<p>The Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems defines sustainability or industrial ecology as ?the wise use of resources through critical attention to policy, social, economic, technological, and ecological management of natural and human engineered capital so as to promote innovations that assure a higher degree of human needs fulfilment, or life support, across all regions of the world, while at the same time ensuring intergenerational equity? (Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems 1998). Developing and integrating sustainable energy systems to meet growing energy demands is a daunting task. Although the technology to utilize renewable energies is well understood, there are limited locations which are ideally suited for renewable energy development. Even in areas with significant wind or solar availability, backup or redundant energy supplies are still required during periods of low renewable generation. This is precisely why it would be difficult to make the switch directly from fossil fuel to renewable energy generation. A transition period in which a base-load generation supports renewables is required, and nuclear energy suits this need well with its limited life cycle emissions and fuel price stability. Sustainability is achieved by balancing environmental, economic, and social considerations, such that energy is produced without detriment to future generations through loss of resources, harm to the environment, etcetera. In essence, the goal is to provide future generations with the same opportunities to produce energy that the current generation has. This research explores sustainability metrics as they apply to a small modular reactor (SMR)-hydrogen production plant coupled with wind energy and storage technologies to develop a new quantitative sustainability metric, the Sustainability Efficiency Factor (SEF), for comparison of energy systems. The SEF incorporates the three fundamental aspects of sustainability and provides SMR or nuclear hybrid energy system (NHES) reference case studies to (1) introduce sustainability metrics, such as life cycle assessment, (2) demonstrate the methods behind exergy and exergoeconomic analyses, (3) provide an economic analysis of the potential for SMR development from first-of-a-kind (FOAK) to nth-of-a-kind (NOAK), thereby illustrating possible cost reductions and deployment flexibility for SMRs over large conventional nuclear reactors, (4) assess the competitive potential for incorporation of storage and hydrogen production in NHES and in regulated and deregulated electricity markets, (5) compare an SMR-hydrogen production plant to a natural gas steam methane reforming plant using the SEF, and (6) identify and review the social considerations which would support future nuclear development domestically and abroad, such as public and political/regulatory needs and challenges. The Global Warming Potential (GWP) for the SMR (300 MWth)-wind (60 MWe)-high temperature steam electrolysis (200 tons Hydrogen per day) system was calculated as approximately 874 g CO2-equivalent as part of the life cycle assessment. This is 92.6% less than the GWP estimated for steam methane reforming production of hydrogen by Spath and Mann. The unit exergetic and exergoeconomic costs were determined for each flow within the NHES system as part of the exergy/exergoeconomic cost analyses. The unit exergetic cost is lower for components yielding more meaningful work like the one exiting the SMR with a unit exergetic cost of 1.075 MW/MW. In comparison, the flow exiting the turbine has a very high unit exergetic cost of 15.31, as most of the useful work was already removed through the turning of the generator/compressor shaft. In a similar manner, the high unit exergoeconomic cost of $12.45/MW*sec is observed for the return flow to the reactors, because there is very little exergy present. The first and second law efficiencies and the exergoeconomic factors were also determined over several cases. For the first or base SMR case, first and second law efficiencies of 81.5% and 93.3% were observed respectively. With an increase in reactor outlet temperature of only 20?C, both the SMR efficiencies increased, while the exergoeconomic factor decreased by 0.2%. As part of the SMR economic analysis, specific capital and total capital investment costs (TCIC) were determined in addition to conditional effects on the net present value (NPV), levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), and payback periods. For a 1260 MWe FOAK multi-module SMR site with 7 modules, the specific capital costs were 27-38% higher than that of a 1260 MWe single large reactor site. A NOAK site, on the other hand, may be 19% lower to 18% higher than the large reactor site, demonstrating that it may break even or be even more economical in average or favorable market conditions. The NOAK TCIC for single and multi-module SMR sites were determined to be $914-$1,230 million and $660-$967 million per module, respectively, reflecting the substantial savings incurred with sites designed for and deployed with multiple modules. For the same NOAK 7-unit multi-module site, the LCOE was calculated as $67-$84/MWh, which is slightly less than that of the conventional large reactor LCOE of $89/MWh with a weighted average cost of capital of 10%, a 50%-50% share of debt and equity, and a corporate tax rate of 35%. The payback period for the SMR site, however, is 4 years longer. Construction delays were also analyzed to compare the SMR and large reactor sites, demonstrating the SMR NPV and LCOE are less sensitive to delays. For a 3 year delay, the SMR NPV decreased by 22%, while the large reactor NPV decreased by 34.1%. Similarly the SMR and large reactor LCOEs increased by 7.8% and 8.1%, respectively. An NHES case with hydrogen production and storage was performed, illustrating how the profit share of revenue is improved with the addition of hydrogen production. Although the costs are increased with the addition, 78% of the hydrogen revenue is profit, while only 50% of the electricity generation revenue is profit. A second NHES case study was analyzed to assess the NPV, LCOE, and payback differences in deregulated and regulated electricity markets. For a 60 year lifetime, Case C (with nuclear, wind, and hydrogen production) is economical in the deregulated market with an NPV of ~$66.3 million and a payback period of 10 years, but not in the regulated one with an NPV of approximately -$115.3 million and a payback period of 11 years. With either market type, the plants levelized costs remain $82.82/MWh, which is still reasonable with respect to prior LCOE values determined for SMR and large reactor sites. Utilizing all the methodology and results obtained and presented in this thesis, the SEF may be calculated. The NHES SEF was determined to be 18.3% higher than that of natural gas steam methane reforming, illustrating a higher level of sustainability. The SEF quantitatively uses the exergoeconomic cost and irreversibilities obtained from the exergy analysis, the GWP obtained from the life cycle assessment and costs/fees associated with emissions and pollutants, and relevant economic data obtained from an economic analysis. This reflects the environmental, socio-political, and economic pillars of sustainability.

