Advances in Clean Energy Technologies

Abul Kalam Azad

• Publisher: Academic Press
• Year: 2020
• ISBN:
  9780128212363
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Renewable Power Resources
• Index: Technology & Engineering

Advances in Clean Energy Technologies presents the latest advanced approaches toward a cleaner and more sustainable energy environment. Editor Kalam Azad and his team of expert contributors focus on recent developments in the field of clean energy technologies, sustainable zero emission resources, energy efficiency and environmental sustainability, as well as clean energy policy and markets. This well-rounded reference includes an authoritative view on control and storage solutions specific to medium and large-scale industries, advanced approaches to modeling, and experimental investigations on clean energy technologies.

Those working in and researching clean energy and sustainability will obtain detailed understanding of a variety of zero emission energy production and conversion approaches, as well as important socio-economic and environmental considerations that can be applied to their own unique power generation settings.

• Presents an exclusive analysis on advanced approaches of modeling and experimental investigations of clean energy technologies, including solar, wind, ocean, and hybrid systems
• Includes an authoritative and cross-disciplinary view on energy policy and energy markets
• Helps readers develop an understanding of concepts and solutions to global issues surrounding sustainability in medium-large scale energy industries
• Offers detailed understanding of a variety of zero emission energy production and conversion approaches

Section A

Solar energy

Chapter 1: Sun: The main source of ground energy and power

Md. Sawkat Ali; Rashedul Amin Tuhin; M. Saddam Hossain Khan Department of Computer Science & Engineering, East West University, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract

Fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas are sources of energy generated from plants after millions of years through a number of chemical reactions inside the ground. Until now, most energy demands have been fulfilled by these worldwide nonregenerative fossil fuels. However, a colorless gas, carbon dioxide (CO₂), is produced from the burning of fossil fuels to fulfill the demand of industrial civilization. CO₂ creates a layer in the lower atmospheric zone that traps sunlight and makes the Earth as a heat chamber. As a consequence of global warming, a greenhouse effect has already been observed at sea level. Alternative energy sources can play a vital role to overcome oil-based effects on the Earth's surface. These days, sunlight is used to generate other forms of energy, such as photovoltaic and solar thermal systems. However, sunlight creates another form of renewable energy known as wind energy. In principle, radiation of sunlight reflects on the surface through uneven heating, which creates the ground surface wind flow. The wind flow is then transformed into electric energy by the movement of turbines with the help of highly sophisticated technological devices. To avail the power and maintain generated power efficiency, wind turbines are categorized into offshore and onshore generators, which contribute a significant percentage of energy to fulfill the net energy demand. Sunlight is also a source of wave energy, which creates dynamic waves by the interaction with water and air molecules. In this chapter, different forms of sunlight- dependent renewable energy sources are discussed in detail. It also demonstrates how much power has been generated from each source and predicts the future power demand for renewable energy sources.

Keywords

Renewable energy; Photovoltaic system; Offshore and onshore power generator; Solar energy; Wind energy; Wave energy

1.1: Introduction

Since the beginning of human civilization, we have always been dependent on different forms of energy. The sun is, by far, the most significant source of energy on earth (Fig. 1.1). The amount of solar energy available at the ground level exceeds all other energy sources (e.g., geothermal, tidal, nuclear) combined, and it is sufficient to meet the needs of humankind. It can be argued that other renewable and sustainable sources of energy, like oceanic waves and wind energy, are also caused by temperature differences due to the variation of solar irradiance at different places on Earth. Apart from keeping the Earth habitable for life, the sun's rays are also responsible for biomass growth, from which energy can be harvested. With an increasing demand of energy [1] and its effects on climate change, clean and renewable sources of energy are becoming more and more critical every day. It is estimated that the sun will continue to shine for another 4 to 5 billion years [2]. Therefore, the potential for harvesting solar energy becomes significant and promising. Fig. 1.2 illustrates an overview of global energy generation in 2018 [3], and of all the observed renewable energy sources combined, contributed only 4% of the total energy, whereas fossil fuels are still dominating [4].

Fig. 1.1 Renewable energies from sun.

Fig. 1.2 Global energy generation in 2018 (by energy source) [3].

Unlike nuclear energy, solar energy is by far the cleanest and risk free. Active or passive forms of solar energy are highly affordable and considering the long-term energy security, sustainability, and benefits, almost every country is exploring their options to adapt solar energy harvesting technologies. Compared to the high cost and environmental impacts of fossil fuels and other nonrenewable energy sources, solar energy has the potential to mitigate global warming, while maintaining the energy supply with significantly lower cost. However, due to the intermittent nature of solar energy, extensive investments and research studies are being conducted worldwide to find a sustainable solution towards harves...

Table of contents

• Cover image
• Title page
• Table of Contents
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Contributors
• About the Editor
• Preface
• Section A: Solar energy
• Section B: Wind energy
• Section C: Hydroenergy
• Section D: Hybrid energy system
• Section E: Clean energy policy and market
• Index