Page 7 - Low Temperature Energy Systems with Applications of Renewable Energy

Preface

The three co-authors, Andriy Redko, Oleksandr Redko and Ronald DiPippo, first
began collaborating in July 2017, working on multistage, low-temperature power
cycles. Around the same time, the Redkos proposed that we write a book dealing
with low potential energy systems. After some discussion regarding the contents, all
three agreed to tackle this project. We then contacted Elsevier to gauge their interest
in publishing such a volume, and they expressed their willingness to review a proposal.
Our proposal was accepted, and serious writing began in early 2018. The book title
was established as “Low-temperature energy systems with applications of renewable
energy.”
A great deal of the material seen in the book was originally written in Ukrainian by
the Redkos. Translation into English was done in Ukraine, and a final editing was car-
ried out by DiPippo with the goal of making the presentation of the material as concise,
clear, and as easy to understand as possible. DiPippo also participated in the writing of
each section, wrote new material for this volume, and contributed one chapter by him-
self, Chapter 6.
The text and examples of using low-temperature energy systems are based mainly
on the results of the authors’ scientific and technological research. This book can be
used in engineering and technology educational programs for a deeper understanding
of the processes involved in converting low-temperature energy into useful applica-
tions. The authors will consider their work successful if this book is found to be useful
in educational and training courses for students at technical universities and for tech-
nologists in industry.
Motivation for this book stems from the recognition that the world needs to
examine its use of energy in light of a growing population and the finite nature of
most of the sources of energy in use. Renewables such as solar, wind, biomass, and
geothermal are being developed and deployed everywhere, as feasible, but much of
the thermal energy derived from conventional energy sources such as coal, oil, natural
gas, and nuclear is wasted. On a broad average, about two-thirds of the thermal energy
from these fuels ends up being discharged to the environment in the form of medium-
to low-temperature heat. This book describes many ways that such waste heat can be at
least partially captured and put to use, thus saving a measure of primary energy and
mitigating the environmental impact of the energy usage.
One promising technology in the realm of energy saving systems is heat pumps.
In many countries, heat pumps are becoming the preferred means of providing
indoor comfort conditions as well as industrial uses involving low-grade waste heat.