This book provides a comprehensive guide on how geographic information systems (GIS) can be used to optimize solar energy resources. A collection of the latest cutting-edge research is presented which seeks to address the most pressing issues faced by policymakers regarding the planning and exploitation of solar energy. Scientifically robust models are developed to guide researchers on identifying optimum sites for the implementation of solar energy projects. Each methodology presented is accompanied by global case studies, ranging from the small islands of Hawaii and Mauritius to larger countries such as India and Spain. This book is primarily targeted to researchers aspiring to unveil and optimize the solar resource potential of their countries for the benefit of a wider audience, ranging from architects, agro-industrialists, climatologists, and energy experts.

This volume is a comprehensive guide to the use of geographic information systems (GIS) for the spatial analysis of supply and demand for energy in the global and local scale. It gathers the latest research and techniques in GIS for spatial and temporal analysis of energy systems, mapping of energy from fossil fuels, optimization of renewable energy sources, optimized deployment of existing power sources, and assessment of environmental impact of all of the above. Author Lubos Matejicek covers GIS for assessment a wide variety of energy sources, including fossil fuels, hydropower, wind power, solar energy, biomass energy, and nuclear power as well as the use of batteries and accumulators. The author also utilizes case studies to illustrate advanced techniques such as multicriteria analysis, environmental modeling for prediction of energy consumption, and the use of mobile computing and multimedia tools.

Drawing on the authors' extensive research and project implementation around the globe, Solar Energy: Renewable Energy and the Environment covers solar energy resources, thermal and photovoltaic systems, and the economics involved in using solar energy. It provides background theory on solar energy as well as useful technical information for implem

Design and Performance Optimization of Renewable Energy Systems provides an integrated discussion of issues relating to renewable energy performance design and optimization using advanced thermodynamic analysis with modern methods to configure major renewable energy plant configurations (solar, geothermal, wind, hydro, PV). Vectors of performance enhancement reviewed include thermodynamics, heat transfer, exergoeconomics and neural network techniques. Source technologies studied range across geothermal power plants, hydroelectric power, solar power towers, linear concentrating PV, parabolic trough solar collectors, grid-tied hybrid solar PV/Fuel cell for freshwater production, and wind energy systems. Finally, nanofluids in renewable energy systems are reviewed and discussed from the heat transfer enhancement perspective. - Reviews the fundamentals of thermodynamics and heat transfer concepts to help engineers overcome design challenges for performance maximization - Explores advanced design and operating principles for solar, geothermal and wind energy systems with diagrams and examples - Combines detailed mathematical modeling with relevant computational analyses, focusing on novel techniques such as artificial neural network analyses - Demonstrates how to maximize overall system performance by achieving synergies in equipment and component efficiency

This book focuses on spatial planning – an important determinant of energy saving and renewable energy supply. Revealing the key driving forces for spatial development supporting the shift towards energy efficiency and renewable energy supplies, it shows the importance of integrated spatial and energy planning approaches for a timely and sustainable change of energy systems, thus supporting policies of climate protection. As operating within the context of renewable energy sources is becoming a major policy issue at the international, European and national level, spatial dimensions of renewable energy systems as well as challenges, barriers and opportunities in different spatial contexts become more important. This book analyses not only the fundamental system interrelations between resources, technologies and consumption patterns with respect to energy, but also the links to the spatial context, and provides guidelines for researchers as well as practitioners in this new, emerging field. It presents innovative analytical tools to solve real-world problems and discusses the most important fields of action in integrated spatial and energy planning including planning contents, planning visions and principles as well as planning process design and planning methodology.

This book presents a detailed description, analysis, comparison of the latest research and developments in photovoltaic energy. Discussing everything from semiconductors to system integration, and applying various advanced technologies to stand alone and electric utility interfaced in normal and abnormal operating conditions of PV systems, this book provides a thorough introduction to the topic. This book brings together research from around the world, covering the use of technologies such as embedded systems, the Internet of things and blockchain technologies for PV systems for different applications including controllers, solar trackers and cooling systems. The book is of interest to electronic and mechanical engineers, researchers and students in the field of photovoltaics.

The tropical zones are dominated by developing countries, which mainly face problematic environmental issues. Different than four-season countries, tropical countries have a continuous summer-like season and therefore they are rich in clean energy sources like solar and biomass. Hence, the mitigations of environment and energy issues in the tropics would require specific understanding and different approach to solutions. This book offers an assortment of studies on scenarios of environment as well as energy demand and power generation technologies in the tropics. Many of the countries within the tropics are highly populated, and this results in various problems related to the environment and energy. The demand for energy in these countries keeps increasing but concurrently there are also environmental issues that require serious attention. As the global concern on the environment is alarming today, the choice of power generation should be of the cleanest possible resource. This various reports on research activities carried out in the tropics on the aspect of environment and energy presented in this book are highly beneficial for those who like to see an improvement in the tropics with regard to environment and energy systems.