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Renewable Energy: A Global Review of Technologies, Policies and Markets
by Dirk A Ulrich Laumanns Dieter Uh'offers knowledge and inspiration to promote renewable energy in developing and industrialized countries' Klaus Toepfer, Executive Director of UNEP From technology to financing issues, Renewable Energy offers a comprehensive and authoritative review of the determining factors that drive worldwide dissemination of renewable energy technologies. With a clear emphasis on policy and action, contributions from internationally renowned experts combine to form a holistic picture of the current status, impacts and future potential of renewable energy. Addressing the situation in both developing and developed countries, each chapter reviews in detail a different issue, to present extensive information on social, environmental, political, economic and technological aspects. This will be essential reading for professionals in renewable energy, in particular policy-makers, researchers, NGOs and energy consultants, and a valuable resource for teachers and students of renewable energy, environmental studies, development studies, political science and international relations.
Solid-Liquid Separation in the Mining Industry
by Fernando Concha A.This book covers virtually all of the engineering science and technological aspects of separating water from particulate solids in the mining industry. It starts with an introduction to the field of mineral processing and the importance of water in mineral concentrators. The consumption of water in the various stages of concentration is discussed, as is the necessity of recovering the majority of that water for recycling. The book presents the fundamentals under which processes of solid-liquid separation are studied, approaching mixtures of discrete finely divided solid particles in water as a basis for dealing with sedimentation in particulate systems. Suspensions, treated as continuous media, provide the basis of sedimentation, flows through porous media and filtration. The book also considers particle aggregations, and thickening is analyzed in depth. Lastly, two chapters cover the fundamentals and application of rheology and the transport of suspensions. This work is suitable for researchers and professionals in laboratories and plants, and can also serve as additional reading for graduate courses on solid liquid separation as well as for advanced undergraduate and graduate level students for courses of fluid mechanics, solid-liquid separation, thickening, filtration and transport of suspensions in tubes and channels.
New Paradigms in Flow Battery Modelling (Engineering Applications of Computational Methods #16)
by Akeel A. Shah Puiki Leung Qian Xu Pang-Chieh Sui Wei XingThis book provides a comprehensive review of the latest modelling developments in flow batteries, as well as some new results and insights. Flow batteries have long been considered the most flexible answer to grid scale energy storage, and modelling is a key component in their development. Recent modelling has moved beyond macroscopic methods, towards mesoscopic and smaller scales to select materials and design components. This is important for both fundamental understanding and the design of new electrode, catalyst and electrolyte materials. There has also been a recent explosion in interest in machine learning for electrochemical energy technologies. The scope of the book includes these latest developments and is focused on advanced techniques, rather than traditional modelling paradigms. The aim of this book is to introduce these concepts and methods to flow battery researcher, but the book would have a much broader appeal since these methods also employed in other battery and fuel cell systems and far beyond. The methods will be described in detail (necessary fundamental material in Appendices). The book appeals to graduate students and researchers in academia/industry working in electrochemical systems, or those working in computational chemistry/machine learning wishing to seek new application areas.
Basic Concepts in Computational Physics
by Benjamin A. Stickler Ewald SchachingerWith the development of ever more powerful computers a new branch of physics and engineering evolved over the last few decades: Computer Simulation or Computational Physics. It serves two main purposes:- Solution of complex mathematical problems such as, differential equations, minimization/optimization, or high-dimensional sums/integrals.- Direct simulation of physical processes, as for instance, molecular dynamics or Monte-Carlo simulation of physical/chemical/technical processes.Consequently, the book is divided into two main parts: Deterministic methods and stochastic methods. Based on concrete problems, the first part discusses numerical differentiation and integration, and the treatment of ordinary differential equations. This is augmented by notes on the numerics of partial differential equations. The second part discusses the generation of random numbers, summarizes the basics of stochastics which is then followed by the introduction of various Monte-Carlo (MC) methods. Specific emphasis is on MARKOV chain MC algorithms. All this is again augmented by numerous applications from physics. The final two chapters on Data Analysis and Stochastic Optimization share the two main topics as a common denominator. The book offers a number of appendices to provide the reader with more detailed information on various topics discussed in the main part. Nevertheless, the reader should be familiar with the most important concepts of statistics and probability theory albeit two appendices have been dedicated to provide a rudimentary discussion.
