This book presents the results of the research project G5055 'Development of novel methods for the prevention of pipeline failures with security implications,' carried out in the framework of the NATO Science for Peace and Security program, and explores the lifecycle assessment of gas infrastructures. Throughout their service lives, pipelines transporting hydrocarbons are exposed to demanding working conditions and aggressive media. In long-term service, material aging increases the risk of damage and failure, which can be accompanied by significant economic losses and severe environmental consequences. This book presents a selection of complementary contributions written by experts operating in the wider fields of pipeline integrity; taken together, they offer a comprehensive portrait of the latest developments in this technological area.

This book discusses novel methods for planning and coordinating converters when an existing point-to-point (PtP) HVDC link is expanded into a multi-terminal HVDC (MTDC) system. It demonstrates that expanding an existing PtP HVDC link is the best way to build an MTDC system, and is especially a better option than the build-from-scratch approach in cases where several voltage-sourced converter (VSC) HVDC links are already in operation. The book reports in detail on the approaches used to estimate the new steady-state operation limits of the expanded system and examines the factors influencing them, revealing new operation limits in the process. Further, the book explains how to coordinate the converters to stay within the limits after there has been a disturbance in the system. In closing, it describes the current DC grid control concept, including how to implement it in an MTDC system, and introduces a new DC grid control layer, the primary control interface (IFC).

This book contains selected papers presented during the World Renewable Energy Network's 28thanniversary congress at the University of Kingston in London. The forum highlighted the integration of renewables and sustainable buildings as the best means to combat climate change. In-depth chapters written by the world's leading experts highlight the most current research and technological breakthroughs and discuss policy, renewable energy technologies and applications in all sectors - for heating and cooling, agricultural applications, water, desalination, industrial applications and for the transport sectors. Presents cutting-edge research in green building and renewable energy from all over the world; Covers the most up-to-date research developments, government policies, business models, best practices and innovations; Contains case studies and examples to enhance practical application of the technologies.

This book addresses the intersection of extractivism, populism, and accountability. Although populist politics are often portrayed as a driver of poor environmental governance, Populist Moments and Extractivist States identifies it as an intervening variable at best - one that emerges in response to the accountability deficits of extractive states. Case studies in Venezuela - for many, the prototypical petrostate - and Ecuador - which exchanged agribusiness dependency for oil decades later - illustrate how extractive states are oriented by a colonial logic of export and service. This logic regulates state-society-nature relationships and circumscribes avenues for local stakeholders to hold public officials and extractive industries to account for environmental and human harms. Populist moments of the early 21st century across Latin America responded to these conditions, promising more equitable and sustainable futures. However, rather than reversing the technocracy, verticalism, and exclusion of the recent past, populist moments often intensified and legitimated them in the drive to maximize and distribute resource rents. The result has been cyclical, as populist moments of hope and rupture fall prey to the extractivist states they tried, and failed, to replace.

This multi-volume handbook is the most up-to-date and comprehensive reference work in the field of fractional calculus and its numerous applications. This eighth volume collects authoritative chapters covering several applications of fractional calculus in engineering, life and social sciences, including applications in signal and image analysis, and chaos.

Computers are the foundation of the information age, but communication technology is the foundation of the foundation. Without the theories and practical applications of theory brought to us by the pioneers of communication, the computer age would perhaps have remained in the back office, hidden away as infrastructure like electricity or running water - critical to modern life, but not as transforming as the combination of communications and computing. The information age exploded once machines were endowed with the ability to talk among themselves. The Signal connects everything to everything else, in both communication, and in the metaphorical sense as the link between and among people. Features Identifies the key ideas underlying modern communications technology, and documents the contributions of its inventors Explores the signal in communication, and also in the metaphorical sense as the link between and among people Leads the reader through a journey from ancient number systems to Voyager II to radio and MP3s to quantum cryptography Includes coverage of "Signals from Hell," including memes and "fake news" on the Internet Looks to the future of communication, with emergent 5G

This book provides a brief research source for optical fiber sensors for energy production and storage systems, discussing fundamental aspects as well as cutting-edge trends in sensing. This volume provides industry professionals, researchers and students with the most updated review on technologies and current trends, thus helping them identify technology gaps, develop new materials and novel designs that lead to commercially viable energy storage systems.

This book presents advanced studies on the conversion efficiency, mechanical reliability, and the quality of power related to wind energy systems. The main concern regarding such systems is reconciling the highly intermittent nature of the primary source (wind speed) with the demand for high-quality electrical energy and system stability. This means that wind energy conversion within the standard parameters imposed by the energy market and power industry is unachievable without optimization and control. The book discusses the rapid growth of control and optimization paradigms and applies them to wind energy systems: new controllers, new computational approaches, new applications, new algorithms, and new obstacles.

