Low-carbon Energy in Africa and Latin America ― Renewable Technologies, Natural Gas and Nuclear Energy

This book offers a comprehensive overview of energy sectors in emerging African and Latin American nations, providing a one-stop source of information and analysis of energy sectors that differ radically from those of developed countries. It focuses on how indigenous energy sources can be used within a systems framework to enhance each nation’s economic prosperity, secure their energy future and reduce global carbon emissions. It begins by examining the current energy trends in Africa and Latin America, and the constraints that current practices place on meeting future energy needs. Further chapters present a deeper analyses of each technology adapted to these regions and a description of 94 selected case examples recently published in the scientific literature (2014-2016) and covering almost all countries to highlight energy experiences that could serve as engines for developing low-carbon energy technologies across the two regions. These issues are elucidated by a large number of illustrations and tables to offer valuable insights into the topics and technologies discussed. The book enables students, researchers and professionals in energy to better understand the energy context in Africa and Latin America, and helps define strategies for supporting these regions in introducing low-carbon energy technologies that supplement indigenous sources in a manner that enhances long-term economic prosperity. It is also intended for consulting companies and government agencies involved in the energy sector, as well as environmental science and energy management students. 

Ricardo Guerrero-Lemus gained a doctorate in Physics from Universidad Autonoma de Madrid (1996), where he served as Associated Professor in the Department of Applied Physics between 1996 and 1999. In February 1999 he joined the Physics Department of the Universidad de La Laguna where currently is serving as Full Professor. He teaches in Conventional and Renewable Energies. He is also Affiliated Research Professor of the Texas Sustainable Energy Research Institute, Expert Member of the International Energy Agency PVPS program and board member of the Canary Government Energy Observatory. Since 2006, he is the Director of the Master in Renewable Energies at the University of La Laguna. He has been CEO of the Instituto Tecnologico de Canarias, Visiting Professor in the University of Texas at San Antonio, Chair in the Spanish Applied Economics Studies Foundation (FEDEA), and board member of the Technological Institute for Renewable Energies (ITER, SA), hydrowind power plant Gorona del Viento S.A. (El Hierro), Guimar and Granadilla Industrial Parks. He has given countless lectures and conducted training and specialization in the area of renewable energy. His research focuses on the field of renewable energy, energy efficiency and associated technologies, having published over seventy articles in JCR journals, and three books on technological trends, environmental impacts and cost analysis of the different renewable energy technologies and associated systems. He has been principal investigator of more than twenty national and international research projects and contracts with reputed companies in the area, as Abengoa and ENDESA (ENEL group). Finally, he is also project`s evaluator for the European Commission, Spanish Evaluation and Foresight Agency (ANEP) and other national and international institutions.

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Dr. Les Shephard joined the University of Texas – San Antonio as the Robert F. McDermott Distinguished Chair in Engineering and Director for the Texas Sustainable Energy Research Institute after serving nearly 29 years in various leadership capacities at Sandia National Laboratories. The Institute is actively involved in fundamental and applied energy research, technology deployment and demonstrations, energy and water policy formulation, and addressing water treatment, conservation and sustainability issues for Texas and the nation.

Previously, Dr. Shephard served as the Vice President of the Energy, Water and Nonproliferation Division at Sandia National Laboratories, a multi-program, science-based engineering laboratory located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In this leadership capacity Shephard was actively engaged in pursuing technology solutions that address 21st century energy, water, security and environmental challenges and in leading programs that contribute to economic prosperity and global stability in regions of high strategic importance to the United States. This Division pursued fundamental and applied research leading to innovative breakthroughs that contributed to advancing America’s energy posture in traditional energy sources (i.e., fossil fuels, nuclear, etc.) the energy – water nexus, characterization of the geosphere, development of alternative transportation fuels, and advancing renewable energy technology options with a principal objective of contributing to a peaceful and free world through technology.>