Smart distribution networks are one of the key research topics of countries looking to modernise electric power networks. Smart Electricity Distributions Networks aims to provide a basic discussion of the smart distribution concept and new technologies related to it, including distributed energy resources (DERs), demand side integration, microgrids, CELL and virtual power plants. With writing from leading contributors in the field of smart distribution networks, this volume discusses different concepts within the field as well as the best methods to analyse smart distribution systems to provide a cohesive overview of issues relating to Smart Grid and related technologies. This book will be valuable to those with an interest in understanding the technologies and performance of smart distribution networks as well as engaging with the wider debate over the future Smart Grid.

Smart distribution networks are one of the key research topics of countries looking to modernise electric power networks. Smart Electricity Distributions Networks aims to provide a basic discussion of the smart distribution concept and new technologies related to it, including distributed energy resources (DERs), demand side integration, microgrids, CELL and virtual power plants. With writing from leading contributors in the field of smart distribution networks, this volume discusses different concepts within the field as well as the best methods to analyse smart distribution systems to provide a cohesive overview of issues relating to Smart Grid and related technologies. This book will be valuable to those with an interest in understanding the technologies and performance of smart distribution networks as well as engaging with the wider debate over the future Smart Grid.

This book investigates the role of gas networks in future low-carbon energy systems, and discusses various decarbonisation pathways, providing insights for gas network operators, developers, and policy makers. As more countries around the world move towards low-carbon energy systems and increase their exploitation of renewable energy sources, the use of natural gas and the associated infrastructure is expected to undergo a substantial transformation. As such there is a great uncertainty regarding the future role of gas networks and how they will be operated in coming years. The topics addressed include: Fundamentals of gas network operation The impact of variable renewable electricity generation on the operation and expansion of gas networks The impact of decarbonising heat supplies on gas networks Opportunities and challenges of utilising gas networks to transport alternative low-carbon gases such as bio-methane and hydrogen

Modern societies require energy systems to provide energy for cooking, heating, transport, and materials processing, as well as for electricity generation. Energy systems include the primary fuel, its conversion, and transport to the point of use. In many cases this primary fuel is still a fossil fuel, a one-use resource derived from a finite supply within our planet, causing considerable damage to the environment. After 300 years of increasing reliance on fossil fuels, particularly coal, it is becoming ever clearer that the present energy systems need to change. In this Very Short Introduction Nick Jenkins explores our historic investment in the exploitation of fossil energy resources and their current importance, and discusses the implications of our increasing rate of energy use. He considers the widespread acceptance by scientists and policy makers that our energy systems must reduce emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse gases, and looks forward to the radical changes in fuel technology that will be necessary to continue to provide energy supplies in a sustainable manner, and extend access across the developing world. Considering the impact of changing to an environmentally benign and low-carbon energy system, Jenkins also looks at future low-carbon energy systems which would use electricity from a variety of renewable energy sources, as well as the role of nuclear power in our energy use. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

"Speaker" is an unlovable thirty-something academic who spends his time writing articles for the Internet encyclopaedia "Wikipedia." While attempting mediation over a controversial article, Speaker is drawn into the conflict over an article about the Venezuelan president, Hugo Chavez. When one of the contributors, the beautiful 18 year old Aletheia, is found dead in her flat, Speaker is accused of murder. In the attempt to clear his name he uncovers a conspiracy between an FBI agent, a Columbian lawyer and elements of the Venezuelan government. He confronts the man he suspects to be the killer, his girlfriend is kidnapped, his closest friend is murdered and he faces a choice between abandoning his pursuit of truth or pushing through to the end at the peril of his own life.

Hari Singh, the pilot of the "Argonaut," a Daedalus class STL probe awakes to find the ship is lost in space. He and his crew abandon ship and land on an alien planet where they must fight for survival. They manage to attract the attention of an advanced starship and are rescued by the 'near-human' crew of the "Uhorr." But their benefactors are not all they seem. In return for the salvage of the "Argonaut," the captain of the "Uhorr" agrees to transport the characters to a civilised world. As Hari and the others strip the stricken "Argonaut," the "Uhorr's" crew turn on them and murder eveyone but Hari and Tatiana, the ship's medic. In the fight, Hari and Tatiana manage to seize control of the "Uhorr" and kill the crew. Now they are lost in a strange universe, with a faster than light spaceship at their disposal....