Conjugate methods, also sometimes referred to as coupled equations, are used to analyze the inter-dependent relationship of two sets of governing equations--for example in understanding the movement of heat across the boundary from one object to another or the transfer of energy from a moving fluid to a surrounding elastic medium. This will be the first definitive text in years to offer a broad overview of conjugate methods and their more typical applications, with an emphasis on the advantages and benefits of this type of engineering analysis. Students and professionals alike will gain a better understanding of the practical uses for conjugate mathematical methods in solving often intractable problems in heat transfer and fluid mechanics. Ample end of chapter examples and problem sets will help to reinforce the theory and knowledge presented in the book. Some highlights are: Reviews basics of heat conduction in solids and convective heat transfer Offers both analytic and numerical methods for solving conjugate boundary condition problems Numerous detailed examples of applications in industrial problems, biomechanical systems, and other areas of heat transfer and fluid mechanics End of chapter problems and Solutions Manual

This book presents new approaches to logistics solutions in global environments, with a special focus on collaborative logistics and intermodality. Contributions in this book are linked to two major initiatives in global logistics - H2020 MSCA-RISE-EU project EC-Asia Research Network on Integration of Global and Local Agri-Food Supply Chains Towards Sustainable Food Security (GOLF), and the International Conference on Logistics & Supply Chain (CiLOG). Topics covered in this book are: global logistics environments in manufacturing industries, key logistic decision-making parameters, global logistics management and its impact on container logistics processes, logistic market clusters and many more.

This multi-volume handbook is the most up-to-date and comprehensive reference work in the field of fractional calculus and its numerous applications. This seventh volume collects authoritative chapters covering several applications of fractional calculus in in engineering, life, and social sciences, including applications in biology and medicine, mechanics of complex media, economy, and electrical devices.

This book addresses and disseminates state-of-the-art research and development in the applications of intelligent techniques for smart grids and renewable energy systems. This helps the readers to grasp the extensive point of view and the essence of the recent advances in this field. The book solicits contributions from active researchers which include theory, case studies and intelligent paradigms pertaining to the smart grid and renewable energy systems. The prospective audience would be researchers, professionals, practitioners and students from academia and industry who work in this field.

This book presents peer-reviewed papers based on the oral and poster presentations during the 5th International Conference on Renewable Energy Sources, which was held from June 20 to 22, 2018 in Krynica, Poland. The scope of the conference included a wide range of topics in renewable energy technology, with a major focus on biomass, solar energy and geothermal energy, but also extending to heat pumps, fuel cells, wind energy, energy storage, and the modelling and optimization of renewable energy systems. This edition of the conference had a special focus on the role of renewable energy in the reduction of air pollution in the Eastern European region. Traditionally this conference is a unique occasion for gathering Polish and international researchers' perspectives on renewable energy sources, and furthermore of balancing them against governmental policy considerations. Accordingly, the conference offered also panels to discuss best practices and solutions with local entrepreneurs and federal government bodies. The meeting attracts not only scientist but also industry representatives as well as local and federal government personnel. In 2018, the conference was organized by the University of Agriculture in Krakow in cooperation with AGH University of Science and Technology (Krakow), University of Zilina, Silesian University of Technology, International Commission of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (CIGR) and Polish Society of Agricultural Engineering. Honorary auspices were given by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education Republic of Poland, Rector of the University of Agriculture in Krakow and Rector of the AGH University of Science and Technology.

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) and the Internet of Things are facing tremendous advances both in terms of energy-efficiency as well as in the number of available applications. Consequently, there are challenges that need to be tackled for the future generation of WSNs. After giving an overview of the WSN protocols and IEEE 802.15.4 standard, this book proposes IEEE 802.15.4 Medium Access Control (MAC) sub-layer performance enhancements by employing not only RTS/CTS combined with packet concatenation but also scheduled channel poling (MC-SCP). Results have shown that the use of the RTS/CTS mechanism improves channel efficiency by decreasing the deferral time before transmitting a data packet. Furthermore, the Sensor Block Acknowledgment MAC (SBACK-MAC) protocol enables more efficiency as it allows the aggregation of several acknowledgement responses in one special Block Acknowledgment (BACK) Response packet. The throughput and delay performance have been mathematically derived under both ideal conditions (a channel environment with no transmission errors) and non-ideal conditions (with transmission errors). Simulation results successfully validate the proposed analytical models. This research reveals the importance of an appropriate design for the MAC sub-layer protocol for the desired WSN application. Depending on the mission of the WSN application, different protocols are required. Therefore, the overall performance of a WSN application certainly depends on the development and application of suitable e.g., MAC, network layer protocols.

This book highlights principles and applications of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). After introducing the basic concepts, research progress, standardizations and limitations of EMC, the book puts emphasis on presenting the generation mechanisms and suppression principles of conducted electromagnetic interference (EMI) noise, radiated EMI noise, and electromagnetic susceptibility (EMS) problems such as electrostatic discharge (ESD), electric fast transient (EFT) and surge. By showing EMC case studies and solved examples, the book provides effective solutions to practical engineering problems. Students and researchers will be able to use the book as practical reference for EMC-related measurements and problem- solution.

