PhD Thesis - Energy Systems Research Unit - University of Strathclyde

CONTENTS
1 ENERGY SYSTEMS FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVING 12
1.1 Energy Use in the United Kingdom 13
1.2 Reduction of Fossil Fuel Use 15
1.3 Electricity Generation From Renewable Energy Sources 17
1.3.1 Traditional Thermal Plants 17
1.3.2 Renewable Energy Generators 18
1.3.3 Increased Grid Penetration of Renewable Energy Generators 20
1.4 High Renewable Energy Penetration in Small Areas 22
1.5 Decision Support Framework 24
1.6 Outline of Thesis 25
1.7 References 27
2 OPTIONS FOR NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS 29
2.1 Meeting the Transport Demand 32
2.2 Combined Heat and Power Production Technologies 34
2.2.1 Internal Combustion and Diesel Engines 35
2.2.2 Stirling Engines 35
2.2.3 Gas Turbines 36
2.2.4 Steam Turbines 37
2.2.5 Fuel Cells 37
2.3 The Production and Storage of Heat 39
2.3.1 Instantaneous Space and Water Heaters 39
2.3.2 Space Heating Storage Heaters 40
2.3.3 Hot Water Storage 40
2.4 Uses for Excess Electricity 41
2.4.1 Electrolysis 42
2.4.2 Electricity Storage Devices 42
2.5 The Production of Biomass and Waste Derived Fuels 44
2.5.1 Gasification and Pyrolysis 46
2.5.2 Anaerobic Digestion 49
2.5.3 Transesterification 52
2.5.4 Fermentation 54
2.5.5 Steam Reforming of Methane to Hydrogen 56
2.5.6 Catalytic Synthesis of Methanol 56
2.5.7 Landfill Gas Processing 57
2.5.8 Waste and Biomass Processing Technologies 57
2.5.9 Electrolysis 58
2.6 Summary 58
2.7 References 59
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