Download or read book Biotechnology for Biofuels A Sustainable Green Energy Solution written by Nitish Kumar and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2020-05-16 with total page 291 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The depletion of petroleum-derived fuel and environmental concerns have prompted many millennials to consider biofuels as alternative fuel sources. But completely replacing petroleum-derived fuels with biofuels is currently impossible in terms of production capacity and engine compatibility. Nevertheless, the marginal replacement of diesel with biofuel could delay the depletion of petroleum resources and abate the radical climate change caused by automotive pollutants. Energy security and climate change are the two major driving forces for worldwide biofuel development, and also have the potential to stimulate the agro-industry. The development of biofuels as alternative and renewable sources of energy has become critical in national efforts towards maximum self-reliance, the cornerstone of our energy security strategy. At the same time, the production of biofuels from various types of biomass such as plants, microbes, algae and fungi is now an ecologically viable and sustainable option. This book describes the biotechnological advances in biofuel production from various sources, while also providing essential information on the genetic improvement of biofuel sources at both the conventional and genomic level. These innovations and the corresponding methodologies are explained in detail.

Download or read book Sustainable Biofuels written by Ramesh C. Ray and published by Academic Press. This book was released on 2021-04-08 with total page 503 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Sustainable Biofuels: Opportunities and challenges, a volume in the "Applied Biotechnology Reviews series, explores the state-of-the-art in research and applied technology for the conversion of all types of biofuels. Its chapters span a broad spectrum of knowledge, from fundamentals and technical aspects to optimization, combinations, economics, and environmental aspects. They cover various facets of research, production, and commercialization of bioethanol, biodiesel, biomethane, biohydrogen, biobutanol, and biojet fuel. This book discusses biochemical, thermochemical, and hydrothermal conversion of unconventional feedstocks, including the role of biotechnology applications to achieve efficiency and competitiveness. Through case studies, techno-economic analysis and sustainability assessment, including life cycle assessment, it goes beyond technical aspects to provides actual resources for better decision-making during the development of commercially viable technology by researchers, PhD students, and practitioners in the field of bioenergy. It is also a useful resource for those in adjacent areas, such as biotechnology, industrial microbiology, chemical engineering, environmental engineering, and sustainability science, who are working on solutions for the bioeconomy. The ability to compare different technologies and their outcome that this book provides is also beneficial for energy analysts, consultants, planners, and policy-makers. The "Applied Biotechnology Reviews series highlights current development and research in biotechnology-related fields, combining in single-volume works the theoretical aspects and real-world applications for better decision-making. - Covers current technologies and advancements in biochemical, thermochemical, and hydrothermal conversion methods for production of various types of biofuels from conventional and nonconventional feedstock - Examines biotechnology processes, including genetic engineering of microorganisms and substrates, applied to biofuel production - Bridges the gap between technology development and prospects of commercialization of bioprocesses, including policy and economics of biofuel production, biofuel value chains, and how to accomplish cost-competitive results and sustainable development

Download or read book Bioenergy Research Advances and Applications written by Vijai G. Gupta and published by Newnes. This book was released on 2013-12-05 with total page 513 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Bioenergy Research: Advances and Applications brings biology and engineering together to address the challenges of future energy needs. The book consolidates the most recent research on current technologies, concepts, and commercial developments in various types of widely used biofuels and integrated biorefineries, across the disciplines of biochemistry, biotechnology, phytology, and microbiology. All the chapters in the book are derived from international scientific experts in their respective research areas. They provide you with clear and concise information on both standard and more recent bioenergy production methods, including hydrolysis and microbial fermentation. Chapters are also designed to facilitate early stage researchers, and enables you to easily grasp the concepts, methodologies and application of bioenergy technologies. Each chapter in the book describes the merits and drawbacks of each technology as well as its usefulness. The book provides information on recent approaches to graduates, post-graduates, researchers and practitioners studying and working in field of the bioenergy. It is an invaluable information resource on biomass-based biofuels for fundamental and applied research, catering to researchers in the areas of bio-hydrogen, bioethanol, bio-methane and biorefineries, and the use of microbial processes in the conversion of biomass into biofuels. - Reviews all existing and promising technologies for production of advanced biofuels in addition to bioenergy policies and research funding - Cutting-edge research concepts for biofuels production using biological and biochemical routes, including microbial fuel cells - Includes production methods and conversion processes for all types of biofuels, including bioethanol and biohydrogen, and outlines the pros and cons of each

