This riveting study shows how the intersection of technology and politics has shaped South African history since the 1960s.

It is impossible to understand South Africa’s energy crisis without knowing this history. Faeeza Ballim’s deeply researched book challenges many prevailing assumptions and beliefs made regarding the crisis.

The book highlights the importance of technology to our understanding of South African history and challenges the idea that the technological state corporations were proxies for the apartheid government. While a part of the broader national modernization project under apartheid, these corporations also set the stage for worker solidarity and trade union organization in the Waterberg and elsewhere in the country.

Faeeza Ballim argues that the state corporations, their technology, and their engineers enjoyed ambivalent relationships with the governments of their time. And in the democratic era, while Eskom has been caught up in the scourge of government corruption, it has retained a degree of organizational autonomy and offered a degree of resistance to those who were attempting further corrupt practices.

The continued use of coal as a means of generating electricity and an increasing demand for cleaner, more efficient energy production has led to advances in power plant technology. Ultra-supercritical coal power plants reviews the engineering, operation, materials and performance of ultra-supercritical coal power plants.
Following a chapter introducing advanced and ultra-supercritical coal power plants, part one goes on to explore the operating environments, materials and engineering of ultra-supercritical coal power plants. Chapters discuss the impacts of steam conditions on plant materials and operation, fuel considerations and burner design, and materials and design for boilers working under supercritical steam conditions. Chapters in part two focus on improving ultra-supercritical coal power plant performance and operability. Ash fouling, deposition and slagging in ultra-supercritical coal power plants are highlighted along with pollution control measures and the estimation, management and extension of the life of ultra-supercritical power plants. Further chapters provide an economic and engineering analysis of a 700 C advanced ultra-supercritical pulverised coal power plant and discuss CO2 capture-ready ultra-supercritical coal power plants.
Ultra-supercritical coal power plants is a comprehensive technical reference for power plant operators and engineers, high-temperature materials scientists, professionals in the power industry who require an understanding of ultra-supercritical coal power plants and researchers and academics interested in the field.
Provides a comprehensive reference on the developments, materials, design and operation of ultra-supercritical power plantConsiders the degradation issues affecting this type of plant, as well as emissions control and CO2 capture technology; improved plant controls critical to improved operation and environmental performanceContains operational assessments for plant safety, plant life management, and plant economics"

The utilisation of biomass is increasingly important for low- or zero-carbon power generation. Developments in conventional power plant fuel flexibility allow for both direct biomass combustion and co-firing with fossil fuels, while the integration of advanced technologies facilitates conversion of a wide range of biomass feedstocks into more readily combustible fuel. Biomass combustion science, technology and engineering reviews the science and technology of biomass combustion, conversion and utilisation.
Part one provides an introduction to biomass supply chains and feedstocks, and outlines the principles of biomass combustion for power generation. Chapters also describe the categorisation and preparation of biomass feedstocks for combustion and gasification. Part two goes on to explore biomass combustion and co-firing, including direct combustion of biomass, biomass co-firing and gasification, fast pyrolysis of biomass for the production of liquids and intermediate pyrolysis technologies. Largescale biomass combustion and biorefineries are then the focus of part three. Following an overview of large-scale biomass combustion plants, key engineering issues and plant operation are discussed, before the book concludes with a chapter looking at the role of biorefineries in increasing the value of the end-products of biomass conversion.
With its distinguished editor and international team of expert contributors, Biomass combustion science, technology and engineering provides a clear overview of this important area for all power plant operators, industrial engineers, biomass researchers, process chemists and academics working in this field.
Reviews the science and technology of biomass combustion, conversion and utilisationProvides an introduction to biomass supply chains and feedstocks and outlines the principles of biomass combustion for power generationDescribes the categorisation and preparation of biomass feedstocks for combustion and gasification