Peri-urban futures: Scenarios and models for land use change in Europe
by Carmen Aalbers Kjell Nilsson Simon Bell Stephan Pauleit Thomas A. Sick NielsenPresently, peri-urbanisation is one of the most pervasive processes of land use change in Europe with strong impacts on both the environment and quality of life. It is a matter of great urgency to determine strategies and tools in support of sustainable development. The book synthesizes the results of PLUREL, a large European Commission funded research project (2007-2010). Tools and strategies of PLUREL address main challenges of managing land use in peri-urban areas. These results are presented and illustrated by means of 7 case studies which are at the core of the book. This volume presents a novel, future oriented approach to the planning and management of peri-urban areas with a main focus on scenarios and sustainability impact analysis. The research is unique in that it focuses on the future by linking quantitative scenario modeling and sustainability impact analysis with qualitative and in-depth analysis of regional strategies, as well as including a study at European level with case study work also involving a Chinese case study.
The Natural World of Winnie-the-Pooh: A Walk Through the Forest that Inspired the Hundred Acre Wood
by Kathryn AaltoLoved “Goodbye Christopher Robin”? Learn more about the real place that inspired the beloved stories. Delve into the home of the world’s most beloved bear! The Natural World of Winnie-the-Pooh explores the magical landscapes where Pooh, Christopher Robin, and their friends live and play. The Hundred Acre Wood—the setting for Winnie-the-Pooh’s adventures—was inspired by Ashdown Forest, a wildlife haven that spans more than 6,000 acres in southeast England. In the pages of this enchanting book you can visit the ancient black walnut tree on the edge of the forest that became Pooh’s house, go deep into the pine trees to find Poohsticks Bridge, and climb up to the top of the enchanted Galleons Lap, where Pooh says goodbye to Christopher Robin. You will discover how Milne's childhood connection with nature and his role as a father influenced his famous stories, and how his close collaboration with illustrator E. H. Shepard brought those stories to life. This charming book also serves as a guide to the plants, animals, and places of the remarkable Ashdown Forest, whether you are visiting in person or from the comfort of your favorite armchair. In a delightful narrative, enriched with Shepard’s original illustrations, hundreds of color photographs, and Milne’s own words, you will rediscover your favorite characters and the magical place they called home.
Understanding Sea-level Rise and Variability
by Thorkild Aarup Philip L. Woodworth W. Stanley Wilson John A. ChurchUnderstanding Sea-Level Rise and Variability identifies the major impacts of sea-level rise, presents up-to-date assessments of past sea-level change, thoroughly explores all of the factors contributing to sea-level rise, and explores how sea-level extreme events might change. It identifies what is known in each area and what research and observations are required to reduce the uncertainties in our understanding of sea-level rise so that more reliable future projections can be made. A synthesis of findings provides a concise summary of past, present and future sea-level rise and its impacts on society.Key Features:Book includes contributions from a range of international sea level experts Multidisciplinary Four color throughout Describes the limits of our understanding of this crucial issue as well as pointing to directions for future research The book is for everyone interested in sea-level rise and its impacts, including policy makers, research funders, scientists, students, coastal managers and engineers.Additional resources for this book can be found at: http://www.wiley.com/go/church/sealevel.
Energy Level Alignment and Electron Transport Through Metal/Organic Contacts
by Enrique AbadIn recent years, ever more electronic devices have started to exploit the advantages of organic semiconductors. The work reported in this thesis focuses on analyzing theoretically the energy level alignment of different metal/organic interfaces, necessary to tailor devices with good performance. Traditional methods based on density functional theory (DFT), are not appropriate for analyzing them because they underestimate the organic energy gap and fail to correctly describe the van der Waals forces. Since the size of these systems prohibits the use of more accurate methods, corrections to those DFT drawbacks are desirable. In this work a combination of a standard DFT calculation with the inclusion of the charging energy (U) of the molecule, calculated from first principles, is presented. Regarding the dispersion forces, incorrect long range interaction is substituted by a van der Waals potential. With these corrections, the C60, benzene, pentacene, TTF and TCNQ/Au(111) interfaces are analyzed, both for single molecules and for a monolayer. The results validate the induced density of interface states model.
Statistical Physics of Non-Thermal Phase Transitions
by Sergey G. AbaimovThis book addresses the application of methods used in statistical physics to complex systems--from simple phenomenological analogies to more complex aspects, such as correlations, fluctuation-dissipation theorem, the concept of free energy, renormalization group approach and scaling. Statistical physics contains a well-developed formalism that describes phase transitions. It is useful to apply this formalism for damage phenomena as well. Fractals, the Ising model, percolation, damage mechanics, fluctuations, free energy formalism, renormalization group, and scaling, are some of the topics covered in Statistical Physics of Phase Transitions.
