Page 5 - Materials Chemistry, Second Edition

Foreword

With the advent of modern civilisation and
continuously growing human population, there
is constant increase in the demand for the
energy world over for livelihood and recrea-
tional purposes. The major sources of conven-
tional energy derived through petroleum
resources and coal reserves are depleting, which
have raised the concerns and led to growing
global interest in developing alternative sources
of energy. National governments also see
energy independence as a kind of security for
the country. There have been intensive efforts
all over the world to explore and exploit the
alternative energy sources, such as solar energy,
wind energy, bioenergy, etc. Bioenergy largely relies on biomass-based processes
for the development of liquid and gaseous fuels, which have often been termed as
first generation (ethanol from corn and other starchy sources), second generation
(bioethanol from lignocellulosic feedstocks and biodiesel from vegetable oils),
third generation (biofuels derived from algae) and fourth generation (biohydro-
gen). Biofuels derived from renewable materials offer much promise. In addition
to serve as alternative source of energy, they also offer potential benefits on
environmental impact in comparison to fossil fuels.
For the development of technologically and economically feasible renewable
energy process, not only one requires substantial basic R&D data, but must also
develop suitable models and integrate them with scale-up data. Yet another
important aspect in this regard is life cycle assessment (LCA) study, which should
be accomplished for a complete economic, environmental and social sustainability
scenario development. LCA studies could involve the production and use of a
product or the development of a service or product. In either cases, environmental
and economic scenarios must be given due consideration.
The book on ‘Life Cycle Assessment of Renewable Energy Sources’ provides
state-of-the-art information on the LCA studies and scenarios for the renewable
energy. The editors have put together a host of highly relevant topics, ranging from

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