Combined cycle power plants are one of the most promising ways of improving fossil-fuel and biomass energy production. The combination of a gas and steam turbine working in tandem to produce power makes this type of plant highly efficient and allows for CO2 capture and sequestration before combustion. This book provides a comprehensive review of the design, engineering and operational issues of a range of advanced combined cycle plants.
After introductory chapters on basic combined cycle power plant and advanced gas turbine design, the book reviews the main types of combined cycle system. Chapters discuss the technology, efficiency and emissions performance of natural gas-fired combined cycle (NGCC) and integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) as well as novel humid air cycle, oxy-combustion turbine cycle systems. The book also reviews pressurised fluidized bed combustion (PFBC), externally fired combined cycle (EFCC), hybrid fuel cell turbine (FC/GT), combined cycle and integrated solar combined cycle (ISCC) systems. The final chapter reviews techno-economic analysis of combined cycle systems.
With its distinguished editor and international team of contributors, Combined cycle systems for near-zero emission power generation is a standard reference for both industry practitioners and academic researchers seeking to improve the efficiency and environmental impact of power plants.
Provides a comprehensive review of the design, engineering and operational issues of a range of advanced combined cycle plantsIntroduces basic combined cycle power plant and advanced gas turbine design and reviews the main types of combined cycle systemsDiscusses the technology, efficiency and emissions performance of natural gas-fired combined cycle (NGCC) systems and integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) systems, as well as novel humid air cycle systems and oxy-combustion turbine cycle systems

Coal- and gas-based power plants currently supply the largest proportion of the world s power generation capacity, and are required to operate to increasingly stringent environmental standards. Higher temperature combustion is therefore being adopted to improve plant efficiency and to maintain net power output given the energy penalty that integration of advanced emissions control systems cause. However, such operating regimes also serve to intensify degradation mechanisms within power plant systems, potentially affecting their reliability and lifespan.
Power plant life management and performance improvement critically reviews the fundamental degradation mechanisms that affect conventional power plant systems and components, as well as examining the operation and maintenance approaches and advanced plant rejuvenation and retrofit options that the industry are applying to ensure overall plant performance improvement and life management.
Part one initially reviews plant operation issues, including fuel flexibility, condition monitoring and performance assessment. Parts two, three and four focus on coal boiler plant, gas turbine plant, and steam boiler and turbine plant respectively, reviewing environmental degradation mechanisms affecting plant components and their mitigation via advances in materials selection and life management approaches, such as repair, refurbishment and upgrade. Finally, part five reviews issues relevant to the performance management and improvement of advanced heat exchangers and power plant welds.
With its distinguished editor and international team of contributors, Power plant life management and performance improvement is an essential reference for power plant operators, industrial engineers and metallurgists, and researchers interested in this important field.
Provides an overview of the improvements to plant efficiency in coal- and gas-based power plantsCritically reviews the fundamental degradation mechanisms that affect conventional power plant systems and components, noting mitigation routes alongside monitoring and assessment methodsAddresses plant operation issues including fuel flexibility, condition monitoring and performance assessment"

Spiralling fuel costs, frequent power cuts, 'energy wars' with fuel rich countries holding consumers to ransom - these are just some of the issues that are helping to ensure that microgeneration of power, at the individual building level, is becoming a more and more attractive option to 'grid power'.
In this book author Dave Parker describes the many and varied microgeneration options, from wind turbines and solar power to biomass and heatsinks, and even gives advice on how architects and developers can best access the increasingly large amount of government funding to help implement these strategies.
This book can help those in the building and construction industry to really make a difference in the fight against climate change, by explaining how to utilise the technology already within our reach.
* Comprehensive review of the latest technology available
* Shows how to assess/compare/combine the merits of the available systems
* Gives hard information on how to adopt appropriate microgeneration technology for a specific project

