Rising pollution, climate change and the depletion of fossil fuels are leading many countries to focus on renewable-based energy conversion systems. In particular, recently introduced energy policies are giving high priority to increasing the use of renewable energy sources, the improvement of energy systems’ security, the minimization of greenhouse gas effect, and social and economic cohesion. Renewable energies’ availability varies during the day and the seasons and so their use must be accurately predicted in conjunction with the management strategies based on load shifting and energy storage. Thus, in order to reduce the criticalities of this uncertainty, the exploitation of more flexible and stable renewable energies, such as the geothermal one, is necessary. Geothermal energy is an abundant renewable source with significant potential in direct use applications, such as in district heating systems, in indirect use ones to produce electricity, and in cogeneration and polygeneration systems for the combined production of power, heating, and cooling energy. This Special Issue includes geothermal energy utilization and the technologies used for its exploitation considering both the direct and indirect use applications.

Geothermal Power Generation, New Developments and Innovations, Second Edition provides an update to the advanced energy technologies that are urgently required to meet the challenges of economic development, climate change mitigation, and energy security. Edited by respected and leading experts in the field, this book provides a comprehensive overview of the major aspects of geothermal power production. Chapters cover resource discovery, resource characterization, energy conversion systems, design, economic considerations, and a range of fascinating and updated case studies from across the world.Geothermal resources are considered renewable and are currently the only renewable source able to generate baseload electricity while producing very low levels of greenhouse gas emissions, thus playing a key role in future energy needs. - Provides readers with a comprehensive and systematic overview of geothermal power generation - Presents an update to advanced energy technologies that are urgently required to meet the challenges of economic development, climate change mitigation, and energy security - Edited by authorities in the field and contributed to by global experts in their areas - Supports sustainability and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) 7, 9, 11 and 13

IRENA’s latest global cost study shows solar and wind power reaching new price lows. The report highlights cost trends for all major renewable electricity sources.

The support for polygeneration lies in the possibility of integrating different technologies into a single energy system, to maximize the utilization of both fossil and renewable fuels. A system that delivers multiple forms of energy to users, maximizing the overall efficiency makes polygeneration an emerging and viable option for energy consuming industries. Polygeneration Systems: Design, Processes and Technologies provides simple and advanced calculation techniques to evaluate energy, environmental and economic performance of polygeneration systems under analysis. With specific design guidelines for each type of polygeneration system and experimental performance data, referred both to single components and overall systems, this title covers all aspects of polygeneration from design to operation, optimization and practical implementation. Giving different aspects of both fossil and non-fossil fuel based polygeneration and the wider area of polygeneration processes, this book helps readers learn general principles to specific system design and development through analysis of case studies, examples, simulation characteristics and thermodynamic and economic data. - Detailed economic data for technology to assist developing feasibility studies regarding the possible application of polygeneration technologies - Offers a comprehensive list of all current numerical and experimental results of polygeneration available - Includes simulation models, cost figures, demonstration projects and test standards for designers and researchers to validate their own models and/or to test the reliability of their results

Ron DiPippo, Professor Emeritus at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, is a world-regarded geothermal expert. This single resource covers all aspects of the utilization of geothermal energy for power generation from fundamental scientific and engineering principles. The thermodynamic basis for the design of geothermal power plants is at the heart of the book and readers are clearly guided on the process of designing and analysing the key types of geothermal energy conversion systems. Its practical emphasis is enhanced by the use of case studies from real plants that increase the reader's understanding of geothermal energy conversion and provide a unique compilation of hard-to-obtain data and experience. An important new chapter covers Environmental Impact and Abatement Technologies, including gaseous and solid emissions; water, noise and thermal pollutions; land usage; disturbance of natural hydrothermal manifestations, habitats and vegetation; minimisation of CO2 emissions and environmental impact assessment.The book is illustrated with over 240 photographs and drawings. Nine chapters include practice problems, with solutions, which enable the book to be used as a course text. Also includes a definitive worldwide compilation of every geothermal power plant that has operated, unit by unit, plus a concise primer on the applicable thermodynamics.* Engineering principles are at the heart of the book, with complete coverage of the thermodynamic basis for the design of geothermal power systems* Practical applications are backed up by an extensive selection of case studies that show how geothermal energy conversion systems have been designed, applied and exploited in practice* World renowned geothermal expert DiPippo has including a new chapter on Environmental Impact and Abatement Technology in this new edition

This book provides a rigorous, concise guide to the current status and future prospects of the global energy system. As we move away from fossil fuels and toward clean energy solutions, the complexity of the global energy system has increased. Tagliapietra cuts through this complexity with a multidisciplinary perspective of the system, which encompasses economics, geopolitics, and basic technology. He goes on to explore the main components of the global energy system - oil, natural gas, coal, nuclear energy, bioenergy, hydropower, geothermal energy, wind energy, solar energy, marine energy - as well as energy consumption and energy efficiency. It then provides an in-depth analysis of the pivotal issues of climate change and of energy access in Africa.