Multicriteria Analysis and LCA Techniques introduces the reader to the basic principles of multicriteria analysis (MCA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) techniques. The use of these tools is rapidly becoming essential in any feasibility study for comparing different solutions, selecting the most suitable ones, and for analyzing the interface of economy and environment. The main feature of Multicriteria Analysis and LCA Techniques is the application of a new approach to the analysis of energy balance and environmental impact of agro-industrial production chains. It gives detailed descriptions of a number of food and non-food agro-industrial applications of MCA and LCA, thereby providing the reader with practical examples of the implementation of these tools in the field of agro-industry. Multicriteria Analysis and LCA Techniques represents a subsidiary reference book for both undergraduate and graduate students, and can also be used for basic or applied academic research.

Delving into the connections between renewable energy and economics on an international level, this book focuses specifically on hydropower and geothermal power production for use in the power intensive industry. It takes readily available government and international statistics to provide insight into how businesses and economists can interpret the factors that influence the growth of power intensive industries. It also discusses the CarbFix and SulFix projects that involve the injection of hydrogen sulphide (H2S), and carbon dioxide (CO2) back to reservoir as an emission reduction method. With improved engineering processes, both types of power generation are increasingly subject to economies of scale. These exciting technological developments have a great potential to change the way the world works, as the economy continues to rely so heavily on energy to drive production. Green energy is without a question going to be a major factor in our future, so studying it at its nascence is particularly exciting. This book is intended for academic researchers and students interested in current economic and environmental hot topics, as well as people interested in the inner workings of a possible new investment opportunity.

These conference proceedings contain contributions to one of Europe's largest annual conferences on energy efficiency and renewable energy. From two main fields - biomass and energy efficiency in buildings - contributions offer an insight into the research work and the scientific findings and developments of young researchers from all over the world. The papers were selected by a high-level scientific committee for oral presentation. They also communicate results, trends and opinions that will concern and influence the world's energy experts and policy makers over the next decades. The conference was held from 26-27 February 2014.

The Power Makers - the producers of our electricity - must meet the demands of their customers while also addressing the threat of climate change. There are widely differing views about solutions to electricity generation in an emission constrained world. Some see the problem as relatively straight forward, requiring deep cuts in emissions now by improving energy efficiency, energy conservation and using only renewable resources. Many electricity industry engineers and scientists see the problem as being much more involved.

"The Power Makers Challenge: and the need for Fission Energy "looks at why using only conventional renewable energy sources is not quite as simple as it seems. Following a general introduction to electricity and its distribution, the author quantifies the reductions needed in greenhouse gas emissions from the power sector in the face of ever increasing world demands for electricity. It provides some much needed background on the many energy sources available for producing electricity and discusses their advantages and limitations to meet both the emission reduction challenge and electricity demand.

By analyzing the three main groups of energy sources: renewable energy, fossil fuels and fission energy (nuclear power), readers can assess the ability of each group to meet the challenge of both reducing emissions and maintaining reliable supply at least cost. It is written for both non-technical and technical readers."

The world needs clean and renewable energy and hydrogen represents an almost ideal resource. Hydrogen is the simplest and most abundant molecule in the universe, yet one that is a challenge to produce from renewable resources. Biohydrogen, or hydrogen produced from renewable resources such as water or organic wastes by biological means, is a goal worthy of increased global attention and resources. The purpose of BioHydrogen '97 was to bring together leaders in the biological p- duction of hydrogen from the United States, Japan, Europe, and elsewhere to exchange scientific and technical information and catalyze further cooperative programs. Parti- pants came from at least different countries representing academia, industry, and g- ernment. Especially important participants were young research scientists and engineers: the next generation of contributors. The conference consisted of plenary presentations, topical sessions, posters, and mini-workshop discussions on key areas of biohydrogen. It was designed to maximize - formation exchange, personal interaction among participants, and formulate new inter- tional initiatives. BioHydrogen '97 was an outgrowth of an international workshop convened by the Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth (RITE) and was held in Tokyo, Japan, November 24-25, 1994. The RITE workshop was highly successful but largely l- ited to traditional biochemical and biological studies and not engineering research topics.

