This book provides an in-depth economic analysis of the challenges associated with bioenergy use and production. Drawing on New Institutional Economics and the theory of economic policy, it develops theory-based recommendations for a bioenergy policy that strives for efficiency and sustainability. Further, it shows how to deal with diverse uncertainties and constraints, such as institutional path dependencies, transaction costs, multiple and conflicting policy aims, and interacting market failures, while also applying the resulting theoretical insights to a case study analysis of Germany’s bioenergy policy. As such, the book aims to bridge the gap between practical bioenergy policymaking on the one hand, and neoclassical theory-based concepts that strictly focus on a minimization of greenhouse gas mitigation costs on the other.

Electrification: Accelerating the Energy Transition offers a widely applicable framework to delineate context-sensitive pathways by which this transition can be accelerated and lists the types of processes and structures that may hinder progress towards this goal. The framework draws insights from well-established literature, ranging from technological studies to socio-technical studies of energy transitions, on to strategic niche management approaches, (international) political economy approaches, and institutionalist literatures, while also adopting wider social theoretical ideas from structuration theory. Contributors discuss a multitude of case studies drawn from global examples of electrification projects. Brief case studies and text boxes help users further understand this domain and the technological, infrastructural and societal structures that may exercise significant powers. - Proposes a globally applicable, inclusive framework linking together several literatures of energy transition research (ranging from the social sciences to law and engineering) - Assesses the regional and national applicability of solutions, covering the societal structures and interests that shape the prospects of their implementation - Extends the analysis from technological and infrastructural solutions to the policies required to accelerate transition - Introduces several country level case studies, thus demonstrating how to harness niches of innovation, kick-start the adoption of a solution, and make it mainstream

This book gathers contributions from scientists and industry representatives on achieving a sustainable bioeconomy. It also covers the social sciences, economics, business, education and the environmental sciences. There is an urgent need to optimise and maximise the use of biological resources, so that primary production and processing systems can generate more food, fibre and other bio-based products with less environmental impacts and lower greenhouse gas emissions. In other words, we need a “sustainable bioeconomy” – a term that encompasses the sustainable production of renewable resources from land, fisheries and aquaculture environments and their conversion into food, feed, fibre bio-based products and bio-energy, as well as related public goods. Despite the relevance of achieving a sustainable bioeconomy, there are very few publications in this field. Addressing that gap, this book illustrates how biological resources and ecosystems could be used in a more sustainable, efficient and integrated manner – in other words, how the principles of sustainable bioeconomy can be implemented in practice. Given its interdisciplinary nature, the field of sustainable bioeconomy offers a unique opportunity to address complex and interconnected challenges, while also promoting economic growth. It helps countries and societies to make a transition and to use resources more efficiently, and shows how to rely less on biological resources to satisfy industry demands and consumer needs. The papers are innovative, cross-cutting and include many practice-based lessons learned, some of which are reproducible elsewhere. In closing, the book, prepared by the Inter-University Sustainable Development Research Programme (IUSDRP) and the World Sustainable Development Research and Transfer Centre (WSD-RTC), reiterates the need to promote a sustainable bioeconomy today.

Against the backdrop of the recent trend towards megaregional trade initiatives, this book addresses the most topical issues that lie at the intersection of law and technology. By assessing international law and the political economy, the contributing authors offer an enhanced understanding of the challenges of diverging regulatory approaches to innovation.

This edited work studies the transition to renewable energy. It offers perspectives from a wide range of disciplines, addressing macro, regional and local scales. Important lessons are also drawn from historical transitions.

Appropriate risk management tools can help remove some of the barriers to financing Renewable Energy Technology (RET) projects, particularly in developing countries where risk and risk perceptions are highest. That is why UNEP is working on a comprehensive overview of currently available and potential financial risk management instruments for Renewable Energy Technology (RET) projects. This study will pave the way for an upcoming GEF project that will promote the use of financial risk management instruments that favor the development of RETs.

To maintain a healthy ecosystem for contemporary society, and for future generations, policies must be implemented to protect the environment. This can be achieved by consistent evaluation of new initiatives and strategies. Sustainable Development: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications is a comprehensive source of scholarly information on the latest research for sustainability concerns across a multidisciplinary perspective. Highlighting a broad range of innovative topics such as renewable energy, urban development, and green technologies, this multi-volume book is ideally designed for academics, researchers, professionals, students, and practitioners interested in the preservation of the environment.

Household appliances encompass a large variety of equipment including the cold appliances (refrigerators and freezers), the wet appliances (washing machines, dishwashers and dryers), the space conditioning appliances (heaters, air conditioners, heat pumps, fans, boilers), the water heaters, the cooking appliances, a wide array of consumer electronics (such as TVs, VCRs, HiFi systems) and miscellaneous small appliances (such as vacuum cleaners, irons, toasters, hairdryers and power tools). Household appliances save a large amount of domestic labour to perform the household tasks, as well as provide comfort conditions and convenience to the household occupants. The European Community SAVE Programme has promoted the efficient use of energy, in particular in domestic appliances. SAVE has sponsored a variety of studies to characterise the use of the main household appliances and lighting and to identify cost-effective technical options to improve the energy efficiency, as well as to identify the strategies to promote the penetration ofefficient equipment in the market place. National energy agencies, independent experts and appliance manufacturers have participated in the SAVE activities and have done a remarkable job. While the energy efficiency ofthe main household appliances has been improved, at the same time it was possible in most cases to improve the appliance performance, reliability and qualityofservice.

This book addresses emerging issues resulting from the integration of artificial intelligence systems in our daily lives. It focuses on the cognitive, visual, social and analytical aspects of computing and intelligent technologies, highlighting ways to improve the acceptance, effectiveness, and efficiency of said technologies. Topics such as responsibility, integration and training are discussed throughout. The book also reports on the latest advances in systems engineering, with a focus on societal challenges and next-generation systems and applications for meeting them. The book is based on two AHFE 2019 Affiliated Conferences – on Artificial Intelligence and Social Computing, and on Service, Software, and Systems Engineering –, which were jointly held on July 24–28, 2019, in Washington, DC, USA.