This monograph addresses the methodological and empirical issues relevant for the development of sustainable agriculture, with a particular focus on Eastern Europe. It relates economic growth to the other dimensions of sustainability by applying integrated methods. The book comprises five chapters dedicated to the theoretical approaches towards sustainable rural development, productivity analysis, structural change analysis and environmental footprint. The book focuses on the transformations of the agricultural sector while taking into account economic, environmental, and social dynamics. The importance of agricultural transformations to the livelihood of the rural population and food security are highlighted. Further, advanced methodologies and frameworks are presented to fathom the underlying trends in different facets of agricultural production. The authors present statistical methods used for the analysis of agricultural sustainability along with applications for agriculture in the European Union. Additionally, they discuss the measures of efficiency, methodological approaches and empirical models. Finally, the book applies econometric and optimization techniques, which are useful for the estimation of the production functions and other representations of technology in the case of the European Union member states. Therefore, the book is a must-read for researchers and students of agricultural and production economics, as well as policy-makers and academia in general.

Process Plant Operating Procedures presents an introduction to the theory and applications of procedure synthesis that is primarily concerned with the task of conjecturing the sequence of controller (or operator) actions needed to achieve designated operational goals in a given system. In order to facilitate practical implementation, the formal problem statement, two alternative approaches, their validation methods and a series of realistic examples are provided. The authors explore Petri nets and automata to identify the best paths leading to the specified goal of operation. The model-building methods for characterising all components in the given system, as well as the required control specifications, are explained with simple examples. The sequential control actions and the corresponding time schedule can then be identified accordingly. This book exposes practitioners to an important area of plant operations, teaching them effective approaches for procedure synthesis, enabling them to construct and solve scheduling models, and providing them with tools for simulation and validation of procedures and schedules. It is written for readers with a basic understanding of process design and control activities, and it will appeal to engineers in diverse fields with an interest in synthesizing operating procedures in process plants. Advances in Industrial Control reports and encourages the transfer of technology in control engineering. The rapid development of control technology has an impact on all areas of the control discipline. The series offers an opportunity for researchers to present an extended exposition of new work in all aspects of industrial control.

This book provides a critical approach to research on the social acceptance of renewable energy infrastructures and on energy transitions in general by questioning prevalent principles and proposing specific research pathways and lines of inquiry that look beyond depoliticised, business-as-usual discourses and research agendas on green growth and sustainability. It brings together authors from different socio-geographical and disciplinary backgrounds within the social sciences to reflect upon, discuss and advance what we propose to be five cornerstones of a critical approach: overcoming individualism and socio-cognitivism; repoliticisations - recognising and articulating power relations; for interdisciplinarity; interventions - praxis and political engagement with research; and overcoming localism and spatial determinism: As such, this book offers academics, students and practitioners alike a comprehensive perspective of what it means to be critical when inquiring into the social acceptance of renewable energy and associated infrastructures.

This book provides several up-to-date empirical policy-oriented studies on assessing the impacts of climate change on various economic sectors and the role of renewable energy resources in mitigating pollution and climate change. It suggests various policy recommendations on how to increase the share of renewable energy resources in the energy baskets of the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the rest of the world to ensure energy sustainability. As of 2020, most of the world's energy investment still went to carbon-emitting sources, namely, fossil fuels. On the other hand, the Covid-19 pandemic and the economic Project Overview 20 March 2021 08:39 Page 6 of 9 downturns shrank the global energy demand, including fossil fuels, resulting in a sharp drop in their prices. Low fossil fuel prices are harmful to developing renewable energy projects, making solar, wind, and other renewable energy resources less competitive as sources of electricity. This is endangering the Paris agreement and the "Climate Action" goal of the United Nations. Given the high share of fossil fuels in the energy mix of the members of ASEAN, tremendous challenges must be faced for their energy transition in the post-Covid-19 world. The authors call for sound policy and applicable technologies to ensure sustainable energy availability, accessibility, and affordability to reach emission reduction targets.