This SpringerBrief discusses the characteristics of spatiotemporal movement data, including uncertainty and scale. It investigates three core aspects of Computational Movement Analysis: Conceptual modeling of movement and movement spaces, spatiotemporal analysis methods aiming at a better understanding of movement processes (with a focus on data mining for movement patterns), and using decentralized spatial computing methods in movement analysis. The author presents Computational Movement Analysis as an interdisciplinary umbrella for analyzing movement processes with methods from a range of fields including GIScience, spatiotemporal databases and data mining. Key challenges in Computational Movement Analysis include bridging the semantic gap, privacy issues when movement data involves people, incorporating big and open data, and opportunities for decentralized movement analysis arising from the internet of things. The interdisciplinary concepts of Computational Movement Analysis make this an important book for professionals and students in computer science, geographic information science and its application areas, especially movement ecology and transportation research.

Microfluidic fuel cells and batteries represent a special type of electrochemical power generators that can be miniaturized and integrated in a microfluidic chip. Summarizing the initial ten years of research and development in this emerging field, this SpringerBrief is the first book dedicated to microfluidic fuel cell and battery technology for electrochemical energy conversion and storage. Written at a critical juncture, where strategically applied research is urgently required to seize impending technology opportunities for commercial, analytical, and educational utility, the intention is for this book to be a 'one-stop shop' for current and prospective researchers in the general area of membraneless, microfluidic electrochemical energy conversion. As the overall goal of the book is to provide a comprehensive resource for both research and technology development, it features extensive descriptions of the underlying fundamental theory, fabrication methods, and cell design principles, as well as a thorough review of previous contributions in this field and a future outlook with recommendations for further work. It is hoped that the content will entice and enable new research groups and engineers to rapidly gain traction in their own laboratories towards the development of next generation microfluidic electrochemical cells.

Lives in Peril demonstrates how and why seafarers are a vulnerable group of workers. It argues they are made so by the organisation and structure of their employment; the prioritisation of profit over safety by the actors that engage and control their labour; the limits of enforcement of the regulatory framework that is in place to protect them; and by their weakness as collective actors in relation to capital. The consequences of this vulnerability are seen in data on their occupationally-related morbidity and mortality - evidence that probably only represents a partial picture of the actual extent of the physical, mental and emotional harm resulting from work at sea. This volume's central argument is that this situation is likely to remain broadly unchanged as long as global maritime governance and regulation remains in thrall to the neo-liberal economic and political arguments that drive globalisation, and fails to enforce regulatory standards more robustly.

This book outlines many of the techniques involved in materials development and characterization for photoelectrochemical (PEC) - for example, proper metrics for describing material performance, how to assemble testing cells and prepare materials for assessment of their properties, and how to perform the experimental measurements needed to achieve reliable results towards better scientific understanding. For each technique, proper procedure, benefits, limitations, and data interpretation are discussed. Consolidating this information in a short, accessible, and easy to read reference guide will allow researchers to more rapidly immerse themselves into PEC research and also better compare their results against those of other researchers to better advance materials development. This book serves as a "how-to" guide for researchers engaged in or interested in engaging in the field of photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. PEC water splitting is a rapidly growing field of research in which the goal is to develop materials which can absorb the energy from sunlight to drive electrochemical hydrogen production from the splitting of water. The substantial complexity in the scientific understanding and experimental protocols needed to sufficiently pursue accurate and reliable materials development means that a large need exists to consolidate and standardize the most common methods utilized by researchers in this field.