This book provides a complete guide to the design, procurement, installation and testing procedures for local area networks (LANs) using both copper and optical fibre cable technology. International, European and American LAN and premises cabling standards are explained and compared including the latest Category 5, Category 6 and Category 7 proposals. The latest standards in testing, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) compliance and fire safety are also covered in detail.
By describing the theory as well as the practical issues involved, this book is an unrivalled source of information for those who need to understand, at a time of very rapid change, the complexities of today's office-based LANs.
British courses such as City and Guilds course 3466, Copper and Optical Communications
C & G courses in Telecommunications and Electronics Engineering 2720, 2760 and 3478
NVQ and SNVQ courses on copper and fibre communications technology, levels one to five
Future qualifications to be developed by the European Institute of Telecommunications Engineering and the European Intelligent buildings group
American Certified Electronics Technician, Certified Fiber Optics Installer, Certified Network Systems Technician and Telecommunications Electronics Technician courses
BICSI courses such as RCDD where the book's coverage of European and international standards is very useful
BTEC and BSc courses on electronic and communications engineering
In addition it is a valuable resource for IT managers, consultants, cable installation engineers and system designers who need to understand the technology and physics behind the subject and the huge range of standards that apply to cable engineering

The past decade has witnessed dramatic growth in the diversity and complexity of device applications where vacuum is required to support either high voltages or high electric fields. This is particularly true in thespace industry, specifically for the development of space-based pulse power systems.
This book presents an overview of the technological advances that have occurred since the publication of the Editors earlier book "High Voltage Vacuum Insulation: The Physical Basis." In this latest book, contributions from internationally recognized professionals and researchers in the field provide expanded treatment of the practical aspects of the subject. High Voltage Vacuum Insulation: Basic Concepts and Technological Practice provides a modern working manual for this specialized technology that is generic to a wide range of applications. The format makes the text suitable for use as a basis for special topic lecture courses at either the undergraduate or graduate level.
Key Features
* Provides the fundamental physical concepts of the subject
* Focuses on practical applications
* Gives a historical survey of the field
* Includes a detailed account of system design criteria
* Reviews theoretical models developed to explain the pinhole phenomena
* Presents results of a series of experimental investigations on the subject

This book describes how to carry out safely a range of basic servicing checks and replacements, such as they will be asked routinely to carry out in a general motor workshop. It assumes no scientific or mathematical background and includes numerous practical assignments to help develop understanding and questions to test comprehension.

Understand microgrids and networked microgrid systems Microgrids are interconnected groups of energy sources that operate together, capable of connecting with a larger grid or operating independently as needed and network conditions require. They can be valuable sources of energy for geographically circumscribed areas with highly targeted energy needs, and for remote or rural areas where continuous connection with a larger grid is difficult. Microgrids' controllability makes them especially effective at incorporating renewable energy sources. Microgrids: Theory and Practice introduces readers to the analysis, design, and operation of microgrids and larger networked systems that integrate them. It brings to bear both cutting-edge research into microgrid technology and years of industry experience in designing and operating microgrids. Its discussions of core subjects such as microgrid modeling, control, and optimization make it an essential short treatment, valuable for both academic and industrial study. Readers will acquire the skills needed to address existing problems and meet new ones as this crucial area of power engineering develops. Microgrids: Theory and Practice also features: Incorporation of new cyber-physical system technologies for enabling microgrids as resiliency resources Theoretical treatment of a wide range of subjects including smart programmable microgrids, distributed and asynchronous optimization for microgrid dispatch, and AI-assisted microgrid protection Practical discussion of real-time microgrids simulations, hybrid microgrid design, transition to renewable microgrid networks, and more Microgrids: Theory and Practice is ideal as a textbook for graduate and advanced undergraduate courses in power engineering programs, and a valuable reference for power industry professionals looking to address the challenges posed by microgrids in their work.

The intermittency of renewable energy sources is making increased deployment of storage technology necessary. Technologies are needed with high round-trip efficiency and at low cost to allow renewables to undercut fossil fuels. The cost of lithium batteries has fallen, but producing them comes with a substantial carbon footprint, as well as a cost to the local environment. Compressed air energy storage (CAES) uses excess electricity, particularly from wind farms, to compress air. Re-expansion of the air then drives machinery to recoup the electric power. Prototypes have capacities of several hundred MW. Challenges lie in conserving the thermal energy associated with compressing air and leakage of that heat, materials, power electronics, connection with the power generator, and grid integration. This comprehensive book provides a systematic overview of the current state of CAES technology. After an introduction to motivation and principles, the key components are covered, and then the principal types of systems in the order of technical maturity: diabatic, adiabatic, and isothermal. Experts from industry write about their experiences with existing major systems and prototypes. Economic aspects, power electronics and machinery, as well as special systems for offshore applications, are dealt with. Researchers in academia and industry alike, in particular at energy storage technology manufacturers and utilities, as well as advanced students and energy experts in think tanks will find this work valuable reading.

