This book examines real-time models and advanced online applications that enhance reliability and resilience of the grid in real-time and near real-time environments. It is written by Peak Reliability engineers who worked on the creation of the West Wide System Model (WSM) and the implementation of advanced real-time operation situational awareness tools for reliability coordination function. The book looks at how a single Reliability Coordinator for the Western Interconnection did its work under normal and emergency conditions, providing a unique perspective on best practices and lessons learned from Peak's modeling and coordination efforts to create, maintain, and improve state-of-art new technology and algorithms to improve real-time operation situational awareness and Bulk Electric System (BES) grid resilience. Coverage includes practical experience of implementing real-time Energy Management System (EMS) Network Application, real-time voltage stability analysis, online transient stability analysis, synchrophasor technology, Dispatcher Training Simulator and EMS Cybersecurity & Inter-Control Center Communications Protocol (ICCP) implementation experience in a Reliability Coordinator Control Room setting. Explains how to operate a "green" grid and prevent new blackouts against uncertain operation conditions; Written by Peak Reliability engineers who worked on the creation of the West Wide System Model (WWSM); All material verified in practical system operations, or validated by real system measures and system events.

Aims and Scope Patients are more empowered to shape their own health care today than ever before. Health information technologies are creating new opportunities for patients and families to participate actively in their care, manage their medical problems and improve communication with their healthcare providers. Moreover, health information technologies are enabling healthcare providers to partner with their patients in a bold effort to optimize quality of care, improve health outcomes and transform the healthcare system on the macro-level. In this book, leading figures discuss the existing needs, challenges and opportunities for improving patient engagement and empowerment through health information technology, mapping out what has been accomplished and what work remains to truly transform the care we deliver and engage patients in their care. Policymakers, healthcare providers and administrators, consultants and industry managers, researchers and students and, not least, patients and their family members should all find value in this book. "In the exciting period that lies just ahead, more will be needed than simply connecting patients to clinicians, and clinicians to each other. The health care systems that will be most effective in meeting patients' needs will be those that can actually design their 'human wares' around that purpose. This book provides deep insight into how information technology can and will support that redesign." Thomas H. Lee, MD, MSc, Chief Medical Officer, Press Ganey Associates; Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Professor of Health Policy and Management, Harvard School of Public Health The Editors: Drs. Maria Adela Grando, Ronen Rozenblum and David W. Bates are widely recognized professors, researchers and experts in the domain of health information technology, patient engagement and empowerment. Their research, lectures and contributions in these domains have been recognized nationally and internationally. Dr. Grando is affiliated with Arizona State University and the Mayo Clinic, and Drs. Rozenblum and Bates are affiliated with Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard University.

This leading-edge volume on advances in photovoltaic technology features diverse contributions from experts in every major geographic PV market. It examines emerging applications such as electricity grid load-balancing and demand- response, PV storage systems, photovoltaic/thermal solar collectors and carbon-offset in buildings. Engineers, researchers, developers and students alike will find new avenues for exploration and fresh insights into this continually evolving field. Highlights the most recent advances in Photovoltaics, from Next-Gen Storage Systems to Bifacial PV/T Solar Collectors; Provides expert insights on the recent evolution and near future of PV markets around the globe; Covers applications from grid-tied storage and power generation to green buildings.

Assessing the Energy Efficiency of Pumps and Pump Units, developed in cooperation with Europump, is the first book available providing the background, methodology, and assessment tools for understanding and calculating energy efficiency for pumps and extended products (pumps+motors+drives). Responding to new EU requirements for pump efficiency, and US DOE exploratory work in setting pump energy efficiency guidelines, this book provides explanation, derivation, and illustration of PA and EPA methods for assessing energy efficiency. It surveys legislation related to pump energy efficiencies, provides background on pump and motor efficiencies, and describes the concept of Energy Efficiency Index (EEI) for circulators and single and multi-pump systems.