This book presents select proceedings of the International Conference on Advances in Renewable Energy and Electric Vehicles (AREEV 2020), and examines related emerging trends, feasible solutions to shape and enable the development of mankind. The topics covered include renewable energy sources, electric vehicles, energy storage systems, power system protection & security, smart grid and wide band-gap semiconductor technologies. The book also discusses applications of signal processing, artificial neural networks, optimal and robust control systems, and modeling and simulation of power electronic converters. The book will be a valuable reference for beginners, researchers, and professionals interested in power systems, renewable energy, and electric vehicles.

This book provides a novel and holistic perspective on the deployment of prepaid electricity meter technology among energy impoverished (vulnerable) households based in developing or under-developed communities of Sub-Saharan Africa. It explores and reviews the nexus between the technology and socio-economic development, technology acceptance and rejection in low-income households, and ultimately proposes a contextual model to avert or assuage energy poverty in the region using the technology. Science is applied as a convenient, valid, and reliable model to generate bespoke, contextual, and relevant knowledge for policy makers on the development of prepaid meter market in the region. The knowledge shared contributes to extant discourse and debates around the effectiveness of the technology within indigent household settings. The book is intended for energy/electricity utilities, prepaid electricity businesses, policy developers, and other interested parties whose work is related to prepaid electricity meters.

This book features the essential material for any graduate or advanced undergraduate course covering solid-state electrochemistry. It provides the reader with fundamental course notes and numerous solved exercises, making it an invaluable guide and compendium for students of the subject. The book places particular emphasis on enhancing the reader's expertise and comprehension of thermodynamics, the Kroeger-Vink notation, the variation in stoichiometry in ionic compounds, and of the different types of electrochemical measurements together with their technological applications. Containing almost 100 illustrations, a glossary and a bibliography, the book is particularly useful for Master and PhD students, industry engineers, university instructors, and researchers working with inorganic solids in general.

This open access book examines the transition to sustainable energy systems in emerging cities. Experts from around the world present case studies from different countries and discuss efforts were needed for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The authors look into the issue of environment vs. economics and discuss the question of whether the energy transition goal can conflict with other development goals such as decent work and economic growth. Furthermore, innovation in energy transition is introduced, both in technology and citizens' engagement. The book presents the latest developments on energy access and transition to sustainability throughout the overall value chain: from basic research in universities to documentation of lessons learned in the field. The empirical evidence presented makes this book appealing to scholars in the field of energy sustainability as well as to policy-makers and energy service companies.

Architecture 2030; BUG; Biophilic Design; BIPV; Circular Economy; LEED; Passive Design; Solar Chimney; Systems Thinking; WELL; Xeriscaping. What does it all mean? The complex and evolving language used in the sustainable design community can be very challenging, particularly to those new to environmentally friendly and resource-efficient design strategies that are needed today. Definitions of over two hundred terms with further sources. Clearly cross-referenced with Sustainaspeak, Theoryspeak, and Archispeak terms. Illustrated throughout with sustainable award-winning buildings by e.g. Behnisch, Brooks + Scarpa, EHDD, KieranTimberlake, Lake|Flato, Leddy Mahtum Stacy, SmithGroup, Perkins+Will, ZGF, VMDO, and McDonough + Partners. Sustainaspeak: A Guide to Sustainable Design Terms provides a current guide to the sustainable design strategies, terms, and practices needed for the next generation of designers, architects, students, and community leaders to design a carbon-neutral world for future generations.

This edited open access book gives a comprehensive overview of small and lightweight electric three- and four-wheel vehicles with an international scope. The present status of small electric vehicle (SEV) technologies, the market situation and main hindering factors for market success as well as options to attain a higher market share including new mobility concepts are highlighted. An increased usage of SEVs can have different impacts which are highlighted in the book in regard to sustainable transport, congestion, electric grid and transport-related potentials. To underline the effects these vehicles can have in urban areas or rural areas, several case studies are presented covering outcomes of pilot projects and studies in Europe. A study of the operation and usage in the Global South extends the scope to a global scale. Furthermore, several concept studies and vehicle concepts on the market give a more detailed overview and show the deployment in different applications.

