A heat pump system can produce an amount of heat energy that is greater than the amount of energy used to run the heat pump system. Thus, a heat pump system is considered to be a machine system that can use energies efficiently, as is the load leveling air-conditioning system utilizing unutilized energies at high levels. Adaptations of gas turbines for industrial, utility, and marine-propulsion applications have long been accepted as means for generating power with high efficiency and ease of maintenance. Cogeneration with gas turbine is frequently defined as the sequential production of useful thermal energy and shaft power from a single energy source. For applications that generate electricity, the power can either be used internally or supplied to the utility grid. This Special Issue intends to provide an overviews of the existing knowledge related with various aspects of “Small-Scale Energy Systems with Gas Turbines and Heat Pumps”, and contributions on, but not limited to the following subjects were encouraged: wake of stator vane to improve sealing effectiveness; gas turbine cycle with external combustion chamber for prosumer and distributed energy systems; computational simulation of gas turbine engine operating with different blends of biodiesel; experimental methodology and facility for the engine performance and emissions evaluation using jet and biodiesel blends; experimental analysis of an air heat pump for heating service; hybrid fuel cell-Brayton cycle for combined heat and power; design analysis of micro gas turbines in closed cycles. Seven papers were published in the Special Issue out of a total of 12 submitted.

Low-Temperature Energy Systems with Applications of Renewable Energy investigates a wide variety of low-temperature energy applications in residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial areas. It addresses the basic principles that form the groundwork for more efficient energy conversion processes and includes detailed practical methods for carrying out these critical processes. This work considers new directions in the engineering use of technical thermodynamics and energy, including more in-depth studies of the use of renewable sources, and includes worked numerical examples, review questions, and practice problems to allow readers to test their own comprehension of the material. With detailed explanations, methods, models, and algorithms, Low-Temperature Energy Systems with Applications of Renewable Energy is a valuable reference for engineers and scientists in the field of renewable energy, as well as energy researchers and academics. - Features end-of chapter review sections with questions and exercises for practical study and utilization. - Presents methods for a great variety of energy applications to improve their energy operations. - Applies real-world data to demonstrate the impact of low-temperature energy systems on renewable energy use today.

Distribution and a network of the small-scale energy systems are investigated as new energy supply methods. If two or more types of small energy equipment are connected to an energy network, it is thought that effective use of exhaust heat, simplification of the transmission network, installation of a backup at the time of a hazard, etc., are possible. However, since the system becomes complicated, optimisation of the arrangement plan of the equipment and the operation plan become difficult. Especially when unstable green energy is intermingled, a precise operation plan is required. The author proposes a new analysis method by installing genetic algorithms into the analysis of the equipment arrangement and the operation plan. Various energy networks including fuel cell, solar power modules, wind turbine generators, diesel engines, geo-thermal heat pumps, etc. are investigated using this new algorithm. The book will be important for those involved in mechanical engineering, power engineering, energy engineering, environmental engineering, etc. who are provided with optimisation of small-scale energy systems.

This publication, Our Fragile World: Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Development presents perspectives of several important subjects that are covered in greater detail and depth in the Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS). The contributions to the two volumes provide an integrated presentation of knowledge and worldviews related to the state of: Earth's natural resources, social resources, institutional resources, and economic and financial resources. They present the vision and thinking of over 200 authors in support of efforts to solve the complex problems connected with sustainable development, and to secure perennial life support on "The Blue Planet'. These contributions are holistic, informative, forward looking, and will be of interest to a broad readership. This volume presents contributions with focus on the Economic and Institutional Dimensions of Sustainable Development in two sections: KNOWLEDGE, TECHNOLOGY, AND MANAGEMENT (Knowledge; Technology and Management ; Economics; Finance and trade). – POLICY AND INSITUTIONAL IMPLICATIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (Policy Issues; Institutional implications; Regional Analysis).