This book discusses non-conventional digital signal processing based on direct processing of delta-sigma modulated bit-stream. The main attributes of low-pass delta-sigma analog-to-digital converters are: simple and inexpensive design, robustness of design to component tolerances, low-power consumption, high input impedance, high resolution (more than 20 bits) and possibility of direct arithmetic operation on its bit-stream. The author presents a number of theoretical and simulation results related to newly proposed linear and non-linear circuits such as delta-sigma adders, delta-sigma rectifiers, delta-sigma RMS and AGC circuits, delta-sigma frequency deviation meters, etc. The proposed circuits are not application limited and can be used in instrumentation, sensor application, bio-medical application, communications, etc. Presents novel linear and nonlinear circuits for direct processing of delta-sigma modulated bit-stream; The proposed circuits are supported by theoretical and simulation results; Recommends potential applications of the proposed circuits, and proposes ideas for further investigation.

This book provides a hybrid approach to fault detection and diagnostics. It presents a detailed analysis related to practical applications of the fault detection and diagnostics framework, and highlights recent findings on power plant nonlinear model identification and fault diagnostics. The effectiveness of the methods presented is tested using data acquired from actual cogeneration and cooling plants (CCPs). The models presented were developed by applying Neuro-Fuzzy (NF) methods. The book offers a valuable resource for researchers and practicing engineers alike.

This book covers the principles and practices behind the Magnetic Confinement Fusion (MCF) approach to driven new source of energy. All possible technical methods, including well established theoretical research, as well as findings tested in an experimental tokamak reactor, are examined in order to determine how to best achieve breakeven via this pathway to plasma-driven fusion. The author undertakes a life cycle analysis to compare and contrast the efficiency, environmental impacts, and operating costs of plasma-driven MCF fusion against other forms of energy generation currently in widespread use. The associated computer code and numerical analysis are included in the book. No prior knowledge of MCF and no more than basic background in plasma physics is required.

This book comprehensively introduces fundamentals and applications of fermentative hydrogen production from organic wastes, consisting of eight chapters, covering the microbiology, biochemistry and enzymology of hydrogen production, the enrichment of hydrogen-producing microorganisms, the pretreatment of various organic wastes for hydrogen production, the influence of different physicochemical factors on hydrogen production, the kinetic models and simulation of biological process of fermentative hydrogen production, the optimization of biological hydrogen production process and the fermentative hydrogen production from sewage sludge. The book summarizes the most recent advances that have been made in this field and discusses bottlenecks of further development. This book gives a holistic picture of this technology and details the knowledge through illustrative diagrams, flow charts, and comprehensive tables. It is intended for undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in bioenergy and wastes management, researchers exploring microbial fermentation process, and engineers working on system optimization or other bioenergy applications.

This multi-disciplinary volume presents information on the state-of-the-art in sustainable energy technologies key to tackling the world s energy challenges and achieving environmentally benign solutions. Its unique amalgamation of the latest technical information, research findings and examples of successfully applied new developments in the area of sustainable energy will be of keen interest to engineers, students, practitioners, scientists and researchers working with sustainable energy technologies. Problem statements, projections, new concepts, models, experiments, measurements and simulations from not only engineering and science, but disciplines as diverse as ecology, education, economics and information technology are included, in order to create a truly holistic vision of the sustainable energy field. The contributionsfeature coverage of topicsincluding solar and wind energy, biomass and biofuels, waste-to-energy, renewable fuels, geothermal and hydrogen power, efficiency gains in fossil fuels and energy storage technologies including batteries and fuel cells.
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This textbook bridges the gap between basic literature on the physics of solar cells and highly specialized books about photovoltaic solar energy conversion. It is intended to give students with a background in engineering, materials science, chemistry or physics a comprehensive introduction to materials concepts for solar cells. To this end, general principles of solar cells and materials demands are explained in the first part of this book. The second part is devoted to the four classes of materials concepts for solar cells: solar cells based on crystals of silicon, epitaxial layer systems of III-V semiconductors, thin-film absorbers on foreign substrates, and nano-composite absorbers.

