Sustainable Energy-Water-Environment Nexus in Deserts


Book Description

This book addresses challenges and opportunities in the Energy-Water-Environment (EWE) nexus, with a particular focus on research and technology development requirements in harsh desert climates. Its chapters include selected contributions presented during the 1st international conference on sustainable Energy-Water-Environment nexus in desert climates (ICSEWEN-19) held at the Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI) in Doha, Qatar in December 2019. This volume is comprised of three main chapters, each describing important case studies and progress on water, energy and environmental questions. A fourth chapter on policies and community outreach on these three areas is also included. This compilation aims to bridge the gap between research and industry to address the socioeconomic impacts of the nexus imbalance as perceived by scientists, industrial partners, and policymakers. The content of this book is of particular importance to graduate students, researchers and decision makers interested in understanding water, energy and environmental challenges in arid areas. Re searchers in environmental and civil engineering, chemistry, hydrology and environmental science can also find unique in-situ observations of the current nexus imbalance in deserts climate to validate their investigations. It is also an invaluable guide for industry professionals working in water, energy, environment and food sectors to understand the rapidly evolving landscape of the EWE nexus in arid areas. The analyses, observations and lessons-learned summarized herein are applicable to other arid areas outside North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula as well, such as central Australia, the southwest of the United States and deserts in central Asia.







Thermal Energy Systems


Book Description

The text provides in-depth knowledge about recent advances in solar collector systems, photovoltaic systems, the role of thermal energy systems in buildings, phase change materials, geothermal energy, biofuels, and thermal management systems for EVs in social and industrial applications. It further aims toward the inclusion of innovation and implementation of strategies for CO2 emission reduction through the reduction of energy consumption using conventional sources. This book: Presents the latest advances in the field of thermal energy storage, solar energy development, geothermal energy, and hybrid energy applications for green development. Highlights the importance of innovation and implementation of strategies for CO2 emission reduction through the reduction of energy consumption using sustainable technologies and methods. Discusses design development, life cycle assessment, modelling and simulation of thermal energy systems in detail. Synergize exploration related to the various properties and functionalities through extensive theoretical and numerical modelling present in the energy sector. Explores opportunities, challenges, future perspectives and approaches toward gaining sustainability through renewable energy resources. The text discusses the fundamentals of thermal energy and its applications in a comprehensive manner. It further covers advancements in solar thermal and photovoltaic systems. The text highlights the contribution of geothermal energy conversion systems to sustainable development. It showcases the design and optimization of ground source heat pumps for space conditioning and presents modelling and simulation of the thermal energy systems for design optimization. It will serve as an ideal reference text for senior undergraduate, graduate students and academic researchers in the fields of mechanical engineering, environmental engineering and energy engineering.




Value-added Products from Algae


Book Description

This book provides a comprehensive overview of value-added products from algae, presenting the fundamentals of algal cultivation, metabolism, harvest, and cellular pathways of phycochemicals biosynthesis. It offers sufficient details for both experts and non-experts to grasp the recent progress in this field. The book also discusses new phycochemicals and advancements in technology development, from separation to scale-up commercialization. Divided into 18 chapters, the book begins with an introduction to the value of algae as a renewable resource, followed by an authoritative overview of topics such as algae cultivation systems, harvesting techniques, phycochemical analysis, artificial intelligence in phytochemical recognition, and bioprocess engineering. Additional chapters cover various aspects of algal biotechnology, including biorefinery technology, biofuel-integrated routes, and the use of wastewater for algal growth. The book also explores high throughput screening methods for microalgae-based phycochemicals and examines the catalytic processes involved in algal bioprocessing. Cutting-edge topics such as omics approaches for algal applications, algal-based biopolymers, diatom nanostructured biosilica, and the potential of seaweeds in methane emission mitigation, are also explored. In this book, readers will discover the recent technological applications of algae in aquaculture and will find a case study on the functional food potential of Spirulina. Recognizing the importance of legislation and biosecurity in the field, the last chapter of the book addresses the regulatory frameworks and biosecurity measures necessary for the safe and sustainable development of algal biotechnology. Given its breadth, the book is a valuable resource for scholars, researchers and professionals interested in algal biotechnology, sustainability, biomass conversion, and new algal products from any perspective.




