Energy and sustainability X

The world’s economy is fuelled by energy. Energy policies and management are of primary importance to achieve sustainability and need to be compatible with recent advances in energy production and distribution. Depletion of resources and severe environmental effects resulting from the continuous use of fossil fuels has motivated an increasing amount of interest in renewable energy resources and energy policies leading to a sustainable future.

The changes required to progress from an economy mainly relying on hydrocarbons to one taking advantage of sustainable energy production require considerable scientific research, as well as the development of new technology and design of energy systems.

In many cases, the challenges lie as much in the conversion from renewable (wind, solar, etc.) to useful energy forms (electricity, heat, fuel) at an acceptable cost that includes the possible damage to the environment as in the integration of these renewable forms of energy into the existing infrastructure. The papers in this volume originate from the 10th edition of the Energy and Sustainability conference whose scope was to address the above issues.

They cover diverse topics which include: Government policies towards a more environment-friendly management of resources; management, technology and materials for increased sustainability in energy production as well as use of renewable energy resources; strategies and technology for bringing renewable energy to remote and isolated parts of the world; strategies for increasing the efficient use of energy in industry; methods of reducing the carbon footprint from industry and agriculture; education promoting energy sustainability; strategies and technology for promoting sustainable use of energy in transport and the built environment.