Alternative Energy Resources

by Vaughn Nelson (Author), Kenneth Starcher (Author)
This book explores the wind industry from its inception in the 1970s to today; presents the design, aerodynamics, operation, control, applications, and different types of wind turbines; and provides ample reasons to shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy

This book highlights current efforts and research in Malaysia on conversion of bio-resources to renewable energy of biofuel as an alternative way of producing energy from fossil-based fuels. The book starts with the renewable energy developments and policies in Malaysia and discusses the main renewable resources available. It addresses the use of more environmentally friendly technologies which can lead to the reduction of pollution and thus sustaining the ecology for treatment of bio-resources. The book also presents new initiatives in bioenergy production with theories, applications, and challenges of biological processes of biofuel production such as bioethanol, biobutanol, biogas, microbial fuel cell (MFC), and biodiesel. It discusses the potential of renewable energy resources to meet the energy needs without damaging/affecting the environment.

This book dedicates to publish exceptionally important and high-quality, agenda-setting research so as to tackle the key global and societal challenges of ensuring the provision of energy and protecting our environment for the future. The book appeals to chemical scientists, chemical and process engineers, energy researchers, bio-scientists, and environmental scientists from across academia, industry, and government. The scope is intentionally broad, and the book recognizes the complexity of issues and challenges relating to energy conversion and storage, alternative fuel technologies, and environmental science. The main topics of this book include but not limit to (1) alternative energy and the environment, (2) assessments of the condition of ecosystems and environmental quality, (3) behavior of and impacts of pollutants in atmosphere, soil, and water, (4) management of ecosystems, environment, and water resources, (5) modeling and regional environmental assessments (includes global change), (6) treatment/restoration of ecosystems, environment, and water resources, and (7) sustainable/renewable energy. All scales of studies and analysis, from impactful fundamental advances to interdisciplinary research across the (bio)chemical, (bio/geo) physical sciences, and chemical engineering disciplines are welcomed. So, this book is linked to the energy-environment nexus and is of significant general interest to our community-spanning readership.

A global energy war is underway. It is man versus nature, fossil fuel versus clean energy, the haves versus the have-nots, and, fundamentally, an extractive economy versus a regenerative economy. The near-unanimous consensus among climate scientists is that the massive burning of gas, oil, and coal is having a cataclysmic impact on our atmosphere and climate, and depleting earth’s natural resources, including its land, food, fresh water and biodiversity.

The depletion of fossil fuel reserves and concerns for environmental degradation due to the fossil fuel burning have led the scientific community to look for alternative renewable energy sources. Among the available renewable energy sources, bioenergy derived from biomass and waste resources have great potential to not only prevent environmental pollution but also be a carbon neutral energy source. In addition, adaptation of this technology could streamline new green products, alternative energy sources into real-world applications and promote a circular economy towards zero-waste approach.