Insights into Energy Trends

This book presents selected papers from ICOWEFS 2024, addressing contemporary energy challenges. Topics range from energy and urban-industrial systems to governance issues, emphasizing the transformative potential of circular economy frameworks and the decarbonization imperative. It showcases innovative technologies, including energy-saving solutions, biofuels, and waste biorefining, paving the way toward sustainable energy systems. Readers will gain insights into smart technologies and the rise of hybrid local energy generation in this exploration of Energy 4.0's paradigm-shifting landscape.

Paulo Sérgio Duque de Brito is Full Professor at the Superior School of Technology and Management, Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre (IPP) and Coordinator of the research centre VALORIZA--Research Centre for Endogenous Resource Valorization. His research interests include bioenergy, waste environmental treatments, materials corrosion, and energy galvanic production. João Rafael Galvão is Professor at the School of Technology and Management, Polytechnic University of Leiria (PUL), Portugal and Member of the researcher center INESC Coimbra. His research focuses on energy systems and innovative technologies for sustainable development. Bruna Rijo is Auxiliar Researcher at the Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre (IPP). Her research focuses on thermochemical catalytic conversion processes applied to biomass and plastic waste, production of liquid biofuels, and biochar as a functional material. Cecilia Mateos is a Senior Researcher at the Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre (IPP). Her research focuses on renewable gases, heterogeneous catalysis, and CO2 valorization. She collaborates on several European projects in these areas. Filipe S. Neves is a Professor of Computer Programming at the Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, Portugal. His research interests include telematics and the sustainable use of energy in domestic contexts. Henrique Almeida is Associate Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at the School of Technology and Management, Polytechnic Institute of Leiria (IPL). His research focuses on additive manufacturing, engineering design, and digital and physical manufacturing processes. Joel C. Vasco is Associate Professor and Researcher at the School of Technology and Management, Polytechnic Institute of Leiria. His research focuses on polymer processing, additive manufacturing, and sustainable materials.