Sustainable Material Solutions For Solar Energy Technologies

Sustainable Material Solutions for Solar Energy Technologies: Processing Techniques and Applications provides an overview of challenges that must be addressed to efficiently utilize solar energy. The book explores novel materials and device architectures that have been developed to optimize energy conversion efficiencies and minimize environmental impacts. Advances in technologies for harnessing solar energy are extensively discussed, with topics including materials processing, device fabrication, sustainability of materials and manufacturing, and current state-of-the-art. Leading international experts discuss the applications, challenges, and future prospects of research in this increasingly vital field, providing a valuable resource for students and researchers working in this field. Explores the fundamentals of sustainable materials for solar energy applications, with in-depth discussions of the most promising material solutions for solar energy technologies: photocatalysis, photovoltaic, hydrogen production, harvesting and storage Discusses the environmental challenges to be overcome and importance of efficient materials utilization for clean energy Looks at design materials processing and optimization of device fabrication via metrics such as power-to-weight ratio, effectiveness at EOL compared to BOL, and life-cycle analysis

The search for cleaner, cheaper, smaller and more efficient energy technologies has to a large extent been motivated by the development of new materials. The aim of this collection of articles is therefore to focus on what materials-based solutions can offer and show how the rationale design and improvement of their physical and chemical properties can lead to energy-production alternatives that have the potential to compete with existing technologies. In terms of alternative means to generate electricity that utilize renewable energy sources, the most dramatic breakthroughs for both mobile (i.e., transportation) and stationary applications are taking place in the fields of solar and fuel cells. And from an energy-storage perspective, exciting developments can be seen emerging from the fields of rechargeable batteries and hydrogen storage.

This book presents novel findings concerning the systems, materials and processes used in solar energy conversion in communities. It begins with the core resource – solar radiation – and discusses the restrictions on the wide-scale implementation of conversion systems imposed by the built environment, as well as potential solutions. The book also describes efficient solar energy conversion in detail, focusing on heat and electricity production in communities and water reuse. Lastly, it analyzes the concept of sustainable communities, presenting examples from around the globe, along with novel approaches to improving their feasibility and affordability. Though chiefly intended for professionals working in the field of sustainability at the community level, the book will also be of interest to researchers, academics and doctoral students.

How will we meet rising energy demands? What are our options? Are there viable long-term solutions for the future? Learn the fundamental physical, chemical and materials science at the heart of renewable/non-renewable energy sources, future transportation systems, energy efficiency and energy storage. Whether you are a student taking an energy course or a newcomer to the field, this textbook will help you understand critical relationships between the environment, energy and sustainability. Leading experts provide comprehensive coverage of each topic, bringing together diverse subject matter by integrating theory with engaging insights. Each chapter includes helpful features to aid understanding, including a historical overview to provide context, suggested further reading and questions for discussion. Every subject is beautifully illustrated and brought to life with full color images and color-coded sections for easy browsing, making this a complete educational package. Fundamentals of Materials for Energy and Environmental Sustainability will enable today's scientists and educate future generations.