This open access book comprehensively consolidates studies in the rapidly emerging field of battery management. The primary focus is to overview the new and emerging data science technologies for full-lifespan management of Li-ion batteries, which are categorized into three groups, namely (i) battery manufacturing management, (ii) battery operation management, and (iii) battery reutilization management. The key challenges, future trends as well as promising data-science technologies to further improve this research field are discussed. As battery full-lifespan (manufacturing, operation, and reutilization) management is a hot research topic in both energy and AI fields and none specific book has focused on systematically describing this particular from a data science perspective before, this book can attract the attention of academics, scientists, engineers, and practitioners. It is useful as a reference book for students and graduates working in related fields. Specifically, the audience could not only get the basics of battery manufacturing, operation, and reutilization but also the information of related data-science technologies. The step-by-step guidance, comprehensive introduction, and case studies to the topic make it accessible to audiences of different levels, from graduates to experienced engineers.

This book constitutes the proceedings of the XV Multidisciplinary International Congress on Science and Technology (CIT 2020), held in Quito, Ecuador, on 26-30 October 2020, proudly organized by Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas ESPE in collaboration with GDEON. CIT is an international event with a multidisciplinary approach that promotes the dissemination of advances in Science and Technology research through the presentation of keynote conferences. In CIT, theoretical, technical, or application works that are research products are presented to discuss and debate ideas, experiences, and challenges. Presenting high-quality, peer-reviewed papers, the book discusses the following topics: * Electrical and Electronic* Energy and Mechanics

This book provides an in-depth analysis of the concept of the Circular Economy (CE), as well as an assessment of the drivers and barriers for circular practices by firms, and its implications for managers in firms and public policy makers. It includes proposals for policy frameworks and instruments that will encourage the uptake of CE practices. The book is presented in three linked parts. The first part of the book provides a broad view of the topic, put into the wider context of sustainability. In the second part, the drivers of and barriers to the uptake of the CE are analysed, with a special focus on the micro-level not seen often in the previous studies on the CE. This book is of interest to researchers, policy makers and post-graduate students in areas such as environmental management and economics.

This book constitutes the proceedings of the XV Multidisciplinary International Congress on Science and Technology (CIT 2020), held in Quito, Ecuador, on 26-30 October 2020, proudly organized by Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas ESPE in collaboration with GDEON. CIT is an international event with a multidisciplinary approach that promotes the dissemination of advances in Science and Technology research through the presentation of keynote conferences. In CIT, theoretical, technical, or application works that are research products are presented to discuss and debate ideas, experiences, and challenges. Presenting high-quality, peer-reviewed papers, the book discusses the following topics: * Electrical and Electronic* Energy and Mechanics

This book examines the problems in the field of energy and related fields (chemical, transport, aerospace, construction, metallurgy, engineering, etc.) and consists of 4 subsections: Electrical Engineering, Heat Power Engineering, Cybersecurity and Computer Science & Environmental Safety. In the first section, authors pay attention to contemporary issues related to the development of the electric power industry, electrical engineering, the physics of electrical phenomena and renewable energy sources (such as solar energy and wind energy). The second section is devoted to modern problems in heat power engineering and considers modern means and methods that increase the efficiency and reliability of the functioning of heat power facilities. The third section is devoted to issues of cybersecurity of critical facilities, in particular energy facilities, as well as the development of computer science and the introduction of modern information and measurement systems in the energy sector. The fourth subsection deals with the problems of rational use of natural resources, accounting for emissions of harmful substances, environmental issues at energy facilities, as well as the development of a methodology for environmental safety. The book includes 21 chapters. A book is for researchers, engineers, as well as lecturers and postgraduates of higher education institutions dealing with issues of control, diagnosis and monitoring of energy facilities.

This book reports on innovative research and developments in automation. Spanning a wide range of disciplines, including communication engineering, power engineering, control engineering, instrumentation, signal processing and cybersecurity, it focuses on methods and findings aimed at improving the control and monitoring of industrial and manufacturing processes as well as safety. Based on the International Russian Automation Conference, held on September 6-12, 2020, in Sochi, Russia, the book provides academics and professionals with a timely overview of and extensive information on the state of the art in the field of automation and control systems, and fosters new ideas and collaborations between groups in different countries.

