This book sheds new light on how microbes can be used as effective and sustainable resources to produce green energy in the form of biogas, algal diesel, ethanol, hydrogen and direct electricity. It discusses topics such as microbial energy conversion technologies, including ethanol production by microbial catalytic reaction, biomethanization, biodiesel from microalgae, microbial fuel cells, and the microbiological production of hydrogen. The book will inspire scientists to find new approaches to meet local energy demands with the help of sustainable microbial resources available in and around a given location.

Nowadays, energy production increase has been proven a globally contentious issue, as it counts variable stakeholders of competitive interests. Such indicative competitive interests are land use for energy crops against maximizing agricultural production yields, as well as the gradually localized trend of energy production from renewables, compared to the central overexploitation of fossil-fuelled energy sources in mainland grids of energy production. In response to this multi-parametric contradiction on traditional and novel approaches of energy production, this Special Issue aims at attracting researchers whose scientific interest resides in the electrical energy storage (EES) systems in a wide range of applicability: Technological advancements, environmental impacts, economies of scale achievement, active involvement of renewables in EES technologies, socio-economic impacts upon EES diffusion in regional and globalized contexts of analysis. The main limitations and the challenges derived from these scientific approaches will formulate a fresher scientific viewpoint of novel insights upon EES applicability in developed and developing economies, accordingly. Papers selected for this Special Issue are subject to a rigorous peer review procedure, enabling an integrated manner of dissemination upon research advancements and multi-disciplinary dynamics, accordingly.

The valuable characteristics of animal waste materials in terms of climatic change impact and bioenergy production are discussed in this book. Reutilization of such wastes for bioenergy harvest is the prime focus; the great need for future animal waste recycling is also depicted. Major topics discussed are types of livestock waste – poultry and dairy, methods and management of waste utilization and storage, application of animal waste in bioenergy production, economics of waste utilization, novel disposable techniques, circular bioeconomy, pollution, and water quality. Furthermore, utilization of animal waste for resource conservation and environmental protection is discussed, such as potential materials for green biochemicals. Resource recovery can, therefore, forestall the shortage of natural resources and, at the same time, can greatly reduce waste-disposal problems and energy crises. Many alternatives to waste disposal, either currently available or under study, focus on the recovery of material or energy. In a world of diminishing resources and increasing needs, each opportunity for the recycling of animal waste materials has been examined. This book significantly contributes toward climate change mitigation through better environmental solutions. A better understanding of animal waste recycling to mitigate climate changes has been portrayed in order to generate discussions among researchers and administrators. Environmental implications of animal waste are of prime importance in climate change scenario. Such wastes also harbor zoonotic pathogens that are transported in the environment. Finally, it has been tried out to collect ideas and experience in multiple aspects of animal waste management for climate change mitigation and bioenergy harvest.

This book gives an overview on techniques and future perspectives of various aspects of waste biomass management. It also presents the economic and environmental evaluation, and also the monetary value-benefits and sustainability of the different processes. Recycling processes of lignocellulosic biomass from palm oil mill waste are covered, as well as from sugar industry waste and agriculture waste. It also includes thermal and non-thermal technologies for resource recovery from waste biomass. Challenges in the reuse and recycling of waste biomass are discussed, i.e., the hygienic safety in biomass management and bioremediation technologies for conversion into valuable products. The book is aiming at scientists, researchers and students alike, who are working in the research areas pertaining to waste management

This book provides up-to-date information on the state of the art in applications of biotechnological and microbiological tools for protecting the environment. Written by leading international experts, it discusses potential applications of biotechnological and microbiological techniques in solid waste management, wastewater treatment, agriculture, energy and environmental health. This second volume of book “Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology,” covers two main topics: bioenergy and environmental health, exploring the latest developments from around the globe regarding applications of biotechnology and microbiology for converting wastes into valuable products and at the same time reducing the environmental pollution resulting from disposal. Wherever possible it also includes real-world examples. Further, it offers advice on which procedures should be followed to achieve satisfactory results, and provides insights that will promote the transition to the sustainable utilization of various waste products.