One of the major challenges in current chemistry is to ?nd molecules able to move charges rapidly and ef?ciently from, for example, one terminus to another one under the control of an external electrical, electrochemical or photochemical stimulus. Nature has provided impressive examples of how these goals are achieved. The photosynthetic reaction center protein, for instance, rapidly moves electrons with near unity quantum ef?ciency across a lipid bilayer membrane using several redox cofactors, and thus, serves as a model for developing biomimetic analogues for applications in ?elds such as photovoltaic devices, molecular electronics and photonic materials. In this context, p-conjugated oligomeric molecular assemblies are of particular interest because they provide ef?cient electronic couplings between electroactive units - donor and acceptor termini - and display wire-like behavior. In order to make a molecule able to behave as an ideal molecular wire different requirements need to be ful?lled: i) matching between the donor (acceptor) and bridge energy levels, ii) a good electronic coupling between the electron donor and acceptor units via the bridge orbitals, and iii) a small attenuation factor. Among the many different p-conjugated oligomers, oligo(p-phenylenevin- enes) (oPPV), have emerged as a particularly promising model system that helps to comprehend/rationalize the basic features of polymeric poly(p-phenyle- vinylenes) and also as a versatile building block for novel materials with che- cally tailored properties.

Some vanguard companies have evolved to a higher level of decentralization originating in the enabling-and-autonomy paradigm. A new kind of deep leadership is practiced by these spirit-driven organizations. This book brings together theory and case studies to cover historical origins and developments of both types of decentralization.

The latest scientific knowledge on climate change indicates that higher greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere through unchecked emissions will provoke severe climate change and ocean acidification. Both impacts can fundamentally alter environmental structures on which humanity relies and have serious consequences for the food chain among others. Climate change therefore poses major socio-economic, technical and environmental challenges which will have serious impacts on countries' pathways towards sustainable development. As a result, climate change and sustainable development have increasingly become interlinked. A changing climate makes achieving Millennium Development Goals more difficult and expensive, so there is every reason to achieve development goals with low greenhouse gas emissions. This leads to the following five challenges discussed by Challenges and Solutions for Climate Change: 1. To place climate negotiations in the wider context of sustainability, equity and social change so that development benefits can be maximised at the same time as decreasing greenhouse gas emissions. 2. To select technologies or measures for climate change mitigation and adaptation based on countries' sustainable development and climate goals. 3. To create low greenhouse gas emission and climate resilient strategies and action plans in order to accelerate innovation needed for achieving sustainable development and climate goals on the scale and timescale required within countries. 4. To rationalize the current directions in international climate policy making in order to provide coherent and efficient support to developing countries in devising and implementing strategies and action plans for low emission technology transfers to deliver climate and sustainable development goals. 5. To facilitate development of an international framework for financial resources in order to support technology development and transfer, improve enabling environments for innovation, address equity issues such as poor people's energy access, and make implementation of activities possible at the desired scale within the country. The solutions presented in Challenges and Solutions for Climate Change show how ambitious measures can be undertaken which are fully in line with domestic interests, both in developing and in developed countries, and how these measures can be supported through the international mechanisms.

The challenges facing participants in competitive electricity markets are staggering: high price volatility introduces significant financial risk into an industry accustomed to guaranteed rates of return, while illiquid forward markets prevent effective hedging strategies from being implemented. Valuation, Hedging and Speculation in Competitive Electricity Markets: A Fundamental Approach, examines the unique properties which separate electricity from other traded commodities, including the lack of economical storage, and the impact of a scarce transmission network. The authors trace the sources of uncertainties in the price of electricity to underlying physical and economic processes, and incorporate these into a bid-based model for electricity spot and forward prices. They also illustrate how insufficient market data can be circumvented by using a combination of price and load data in the marking- to-market process.The model is applied to three classes of problems central to the operation of any electric utility or power marketer; valuing generation assets, formulating dynamic hedging strategies for load serving obligations, and pricing transmission contracts and locational spread options. Emphasis is placed on the difference between trades which can be 'booked out' in the forward markets, and those which must be carried through to delivery. Lately, significant attention has been given to the role of regulators in mitigating excessive price levels in electricity markets. The authors conduct a quantitative analysis of the long-term effects of regulatory intervention through the use of price caps. By modeling the dynamic interplay between the observed price levels and the decision to invest in new generation assets, it is shown how such short term fixes can lead to long term deficits in the available generation capacity, and ultimately to market failures and blackouts.

