Authors: Dr. Dharmadas Mandal and Dr. Shampa De

ISBN: 978-81-994623-7-3

DOI: https://doi.org/10.59646/494

Date of Publication: October 15, 2025

About the Book:

Energy is the foundation of modern civilization, powering industries, economies, and daily life. Yet, as global demand continues to grow, humanity faces the dual challenge of ensuring energy security while preserving environmental sustainability. Energy Technology has been developed to provide an in-depth understanding of both conventional and non-conventional energy resources, emerging innovations in energy systems, and strategies for efficient energy use. The book blends scientific principles, technological insights, and policy perspectives to offer a holistic understanding of the dynamic field of energy.

The modern energy landscape is witnessing a transformative shift — from dependency on fossil fuels to the exploration and implementation of renewable and sustainable alternatives. This transition is not merely technological but also strategic, involving national policies, global collaborations, and corporate responsibility toward sustainable development goals (SDGs). Recognizing this paradigm, Energy Technology presents a structured exploration of key topics that form the backbone of modern energy studies — from conventional resources like coal and oil to renewable systems such as solar, wind, biomass, and tidal energy.

Unit 1: Introduction to Energy sets the foundation by introducing fundamental energy concepts, classifications, and measurement units. It explores the global and Indian energy scenarios, offering critical insights into the evolving energy crisis, its causes, effects, and potential solutions. The section also includes a discussion on government initiatives and global sustainability frameworks, helping readers appreciate how policy, technology, and human behavior interact in the energy ecosystem.

Unit 2: Conventional Energy delves into traditional sources of energy such as thermal, hydro, and nuclear power. It explains plant operations, efficiency parameters, and combustion technologies with clarity, supported by real-world examples and problem-solving exercises. This unit also bridges to the future by addressing the transition challenges from conventional to renewable energy systems.

Unit 3: Non-Conventional Energy explores renewable sources like solar, wind, ocean, tidal, and geothermal energy. Detailed explanations of solar concentrators, photovoltaic technologies, and wind turbine mechanisms are complemented by case studies from India’s solar and wind power sector. The unit emphasizes the technical, economic, and environmental dimensions of renewable energy technologies and their scalability in developing nations.

Unit 4: Biomass Energy discusses the role of biomass in achieving carbon neutrality and sustainable rural energy development. It explains the scientific basis of biomass conversion processes — thermochemical, biochemical, and chemical — and outlines real-world technologies like pyrolysis, gasification, anaerobic digestion, and biodiesel production. The chapter connects bioenergy to agricultural and waste management systems, highlighting its socio-economic relevance.

Unit 5: Energy Conservation focuses on the legislative, managerial, and technical aspects of energy efficiency. The Energy Conservation Act, energy audits, and benchmarking strategies are explored systematically. The section also covers financial and managerial tools such as ROI analysis, material and energy balance, and the role of an energy management team in achieving organizational sustainability goals.

Throughout the book, complex theories are simplified with illustrations, solved examples, and conceptual diagrams. Each unit concludes with short and detailed questions to facilitate self-assessment and classroom discussions. This pedagogical approach ensures that learners not only grasp theoretical aspects but also develop the analytical and problem-solving skills necessary for practical applications in engineering, energy management, and environmental sustainability.

This book is particularly designed for engineering students, researchers, energy professionals, and policymakers who wish to gain a comprehensive understanding of the energy domain. It integrates the latest technological developments, sustainable practices, and future energy trends, providing readers with a solid foundation to navigate the global energy transition.

We live in a time when innovation in energy technology is reshaping the world — from smart grids and hydrogen fuel cells to artificial intelligence-driven energy management systems. The future of energy is decentralized, digitalized, and decarbonized. This book seeks to prepare students and professionals to become contributors and innovators in that future — driving progress toward a cleaner, more efficient, and sustainable planet.

The authors express gratitude to all academic mentors, energy experts, and researchers whose works have enriched the content of this text. Special appreciation is extended to readers and educators who continually inspire the pursuit of knowledge in sustainable energy.