This book provides the first comprehensive analysis of US policy from the perspective of an analyst and scholar from the region. This volume discusses the US energy diplomacy in the Caspian Sea region since 2001. It compares the foreign policy of the Bush, Obama, and Trump administrations, following the changing role of energy in the behavior of the US toward states in the energy hubs of Central Asia and the Caspian Sea. The chapters employ historical analysis, regional analysis, interviews, and case studies to trace the evolution of US interests in the area and posits likely trends for future policy. Topics discussed include: China's massive Belt and Road Initiative the energy and foreign policies of the Caspian littoral states in comparison with those of China, India, the European Union, and Turkey the escalation of differences among key OPEC members during the Trump era the impact of the oil price war on the US shale industry the spread of COVID-19 and its impact on the oil market Russian and U.S. competition in the EU energy market the US-China trade war and the role of energy in the first phase of the US-China trade deal the energy policy of the incoming US President, Joe Biden Shedding light on the complex geopolitics of the US-Caspian Sea Energy diplomacy, this volume will be of interest to researchers of foreign policy, diplomacy, international relations, and energy policy as well as policymakers and analysts working in related areas.

This book analyses and quantifies how and where energy and water are consumed by the ceramic sanitary-ware industry and provides solutions as to how to reduce this. The whole production process is mapped, including modelling methods. The book begins by providing an introduction to ceramic sanitary-ware production and types of factories casting technology. It then moves on to discuss the process and energy modelling for the production line, analysis of energy and water consumptions and proposals for improvements. The last chapter presents the practical implementation of the selected modelling configuration. This book is of particular interest to water and energy management professionals within the ceramic industry, but the methods are of interest to those in other production industries as well.

This book presents best selected research papers presented at the International Conference on Recent Trends in Communication and Intelligent Systems (ICRTCIS 2020), organized by Arya College of Engineering and IT, Jaipur, on 20-21 November 2020. It discusses the latest technologies in communication and intelligent systems, covering various areas of communication engineering, such as signal processing, VLSI design, embedded systems, wireless communications, and electronics and communications in general. Featuring work by leading researchers and technocrats, the book serves as a valuable reference resource for young researchers and academics as well as practitioners in industry.

This book includes refereed papers presented at the Second International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Power Engineering (AIPE2021), which was held in Moscow, Russia, on December 17-19, 2021. The general scope of the book includes the most recent advances in the development of artificial intelligence systems and their applications in a variety of fields, ranging from power engineering to biology and education. Given the rapid development of artificial intelligence systems, the book emphasizes the importance of intensifying training for a growing number of relevant specialists, particularly in energy and power engineering, in order to improve the effectiveness of the creation and diagnosis of appropriate technical solutions. Scientists are attempting to replicate the innate intellectual abilities of humans and other organisms in digital artificial intelligence systems. In-depth research into biological and self-organizing systems can provide new approaches for developing more and more effective artificial intelligence methods. The papers included in this volume cover thematic materials in the following areas: mathematics and computer algorithms; analysis of some technical solutions; and technological and educational approaches. The book is a collection of cutting-edge papers in the field, covering a wide range of topics relevant to both business managers and engineering professionals. These proceedings are an excellent resource for asset management practitioners, researchers, and academics, as well as undergraduate and postgraduate students interested in artificial intelligence systems and their expanding applications, due to their breadth and depth. The intended readership includes specialists, students, and other groups of readers who want to know where artificial intelligence systems can be used to great advantage in the future.

This book is devoted to the development of complex methods and means of their implementation with using UAVs aimed for improving the safety and efficiency of the energy system. The scientific problem of complex automated monitoring of the energy system objects with using UAVs has been solved, including the control of its elements in the visible and infrared range, the acoustic spectrum, as well as by the levels of the electric field strength. The scientific foundations of mathematical, physical and statistical modeling of electromagnetic and acoustic fields in the elements of electric power objects of complex spatial configurations have been created, taking into account the possibility of the appearance of such nonlinear processes as corona discharges and breakdowns at long air gaps. Improved methods are proposed for determining the exact location of accidents on power lines using UAVs on the basis of the developed mathematical models and the obtained analytical expressions. Conceptual foundations for the creation of methods and means for monitoring the state of insulation, lightning protection systems and the integrity of the structures of electric power facilities with using UAVs have been formed.