Series-parallel conversion systems, in which multiple standardized converter modules are connected in series or parallel at the input and output sides, to meet the demands of various applications. This book focuses on the control strategies for the series-parallel conversion systems with DC-DC converters and DC-AC inverters as the basic modules, respectively, to achieve input voltage/current sharing and output voltage/current sharing among the constituent modules. The detailed theoretical analysis with design examples and experimental validations are presented. This book is essential and valuable reference for graduate students and academics majoring in power electronics and engineers engaged in developing DC-DC converters, DC-AC inverters and power electronics transformers.

Most books on linear systems for undergraduates cover discrete and continuous systems material together in a single volume. Such books also include topics in discrete and continuous filter design, and discrete and continuous state-space representations. However, with this magnitude of coverage, the student typically gets a little of both discrete and continuous linear systems but not enough of either. Minimal coverage of discrete linear systems material is acceptable provided that there is ample coverage of continuous linear systems. On the other hand, minimal coverage of continuous linear systems does no justice to either of the two areas. Under the best of circumstances, a student needs a solid background in both these subjects. Continuous linear systems and discrete linear systems are broad topics and each merit a single book devoted to the respective subject matter. The objective of this set of two volumes is to present the needed material for each at the undergraduate level, and present the required material using MATLAB (R) (The MathWorks Inc.).

This book presents high-quality papers from the Fourth International Conference on Microelectronics, Computing & Communication Systems (MCCS 2019). It discusses the latest technological trends and advances in MEMS and nanoelectronics, wireless communication, optical communication, instrumentation, signal processing, image processing, bioengineering, green energy, hybrid vehicles, environmental science, weather forecasting, cloud computing, renewable energy, RFID, CMOS sensors, actuators, transducers, telemetry systems, embedded systems and sensor network applications. It includes papers based on original theoretical, practical and experimental simulations, development, applications, measurements and testing. The applications and solutions discussed here provide excellent reference material for future product development.

The book encodes a vision for the actively sustainable management and development of the built environment by referring to the application of timber-based construction systems as additive solutions for the multi-purpose improvement of existing buildings. It translates this vision into an innovative methodology for the management of the entire building process - from design to production, operation, and maintenance - and the assessment of timber-based construction performances across the whole building life-cycle. This approach is based on a multi-dimensional analysis, which starts from the structure of the Active House (AH) protocol, improved through information-integrated digital environments and multi-criteria evaluation methods, such as BIM and Design Optioneering. During the design stage, indeed, it analyzes and compares different design choices, according to the DO method, until the definition and validation of the "As-Built" step, while in the operational phase, it refers to sensors-retrieved data to show the evolution of the building behaviour, accounting for real users' interaction, building performances decay and needs of maintenance, defining the digital twin of the building: a real Cognitive Building. Finally, the application of this methodology identifies innovative models of processes, products, and design of wood-based construction technologies, suitable to satisfy the needs of the 2D/3D construction layering for the sustainable transformation of the built environment.

There is widespread interest in the way that smart energy control systems, such as assessment and monitoring techniques for low carbon, nearly-zero energy and net positive buildings can contribute to a Sustainable future, for current and future generations. There is a turning point on the horizon for the supply of energy from finite resources such as natural gas and oil become less reliable in economic terms and extraction become more challenging, and more unacceptable socially, such as adverse public reaction to 'fracking'. Thus, in 2016 these challenges are having a major influence on the design, optimisation, performance measurements, operation and preservation of: buildings, neighbourhoods, cities, regions, countries and continents. The source and nature of energy, the security of supply and the equity of distribution, the environmental impact of its supply and utilization, are all crucial matters to be addressed by suppliers, consumers, governments, industry, academia, and financial institutions. This book entitled 'Smart Energy Control Systems for Sustainable Buildings' contains eleven chapters written by international experts based on enhanced conference papers presented at the Sustainability and Energy in Buildings International conference series. This book will be of interest to University staff and students; and also industry practioners.

These proceedings gather outstanding papers presented at the China SAE Congress 2019. Featuring contributions mainly from China, the biggest carmaker as well as most dynamic car market in the world, the book covers a wide range of automotive topics and the latest technical advances in the industry. Many of the approaches included can help technicians to solve practical problems that affect their daily work. In addition, the book offers valuable technical support to engineers, researchers and postgraduate students in the field of automotive engineering.