The rapid growth of wind generation has many implications for power system planning, operation and control. Network development, voltage rise, protection, monitoring and control are connection problems common to all wind power generation. Wind Power Integration: Connection and System Operational Aspects, 2nd edition has been fully revised and updated to take account of the significant growth in wind power deployment in the past few years to provide a wide-ranging discussion on all major aspects of wind power integration into electricity supply systems. Topics covered include: the development of wind power technology and its world-wide deployment a primer in electric power engineering for non-electrical engineers - which system delivers significant wind energy to consumers at least cost? wind power technology and the interaction of various wind turbine generator types with the utility network utility networks, and how they may be developed to accept significant wind power how operational practice can be modified to take account of a variable power source with limited scope for control wind power forecasting the challenges faced by wind energy in modern electricity markets This second edition has been fully revised and updated to take account of the significant growth in wind power deployment in the past few years. New discussions have been added to describe developments in wind turbine generator technology and control, the network integration of wind power, innovative ways to integrate wind power when its generation potential exceeds 50% of demand, case studies on how forecasting errors have affected system operation, and an update on how the wind energy sector has fared in the marketplace. Wind Power Integration: Connection and System Operational Aspects, 2nd edition will appeal to engineers from various disciplines looking for an overview of a technology that is providing a major impetus for sustainable electricity supply in the twenty-first century.

Volume 2 of the Displacement series - Hari and Tatiana recover on Earth but their convalescence is short-lived as they are sucked into a conspiracy to overthrow the Eradign. Civil war erupts across the stars and Hari and Tatiana are caught in the middle, in the conflict that tears the Unity apart.

Yossarian, Archon of the fabled city-state of Sardis, loses his love in death. Driven mad with grief he vows to descend to Hades and return her to the land of the living. Reluctantly accompanied by Sancho, his servant and companion, Yossarian seeks the aid of an Oracle and is joined on the journey by two young companions. Meanwhile Yossarian's brother, Marcos, plots to overthrow him and seize the throne of Sardis for himself. As Yossarian ventures through the desert, searching for the oasis of the Virgin's Tears and the entrance to Hades, Marcos assassins catch up with him and Yossarian faces battles in both the world of the living and the world of the dead.

Throughout the world there is concern over the impact of energy use on the environment (particularly CO2 emissions) and also over the security of fossil fuel supplies. Consequently, governments and energy planners are actively encouraging alternative and cleaner forms of energy production such as renewables (e.g. wind, solar, biomass) and combined heat and power (CHP). The economics and locations of sustainable energy sources have meant that many of these new generators are connected into distribution networks. It is recognized that the information flow and control of distribution networks is inadequate for these future low-carbon electricity supply systems. The future distribution network will change its operation from passive to active, and the distributed generators will be controlled to support the operation of the power system. In many countries this transformation of electricity supply is managed through energy markets and privately owned, regulated transmission and distribution systems. This book discusses the connection of generation to distribution networks and then moves on to consider how sustainable generation can be fully integrated into the operation of the power system. Both technical and economic aspects are addressed. It is written for later-year undergraduate and postgraduate students studying courses on energy. The book has four tutorial chapters (with examples and questions) to provide fundamental material for those without a strong electrical engineering background.

The rapid growth of wind generation has many implications for power system planning, operation and control. This would have been a considerable challenge for the old nationalised power companies; it has become an even greater challenge in today's liberalised electricity markets. Network development, voltage rise, protection, monitoring and control are connection problems common to all wind power generation. These issues are addressed through an understanding of the basic electrical engineering concepts and wind power technology. When wind power approaches 10 percent of all generation, it impinges on system operation. The underlying principles of system balancing are presented, before considering the impact of many variable generation sources whose outputs are difficult to predict. Wind power forecasting is crucial to successful wind power integration, and basic theory and current practice are considered. Storage can also help but it needs to be low cost and, ideally, based on intelligent use of existing load. Finally, electricity markets are explained and the commercial challenges facing wind power are assessed. The book provides a wide-ranging discussion on all major aspects of wind power integration into electricity supply systems. It requires no specialist knowledge and will appeal to engineers from various disciplines looking for an overview of a technology that is providing a major impetus for sustainable electricity supply in the twenty-first century.

Is there only one possible outcome for the evolution of mankind? When two cultures light years apart follow different evolutionary paths, that question could be answered. And many more could be raised. In the twenty-second century, Earth was dying. World population was more than twenty billion, the global environment was in ruins, and living conditions were intolerable everywhere on the planet. Many people thought the only hope for mankind lay in colonizing space. And so giant ships were built to carry brave volunteers who would settle the planets of nearby stars. Many years later, the colonists returned. The Earth they found was a far different place than the Earth of their distant ancestors. And they were not welcome.

The use of combined heat and power (CHP) plants and renewable energy sources reduces the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere and helps to alleviate the consequent climate change. The policies of many governments suggest that the proportion of electrical energy produced by these sources will increase dramatically over the next two decades. Unlike traditional generating units, these new types of power plant are usually 'embedded' in the distribution system or 'dispersed' around the network. As a result, conventional design and operating practices are no longer applicable; for example, power protection principles have to be revised and complex economic questions need to be resolved. This book, intended for both students and practising engineers, addresses all the issues pertinent to the implementation of embedded generation. Much of the material was originally developed for the UMIST MSc/CPD course in Electrical Power Engineering so there is a strong tutorial element. However, since this subject is evolving very rapidly, the authors also discuss the technical and commercial consequences of the very high penetration of embedded generation that are to be expected in the years ahead.