Practices and Perspectives in Sustainable Bioenergy A Systems Thinking Approach

This book presents a systems approach to bioenergy and provides a means to capture the complexity of bioenergy issues, including both direct and indirect impacts across the energy economy. The book addresses critical topics such as systems thinking; sustainability, biomass; feedstocks of importance and relevance (that are not competing with the food market); anaerobic digestion and biogas; biopower and bioheat; and policies, economy, and rights to access to clean energy. This is a contributed volume with each chapter written by relevant experts in the respective fields of research and teaching. Each chapter includes a review with highlights of the key points, critical-thinking questions, and a glossary.This book can be used  as a primary or secondary textbook in courses related to bioenergy and bioproducts and sustainable biofuels. It is suitable for advanced undergraduate and graduate students. Researchers, professionals, and policy makers will also be able to use this book for current reference materials.

Sustainability, Renewable Energy, and Eco-Spirituality:A Wholistic Perspective.- Bioenergy Systems: A Wholistic Approach.- Bioenergy: History, Status, and Perspectives.- Challenges and Opportunities of Bioenergy Feedstock Production.- Life Cycle Assessment of Biofuels.- Lignocellulosic Biomass, Its Pretreatment, Kinetics, and Conversion to Bioethanol.- Algae as a Promising Feedstock: Applications in Energy, Environment, and Food.- Photobioreactors for Bioenergy Systems.- Oleaginous Microbes and Production of Bioethanol.- Biobutanol: A Burning Issue for the Second Generation of Biofuels.- Biorefinery: An Overview.- Anaerobic Digestion and Low-Cost Digesters.- Biomass for Heat in Rural Settings.- Chemistry of Bioproducts.- Access to Bioenergy: Rights, Policies, and Economics.

Dr. Madhumi Mitra-Dr. Mitra received her doctoral degree (Ph.D) in Plant Biology from North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA. She is currently a professor of biological and environmental sciences in the department of natural sciences at University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Her other responsibilities include coordination of Biology and Chemistry Education programs. Her research interests and expertise include: micro and macroalgal ecology; seaweeds in human health and nutrition; biomonitoring and biosorption potential of seaweeds and seagrasses; bioenergy from algae; water quality; and reconstruction of the past environment and climate from microfossils. She is the recipient of various research and teaching awards, and has published in many peer-reviewed journals and proceedings, and presented her work at national and international conferences.She has also received many competitive grants from federal and state agencies. 

Dr. Abhijit Nagchaudhuri obtained his doctoral degree (Ph.D) in Mechanical Engineering from Duke University, Durham, NC, USA. He is currently serving as a professor of engineering in the department of engineering and aviation sciences at University of Maryland Eastern Shore. His research interests and expertise include: biofuels and other forms of renewable energy; engineering mechanics; robotics and control systems; and precision agriculture and remote sensing. Dr. Nagchaudhuri has a strong record of grantsmanship and awards. He has published in various peer-reviewed journals and proceedings, and presented his research at national and international conferences.