Download or read book Biofuel from Microbes and Plants written by Nitish Kumar and published by CRC Press. This book was released on 2021-10-25 with total page 348 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Global concern for energy security and environmental protection has put great emphasis on the search for alternative energy sources, particularly for the transport sector. Biofuels have emerged as a highly promising source of alternative energy, and have drawn global research and development for their production using biomass. With the increasing worldwide demand for energy, along with the depletion of conventional fossil fuel reserves, there has been growing global interest in developing alternative sources of energy. There has also been concern in growing economies regarding energy security. Biofuels offer much promise on these frontiers. In addition to these factors, they also have a reduced environmental impact in comparison to fossil fuels. Biofuels from Microbes and Plants provides state-of-the-art information on the status of biofuel production and related aspects. Academics, researchers, engineers, and technologists will develop a greater understanding of the relevant concepts and solutions to the global issues related to achieving alternative energy applications for future energy security, as well as environmental sustainability in medium- and large-scale industries. Key Features Detailed overview of the alternative energy field and the role of biofuels as new energy sources Detailed accounts of the production of biodiesel from non-conventional bio-feedstocks such as algae, microbes, and vegetable oils Recent updates about biotechnological improvements of plant and microbial sources for biofuel production

Download or read book Waste Biorefinery written by Thallada Bhaskar and published by Elsevier. This book was released on 2018-04-13 with total page 892 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Waste Biorefinery: Potential and Perspectives offers data-based information on the most cutting-edge processes for the utilisation of biogenic waste to produce biofuels, energy products, and biochemicals – a critical aspect of biorefinery. The book explores recent developments in biochemical and thermo-chemical methods of conversion and the potential generated by different kinds of biomass in more decentralized biorefineries. Additionally, the book discusses the move from 200 years of raw fossil materials to renewable resources and how this shift is accompanied by fundamental changes in industrial manufacturing technologies (from chemistry to biochemistry) and in logistics and manufacturing concepts (from petrochemical refineries to biorefineries). Waste Biorefinery: Potential and Perspectives designs concepts that enable modern biorefineries to utilize all types of biogenic wastes, and to integrate processes that convert byproduct streams to high-value products, achieving higher cost benefits. This book is an essential resource for researchers and students studying biomass, biorefineries, and biofuels/products/processes, as well as chemists, biochemical/chemical engineers, microbiologists, and biotechnologists working in industries and government agencies. - Details the most advanced and innovative methods for biomass conversion - Covers biochemical and thermo-chemical processes as well as product development - Discusses the integration of technologies to produce bio-fuels, energy products, and biochemicals - Illustrates specific applications in numerous case studies for reference and teaching purposes

Download or read book Biofuels for a More Sustainable Future written by Jingzheng Ren and published by Elsevier. This book was released on 2019-08-20 with total page 416 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Biofuels for a More Sustainable Future: Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment and Multi-criteria Decision Making provides a comprehensive sustainability analysis of biofuels based on life cycle thinking and develops various multi-dimensional decision-making techniques for prioritizing biofuel production technologies. Taking a transversal approach, the book combines life cycle sustainability assessment, life cycle assessment, life cycle costing analysis, social life cycle assessment, sustainability metrics, triple bottom line, operations research methods, and supply chain design for investigating the critical factors and key enablers that influence the sustainable development of biofuel industry. This book will equip researchers and policymakers in the energy sector with the scientific methodology and metrics needed to develop strategies for viable sustainability transition. It will be a key resource for students, researchers and practitioners seeking to deepen their knowledge on energy planning and current and future trends of biofuel as an alternative fuel. - Provides an innovative approach to promoting sustainable development in biofuel production by linking supply chain design and decision support with the life cycle perspective - Features case studies and examples that illustrate the theory and methods developed - Includes material on corporate social responsibility and economic analysis of biofuels that is highly useful to policy-makers and administrators in both government and enterprise sectors

