If there are two phrases we have come to know very well, they are 'environmental awareness' and 'credit crunch'. The world is looking for ways to decrease the emission of CO₂ into the atmosphere, without incurring major costs in doing so. By increasing efficiencies up to about 90 per cent using well-established and mature technologies, cogeneration represents the best option for short-term reductions in CO₂ emission levels. The ability to maximise revenue streams by taking advantage of price fluctuations in the cost of energy supply, and ensuring the ability to supply power regardless of what is happening on the grid, are powerful incentives to use cogeneration. The collapses of the grid networks in North America and Italy in 2003 were a stark reminder of what can happen if there is over-reliance on the grid network. Cogeneration makes sense economically, environmentally and operationally.

The use of combined heat and power (CHP) plants and renewable energy sources reduces the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere and helps to alleviate the consequent climate change. The policies of many governments suggest that the proportion of electrical energy produced by these sources will increase dramatically over the next two decades. Unlike traditional generating units, these new types of power plant are usually 'embedded' in the distribution system or 'dispersed' around the network. As a result, conventional design and operating practices are no longer applicable; for example, power protection principles have to be revised and complex economic questions need to be resolved. This book, intended for both students and practising engineers, addresses all the issues pertinent to the implementation of embedded generation. Much of the material was originally developed for the UMIST MSc/CPD course in Electrical Power Engineering so there is a strong tutorial element. However, since this subject is evolving very rapidly, the authors also discuss the technical and commercial consequences of the very high penetration of embedded generation that are to be expected in the years ahead.

In the future, the UK's energy supplies, for both heat and power, will come from much more diverse sources. In many cases, this will mean local energy projects serving a local community or even a single house. What technologies are available? Where and at what scale can they be used? How can they work effectively with our existing energy networks? This book explores these power and heat sources, explains the characteristics of each and examines how they can be used.

The smart-grid concept can mean many things, however there is a consensus that its objective involves seamlessly adopting new technologies to existing infrastructures and maximising the use of resources. Modelling Distributed Energy Resources in Energy Service Networks focuses on modelling two key infrastructures in urban energy systems with embedded technologies. These infrastructures are natural gas and electricity networks and the embedded technologies include cogeneration and electric vehicle devices. The subject is addressed using a holistic modelling framework which serves as a means to an end; this end being to optimise in a coordinated manner the operation of natural gas and electrical infrastructures under the presence of distributed energy resources, thus paving the way in which smart-grids should be managed. The modelling approach developed and presented in this book, under the name 'time coordinated optimal power flow' (TCOPF), functions as a decision maker entity that aggregates and coordinates the available DERs according to multiple criteria such as energy prices and utility conditions. The examples prove the TCOPF acts effectively as an unbiased intermediary entity that manages cost-effective interactions between the connected technologies and the distribution network operators, therefore showcasing an integral approach on how to manage new technologies for the benefit of all stakeholders.

Worldwide, the automotive industry is being challenged to make dramatic improvements in vehicle fuel economy. In Europe there are CO₂ emissions penalties prorated by the degree to which vehicles exceed mandated CO₂ levels. In the United States, vehicle fuel economy targets set by Congress in 2007 for 20 per cent fuel economy improvement by 2020 are now being accelerated by the Obama administration to 35.5 mpg by 2016 for a passenger car. Taking effect in 2012, the new rules set more aggressive fuel economy measures that will require significant gains in engine and driveline efficiency, better performance cabin climate control and the introduction of electric hybridization. This 2nd Edition of Propulsion Systems for Hybrid Vehicles addresses the electrification innovations that will be required, ranging from low end brake energy recuperators, idle-stop systems and mild hybrids on to strong hybrids of the power split architecture in both single mode and two mode and introducing new topics in plug-in hybrid and battery electrics. Important topics of the 1st Edition are retained and expanded and some outdated material has been replaced with new information.