Future directions towards green and sustainable energy

This book has extended our understanding of the environmental effects of each of the elements of renewable energy systems such as solar-photovoltaic (PV), hydro, wind, and biomass plants for cleaner production of electricity and the conceptual framework of islanded microgrids (MGs) for optimal economic operation. This research has compared the impacts of renewable plants located in the US and revealed the best option considering the smallest effect for all impact indicators, including global warming, ozone formation, ecotoxicity, water consumption, acidification, eutrophication, ionizing radiation, carcinogenic radiation, ozone depletion, and land use. Moreover, fossil fuel-based power consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have been evaluated. This work has identified an optimal smart power-routing MG framework, which routes any excess energy to neighbor loads, utilizing energy that would otherwise have been wasted and generating revenue for the prosumers. The general concluding remarks of this book and future research directions are highlighted below.