ensure proper size for ground-source subsystems, appropriate brine and groundwater flow rates, and apt design of building closed-loops with distributed or central geothermal heat pumps. The first volume addresses fundamentals and design principles of vertical and horizontal indirect and direct expansion closed-loop, as well as ground- and surface-water ground-source heat pump systems. It explains the thermodynamic aspects of mechanical and thermochemical compression cycles of geothermal heat pumps, as well as the energetic, economic, and environmental aspects associated with the use of ground-source heat pump systems for heating and cooling residential and commercial/institutional buildings in moderate and cold climates. The second volume focuses on applications and cases studies of ground-source heat pumps in moderate and cold climates. It details technical aspects, as well as the most common and uncommon application fields of basic system configurations. The principles of system integrations and applications in moderate and cold climates are also presented, each followed by case studies. This comprehensive work is aimed at designers of HVAC systems, as well as geological, mechanical, and chemical engineers implementing environmentally-friendly heating and cooling technologies for buildings.

This book covers diverse areas in which nanoscience and nanotechnology have led to significant technological advances and practical applications, with special emphasis on novel types of nanomaterials and their applicability into a new generation of nano- and micro-devices. Different nanomaterials are reviewed with a focus on several practical application areas and their commercial utilization. Production technologies of nanomaterials are presented as one of the challenges today. Sectors where nanotechnology has already significantly contributed are presented, along with specific nanotechnology solutions: energy related sectors, NEMS/MEMS, micro power generators, spintronics and healthcare. The basic properties and applications of nanostructured thermoelectric materials, ferroelectric and piezoelectric nanomaterials are reviewed. Examples of several developed thin-film thermogenerators are shown. A review of existing solutions and developing challenges are given regarding sustainable energy production, photovoltaics, solar cells, hydrogen economy and improved classes of batteries as contributions to green products and circular economy. Novel, highly promising areas in nanotechnology, are shown, such as voltage-driven nano-spintronics. Recent advances in friction characterisation at the nano level are described. Several proven nanomaterials have been reviewed pertaining to biomedicine. The use of nanomaterials in ophthalmology and cosmetic industry are reviewed, and the potential for silver nanoparticles and iron-based nanomaterials in biomedicine, also with recognised challenges and possible threats of non-controlled use of nanomaterials. This work is the result of joint efforts of different companies, academic, and research institutions participating in WIMB Tempus project, 543898-TEMPUS-1-2013-1-ES-TEMPUS-JPHES, "Development of Sustainable Interrelations between Education, Research and Innovation at WBC Universities in Nanotechnologies and Advanced Materials where Innovation Means Business", co-funded by the Tempus Programme of the European Union.

Energy Management Principles: Applications, Benefits, Savings, Second Edition is a comprehensive guide to the fundamental principles and systematic processes of maintaining and improving energy efficiency and reducing waste. Fully revised and updated with analysis of world energy utilization, incentives and utility rates, and new content highlighting how energy efficiency can be achieved through 1 of 16 outlined principles and programs, the book presents cost effective analysis, case studies, global examples, and guidance on building and site auditing. This fully revised edition provides a theoretical basis for conservation, as well as the avenues for its application, and by doing so, outlines the potential for cost reductions through an analysis of inefficiencies.

Fuel Flexible Energy Generation: Solid, Liquid and Gaseous Fuels provides updated information on flexible fuel energy generation, the process by which one or more fuels can be combusted in the same boiler or turbine to generate power. By adapting or building boilers and turbines to accept multiple fuel sources, they can be co-fired with biomass and waste derived fuels, allowing a reduction in carbon output, thus providing cleaner energy. Fuel flexibility is becoming more important in a world of diminishing fossil fuel stocks. Many countries are investing in the development of more efficient fuel flexible boilers and turbines, and their use is becoming more prevalent in industry as well. This book provides comprehensive coverage of flexible fuel energy generation across all potential fuel types, and was written by a selection of experts in the field who discuss the types of fuels which can be used in fuel flexible energy generation, from solid fuels to biomass fuels, the preparation of fuels to be used in fuel flexible operations, that includes their handling and transport, and combustion and conversion technologies with chapters ranging from large-scale coal gasification to technology options and plant design issues.

Focusing on technical, policy and social/societal practices and innovations for electrified transport for personal, public and freight purposes, this book provides a state-of-the-art overview of developments in e-mobility in Europe and the West Coast of the USA. It serves as a learning base for further implementing and commercially developing this field for the benefit of society, the environment and public health, as well as for economic development and private industry. A fast-growing, interdisciplinary sector, electric mobility links engineering, infrastructure, environment, transport and sustainable development. But despite the relevance of the topic, few publications have ever attempted to document or promote the wide range of electric mobility initiatives and projects taking place today. Addressing this need, this publication consists of case studies, reports on technological developments and examples of successful infrastructure installation in cities, which document current initiatives and serve as an inspiration for others.