Predicting the Future
by Henry AbarbanelThrough the development of an exact path integral for use in transferring information from observations to a model of the observed system, the author provides a general framework for the discussion of model building and evaluation across disciplines. Through many illustrative examples drawn from models in neuroscience, geosciences, and nonlinear electrical circuits, the concepts are exemplified in detail. Practical numerical methods for approximate evaluations of the path integral are explored, and their use in designing experiments and determining a model's consistency with observations is explored.
Exploration and Monitoring of the Continental Shelf Underwater Environment
by Iftikhar B. AbbasovThere is still so much about the oceans that scientists do not know, and exploring the continental shelves of the world is a huge part of finding out more about these underwater environments. Further to that, it is extremely important that, while scientists and engineers explore and monitor the continental shelf, no damage is done to these precious environments. That is the needle that this study intends to thread, giving scientists and engineers a better method and processes for exploring these underwater mysteries, while protecting the environment and wildlife thriving beneath. Written by a proven scientist in this area, this book is dedicated to the unique developments of hydroacoustical equipment to monitor the coastal shelf. The results of the original experimental sonar studies with application of the parametric antenna are presented. The book presents a survey of the modern methods and technical monitoring facilities of the coastal aqueous environment. The basic characteristics of the parametric antennas are given considering propagation of the acoustic waves in the environments with dispersion and acoustical absorption. The author and his colleagues consider the questions of formation of the parametric antenna field in layered-heterogeneous media and the peculiarities of sounding of the interfaces and bottom sediments. Ecological monitoring methods of the basic parameters of quality and condition of the aqueous environment are analyzed. The peculiarities of diagnostics of the underwater engineering constructions when monitoring the offshore strips are described. For both veteran engineers and students in the field alike, this breakthrough study is a must-have for any scientific library concerned with studying the oceans and especially the continental shelf.
Hyrdoacoustic Ocean Exploration: Theories and Experimental Application
by Iftikhar B. AbbasovThe only book that offers a comprehensive and fully up-to-date coverage of hydroacoustic ocean exploration, this work deals with the diagnostics of non-uniformities in a water medium using the hydroacoustic parametric antenna. The non-uniformities of the water medium in the study are of geometrically regular shape, i.e., the shape of a sphere, a cylinder, and a spheroid. An account is given of theoretical and experimental studies of wave processes that occur in the event of the scattering of non-linearly interacting acoustic waves at a sphere, a cylinder, and a spheroid. Scattering problems are formulated; solutions to the inhomogeneous wave equation are found in the first and second approximations using the successive approximations method. For the first time, high-frequency asymptotic expressions of acoustic pressure for all spectral components of the secondary field are obtained for the nonlinear scattering problem. The scattering diagrams are calculated and plotted, and then analyzed and compared. Results of experimental studies of the parametric acoustic antenna field scattering at solid steel spheres are presented. Experimental scattering diagrams both for the parametric antenna pump waves and for the secondary field waves including the difference frequency wave, the sum frequency wave, and the second harmonic wave are presented. 3D modeling of wave processes is also considered. A must have for researchers and specialists in nonlinear hydroacoustics and ocean acoustics; it also may be of use for postgraduates and students specializing in hydroacoustics and ocean exploration.
Community-Based Disaster Risk Management in Azerbaijan (SpringerBriefs in Geography)
by Rovshan AbbasovThis book illustrates the main factors of vulnerability and gives a clear picture about the possible interventions to reduce disaster risks both in schools and communities in Azerbaijan. A new methodology for child centered vulnerability assessments both on school and community levels has been developed. This methodology can be used to assess the level of vulnerability of schools and communities. The book is a newly prepared training manual which will help practitioners conduct trainings for government and community organizations. While the book is focused on a specific region, the suggested approach is generic and can be used elsewhere.
Ecosystem Services in Azerbaijan: Value and Losses
by Rovshan Abbasov Rovshan Karimov Natavan JafarovaThis book aims to draw readers' attention to the benefits once present nature in Azerbaijan. Over the past hundred years, much of this has been lost because of the neglect of the intrinsic values of nature by both managers and local authorities, and the overuse of natural resources. For example, oil pollution and overfishing in the Caspian Sea have almost destroyed its fish and caviar resources. In this volume, the authors distinguish between the concepts of "gain" and "income" and show readers that short-term benefits based solely on monetary income deprive people and nature itself of long-term, lasting value. The book provides readers with real historical information, discusses the interactions between humans and nature, and shows, with real data and trends, the consequences of anthropogenic activity on natural resources in Azerbaijan. The authors cover fish, water, forest, mountain, and pasture ecosystems, draw attention to the impacts that pollution and other forms of environmental degradation have had on these resources, and the show the impact that resource depletion on people’s livelihoods. The book is intended primarily for managers, policymakers, students, and academics, and will be of interest to natural scientists, historians, and students of culture.
