About Book

Energy is an essential aspect of everyday life. Energy can be produced from renewable as well as non-renewable sources of Energy. The energy produced from non-renewable sources such as coal and petroleum produce pollution which adversely impacts our environment. Therefore, the need of the hour is to use renewable sources of energy such as sunlight, wind, waves, etc., to meet the primary energy demands. Biofuels are fuels derived from biomass any matter derived from plants or animals. For greater efficiency, second-generation biofuel technologies are being developed to make use of these components. Biomass has traditionally been used as fuel for energy production in the form of wood, charcoal or animal waste. A basic distinction is made between unprocessed primary biofuels, such as fuel wood, and processed secondary biofuels. This book is a vital tool for all researching or studying the field of biofuels and renewable energy as it gives incredible insights into emerging trends and concepts related to it. From theories to research to practical applications, case studies related to all contemporary topics of relevance to this field have been included in this book. It deals with biomass utilization system, renewable energy sources and alternative resources, characterization of biofuel, future biofuels production, gaseous biofuels, distributed resources, organic cycle system and multifunctional renewable fuels. It is a vital tool for all researching and studying this field. Those in search of information to further their knowledge will be greatly assisted by this book.

Preface............................................................................................................v

Chapter 1 Development of Torrefaction Technology for Solid Fuel Using Renewable Biomass....................................................................................1

Abstract...................................................................................................1

1. Introduction............................................................................................2

2. Biomass upgrading as energy source...............................................3

3. The torrefaction technology................................................................4

4. Renewable biomass sources................................................................4

5. Methodology..........................................................................................6

6. Results and discussion.........................................................................9

7. Conclusion............................................................................................13

Chapter 2 Renewable Energy of Biogas Through Integrated Organic Cycle System in Tropical System.....................................................................17

Abstract.................................................................................................17

1. Integrated organic cycle system.......................................................18

2. Renewable energy of biogas.............................................................19

3. Biogas purification..............................................................................25

4. Future of biogas energy.....................................................................32

5. Conclusion............................................................................................33

Acknowledgements.............................................................................34

Conflict of interest..............................................................................34

Chapter 3 A Distributed Computing Architecture for the Large-Scale Integration of Renewable Energy and Distributed Resources in Smart Grids................................................................................................39

Abstract.................................................................................................39

1. Introduction..........................................................................................40

2. High-voltage power grid optimizatio models...............................42

3. An asynchronous distributed algorithm for stochastic unit

commitment..........................................................................................45

4. Scalable control for distributed energy resources........................54

5. Conclusions..........................................................................................60

Acknowledgements.............................................................................61

Nomenclature.......................................................................................61

Chapter 4 Biogas, Biodiesel and Bioethanol as Multifunctional Renewable

Fuels and Raw Materials........................................................................67

Abstract.................................................................................................67

1. Introduction..........................................................................................68

2. Biogas....................................................................................................68

3. Biodiesel................................................................................................74

4. Ethanol..................................................................................................78

5. Carbon dioxide utilization................................................................81

6. Conclusions..........................................................................................82

Acknowledgements.............................................................................83

Chapter 5 Anaerobic Digestion: I. A Common Process Ensuring Energy Flow

and the Circulation of Matter in Ecosystems. II. A Tool for the

Production of Gaseous Biofuels............................................................92

Abstract.................................................................................................92

1. Introduction..........................................................................................93

2. Meta-omics approaches for exploring microbial communities..95

3. Hydrolysis and acidogenesis: the anaerobic digestion steps

yielding short-chain fatty acids and hydrogen.............................98

4. Acetogenesis.......................................................................................104

5. Methane formation...........................................................................113

6. Hydrogen and methane production in a two-stage anaerobic

digestion..............................................................................................118

Acknowledgements...........................................................................120

Chapter 6 The Possibility of Future Biofuels Production Using Waste Carbon

Dioxide and Solar Energy....................................................................130

1. Introduction........................................................................................130

2. Solar radiation as an energy source..............................................131

3. The processes of photosynthesis and their impact on the biomass

growth.................................................................................................136

4. Biomass as an energy source..........................................................139

5. Biofuels................................................................................................143

6. Technologies of liquid energy carriers production based on waste

substances...........................................................................................150

7. Biohydrogen and Liquid Organic Hydrides (LOH)

application..........................................................................................174

8. Environmental conditions for xtL processes implementation..175

9. SWOT analysis of selected technologies......................................176

10. Conclusions........................................................................................180

Acknowledgements...........................................................................181

Chapter 7 Production and Characterization of Biofuel from Non-Edible Oils:

An Alternative Energy Sources to Petrol Diesel.............................188

1. Introduction ......................................................................................188

2. Jatropha curcas and ricininus communis (castor oil) and biodiesel

production..........................................................................................196

3. Material and methodology ...........................................................200

4. Results and discussion of results...................................................206

5. Conclusion .......................................................................................213

Acknowledgement ...........................................................................214

Chapter 8 Alternative Resources for Renewable Energy: Piezoelectric and

Photovoltaic Smart Structures..............................................................220

1. Introduction........................................................................................220

2. Piezoelectric energy harvesting......................................................221

3. Photovoltaic effect and photovoltaic energy harvesting...........229

4. A new approach to energy harvesting by Hybrid Piezoelectric-

Photovoltaic (HPP) materials..........................................................240

5. Conclusions........................................................................................242

Chapter 9 A Comparison of Electricity Generation Reference Costs for

Different Technologies of Renewable Energy Sources.................256

1. Introduction........................................................................................256

2. A short description of the employed methodology...................258

3. Assumptions and data.....................................................................260

4. Results.................................................................................................263

5. Conclusions........................................................................................266

Chapter 10 An Integrated Waste-Free Biomass Utilization System for an

Increased Productivity of Biofuel and Bioenergy..........................268

1. Introduction........................................................................................268

2. Energy aspects of biomass utilization .........................................269

3. New trends in biodiesel technologies .........................................271

4. Butanol as raw material in biodiesel production.......................278

5. Other aspects of the integrated biomass utilization system ...287

6. Conclusion .........................................................................................297

Citation......................................................................................................303

Index...........................................................................................................305

About Author

David Revere obtained his Ph.D. in Biofuels Process Engineering from Public Research University, Queensland. He is working as a Scientific Associate at Technical Institute, Krasnoyarsk. His interest areas of academic research include biodiesel and bioethanol. He is on the editorial board of several renowned biofuel and bioenergy journals; and has edited over 230 technical papers and eight reference books. Revere has also won an “Excellence in Graduate Education” award for his outstanding contribution towards the researcher community especially in the higher education programs.