Mechanical Design of Piezoelectric Energy Harvesters: Generating Electricity from Human Walking provides the state-of-the-art, recent mechanical designs of piezoelectric energy harvesters based on piezoelectric stacks. The book discusses innovative mechanism designs for energy harvesting from multidimensional force excitation, such as human walking, which offers higher energy density. Coverage includes analytical modeling, optimal design, simulation study, prototype fabrication, and experimental investigation. Detailed examples of their analyses and implementations are provided. The book's authors provide a unique perspective on this field, primarily focusing on novel designs for PZT Energy harvesting in biomedical engineering as well as in integrated multi-stage force amplification frame. This book presents force-amplification compliant mechanism design and force direction-transmission mechanism design. It explores new mechanism design approaches using piezoelectric materials and permanent magnets. Readers can expect to learn how to design new mechanisms to realize multidimensional energy harvesting systems.

Hybrid Technologies for Power Generation addresses the topics related to hybrid technologies by coupling conventional thermal engines with novel technologies, including fuel cells, batteries, thermal storage and electrolysis, and reporting on the most recent advances concerning transport and stationary applications. Potential operating schemes of hybrid power generation systems are covered, highlighting possible combinations of technology and guideline selection according to the energy demands of end-users. Going beyond state-of-the-art technological developments for processes, devices and systems, this book discusses the environmental impact and existing hurdles of moving from a single device to new approaches for efficient energy generation, transfer, conversion, high-density storage and consumption. By describing the practical viability of novel devices coupled to conventional thermal devices, this book has a decisive impact in energy system research, supporting those in the energy research and engineering communities.

Microgrids have emerged as a promising solution for accommodating the integration of renewable energy resources. But the intermittency of renewable generation is posing challenges such as voltage/frequency fluctuations, and grid stability issues in grid-connected modes. Model predictive control (MPC) is a method for controlling a process while satisfying a set of constraints. It has been in use for chemical plants and in oil refineries since the 1980s, but in recent years has been deployed for power systems and electronics as well. This concise work for researchers, engineers and graduate students focuses on the use of MPC for distributed renewable power generation in microgrids. Fluctuating outputs from renewable energy sources and variable load demands are covered, as are control design concepts. The authors provide examples and case studies to validate the theory with both simulation and experimental results and review the shortcomings and future developments. Chapters treat power electronic converters and control; modelling and hierarchical control of microgrids; use of MPC for PV and wind power; voltage support; parallel PV-ESS microgrids; secondary restoration capability; and tertiary power flow optimization.

Nanogrids are small energy grids, powered by various generators often including photovoltaics. For example, a nanogrid might supply a village in a rural area and allow that village to trade its surplus energy. A picogrid is a still smaller energy grid. IRENA defines nanogrids as systems handling up to 5 kW of power while picogrids handle up to 1 kW. Nanogrids and picogrids can play roles in urban, suburban and rural areas, particularly in developing countries, and can help with decarbonising the energy systems and empowering citizens. Electric vehicles (EV) are poised to play important roles and need to be accounted for in emerging and future small grids. This book introduces the principles of nano- and picogrids, then goes on to provide a technical analysis covering connected resources, modelling and performance, power quality and protection. The use of nano- and picogrids in conjunction with EV, charger technologies, the IoT, cloud computing and data sharing is explored. Case studies of real-life projects help readers to understand and apply the concepts for their own projects. Nanogrids and Picogrids and their Integration with Electric Vehicles is a valuable resource for researchers involved with power systems, particularly those with an interest in power supply in rural areas, or anyone with a particular interest in nano- and microgrids. It is also of use to advanced students, and to engineers working in utilities.

