A novel both timely and prophetic, Ernest Callenbach’s Ecotopia is a hopeful antidote to the environmental concerns of today, set in an ecologically sound future society. Hailed by the Los Angeles Times as the “newest name after Wells, Verne, Huxley, and Orwell,” Callenbach offers a visionary blueprint for the survival of our planet . . . and our future. Ecotopia was founded when northern California, Oregon, and Washington seceded from the Union to create a “stable-state” ecosystem: the perfect balance between human beings and the environment. Now, twenty years later, this isolated, mysterious nation is welcoming its first officially sanctioned American visitor: New York Times-Post reporter Will Weston. Skeptical yet curious about this green new world, Weston is determined to report his findings objectively. But from the start, he’s alternately impressed and unsettled by the laws governing Ecotopia’s earth-friendly agenda: energy-efficient “mini-cities” to eliminate urban sprawl, zero-tolerance pollution control, tree worship, ritual war games, and a woman-dominated government that has instituted such peaceful revolutions as the twenty-hour workweek and employee ownership of farms and businesses. His old beliefs challenged, his cynicism replaced by hope, Weston meets a sexually forthright Ecotopian woman and undertakes a relationship whose intensity will lead him to a critical choice between two worlds.

The fledgling Federation, struggling to define its role, gets an opportunity to build its reputation as an interstellar power when a group of unaligned worlds turns to Starfleet for protection against a new threat.

This open access book presents papers displayed in the 2nd International Conference on Energy and Sustainable Futures (ICESF 2020), co-organised by the University of Hertfordshire and the University Alliance DTA in Energy. The research included in this book covers a wide range of topics in the areas of energy and sustainability including: • ICT and control of energy;• conventional energy sources;• energy governance;• materials in energy research;• renewable energy; and• energy storage. The book offers a holistic view of topics related to energy and sustainability, making it of interest to experts in the field, from industry and academia.

This topical and timely book presents and innovative approach to dealing with the complexities of cost planning in PFI. PFI/PPP projects have a significantly different costing environment from conventionally procured projects, requiring cost analysts to use their expertise and innovative thinking to develop whole-life cost solutions that deliver value for money to the client, thus improving public building assets performance. Abdelhalim Boussabaine provides a thorough grounding in the theory of PFI, from its early evolution through to examples of current projects. In particular, the rationale for private financing of public services, arguments for and against PFI and 'value for money' mechanisms are discussed. The book presents an innovative framework for whole-life value and calls for changes in the way whole life cycle value is perceived, created and exchanged. Cost Planning of PFI and PPP Building Projects provides the reader with existing knowledge as well as present innovative thinking for future development and management of PFI/PPP cost planning processes. Given the importance and novelty of this book, academics, professionals, undergraduate and postgraduate students will find this book valuable.

This book contains selected papers presented during the bi-annual World Renewable Energy Network’s Med Green Forum aimed at the international community as well as Mediterranean countries. This forum highlights the importance of growing renewable energy applications in two main sectors: Electricity Generation and the Sustainable Building Sector. In-depth chapters highlight the most current research and technological breakthroughs, covering a broad range of renewable energy technologies and applications in all sectors – for electricity production, heating and cooling, agricultural applications, water desalination, industrial applications and for the transport sectors.