This book presents a synthesis of the research carried out in the Laboratory of Signal Processing and Communications (LaPSyC), CONICET, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Argentina, since 2003. It presents models and techniques widely used by the signal processing community, focusing on low-complexity methodologies that are scalable to different applications. It also highlights measures of the performance and impact of each compensation technique. The book is divided into three parts: 1) basic models 2) compensation techniques and 3) applications in advanced technologies. The first part addresses basic architectures of transceivers, their component blocks and modulation techniques. It also describes the performance to be taken into account, regardless of the distortions that need to be compensated. In the second part, several schemes of compensation and/or reduction of imperfections are explored, including linearization of power amplifiers, compensation of the characteristics of analog-to- digital converters and CFO compensation for OFDM modulation. The third and last part demonstrates the use of some of these techniques in modern wireless-communication systems, such as full-duplex transmission, massive MIMO schemes and Internet of Things applications.

This book features selected high-quality papers from the second International Conference on Mobile Radio Communications and 5G Networks (MRCN 2021), held at University Institute of Engineering and Technology, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, India, during 10-12 June 2021. The book features original papers by active researchers presented at the International Conference on Mobile Radio Communications and 5G Networks. It includes recent advances and upcoming technologies in the field of cellular systems, 2G/2.5G/3G/4G/5G and beyond, LTE, WiMAX, WMAN, and other emerging broadband wireless networks, WLAN, WPAN, and various home/personal networking technologies, pervasive and wearable computing and networking, small cells and femtocell networks, wireless mesh networks, vehicular wireless networks, cognitive radio networks and their applications, wireless multimedia networks, green wireless networks, standardization of emerging wireless technologies, power management and energy conservation techniques.

Tunan Shen aims to increase the availability of powertrain systems for autonomous electric vehicles by improving the diagnostic capability for critical faults. Following the fault analysis of powertrain systems in battery electric vehicles, the focus is on the electrical and mechanical faults of the electric machine. A multi-level diagnostic approach is proposed, which consists of multiple diagnostic models, such as a physical model, a data-based anomaly detection model, and a neural network model. To improve the overall diagnostic capability, a decision making function is designed to derive a comprehensive decision from the predictions of various operating points and different models.

This is a book about the international oil market. It takes a historical perspective on how the market emerged, developed, and became what it is today-the biggest commodity market in the world. It is mature and complex, but far from perfect. Throughout most of its 150-year history, the oil market has been monopolised by companies and governments. For only a fraction of that, oil traded in a relatively free market. As a result, we had to live with 'big oil', economic shocks, high oil prices, instability and wars. Using a simple concept of market power, this book will explain the meaning of 'oil price' and how it is established while offering a valuable lesson for other commodities. Market power is the key to understanding the 'price of oil'. This book uses a simple concept of price-makers and price-takers to examine the evolution of oil markets, their structure, and prices. The early decades of the oil industry were competitive with low barriers to entry. Barely 25 years later, the Standard Oil company created a refining monopoly, buying oil at its own 'posted' price. In the following century, the cartel of major oil companies, helped by their governments, did the same at the international level. OPEC helped producing governments regain control of their own resources, but the organisation was never able to retain a similar level of control. After 1986 price collapse, OPEC abdicated the price-making function in favour of the market. While it never gave up attempts to influence prices, OPEC had to link their official prices to one of the global oil benchmarks. Modern international oil markets function because of oil benchmarks such as Brent, WTI and Dubai. This book showcases: * How oil traders played a prominent role in development of the industry * How policies of consuming nations helped oil cartels * Why and how the US price of oil was negative * How AI has changed the way markets operate and the way in which the markets are likely to change in future This book explores how oil markets grew, functioned, and have occasionally failed to do their job. The ecosystem of derivatives or 'paper barrels' trading in far greater volume than physical oil plays a very important role in mitigating risk. With this core tenant, setting the 'price of oil' is explained in detail.