Many Smart Grid books include "privacy" in their title, but only touch on privacy, with most of the discussion focusing on cybersecurity. Filling this knowledge gap, Data Privacy for the Smart Grid provides a clear description of the Smart Grid ecosystem, presents practical guidance about its privacy risks, and details the actions required to protect data generated by Smart Grid technologies. It addresses privacy in electric, natural gas, and water grids and supplies two different perspectives of the topic-one from a Smart Grid expert and another from a privacy and information security expert.The authors have extensive experience with utilities and leading the U.S. government's National Institute of Standards and Technologies (NIST) Cyber Security Working Group (CSWG)/Smart Grid Interoperability Group (SGIP) Privacy Subgroup. This comprehensive book is understandable for all those involved in the Smart Grid. The authors detail the facts about Smart Grid privacy so readers can separate truth from myth about Smart Grid privacy. While considering privacy in the Smart Grid, the book also examines the data created by Smart Grid technologies and machine-to-machine (M2M) applications and associated legal issues. The text details guidelines based on the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Privacy Guidelines and the U.S. Federal Trade Commission Fair Information Practices. It includes privacy training recommendations and references to additional Smart Grid privacy resources. After reading the book, readers will be prepared to develop informed opinions, establish fact-based decisions, make meaningful contributions to Smart Grid legislation and policies, and to build technologies to preserve and protect privacy. Policy makers; Smart Grid and M2M product and service developers; utility customer and privacy resources; and other service providers and resources are primary beneficiaries of the information provided in

The merging of the concept of introduction of asymmetry of the wave vector space of the charge carriers in semiconductors with the modern techniques of fabric- ing nanostructured materials such as MBE, MOCVD, and FLL in one, two, and three dimensions (such as ultrathin ?lms, nipi structures, inversion and accumu- tion layers, quantum well superlattices, carbon nanotubes, quantum wires, quantum wire superlattices, quantumdots, magnetoinversionand accumulationlayers, qu- tum dot superlattices, etc. ) spawns not only useful quantum effect devices but also unearth new concepts in the realm of nanostructured materials science and related disciplines. It is worth remaking that these semiconductor nanostructures occupy a paramount position in the entire arena of low-dimensional science and technology by their own right and ?nd extensive applications in quantum registers, resonant tunneling diodes and transistors, quantum switches, quantum sensors, quantum logic gates, heterojunction ?eld-effect, quantum well and quantum wire trans- tors, high-speed digital networks, high-frequency microwave circuits, quantum cascade lasers, high-resolution terahertz spectroscopy, superlattice photo-oscillator, advanced integrated circuits, superlattice photocathodes, thermoelectric devices, superlattice coolers, thin ? lm transistors, intermediate-band solar cells, micro- tical systems, high-performanceinfrared imaging systems, bandpass ?lters, thermal sensors, optical modulators, optical switching systems, single electron/molecule electronics, nanotube based diodes, and other nanoelectronic devices.

Computational methods in Power Systems require significant inputs from diverse disciplines, such as data base structures, numerical analysis etc. Strategic decisions in sparsity exploitation and algorithm design influence large-scale simulation and high-speed computations. Selection of programming paradigm shapes the design, its modularity and reusability. This has a far reaching effect on software maintenance. Computational Methods for Large Sparse Power Systems Analysis: An Object Oriented Approach provides a unified object oriented (OO) treatment for power system analysis. Sparsity exploitation techniques in OO paradigm are emphasized to facilitate large scale and fast computing. Specific applications like large-scale load flow, short circuit analysis, state estimation and optimal power flow are discussed within this framework. A chapter on modeling and computational issues in power system dynamics is also included. Motivational examples and illustrations are included throughout the book. A library of C++ classes provided along with this book has classes for transmission lines, transformers, substation etc. A CD-ROM with C++ programs is also included. It contains load flow, short circuit analysis and network topology processor applications. Power system data is provided and systems up to 150 buses can be studied. Other Special Features: This book is the first of its kind, covering power system applications designed with an OO perspective. Chapters on object orientation for modeling of power system computations, data structure, large sparse linear system solver, sparse QR decomposition in an OO framework are special features of this book.