Gardening Eden: How Creation Care Will Change Your Faith, Your Life, and Our World
by Michael AbbateBefore the snake,the apple,and the Ten Commandments,God created a garden..."Spiritual environmentalism" did not start out as an oxymoron-it was an invitation. Yet today, many believe God's first job description for humankind has been replaced by other "worthier pursuits". Why has this simple instruction become so controversial? How does one sort through all the mixed messages? Is changing our lives to save the world really our responsibility-or even possible?Gardening Eden invites you to consider a new, spiritual perspective to practical environmentalism. The question is not whether our souls find expression and inspiration in our incredible planet, but how best to preserve that fundamental connection. Green living is no longer a fad-simple lifestyle solutions are now available to everyone. Discover creation care as an act of worship and a call to deeper harmony with our Creator, our fellow gardeners, and our living Earth. Gardening Eden is the primer in how this shift will transform not only our world, but your very soul.From the Trade Paperback edition.
Design and Modeling of Mechanical Systems - IV: Proceedings of the 8th Conference on Design and Modeling of Mechanical Systems, CMSM'2019, March 18–20, Hammamet, Tunisia (Lecture Notes in Mechanical Engineering)
by Mohamed Slim Abbes Fakher Chaari Mohamed Haddar Lotfi Romdhane Abdelmajid Benamara Mnaouar Chouchane Nizar Aifaoui Zouhaier Affi Lassad WalhaThis book offers a collection of original peer-reviewed contributions presented at the 8th International Congress on Design and Modeling of Mechanical Systems (CMSM’2019), held in Hammamet, Tunisia, from the 18th to the 20th of March 2019. It reports on research, innovative industrial applications and case studies concerning mechanical systems and related to modeling and analysis of materials and structures, multiphysics methods, nonlinear dynamics, fluid structure interaction and vibroacoustics, design and manufacturing engineering. Continuing on the tradition of the previous editions, these proceedings offers a broad overview of the state-of-the art in the field and a useful resource for academic and industry specialists active in the field of design and modeling of mechanical systems. CMSM’2019 was jointly organized by two leading Tunisian research laboratories: the Mechanical Engineering Laboratory of the National Engineering School of Monastir, University of Monastir and the Mechanical, Modeling and Manufacturing Laboratory of the National Engineering School of Sfax, University of Sfax.
Renewable Gas: The Transition to Low Carbon Energy Fuels (Energy, Climate and the Environment)
by Jo AbbessThe author looks at the prospects for a transition from natural gas to low carbon gas, which could take several decades, and at how this will depend on the evolution of the fossil fuel industry. She investigates the technologies and energy systems for making the best use of renewable gas resources.
Desert Solitaire: A Season In The Wilderness
by Edward AbbeyThis memoir of life in the American desert by the author of The Monkey Wrench Gang is a nature writing classic on par with Rachel Carson&’s Silent Spring. In Desert Solitaire, Edward Abbey recounts his many escapades, adventures, and epiphanies as an Arches National Park ranger outside Moab, Utah. Brimming with arresting insights, impassioned arguments for wilderness conservation, and a raconteur&’s wit, it is one of Abbey&’s most critically acclaimed works. Through stories and philosophical musings, Abbey reflects on the condition of our remaining wilderness, the future of a civilization, and his own internal struggle with morality. As the world continues its rapid development, Abbey&’s cry to maintain the natural beauty of the West remains just as relevant today as when this book first appeared in 1968.
One Life at a Time, Please
by Edward AbbeyWarhorse, gadfly, storyteller, naturalist--there is no simple category to contain the vibrant prose voice of Edward Abbey. And this snappy collection of essays displays the author of "Desert Solitaire" and "The Monkey-Wrench Gang" at the height of his curmudgeonry.
The Serpents of Paradise
by Edward AbbeyThe selections gathered here are arranged chronologically by incident, not by date of publication, to offer Edward Abbey's life from the time he was the boy called Ned in Home, Pennsylvania, until his death in Tucson at age 62.