The Renewable Energy-Water-Environment Nexus


Book Description

The Renewable Energy-Water-Environment Nexus: Fundamentals, Technology, and Policy explores the connections between renewable energy, water, and the environment, along with their integration in the context of awareness, technologies, challenges, opportunities, and solutions. The book introduces different renewable energy technologies, including the importance of their development, use for a sustainable future, and their interrelationships. In-depth chapters then examine specific sub-relationships, focusing on renewable energy and water, renewable energy and the environment, and water and the environment. Available methods and tools for analyzing the renewable energy-water-environment nexus, including life cycle assessment of renewable energy systems are also covered. The last section of the book highlights key technologies and opportunities in the nexus, considering areas such as innovative cooling systems for thermoelectric plants to reduce or eliminate the use of water for cooling, reduction of water use in biofuels production, sea waves for desalination, grid management, energy storage systems, and hydrogen technologies, examining the integration of renewable energy, water, and environment-related policies, and discussing the application of artificial intelligence and nanotechnology techniques. - Introduces key technologies for efficient management and the integration of renewables, water resources, and the environment - Provides methods and tools for analyzing the nexus, and for evaluating sustainability of renewable energy systems - Considers the applications of artificial intelligence and nanotechnology, as well as policy




The Food-Energy-Water Nexus


Book Description

This will be the first textbook on the integration of food, energy and water systems (FEWS). In recent years, the world has seen a dramatic rise in interdisciplinary energy and environmental courses and degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels. In the US for instance, the number and variety of such programs has increased significantly over the past decade, Simultaneously, national and international initiatives that integrate food, energy and water systems have been launched. This textbook provides a substantive introduction to the food-energy-water nexus suitable for use in higher level undergraduate and graduate level courses and for scholars moving into the field of nexus studies without a strong background in all three areas and the many aspects of nexus studies.




Implementing the Water-Energy-Food- Ecosystems Nexus and Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals


Book Description

The book’s primary intention is to serve as a roadmap for professionals working in developing countries interested in the Nexus Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) approach. The book shows a multi-disciplinary approach, showcasing the importance of the proper use of Nexus WEFE when implementing certain development programs in regions around the globe. It can be presented as a manual for an individual that either wishes to implement intervention projects following the NEXUS approach or students interested in cooperation and development. The book begins with a general explanation of the theoretical concepts and implementation processes of Nexus WEFE and continues getting into case studies, explaining the importance of proper implementation and potential drawbacks and solutions to them. This book has a particular focus on the European Union cooperation policies when implementing such an approach in developing countries.




Food-Energy-Water Nexus Resilience and Sustainable Development


Book Description

This book presents readers with an integrated modeling approach for analyzing and understanding the interconnection of water, energy, and food resources and discusses the relationship between resilience and sustainability of the food- energy –water (FEW) system. Authors provide novel frameworks, models, and algorithms designed to balance the theoretical and applicative aspects of each chapter. The book covers an integrated modeling approach for FEW systems along with developed methods, codes, and planning tools for designing interdependent energy, water and food systems. In-depth chapters discuss the impact of renewable energy resources in FEW systems, sustainable design and operation, net zero energy buildings, and challenges and opportunities of the FEW nexus in the sustainable development of different countries. This book is useful for graduate students, researchers, and engineers seeking to understand how sustainable FEW systems contribute to the resilience of these systems and help policy and design makers allocate and prioritize resources in an integrated manner across the food, energy, and water sectors.




Sustainable Land Management in Greater Central Asia


Book Description

Greater Central Asia encompasses a vast area that includes deserts, natural grasslands, steppes, shrublands and alpine regions. Many of these land types are degraded and productivity is falling at a time when human populations and livestock inventories are on the rise. Ecosystem stability and biodiversity are under threat and there is an urgent need to develop more sustainable land management regimes. This book uses an integrated regional approach to provide a comprehensive exploration of sustainable land development in Central Asia. An interdisciplinary team of experts analyses the economic, ecological, sociological, technological and political factors surrounding sustainable land and water management in the region, sharing potential problems and solutions. As international concern about desertification grows, the book concludes by asking how the region is likely to develop in the future. This book will be of value to scholars, students, policy makers and NGOs with an interest in sustainable development in Central Asia.




Demand in the Desert


Book Description

Mongolia's mining-based economic development and the sustainability of its urban economies depend on both water and energy. The examination of the water energy nexus in two river basins in Mongolia shows that water availability is the binding constraint as energy facilities, mining operations, agriculture, and urban water users compete for scarce water resources. Development of new technologies for efficient water and energy use, introduction of renewable energy options, and water demand management through economic instruments are recommended. However, achieving greater water security requires integration of water resource considerations into energy and mining development decision making, while strengthening the capacity of newly formed river basin organizations.