Recent Advances in Renewable Energy Series

Microalgae could play an important role in the achievement of sustainability goals related to the generation of renewable energy and the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. These photosynthetic microorganisms are able to capture CO2 and their biomass can be used to produce biofuels such as ethanol, methane and biodiesel. Other factors, such as their high growth rate, ability to use wastewater as a culture medium and the ability to grow on non-arable land makes them a potentially economical source of biofuel production on a large scale. This monograph introduces the reader to the basic and applied science of microalgal biofuel production. 17 chapters in the volume give information about bioethanol and biogas production from microalgal sources, the fermentation process, optimization of culture parameters and industrial applications of biomass projects, between other topics. The book is a useful reference for biotechnology and environmental science graduates and professionals interested in biofuel production.

This book presents information about the application of various flexible AC transmission system devices to wind energy conversion systems. Devices such as unified power flow controllers, superconducting magnetic energy storage and static synchronous compensators are covered in this book. Chapters detail features of the topology and basic control systems of each device. Additionally, case studies are presented where necessary to demonstrate practical applications. This book is a reference for students and technicians studying wind power and AC transmission systems in advanced engineering courses.

Researchers, politicians and lay persons around the world agree that renewable energy technologies will play an increasingly important role in strengthening national economies in the future. The renewable energy industry has the potential to significantly

Solar Chimney Power Plants: Numerical Investigations and Experimental Validation summarizes the effect of the geometrical parameters of a solar chimney on the airflow behavior inside a solar chimney power plant. Chapters in this experimental handbook are presented in two parts with the goal of equipping readers with the information necessary to study and determine key factors which affect the performance of the solar chimney power plant. In the first part, the authors present a simulation developed by using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling software ANSYS Fluent to model the airflow. The adopted CFD models include k-ɛ turbulence model, the DO radiation model and the convection heat flux transfer model. These models have been validated with anterior experimental results. In the second part, the simulated models are then tested with alternate geometric configurations of the solar chimney power plant. The numerical studies allow readers to consider ways to expand on the design optimizing of the solar chimney when constructing a prototype. Geometrical parameters include the height, the diameter of the chimney and the dimensions of the solar collector and their effect on the temperature and air pressure is documented to validate models used for experimental simulations. The handbook also includes a study of an experimental prototype, constructed at ENIS. The researchers have gathered data on the environmental temperature, distribution of the temperature, air velocity and the power output generated by the turbine, the solar radiation and the gap of temperature in the collector of the prototype.

This handbook is a guide to numerical and experimental processes that are used to analyze and improve the efficiency of vertical axis rotors. Chapters present information that is required to optimize the geometrical parameters of rotors or understand how to augment upstream water velocity. The authors of this volume present a numerical model to characterize the water flow around the vertical axis rotors using commercial CFD code in Ansys Fluent®. The software has been used to select adequate parameters and perform computational simulations of spiral Darrieus turbines. The contents of the volume explain the experimental procedure carried out to evaluate the performance of the spiral Darrieus turbine, how to characterize the water flow in the vicinity of the tested turbine and the method to assess the spiral angle influence on the turbine performance parameters. Results for different spiral angles (ranging from 10° to 40°) are presented. This volume is a useful handbook for engineers involved in power plant design and renewable energy sectors who are studying the computational fluid dynamics of vertical axis turbines (such as Darrieus turbines) that are used in hydropower projects. Key features: - 4 chapters that cover the numerical and experimental analysis of vertical axis rotors and hydrokinetic turbines - Simple structured layout for easy reading (methodology, models and results) - Bibliographic study to introduce the reader to the subject - A wide range of parameters included in experiments - A comprehensive appendix of tables for mechanical parameters, statistical models, rotor parameters and geometric details.