The problem of storing hydrogen safely and effectively is one of the major technological barriers currently preventing the widespread adoption of hydrogen as an energy carrier and the subsequent transition to a so-called hydrogen economy. Practical issues with the storage of hydrogen in both gas and liquid form appear to make reversible solid state hydrogen storage the most promising potential solution. Hydrogen Storage Materials addresses the characterisation of the hydrogen storage properties of the materials that are currently being considered for this purpose. The background to the topic is introduced, along with the various types of materials that are currently under investigation, including nanostructured interstitial and complex hydrides, and porous materials, such as metal-organic frameworks and microporous organic polymers. The main features of Hydrogen Storage Materials include: an overview of the different types of hydrogen storage materials and the properties that are of interest for their practical use; descriptions of the gas sorption measurement methods used to determine these properties, and the complementary techniques that can be used to help corroborate hydrogen uptake data; and extensive coverage of the practical considerations for accurate hydrogen sorption measurement that drive both instrument design and the development of experimental methodology. Hydrogen Storage Materials provides an up-to-date overview of the topic for experienced researchers, while including enough introductory material to serve as a useful, practical introduction for newcomers to the field.

A thoroughly revised new edition of the definitive work on power systems best practices

In this eagerly awaited new edition, "Power Generation, Operation, and Control" continues to provide engineers and academics with a complete picture of the techniques used in modern power system operation. Long recognized as the standard reference in the field, the book has been thoroughly updated to reflect the enormous changes that have taken place in the electric power industry since the Second Edition was published seventeen years ago.

With an emphasis on both the engineering and economic aspects of energy management, the "Third Edition" introduces central "terminal" characteristics for thermal and hydroelectric power generation systems, along with new optimization techniques for tackling real-world operating problems. Readers will find a range of algorithms and methods for performing integrated economic, network, and generating system analysis, as well as modern methods for power system analysis, operation, and control. Special features include: State-of-the-art topics such as market simulation, multiple market analysis, contract and market bidding, and other business topicsChapters on generation with limited energy supply, power flow control, power system security, and moreAn introduction to regulatory issues, renewable energy, and other evolving topicsNew worked examples and end-of-chapter problemsA companion website with additional materials, including MATLAB programs and power system sample data sets

The authors have tried to strike a balance between a short book chapter and a very detailed book for subject experts. There are three prime reasons behind for doing so: first, the field is quite interdisciplinary and requires simplified presentation for a person from non-parent discipline. The second reason for this short-version of a full book is that both the authors have seen students and technically oriented people, who were searching for this type of book on hydro energy. The third reason and motivation was considering engineers who are starting their career in hydro energy sector. This book is targeted to present a good starting background and basic understanding for such professionals.

In the time-worn traditions of the transportation industry, ship pers and carriers regard one another as enemies. There is, to be sure, a certain degree of validity to such a viewpoint. An element of conflict will naturally be present in any vendor-purchaser relationship. The two, after all, are seeking distinctly different things from that relationship; and to a con siderable extent each party's success in realizing its own goals must be achieved at the expense of the other. At the same time, however, viewing that relationship as strictly zero-sum-a gain by one side always resulting in an equal and offsetting loss by the other-is a gross misconception. It overlooks the key reality that, no matter which party comes closest to its own objectives, the relationship, and the business transactions that flow from it, must ultimately benefit both. Without that level of mutual benefit the relationship will simply not exist (or will soon founder if it somehow does come into being); for it is only the self-interest of the two parties that impels them to establish and continue that relationship at all. In transportation, however, this element of mutuality-the attitude that the parties share a common interest in nurturing their relationship-is often forgotten. Instead of working to gether as, fundamentally, partners in a business transaction from which both expect to derive gains, they dedicate the bulk of their energies to fighting, rather than cooperating, with one another."