Power electronics converters are devices that change parameters of electric power, such as voltage and frequency, as well as between AC and DC. They are essential parts of both advanced drives, for machines and vehicles, and energy systems to meet required flexibility and efficiency criteria. In energy systems both stationary and mobile, control and converters help ensure reliability and quality of electric power supplies. This reference in two volumes is useful reading for scientists and researchers working with power electronics, drives and energy systems; manufacturers developing power electronics for advanced applications; professionals working in the utilities sector; and for advanced students of subjects related to power electronics. Volume 1 covers converters and control for drives, while Volume 2 addresses clean generation and power grids. The chapters enable the reader to directly apply the knowledge gained to their research and designs. Topics include reliability, WBG power semiconductor devices, converter topology and their fast response, matrix and multilevel converters, nonlinear dynamics, AI and machine learning. Robust modern control is covered as well. A coherent chapter structure and step-by-step explanation provide the reader with the understanding to pursue their research.

Large rural areas in some regions of the world are still grappling with the challenge of electrification. The optimal solution is to provide reliable energy without adding more fossil fuel plants by using distributed renewable generation. Microgrids are part of that solution; they are small networks of electricity users, with a local generator that is attached to a centralized larger grid, but which is also able to function independently. They need to be robust and resilient in order to provide reliable power, including in harsh climates. For remote areas microgrids have the advantage of offering an electricity supply even if there are problems with the larger power grid. This book focuses on the challenges of rural electrification, particularly in poorer regions. It covers low voltage DC distribution system for various applications including charging of electric vehicles (EV). Written by a large team of authors with a wide range of relevant experiences, the book addresses microgrid architectures, converters, energy storage, control, EV integration, business models and economic scheduling, and the role of blockchain technology. The authors have used case studies to provide illustrative examples of the technologies discussed and solutions proposed.

There is huge potential for smaller wind turbines to provide clean energy around the world. Small wind turbines come in a variety of designs, and have similarities in principles and technology to small hydrokinetic turbines (SHKTs). SHKTs, in turn, can play an important role in hydropower. Small wind and hydrokinetic systems can even work together, for example, to power farms, communities, campuses, rural as well as remote rural areas, and island regions. This concise book, written by experts in the field, provides an in-depth overview of small turbines for wind and hydropower. Chapters cover resource assessment for wind and water, turbine technology, design of vertical and horizontal axis turbines, blade element analysis, vibration-based energy harvesting, very low head turbines, diffuser augmented wind turbines, and numerous case studies. Small Wind and Hydrokinetic Turbines is a valuable summary for researchers involved with small wind turbines and SHKT development and deployment, both in academia and industry, for research on powering remote areas, as well as for advanced students and manufacturers of turbines.

The need to improve the reliability and robustness of power systems and smart grids makes protection of sensitive equipment and power transmission and distribution lines against lightning-related effects a primary concern. Renewable electricity generation capacity has been increasing all over the world, and lightning can cause failures either by hitting the turbines or panels directly or inducing transients on the control systems that lead to equipment failure, malfunction or degradation. This two-volume set assesses how global lightning may respond to global climate change, provides thorough coverage of the lightning phenomenon and its interaction with various objects, and covers methods for the effective protection of structures and systems. It is a valuable reference for researchers in the fields of lightning and power systems, for transmission and distribution line engineers and designers, and is a useful text for related advanced courses. Volume 1 covers fundamentals and modelling of lightning interaction with power systems. This Volume 2 addresses various applications including the application of the Monte Carlo method to lightning protection and insulation coordination practices; lightning interaction with power substations; lightning interaction with power transmission lines; lightning interaction with medium-voltage overhead power distribution systems; lightning interaction with low-voltage overhead power distribution networks; lightning protection of structures and electrical systems inside of buildings; lightning protection of smart grids; lightning protection of wind power systems; lightning protection of photovoltaic systems; measurement of lightning currents and voltages; application of the FDTD method to lightning studies; and software tools for lightning performance assessment.