This handbook discusses the relationships and effects of climate change on waste treatment and its sustainable management. The waste management sector is in a unique position to transition from a minor source of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to a major contributor to reducing GHG emissions. This book compiles the potential impacts and benefits of various waste management systems in terms of climate impact. It investigates the global climate impact of municipal solid waste, commercial and industrial waste, agricultural waste, and hazardous waste management systems. Key features: Reviews advanced and innovative processes for sustainable waste management Covers green waste treatment technologies using microbes, green soldier flies, earthworms and bacteriophages Discusses the negative and positive effects of waste treatment and disposal Provides relevant case studies from different regions of the world Examines the role of climate change on emerging pollutants The book is meant for researchers and professionals in environmental sciences, chemical and biochemical engineering.

This Handbook discusses the recent advances in biodegradation technologies and highlights emerging sustainable materials, including environmentally friendly nano-based materials for replacing plastics. It is useful to scientists, engineers, biologists, medical doctors and provides alternative eco-friendly materials to replace the currently used ones with harmful impact on the environment and life. The chapters present different types of alternative materials in diverse areas, such as food packaging materials, materials for construction and agricultural materials. The principles and types of biodegration technologies are described in depth.

Anaerobic digestion processes for the treatment of wastewaters and sludges are well over 100 years old. The anaerobic process is a natural gasification process, producing very useful end-products. It has taken a long time to prove that these processes are useful tools in sustainable development. A breakthrough was the development of the Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Bed reactor by Professor Gatze Lettinga. This showed that the anaerobic process could be operated as a highly effective and high-rate wastewater treatment process, opening the way to its implementation under practical conditions. It has, so far, been a struggle to prove the feasibility of anaerobic treatment, despite the obvious advantages in energy consumption, sludge production, and required land area; its drawbacks, i.e. required effluent polishing, odours, sensitivity to toxic compounds, made potential users reluctant to choose anaerobic instead of the conventional aerobic systems. However, as shown by the contributions in this issue, intensive research has overcome most of these drawbacks. To celebrate the career of Professor Lettinga, leading experts on anaerobic digestion processes were invited to highlight the state-of-the-art and future developments in their specific fields of interest. Seminar topics included microbiology, treatment of industrial wastewaters, xenobiotics and extreme environments, the biological S-cycle, treatment of domestic wastewater and the history of anaerobic digestion. The selected 20 papers in these proceedings represent the state of the art of anaerobic digestion, highlighting its impacts and potentials. They also recognised the stimulating role of Professor Gatze Lettinga in this development and agree with him that anaerobic digestion's full potential is still unexploited.

Fruit and Vegetable Waste Utilization and Sustainability presents strategies to address the fruit and vegetable waste generated from agriculture and industrial processing. Beginning with the introduction of waste management, this book is divided into three sections. Section one addresses the valorization of fruit and vegetable waste for high-value products. Section two focuses on the techno-economic and environmental impact assessment of fruit and vegetable waste biorefinery through real-life examples of the life cycle assessment. Section three presents integrated biorefineries, policies, and case studies. This book is a valuable resource for food scientists, nutrition researchers, food industry professionals, academicians, and students in related fields. - Lists extensive definitions, case studies, and applications - Includes information on the integration of processes and technologies for biorefinery conceptualization - Addresses both agricultural and industrial fruit and vegetable waste

The book contains selected and peer-reviewed papers presented during the ‘International Workshop on Renewable Energy and Storage Devices for Sustainable Development’ (IWRESD-2021). The book covers recent research on various applications and scientific developments in the areas of renewable energy. These topics are solar cells, sustainable energy conversion, processing technologies, instrumentation, energy storage devices, solar thermal applications, batteries, new materials, and processes to develop low-cost renewable energy-based technologies, etc. This book will be of interest to researchers and engineers across a variety of fields.