Due to a huge concentration of electromagnetic fields and eddy currents, large power equipment and systems are prone to crushing forces, overheating, and overloading. Luckily, power failures due to disturbances like these can be predicted and/or prevented. Based on the success of internationally acclaimed computer programs, such as the authors' own RNM-3D, Engineering Electrodynamics: Electric Machine, Transformer, and Power Equipment Design explains how to implement industry-proven modeling and design techniques to solve complex electromagnetic phenomena. Considering recent progress in magnetic and superconducting materials as well as modern methods of mechatronics and computer science, this theory- and application-driven book: Analyzes materials structure and 3D fields, taking into account magnetic and thermal nonlinearities Supplies necessary physical insight for the creation of electromagnetic and electromechanical high power equipment models Describes parameters for electromagnetic calculation of the structural parts of transformers, electric machines, apparatuses, and other electrical equipment Covers power frequency 50-60 Hz (worldwide and US) equipment applications Includes examples, case studies, and homework problems Engineering Electrodynamics: Electric Machine, Transformer, and Power Equipment Design provides engineers, students, and academia with a thorough understanding of the physics, principles, modeling, and design of contemporary industrial devices.

Harnessing a multitude of complementary green energy sources is the only plausible way to satisfy the energy demands of a greedy global economy. The potential of solar energy (being the most abundant) in fulfilling part of the energy requirements of mankind is immense and constitutes the focal point of this book. A self-powered solar tracker that points directly towards the sun by means of an integrated control mechanism with two degrees of rotational freedom was studied and developed. The electro-mechanical control system is based on a precisely-timed microcontroller circuit that first computes the altitude and azimuth of the sun in real-time and then drives a pair of stepper motors that steer the solar tracker towards it. A locally built fibre-glass parabolic dish, the surface of which is lined with a reflective vinyl mirror film, serves to concentrate solar rays on its surface.

Distributing power in high speed, high complexity integrated circuits has become a challenging task as power levels exceeding tens of watts have become commonplace while the power supply is plunging toward one volt. This book is dedicated to this important subject. The primary purpose of this monograph is to provide insight and intuition into the behavior and design of power distribution systems for high speed, high complexity integrated circuits.

Power Supply Devices and Systems of Relay Protection brings relay protection and electrical power engineers a single, concentrated source of information on auxiliary power supply systems and devices. The book also tackles specific problems and solutions of relay protection power supply systems and devices, which are often not dealt with in the literature. The author, an experienced engineer with more than 100 patents, draws on his own experience to offer practical, tested advice to readers. A Guide to Relay Protection Power Supply for Engineers and Technicians The first chapter reviews the electronics and primary elements of the system, including transistors, thyristors, optocouplers, logic elements, and relays, and their principles of operation. This background gives staff who service relay protection power supply systems the necessary electronics knowledge to help them work more effectively with the equipment. The next chapters of the book then cover built-in digital protection relay power supplies, battery chargers, accumulator batteries, uninterruptible power supply, and characteristic features of auxiliary DC systems at substations and power plants. The final chapters discuss questions and problems that engineers and technicians may face. These include insulation problems, issues in auxiliary DC power supply such as voltage dips, and electromagnetic disturbances such as blackouts, spikes, and surges. The author also explains how to address them. Suitable for beginners and experienced engineers alike, the book is written for those who work with relay protection systems and with AC and DC auxiliary power systems in power plants and substations. It combines theory and practical recommendations to provide a valuable reference on power supply devices and systems.

Wind power plants teaches the physical foundations of usage of Wind Power. It includes the areas like Construction of Wind Power Plants, Design, Development of Production Series, Control, and discusses the dynamic forces acting on the systems as well as the power conversion and its connection to the distribution system. The book is written for graduate students, practitioners and inquisitive readers of any kind. It is based on lectures held at several universities. Its German version it already is the standard text book for courses on Wind Energy Engineering but serves also as reference for practising engineers.