This book highlights emerging trends in terahertz engineering and system technologies, mainly, devices, advanced materials, and various applications in THz technology. It includes advanced topics such as terahertz biomedical imaging, pattern recognition and tomographic reconstruction for THz biomedical imaging by use of machine learning and artificial intelligence, THz imaging radars for autonomous vehicle applications, THZ imaging system for security and surveillance. It also discusses theoretical, experimental, established and validated empirical work on these topics and the intended audience is both academic and professional.

This book analyzes new electricity pricing models that consider uncertainties in the power market due to the changing behavior of market players and the implementation of renewable distributed generation and responsive loads. In-depth chapters examine the different types of market players including the generation, transmission, and distribution companies, virtual power plants, demand response aggregators, and energy hubs and microgrids. Expert authors propose optimal operational models for short-term performance and scheduling and present readers with solutions for pricing challenges in uncertain environments. This book is useful for engineers, researchers and students involved in integrating demand response programs into smart grids and for electricity market operation and planning. Proposes optimal operation models; Discusses the various players in today's electricity markets; Describes the effects of demand response programs in smart grids.

This book discusses various challenges and solutions in the fields of operation, control, design, monitoring and protection of microgrids, and facilitates the integration of renewable energy and distribution systems through localization of generation, storage and consumption. It covers five major topics relating to microgrid i.e., operation, control, design, monitoring and protection. The book is primarily intended for electric power and control engineering researchers who are seeking factual information, but also appeals to professionals from other engineering disciplines wanting an overview of the entire field or specific information on one aspect of it. Featuring practical case studies and demonstrating different root causes of large power failures, it helps readers develop new concepts for mitigating blackout issues. This book is a comprehensive reference resource for graduate and postgraduate students, academic researchers, and practicing engineers working in the fields of power system and microgrid.

This book offers a concise primer on energy conversion efficiency and the Shockley-Queisser limit in single p-n junction solar cells. It covers all the important fundamental physics necessary to understand the conversion efficiency, which is indispensable in studying, investigating, analyzing, and designing solar cells in practice. As such it is valuable as a supplementary text for courses on photovoltaics, and bridges the gap between advanced topics in solar cell device engineering and the fundamental physics covered in undergraduate courses. The book first introduces the principles and features of solar cells compared to those of chemical batteries, and reviews photons, statistics and radiation as the physics of the source energy. Based on these foundations, it clarifies the conversion efficiency of a single p-n junction solar cell and discusses the Shockley-Queisser limit. Furthermore, it looks into various concepts of solar cells for breaking through the efficiency limit given in the single junction solar cell and presents feasible theoretical predictions. To round out readers' knowledge of p-n junctions, the final chapter also reviews the essential semiconductor physics. The foundation of solar cell physics and engineering provided here is a valuable resource for readers with no background in solar cells, such as upper undergraduate and master students. At the same time, the deep insights provided allow readers to step seamlessly into other advanced books and their own research topics.

Renewable energy is a critical topic of discussion in contemporary society. With increased attention on alternative methods, solar tracking has emerged as an effective strategy for sustainable energy management. Economical and Technical Considerations for Solar Tracking: Methodologies and Opportunities for Energy Management is an essential reference source for the latest scholarly research on economic and technical considerations of long-term and short-term solar tracking. Featuring coverage on a broad range of topics such as sun position, solar radiation, and geographic orientation, this publication is ideally designed for students, professionals, and engineers seeking current research on efficient use of solar energy.

This book introduces the electromagnetic compatibility(EMC) of electric vehicle(EV), including EMC of the whole vehicle, electromagnetic interference(EMI) prediction and suppression of motor drive system, EMI prediction and suppression of DC-DC converter, electromagnetic field safety and EMC of wireless charging system, signal integrity and EMC of the vehicle controller unit(VCU), EMC of battery management system(BMS), electromagnetic radiated emission diagnosis and suppression of the whole vehicle, etc. The analysis method, modeling and simulation method, test method and rectification method of EMC are demonstrated. The simulation and experimental results are presented as tables and figures. This book is useful as reference for graduate students, senior undergraduates and engineering technicians of vehicle engineering related majors. For EMI prediction, suppression and EMC optimization design for EVs, this book provides reference for engineers to solve EMC problems. This book is intended for senior undergraduates, postgraduates, lecturers and laboratory researchers engaged in electric vehicle and electromagnetic compatibility research.

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.

This book provides an overview of the multi-dimensional approach for the production of ethanol from lignocellulosic biomass. The sustainability of this biofuel, the current and future status of the technology and its role in waste valorization are also addressed. Bioethanol from lignocellulosic material has emerged as an alternative to the traditional first-generation bioethanol. The book also discusses various pretreatment methods for effective separation of the various components of lignocellulosic feedstock as well as their advantages, and limitations. It describes the valorization of lignocellulosic waste through the production of bioethanol and emphasizes the significance of waste utilization in managing the production cost of the fuel. Finally, the utilization of genetically engineered plants and microorganisms to increase the conversion efficiency is reviewed.