Download or read book Green Energy to Sustainability Strategies for Global Industries written by Alain A. Vertes and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2020-06-10 with total page 702 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Reviews the latest advances in biofuel manufacturing technologies and discusses the deployment of other renewable energy for transportation Aimed at providing an interface useful to business and scientific managers, this book focuses on the key challenges that still impede the realization of the billion-ton renewable fuels vision. It places great emphasis on a global view of the topic, reviewing deployment and green energy technology in different countries across Africa, Asia, South America, the EU, and the USA. It also integrates scientific, technological, and business development perspectives to highlight the key developments that are necessary for the global replacement of fossil fuels with green energy solutions. Green Energy to Sustainability: Strategies for Global Industries examines the most recent developments in biofuel manufacturing technologies in light of business, financial, value chain, and supply chain concerns. It also covers the use of other renewable energy sources like solar energy for transportation and proposes a view of the challenges over the next two to five decades, and how these will deeply modify the industrial world in the third millennium. The coming of age of electric vehicles is also looked at, as is the impact of their deployment on the biomass to biofuels value chain. Offers extensive updates on the field of green energy for global industries Covers the structure of the energy business; chemicals and diesel from biomass; ethanol and butanol; hydrogen and methane; and more Provides an expanded focus on the next generation of energy technologies Reviews the latest advances in biofuel manufacturing technologies Integrates scientific, technological and business perspectives Highlights important developments needed for replacing fossil fuels with green energy Green Energy to Sustainability: Strategies for Global Industries will appeal to academic researchers working on the production of fuels from renewable feedstocks and those working in green and sustainable chemistry, and chemical/process engineering. It is also an excellent textbook for courses in bioprocessing technology, renewable resources, green energy, and sustainable chemistry.

Download or read book Algal Biofuel written by Richa. Kothari and published by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). This book was released on 2020-11-19 with total page 312 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Present energy situation around the globe is unsustainable due to unequal distribution of natural resources as well as different environmental, geopolitical, and economical concerns. Rise in population with accelerated increase in industrial sector has led to rapid increase in the consumption of energy sources, which will make them extinct soon. To combat environmental pollution and mitigate the effects of greenhouse gases, it has become imperative that an alternative energy source is found which is sustainable and renewable. Biofuels is one such renewable, sustainable and affordable energy source that has the potential to replace conventional energy sources. Algal Biofuel: sustainable solution explores a wide spectrum of bioenergy sources, including their applications. It provides latest information in the field of bioenergy technologies and their future prospect including lipid content. It discusses governance of biofuel at global and national level and the potential of biofuel to meet the rising energy demand. The book focuses towards the strategies to ensure the availability of algal biomass, effective cultivation and harvesting techniques. The strategies to enhance the algal lipid synthesis and its conversion for biodiesel production have been also elaborated. Detailed Table of Contents: Foreword Preface 1. Biorefinery: A Future Approach for a Sustainable Bioeconomy Introduction Role of Government, Public, and Private Stakeholders Conclusion 2. Algal biomass harvesting for biofuel production Introduction Harvesting process Future prospects and conclusions 3. Biogas as Bioenergy Option: Advances and Challenges Introduction Biochemical Processes of Anaerobic Digestion Feedstock materials Microbial community Important parameters Properties of Biogas Upgradation of Biogas Types of Digesters Applications of Biogas Challenges/bottlenecks Conclusion 4. Application of algal biomass as a feedstock 93for fermentative biohydrogen production Introduction Microalgae Advantages and Limitations of Biohydrogen from Microalgae Conclusion 5. Bioethanol Production from Lignocellulosic/Algal Biomass: 107Potential Sustainable Approach Introduction Bioethanol from Lignocellulosic Material Conclusion 6. Crop Residues as a Potential Substrate for 121Bioenergy Production: An Overview Introduction Agricultural Residues for Bioenergy Production Biomass-to-bioenergy Conversion Pathways Conclusion 7. Magnetic Harvesting of Microalgae Biomass forCost-effective Algal Biofuel Production Introduction Magnetic Materials for Microalgae Harvesting Factors Influencing Magnetic Harvesting Process Recovery of Magnetic Materials and Biomass Detachment Biocompatibility of Magnetic Nanoparticles and Recovery of Growth Medium Conclusion 8. Biodiesel Production from Non-edible Oilseeds Introduction Non-edible Oilseeds as Biodiesel Feedstock Properties of Free Fatty Acids in Non-edible Oils Biodiesel Production Technology for Non-edible Oilseeds Fuel Properties of Biodiesel Economic Feasibility of Biodiesel from Non-edible Oils Advantages of Non-edible Oilseed Crops National Efforts to Promote Non-edible Plant Species Conclusion 9. Carbon Sequestration and Biofuel Production byMicroalgae: An Integrated and Sustainable Approach Introduction Carbon Sequestration Carbon Sequestration by Microalgae Carbon Concentrating Mechanism Algal Species Factors Affecting Microalgal Efficiency Biosynthesis of Lipids in Microalgae Microalgal Biomass Harvesting and Processing Microalgal Lipid Extractions Production of Biofuels Chemical Conversion Thermochemical Conversion Biochemical Conversion Conclusion 10. Role of Meteorological Parameters on Atmospheric Aerosols Concentration and Its Control through Modern Biomass Application Introduction Aerosols Shape and Size of Aerosols Aerosol Sources Aerosol Removal Processes Implications of Aerosols Brief History of Earlier Aerosol Studies Experimental Technique Used Results and Discussion Modern Biomass Application to Control Aerosol Emission Conclusion 11. Application of Immobilized Algae in Water and Wastewater Treatment Immobilization Immobilization Techniques Application of Immobilized Algae Nutrient Removal Metal Removal Removal of Organic Compounds Lipid Content of Immobilized Algae Conclusion and Future Work 12. Recent Biotechnological Approaches for Bioenergy Production: The Path Forward Introduction Biotechnological Approaches in Bioenergy Production Different Biotechnological Approaches for Bioenergy Production Biotechnology and Sustainable Society Conclusion 13. Lipid induction in algal biomass for sustainable bioenergy production Introduction Composition of Microalgal Lipid Factors affecting lipid productivity in algal biomass Engineering efforts of lipid enhancement Conclusion About the Editors Index

