This is a print on demand edition of a hard to find publication. The U.S. faces a critical challenge to transform our current fossil fuel based energy economy to a sustainable energy economy. This transformation must be achieved to increase U.S. energy independence, enhance environ. stewardship and reduce energy and carbon intensity, and generate continued economic growth. These are the six topics in this report: 1: A comprehensive Fed. strategy. 2: Private and Fed. support for sustainable energy R&D is inadequate. 3: The U.S. energy economy does not value the environ. as a public good. 4: Human capital development in the sustainable energy sector is vital. 5: Limited internat. engagement inhibits progress. 6: Public support for sustainable energy is needed to get to a sustainable energy economy. Illustrations.

This book offers a unique insight into the corporate health of energy companies in an evolving landscape of deregulation. Cutting across both historical and present-day situations, it demonstrates important elements vital to the success of energy companies coming out of a safe regulated structure and dealing with a new competitive environment. Targeted at corporate executives, energy professionals, the financial and investment communities, strategic planners and regulators, readers will find this resource helpful to understand how energy companies can meet the challenges of a competitive environment, what it will take to evolve into healthy energy companies, the impacts of deregulation and assessment of successful and unsuccessful strategies for energy companies, the role of technology in business/product reinvention and a successful business model, and the differences and similarities of electricity to other commodities-the challenges to generation, power delivery, environmental science and end-use sectors of the business.

The text begins by discussing the sustainable buildings, energy efficient technologies, advanced materials, advances in renewable energy for building sector, green intelligent infrastructure, policies on sustainable infrastructure, and life cycle assessment. It further presents design considerations, challenges, and applications of net zero energy buildings with a global perspective. The book covers renewable energy technologies for energy-efficient buildings. This book: Discusses the importance of developing new materials for Energy and Heat Transfer Optimization in sustainable buildings and Life Cycle Assessment of Sustainable Building Materials. Investigates the city gas system, sustainable smart cities infrastructure, and Data Mining Techniques in Green Building for Evaluation of energy Cost, Grades and Adoption. Highlights the development and application Net Zero Energy Buildings, Energy Policies and Infrastructure Requirements, Building Performance Prediction & Optimization, and Energy Planning and Thermal Comfort in Buildings Presents renewable energy policies, Social, Economic, and Environmental Issues Associated with Sustainable Buildings, and Emerging Trends in Smart Green Building Technologies. Covers Energy-Efficient Urban Infrastructure, Earth-Air Heat Exchanger, and Retrofitting of existing buildings to achieve energy efficient buildings. It is primarily written for senior undergraduates, graduate students, and academic researchers in the fields of energy engineering, environmental science and engineering, materials science, mechanical engineering, and civil engineering.

OPEC and the World’s Energy Future offers a complete account of OPEC’s past, present, and possible future in relation to economic, political, and technological changes. It focuses on the impacts of recent international political and economic developments and analyzes the factors affecting OPEC as well as the world oil market. Offers readers a thorough understanding of the interplay among international economics, politics, and technological advances and their effect on the world oil market Describes the continued importance of oil and gas as major sources of energy throughout the world Examines OPEC’s history and merits, highlights differences among OPEC members, and discusses OPEC’s relations with the outside world Illustrates the impact of new technologies and how they may challenge and change the organization in the near and long term Aimed at policy makers, managers, scientists, and technologists in the oil and gas industry, this work offers readers a thorough understanding of the interplay among international economics, politics, and technological advances and their effect on the world oil market.

Current urban planning systems are not equipped to deal with the major urban challenges of the twenty-first century, including effects of climate change, resource depletion and economic instability, plus continued rapid urbanization with its negative consequences such as poverty, slums and urban informality. These planning systems have also, to a large extent, failed to meaningfully involve and accommodate the ways of life of communities and other stakeholders in the planning of urban areas, thus contributing to the problems of spatial marginalization and exclusion. It is clear that urban planning needs to be reconsidered and revitalized for a sustainable urban future. Planning Sustainable Cities reviews the major challenges currently facing cities and towns all over the world, the emergence and spread of modern urban planning and the effectiveness of current approaches. More importantly, it identifies innovative urban planning approaches and practices that are more responsive to current and future challenges of urbanization. The Global Report on Human Settlements is the most authoritative and up-to-date global assessment of human settlements conditions and trends. It is an essential reference for researchers, academics, public authorities and civil society organizations all over the world. Preceding issues of the report have addressed such topics as Cities in a Globalizing World, The Challenge of Slums, Financing Urban Shelter and Enhancing Urban Safety and Security.

Intelligent Buildings and Infrastructure with Sustainable and Social Values, Third edition is a comprehensive guide to the latest knowledge on the design, management, operation and technology of intelligent buildings and cities for sustainable developments that meet the needs of users now and in the future.

The text comprehensively highlights the latest methodologies, models, techniques, and applications along with a description of modeling, optimization, and experimental works in the energy sector. It further explains key concepts such as finite element analysis tools, hybrid energy systems, mechanical components design, and optimization, solar coupled systems, and vertical heat exchanger. This book • Discusses the role and integration of solar, geothermal, and hydrogen‐based thermal energy storage (TES) technologies in different sectors for space heating and cooling applications. • Covers mechanical modeling and optimization of hybrid energy storage systems for performance improvement and focuses on hydrogen production, storage, and safety measures. • Explores the integration of IoT and global energy interaction technologies, highlighting their potential benefits in driving the transition toward a sustainable and resilient global energy system. • Explains different aspects of clean technologies such as batteries, fuel cells, ground energy storage, solar thermal system, and the role of green hydrogen in decarbonizing sectors like transportation and energy. • Showcases a clear idea of sustainable development using renewable energy, focusing on policymaking, challenges in transition from conventional to renewable energy, and future directions in energy sector. It is primarily written for senior undergraduates and graduate students, and academic researchers in the fields of mechanical engineering, production engineering, industrial engineering, and environmental engineering.

This book focuses on the challenge that Australia faces in transitioning to renewable energy and regenerating its cities via a transformation of its built environment. Both are necessary conditions for low carbon living in the 21st century. This is a global challenge represented by the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals and the IPCC’s Climate Change program and its focus on mitigation and adaptation. All nations must make significant contributions to this transformation. This book highlights the new knowledge and innovation that has emerged from research projects undertaken in the Co-operative Research Centre for Low Carbon Living between 2012 and 2019 – an initiative of the Australian Government’s Department of Industry, Science and Technology that is tasked with responding to the UN challenges. Four principal transition pathways were central to the CRC and provide the thematic structure to this volume. They focus on technology, buildings, precinct and city design, and human behaviour – and their interactions.

Despite the growing emphasis on energy efficiency in building design, our indoor environments often fall short of providing optimal conditions for health and well-being. Indoor air quality, temperature, and lighting levels play crucial roles in occupant health, yet they are frequently overlooked in building practices. This oversight leads to environments that can harm health, contributing to respiratory problems, allergies, and reduced productivity. Design Strategies for Efficient and Sustainable Building Facilities offers a comprehensive solution. We delve into recent advances in building design, construction, and operation that prioritize energy efficiency and occupant health. By incorporating intelligent sensors, automation systems, and renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, buildings can be transformed into healthy, sustainable spaces that promote well-being. This book is tailored for researchers, professionals, university professors, and master's and doctoral students who seek to advance sustainable building practices.