Carbonaceous Materials and Future Energy: Clean and Renewable Energy Sources provides a systematic analysis of the emerging renewable energy alternatives to fossil fuel and their impact on the current socio-economic premise, with carbonaceous chemistry at their base. The present-day fossil fuel–dependent energy scenario is obsolete, rapidly decaying with resource constraints and sparking climate change risks like global warming; therefore, a technological revolution is needed in terms of global energy sustainability. This book is a humble attempt to recognise various contemporary as well as transpiring alternative state-of-the-art energy technologies, and the immense potential carbon materials have in changing the future face of energy. Carbon is the most earth-abundant material with an awe-inspiring range of allotropes that render wonderful properties such as tunable morphology, electrical conductivity, impressive surface area, etc., when explored in the nanoscale. Therefore, carbon has the ability to replace expensive and corrosive metals as electrodes in various existing energy technologies, especially in storage, conversion and harvesting. Carbon-based composite materials offer extensive mechanical strength, although they are super lightweight and can be placed in portable devices, yet perform for longer times with the added benefit of recyclability. This book features discussions on the ecological impacts of the existing fossil fuel–based energy technologies along with various global energy prediction indicators that dictate the integrated risk, the multi-scale changes as well as the need for sustainable alternatives. It also highlights various state-of-the-art renewable energy techniques, including solar photovoltaics, wind, geothermal, and biowaste-based energy. Most importantly, recognition is given to hybrid energy storage and conversion systems as today’s most important and sustainable source of power based on carbonaceous materials, especially their abundance, tunability, and recyclability. The author then focuses on the integration of available experimental information with future prospects for delivering real-world solutions to existing energy scarcity and helping to unravel sustainable routes with improved energy laws and policies. Features Detailed discussion about the current worldwide energy crisis at the societal scale and the gradual growth of alternative sustainable energy options Elucidation of the role of carbon in revolutionising nanoscience and its bright prospects in developing the future energy scenario with its abundance, eco-friendly nature as well as recyclability Extensive discussion of various state-of-the-art energy systems including hybrid technologies and their stages of technological maturity, commercialisation, and future prospects. Presentation of information in an accessible way for a broad audience; especially students, researchers, and scientists, working in the vast field of energy, looking for concise information about current and future energy solutions and exploring them with carbonaceous chemistry ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This book gives an integrative overview about how the next-generation energy technology can be built upon the current and future prospects of carbonaceous chemistry. It includes extensive literature-survey analysis as well as detailed discussion of the commercialisation from the laboratory scale to realising the dream of decentralising grid-based electric supply with sustainable energy. Therefore, the book may serve as a prospective source for multi-disciplinary energy researchers searching for viable renewable energy solutions in terms of complex global sustainability, making it an essential guide and reference.

MATERIALS FOR SOLAR ENERGY CONVERSION This book provides professionals and students with a resource on the basic principles and applications of solar energy materials and processes, as well as practicing engineers who want to understand how functional materials operate in solar energy conversion systems. The demand for energy is increasing daily, and the development of sustainable power generation is a critical issue. In order to overcome the energy demand, power generation through solar energy is booming. Many research works have attempted to enhance the efficiency of collection and storage of solar energy and, as a result, numerous advanced functional materials have been developed for enhancing the performance of solar cells. This book has compiled and broadly explores the latest developments of materials, methods, and applications of solar energy. The book is divided into 2 parts, in which the first part deals with solar cell fundamentals and emerging categories, and the latter part deals with materials, methods, and applications in order to fill the gap between existing technologies and practical requirements. The book presents detailed chapters including organic, inorganic, coating materials, and collectors. The use of modern computer simulation techniques, conversion and storage processes are effectively covered. Topics such as nanostructured solar cells, battery materials, etc. are included in this book as well. Audience The book is aimed at researchers in materials science, chemistry, physics, electrical and mechanical engineering working in the fields of nanotechnology, photovoltaic device technology, and solar energy.

The Power of Design offers an introduction and a practical guide to product innovation, integrating the key topics that are necessary for the design of sustainable and energy-efficient products using sustainable energy technologies. Product innovation in sustainable energy technologies is an interdisciplinary field. In response to its growing importance and the need for an integrated view on the development of solutions, this text addresses the functional principles of various energy technologies next to the latest design processes and innovation methods. From the perspective of product applications, the book provides clear explanations of technologies that are significant for product integration, such as batteries, photovoltaic solar energy, fuel cells, small wind turbines, human power, energy saving lighting, thermal energy technologies in buildings, and piezoelectric energy conversions. The design processes and innovation methods presented in this book include various approaches ranging from technical, societal and creative methods that can be applied in different stages of the design process. Other features include: a methodological approach, enabling readers to easily apply the theory to their research projects and to the actual design of sustainable products with energy technologies discussion on interaction design and smart grid interventions colour photographs that illustrate the final products numerous case studies of product development projects and concepts in practice, enabling readers to understand and design energy-efficient products in several different markets a companion website containing useful information about the cases and an additional design cases with sustainable energy technologies The Power of Design provides a comprehensive and visually-appealing opening into the subject for third and fourth year students, postgraduates, and professionals in the areas of energy, environment, product design and engineering