Download or read book Sustainable Development of Algal Biofuels in the United States written by National Research Council and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2013-01-18 with total page 247 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Biofuels made from algae are gaining attention as a domestic source of renewable fuel. However, with current technologies, scaling up production of algal biofuels to meet even 5 percent of U.S. transportation fuel needs could create unsustainable demands for energy, water, and nutrient resources. Continued research and development could yield innovations to address these challenges, but determining if algal biofuel is a viable fuel alternative will involve comparing the environmental, economic and social impacts of algal biofuel production and use to those associated with petroleum-based fuels and other fuel sources. Sustainable Development of Algal Biofuels was produced at the request of the U.S. Department of Energy.

Download or read book Advanced Biofuel Technologies written by Deepak K. Tuli and published by Elsevier. This book was released on 2021-12-08 with total page 596 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Advanced Biofuel Technologies: Present Status, Challenges and Future Prospects deals with important issues such as feed stock availability, technology options, greenhouse gas reduction as seen by life cycle assessment studies, regulations and policies. This book provides readers complete information on the current state of developments in both thermochemical and biochemical processes for advanced biofuels production for the purpose of transportation, domestic and industrial applications. Chapters explore technological innovations in advanced biofuels produced from agricultural residues, algae, lipids and waste industrial gases to produce road transport fuels, biojet fuel and biogas. - Covers technologies and processes of different types of biofuel production - Outlines a selection of different types of renewable feedstocks for biofuel production - Summarizes adequate and balanced coverage of thermochemical and biochemical methods of biomass conversion into biofuel - Includes regulations, policies and lifecycle and techno-economic assessments

Download or read book Advances in Biofuel Production written by Barnabas Gikonyo and published by CRC Press. This book was released on 2016-04-19 with total page 393 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Due to their high growth rate, algae, microalgae, and aquatic plants are becoming the most promising photosynthetic organisms for biofuel production. Advances in Biofuel Production: Algae and Aquatic Plants explores current investigations and application of the fields of biofuel production and bioengineering and considers from a global context the