Solid biofuels, in different trading forms, constitute an integral component of the energy mix of almost all developed and developing countries. Either in the form of pellets, briquettes, chips, firewood, or even as raw feedstock, solid biofuels are used mainly in the heating and power sector. Numerous sustainability concerns, focusing on the environmental, economic and technical aspects of solid biofuels exploitation, led to considerable advances in the recent years in this field. These developments mainly focus on the pre-treatment processes of the solid biomass to biofuels chain, the minimum requirements of the produced solid biofuels, as well as the efficiency and the environmental performance of their thermochemical conversion routes. This work aspires to provide the state of the art in the field of the exploitation of solid biofuels to present the main advances as well as the major challenges of this scientific fields. The topics presented in this book were examined and dealt with by the authors in the past few years, in numerous research projects and scientific publications. This book compiles all the assembled experience of the past few years, and aims to provide an overview of the solid biofuels exploitation field. Presents the latest standards and considerations on solid biofuels technical requirements; Contains numerous examples on applications in the field of solid biofuels thermochemical conversion, as well as the state of the art in this field; Includes sustainability aspects, including life cycle assessment aspects and financial concerns for the exploitation of solid biofuels.

This textbook provides broad coverage of energy supply and use. It discusses how energy is produced, transformed, delivered to end users, and consumed. The author discusses all of this at an undergraduate level, accessible to students of varying backgrounds. High-level and human-scale perspectives are included. As a high-level example, the book discusses the shares of global primary energy that are provided by oil, gas, coal, hydroelectricity, and renewables, as well as trends in energy consumption and supply over time. Human-scale examples will resonate with readers' every day experiences. The link between economic development and energy consumption is presented, which facilitates understanding of how global energy consumption growth is inevitable as economic development occurs. Coverage includes separate chapters on the oil, natural gas, coal, and electricity sectors. Each of these provides high-level descriptions of the technology involved in the production of that type of energy as well as the processing and transportation that occurs to bring the energy to end users. The book discusses the technological implications of energy transitions such as increased use of renewables or changes in the use of nuclear energy using Germany and Japan as examples. It closes with a discussion of future energy use.

This book presents a comprehensive overview of power-split device (PSD) design. It discusses vehicle energy consumption characteristics, hybrid vehicle power request solutions, typical configurations, operating principle and simulation technology of PSD hybrid system, a multi-factor integrated parametric design method and a dynamic coordinated control method for PSD hybrid system. It also describes the finite element analysis, thermal analysis and optimization of the PSD based on a surrogate model, explains the theory behind the design and the simulation, and provides concrete examples. It is a valuable resource for researchers and the engineers to gain a better understanding of the PSD design process.

This book provides an innovative approach to sustainable development, one based on insights gleaned from the Industrial Revolution to the present, and which highlights the importance of aligning economic interests with sustainable development considerations. It investigates how a broad-based systematic approach can be used to develop societies sustainably by integrating environmental issues into the capitalist system without value-laden approaches, which produce little more than politics and inaction as we are witnessing today. The proposed approach focuses on realigning the financial markets to providing capital at reasonable cost to fuel innovation towards sustainable development across the entire economy. This requires government policies that level the playing field and also intervene strategically in cases where the playing field is weak or missing . Intended for researchers, policy-makers and graduate students, the book will also benefit non-governmental organizations, economists and the general public.

This book focuses on core design and methods for design and analysis. It is based on advances made in nuclear power utilization and computational methods over the past 40 years, covering core design of boiling water reactors and pressurized water reactors, as well as fast reactors and high-temperature gas-cooled reactors. The objectives of this book are to help graduate and advanced undergraduate students to understand core design and analysis, and to serve as a background reference for engineers actively working in light water reactors. Methodologies for core design and analysis, together with physical descriptions, are emphasized. The book also covers coupled thermal hydraulic core calculations, plant dynamics, and safety analysis, allowing readers to understand core design in relation to plant control and safety.