Plastic Soup: An Atlas of Ocean Pollution
by Michiel Roscam AbbingPlastics have transformed every aspect of our lives. Yet the very properties that make them attractive—they are cheap to make, light, and durable—spell disaster when trash makes its way into the environment. Plastic Soup: An Atlas of Ocean Pollution is a beautifully-illustrated survey of the plastics clogging our seas, their impacts on wildlife and people around the world, and inspirational initiatives designed to tackle the problem. In Plastic Soup, Michiel Roscam Abbing of the Plastic Soup Foundation reveals the scope of the issue: plastic trash now lurks on every corner of the planet. With striking photography and graphics, Plastic Soup brings this challenge to brilliant life for readers. Yet it also sends a message of hope; although the scale of the problem is massive, so is the dedication of activists working to check it. Plastic Soup highlights a diverse array of projects to curb plastic waste and raise awareness, from plastic-free grocery stores to innovative laws and art installations. According to some estimates, if we continue on our current path, the oceans will contain more plastic than fish by the year 2050. Created to inform and inspire readers, Plastic Soup is a critical tool in the fight to reverse this trend.
Beyond Terror: The Truth About the Real Threats to Our World
by Chris Abbott John Sloboda Paul RogersIs international terrorism really the single greatest threat to world security?Since the 9/11 attacks, many Western governments assume terrorism to be the greatest threat we face. In response, their dangerous policies attempt to maintain control and keep the status quo by using overwhelming military force. This important book shows why this approach has been such a failure, and how it distracts us from other, much greater, threats of climate change, competition over resources, marginalisation of the majority of the world and global militarisation.Unless urgent, coordinated action is taken in the next 5-10 years on all these issues it will be almost imossible to avoid the earth becoming a highly unstable place by the middle years of this century. Beyond Terror offers an alternative path for politicians, journalists and concerned citizens alike.
The Lived Experience of Climate Change
by Dina Abbott Gordon WilsonThis book explores the idea that daily lived experiences of climate change are a crucial missing link in our knowledge that contrasts with scientific understandings of this global problem. It argues that both kinds of knowledge are limiting: the sciences by their disciplines and lived experiences by the boundaries of everyday lives. Therefore each group needs to engage the other in order to enrich and expand understanding of climate change and what to do about it. Complemented by a rich collection of examples and case studies, this book proposes a novel way of generating and analysing knowledge about climate change and how it may be used. The reader is introduced to new insights where the book: * Provides a framework that explains the variety of simultaneous, co-existing and often contradictory perspectives on climate change. * Reclaims everyday experiential knowledge as crucial for meeting global challenges such as climate change. * Overcomes the science-citizen dichotomy and leads to new ways of examining public engagement with science. Scientists are also human beings with lived experiences that filter their scientific findings into knowledge and actions. * Develops a 'public action theory of knowledge' as a tool for exploring how decisions on climate policy and intervention are reached and enacted. While scientists (physical and social) seek to explain climate change and its impacts, millions of people throughout the world experience it personally in their daily lives. The experience might be bad, as during extreme weather, engender hostility when governments attempt mitigation, and sometimes it is benign. This book seeks to understand the complex, often contradictory knowledge dynamics that inform the climate change debate, and is written clearly for a broad audience including lecturers, students, practitioners and activists, indeed anyone who wishes to gain further insight into this far-reaching issue.
The Economics of the Gas Supply Industry
by Malcolm AbbottIn recent years, natural gas has become a major source of energy, with trade across borders increasing through both pipelines and as Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). Owing to this global development, this book traces the development of the gas supply industry, from localised to national industries and national industries to a major global industry. It looks at the basic economics and origins of the industry, as well as the role of the government in its development and relation to international markets. The book highlights certain economic characteristics such as the industry’s vertical and horizontal structure, the composition of consumer demand and the role of government in safety, planning and investment. With the understanding of the industry's long term development, the book helps to illustrate the relationship between natural gas producers and importers of LNG. This book would be of interest to scholars majoring in resource economics and energy economics, as well as to international practitioners in the natural gas market.
Natural Disasters
by Patrick L. AbbottNatural Disasters, 12th edition focuses on explaining how the normal processes of Earth concentrate their energies and deal heavy blows to humans and their structures. Students have a natural curiosity about natural disasters and why they occur. This text explains why natural disasters occur by interweaving the themes of Energy sources, Plate tectonics, Climate change, Earth Processes, Geologic time, the complexities of multiple variables operating simultaneously throughout the text.