Download or read book Plant Biotechnology for Sustainable Production of Energy and Co products written by Peter N. Mascia and published by Springer. This book was released on 2012-11-06 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book is a collection of chapters concerning the use of biomass for the sustainable production of energy and chemicals–an important goal that will help decrease the production of greenhouse gases to help mitigate global warming, provide energy security in the face of dwindling petroleum reserves, improve balance of payment problems and spur local economic development. Clearly there are ways to save energy that need to be encouraged more. These include more use of energy sources such as, among others, manure in anaerobic digesters, waste wood in forests as fuel or feedstock for cellulosic ethanol, and conservation reserve program (CRP) land crops that are presently unused in the US. The use of biofuels is not new; Rudolf Diesel used peanut oil as fuel in the ?rst engines he developed (Chap. 8), and ethanol was used in the early 1900s in the US as automobile fuel [Songstad et al. (2009) Historical perspective of biofuels: learning from the past to rediscover the future. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Plant 45:189–192). Brazil now produces enough sugar cane ethanol to make up about 50% of its transportation fuel needs (Chap. 4). The next big thing will be cellulosic ethanol. At present, there is also the use of Miscanthus x giganteous as fuel for power plants in the UK (Chap. 2), bagasse (sugar cane waste) to power sugar cane mills (Chap. 4), and waste wood and sawdust to power sawmills (Chap. 7).

Download or read book Energy written by Pardeep Singh and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2021-09-06 with total page 356 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Energy Global energy demand has more than doubled since 1970. The use of energy is strongly related to almost every conceivable aspect of development: wealth, health, nutrition, water, infrastructure, education and even life expectancy itself are strongly and significantly related to the consumption of energy per capita. Many development indicators are strongly related to per-capita energy consumption. Fossil fuel is the most conventional source of energy but also increases greenhouse gas emissions. The economic development of many countries has come at the cost of the environment. However, it should not be presumed that a reconciliation of the two is not possible. The nexus concept is the interconnection between the resource energy, water, food, land, and climate. Such interconnections enable us to address trade-offs and seek synergies among them. Energy, water, food, land, and climate are essential resources of our natural environment and support our quality of life. Competition between these resources is increasing globally and is exacerbated by climate change. Improving resilience and securing resource availability would require improving resource efficiency. Many policies and programs are announced nationally and internationally for replacing the conventional mode and also emphasizing on conservation of fossil fuels and reuse of exhausted energy, so a gap in implications and outcomes can be broadly traced by comparing the data. This book aims to highlight problems and solutions related to conventional energy utilization, formation, and multitudes of ecological impacts and tools for the conservation of fossil fuels. The book also discusses modern energy services as one of the sustainable development goals and how the pressure on resource energy disturbs the natural flows. The recent advances in alternative energy sources and their possible future growth are discussed and on how conventional energy leads to greenhouse gas formation, which reduces energy use efficiency. The different policies and models operating is also addressed, and the gaps that remained between them. Climate change poses a challenge for renewable energy, and thus it is essential to identify the factors that would reduce the possibility of relying on sustainable energy sources. This book will be of interest to researchers and stakeholders, students, industries, NGOs, and governmental agencies directly or indirectly associated with energy research.

Download or read book Biorefinery Production of Fuels and Platform Chemicals written by Prakash Kumar Sarangi and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2023-06-14 with total page 308 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: BIOREFINERY PRODUCTION OF FUELS AND PLATFORM CHEMICALS From the selection and pretreatment of raw materials to design of reactors, methods of conversion, selection of process parameters, optimization, and production of various types of biofuels to the industrial applications for the technology, this is the most up-to-date and comprehensive coverage of liquid biofuels for engineers and students. Massive use of fossil-based fuels not only create environmental pollution, but these sources are already diminishing. Waste biomass can aid in the production of biobased energy and chemicals. This book is a complete collection of chapters on biofuel and biochemical production presented in a sustainable way. Biorefineries are the need of the day, because they have the potential to produce fuels and chemicals in an environmentally sustainable way, to eventually fully displace production based on fossil resources such as petroleum, coal and natural gas. Algal cells are also a suitable fit for the production of both fuels and chemicals replacing conventional sources. In this book, several chapters summarize how algal biomass can be processed for the production of bioenergy and biochemicals. This volume is essentially a roadmap towards thermochemical, biochemicals, bioengineering and bioprocessing. Written and edited by authors from leading biotechnology research groups from across the world, this exciting new volume covers all of these technologies, including the basic concepts and the problems and solutions involved with the practical applications in the real world. Whether for the veteran engineer or scientist, the student, or a manager or other technician working in the field, this volume is a must-have for any library.

