Energy systems are transiting from conventional energy systems to modernized and smart energy systems. This Special Issue covers new advances in the emerging technologies for modern energy systems from both technical and management perspectives. In modern energy systems, an integrated and systematic view of different energy systems, from local energy systems and islands to national and multi-national energy hubs, is important. From the customer perspective, a modern energy system is required to have more intelligent appliances and smart customer services. In addition, customers require the provision of more useful information and control options. Another challenge for the energy systems of the future is the increased penetration of renewable energy sources. Hence, new operation and planning tools are required for hosting renewable energy sources as much as possible.

Disruptive digital technologies are poised to reshape world energy markets. A new wave of industrial innovation, driven by the convergence of automation, artificial intelligence, and big data analytics, is remaking energy and transportation systems in ways that could someday end the age of oil. What are the consequences—not only for the environment and for daily life but also for geopolitics and the international order? Amy Myers Jaffe provides an expert look at the promises and challenges of the future of energy, highlighting what the United States needs to do to maintain its global influence in a post-oil era. She surveys new advances coming to market in on-demand travel services, automation, logistics, energy storage, artificial intelligence, and 3-D printing and explores how this rapid pace of innovation is altering international security dynamics in fundamental ways. As the United States vacillates politically about its energy trajectory, China is proactively striving to become the global frontrunner in a full-scale global energy transformation. In order to maintain its leadership role, Jaffe argues, the United States must embrace the digital revolution and foster American achievement. Bringing together analyses of technological innovation, energy policy, and geopolitics, Energy’s Digital Future gives indispensable insight into the path the United States will need to pursue to ensure its lasting economic competitiveness and national security in a new energy age.

"This book contains a selection of papers presented at The Energy & Materials Research Conference (EMR2012), which was held in Torremolinos, Málaga (Spain), during June 20th-22nd 2012."--p. ix.

The first detailed study of this most important class of systems which contain internal predictive models of themselves and/or of their environments and whose predictions are utilized for purposes of present control. This book develops the basic concept of a predictive model, and shows how it can be embedded into a system of feedforward control. Includes many examples and stresses analogies between wired-in anticipatory control and processes of learning and adaption, at both individual and social levels. Shows how the basic theory of such systems throws a new light both on analytic problems (understanding what is going on in an organism or a social system) and synthetic ones (developing forecasting methods for making individual or collective decisions).

Emerging Technologies and Biological Systems for Biogas Upgrading systematically summarizes the fundamental principles and the state-of-the-art of biogas cleaning and upgrading technologies, with special emphasis on biological processes for carbon dioxide (CO2), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), siloxane, and hydrocarbon removal. After analyzing the global scenario of biogas production, upgrading and utilization, this book discusses the integration of methanation processes to power-to-gas systems for methane (CH4) production and physiochemical upgrading technologies, such as chemical absorption, water scrubbing, pressure swing adsorption and the use of membranes. It then explores more recent and sustainable upgrading technologies, such as photosynthetic processes using algae, hydrogen-mediated microbial techniques, electrochemical, bioelectrochemical, and cryogenic approaches. H2S removal with biofilters is also covered, as well as removal of siloxanes through polymerization, peroxidation, biological degradation and gas-liquid absorption. The authors also thoroughly consider issues of mass transfer limitation in biomethanation from waste gas, biogas upgrading and life cycle assessment of upgrading technologies, techno-economic aspects, challenges for upscaling, and future trends.Providing specific information on biogas upgrading technology, and focusing on the most recent developments, Emerging Technologies and Biological Systems for Biogas Upgrading is a unique resource for researchers, engineers, and graduate students in the field of biogas production and utilization, including waste-to-energy and power-to-gas. It is also useful for entrepreneurs, consultants, and decision-makers in governmental agencies in the fields of sustainable energy, environmental protection, greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, and strategic planning. - Explores all major technologies for biogas upgrading through physiochemical, biological, and electrochemical processes - Discusses CO2, H2S, and siloxane removal techniques - Provides a systematical approach to discuss technologies, including challenges to gas–liquid mass transfer, life cycle assessment, technoeconomic implications, upscaling and systems integration

Renewable energy is crucial to preserve the environment. This energy involves various systems that must be optimized and assessed to provide better performance; however, the design and development of renewable energy systems remains a challenge. It is crucial to implement the latest innovative research in the field in order to develop and improve renewable energy systems. Applications of Nature-Inspired Computing in Renewable Energy Systems discusses the latest research on nature-inspired computing approaches applied to the design and development of renewable energy systems and provides new solutions to the renewable energy domain. Covering topics such as microgrids, wind power, and artificial neural networks, it is ideal for engineers, industry professionals, researchers, academicians, practitioners, teachers, and students.

The Material Basis of Energy Transitions explores the intersection between critical raw material provision and the energy system. Chapters draw on examples and case studies involving energy technologies (e.g., electric power, transport) and raw material provision (e.g., mining, recycling), and consider these in their regional and global contexts. The book critically discusses issues such as the notion of criticality in the context of a circular economy, approaches for estimating the need for raw materials, certification schemes for raw materials, the role of consumers, and the impact of renewable energy development on resource conflicts. Each chapter deals with a specific issue that characterizes the interdependency between critical raw materials and renewable energies by examining case studies from a particular conceptual perspective. The book is a resource for students and researchers from the social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering, as well as interdisciplinary scholars interested in the field of renewable energies, the circular economy, recycling, transport, and mining. The book is also of interest to policymakers in the fields of renewable energy, recycling, and mining, professionals from the energy and resource industries, as well as energy experts and consultants looking for an interdisciplinary assessment of critical materials. - Provides a comprehensive overview of key issues related to the nexus between renewable energy and critical raw materials - Explores interdisciplinary perspectives from the natural sciences, engineering, and social sciences - Discusses critical strategies to address the nexus from a practitioner's perspective