Download or read book Biofuels and Sustainability written by Daochen Zhu and published by Elsevier. This book was released on 2024-10-16 with total page 533 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Biofuels and Sustainability: Life-cycle Assessments, System Biology, Policies, and Emerging Technologies presents the current progress and challenges related to the sustainability of biofuels. Addressing a wide range of issues, the book examines the methods and technologies, policies for sustainable biofuels, impacts of advanced fuels, recent advances, and future research prospects. Reflecting new developments, emphasis is given to new biological/biochemical approaches that offer the most efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable strategies for biofuel production. Divided into five parts, the first provides an overview of biofuels, the need for alternate fuels, carbon footprints, life cycle assessments, environmental aspects, various generations of biofuels, biofuel production from lignocellulosic material, and artificial intelligence in biofuel production. Part 2 examines the various methods and technologies for biofuels production, with case studies from the USA, UK, and Brazil. Part 3 explores the policies for sustainable biofuels, including current standards, with applications from the USA, European Union, Asia, and Africa. Part 4 analyses the impacts of advanced fuels in the decarbonization of transport, climate change mitigation, sustainable agriculture, and water resources, with perspectives from developed and developing countries. Finally, Part 5 critically reviews the recent advances and future research prospects related to termites, insects, metabolic engineering, microorganisms, and bioreactors. - Provides carbon footprints and lifecycle assessments of biofuel and bioproduct production from 2nd and 3rd generation feedstocks and compliance with the international standards - Highlights the emerging applications of systems biology in biofuel and bioenergy production, including biomimetics and protein engineering - Analyzes the sustainable production of biofuels at various stages, such as feedstock production, biomass pre-treatment and novel bioprospection - Explains the technological challenges of biofuel production, designing novel bioreactors, and value-added processing of biofuel residues - Discusses and analyses biofuel and bioenergy policies from various countries and various regions of the world

Download or read book Nanotechnology for Bioenergy and Biofuel Production written by Mahendra Rai and published by Springer. This book was released on 2016-12-19 with total page 370 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A unique feature of this book is its focus on nanotechnological solutions for the production of bioenergy and biofuels. Coverage includes topics such as nanobiotechnology, microalgae, biofuel cells, biomass pretreatment, and biomass conversion. An international team of experts also addresses the need to precisely characterize nanoparticles and the role of catalysts. The range of topics addressed, together with a chapter on risk management, make this book a highly useful resource for a broad readership including physicists, chemists, microbiologists, biotechnologists, food technologists, agricultural engineers, and nanotechnologists.

Download or read book Alternative Energy Resources written by Pankaj Pathak and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2021-01-04 with total page 326 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book reviews alternative and renewable energy resources in order to pave the way for a more sustainable production in the future. A multi-disciplinary team of authors provides a comprehensive overview of current technologies and future trends, including solar technologies, wind energy, hydropower, microbial electrochemical systems and various biomass sources for biofuel production. In addition, the book focuses on solutions for developing countries. Conventional energy sources are finite, and estimates suggest that they will be exhausted within a few decades. Finding a solution to this problem is a global challenge, and developing countries in particular are still highly dependent on fossil fuels due to their rapidly growing populations accompanied by a huge growth in primary energy consumption. Moreover, the most common conventional energy sources (coal and petroleum) are non-sustainable since their combustion exponentially increases greenhouse gas emissions. As such, there is a pressing need for clean energy based on alternative or renewable resources, not only to ensure energy supplies at an affordable price but also to protect the environment.