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Sammanfattning   På uppdrag av Umeå Kommun och Vindelns Kommun tillsammans med Nenet (Norrbottens energikontor) samt med hjälp av Exergi B(y)rån genomförs energikartläggning av en bensinstation, då många tankstationer har en hög energianvändning i form av el till kylning, belysning och i förekommande fall av uppvärmning. Tankstationer är en viktig del av infrastrukturen och en central plats för många mindre orter. Att effektivisera byggnaderna och minska energianvändningen är ett sätt att säkerställa att dessa blir kvar på orten samt en del i Sveriges klimatmål. Att som företag jobba med energieffektivisering och hållbara transporter signalerar ut ett hållbarhetstänk som många gånger efterfrågas av kunderna. Syftet med detta examensarbete är att kartlägga en bensinstations energianvändning och se vilka möjliga åtgärder som finns samt väcka ett intresse hos stationens ägare kring dessa frågor. Ett annat syfte är att göra en lönsamhetskalkyl för att få ett bra underlag till beslut, hur återbetalningstiden ser ut och vad är långsiktigt bra att satsa på. Slutligen få en indikation på hur den framtida tankstationen kan komma att se ut enligt de verksamma koncernledningarna. Resultaten i kartläggningen visar en tydlig bild av en väldigt hög energianvändning på 1126 kWh/m2 och det finns stora energieffektiviseringspotentialer. Tankstationen använder komfortkyla p.g.a. värmegenerering som alstras från installationer är större än det som förloras via klimatskal, ventilation och infiltration (luftläckage). Genom att byta butiksbelysning, belysning i kylskåp och menyskyltar till LED-lampor kan internvärmen minskas samt att ventilationen optimeras, bland annat genom bättre styrning. En del av de föreslagna åtgärderna är installation av skymningsrelä/dimmer till inomhusbelysningen, rörelsedetektor i förråd, temperaturstyrning till värmekabeln i mark samt värmekabel till takrännor. Två större åtgärder som kan göras är att bygga en sluss vid ytterdörren och tilläggsisolera vinden. Det rekommenderas också att göra en stor översyn av anläggningens energisystem och modernisera samt optimera det och utnyttja synergieffekter i kyl- och värmebehov. / Abstract   This study was carried out on behalf of Umeå municipality and Vindeln municipality together with Nenet (Norrbotten Energy Agency) as well as with the help of Exergi B(y)rån to carry out the  energy mapping at a petrol station. Many petrol stations use a lot of energy due to electricity, heating, cooling and lighting. Petrol stations are an important part of the infrastructure, a central hub of today’s society. By mapping their energy the stations can become more energy efficient, save money and also save the environment. By promoting their own work on energy efficiency and by having information about sustainable transportation at the station they could and would inspire their customers. The aim of this thesis was to investigate a petrol station’s energy usage and see which measures that can be taken for efficient energy use as well as arising interest among other petrol station owners. Calculation of cost-benefits and what actions that can be taken also been included. This work also gives an indication on how future petrol stations will look like according to the owners of the stations. The result of the survey shows a clear picture of a high energy use of 1126 kWh/m2 and therefore there is a great potential of taking energy efficiency measures. The petrol station is using cooling system due to the heat generated from all installations which is higher than the heat loss which occurs through the climate shell, ventilation losses and air leakage. By switching to LED lights in the store, in refrigerators and in different signs the generated internal heat will decrease. It is important that the ventilation system is correctly optimized to prevent unnecessary losses both in heat and economically. Some of the proposed measures for energy efficiency are to install twilight relay/dimmer for inside lighting, motion sensors in the storage, using temperature control for the heating cable in the ground and roof &amp; gutter de-icing cables. A major operation that can be done is to build an airlock in front of the entrance for the front door as well as adding extra insulation to the attic. A major overview and renewal of the building installations is recommended, taking advantage of synergy in cooling and heating demands. / Framtidens hållbara tankstationer

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: It has been established worldwide that energy efficiency undertakings are the fastest, most cost-effective and cleanest way to extend energy supplies. When the energy supply made available through energy efficiency projects are compared with increasing primary supply through building new conventional generation facilities, the former is in most cases also safer, more reliable and a more secure form of investment. Energy service companies (ESCOs) are the recognised implementation vehicles of energy efficiency projects and have been in use internationally for many years for this purpose. Globally, however, ESCOs do not have a good history of being viable business enterprises. The most important barriers identified internationally hindering ESCOs’ growth and sustainability were the potential customers’ lack of awareness, information and understanding regarding energy efficiency projects, the financing of these projects, as well as the support of government on energy efficiency policies and regulations. The urgency of implementing energy efficiency measures in South Africa is critical based on the precarious situation of the national electrical suppliers’ ability to provide electricity unfailingly to all its current and future customers. The South African electrical energy situation should therefore provide tremendous opportunities to the local ESCO industry. The aim of this study was therefore to reiterate the importance of energy efficiency projects and to describe the barriers to growth and sustainability experienced by ESCOs in South Africa against the international backdrop. This was done by way of a survey sent out to all registered ESCOs in South Africa. Based on the responses to the survey, the South African industry is in dire straits and is hindered by various barriers to their growth and sustainability. The study identified eight major barriers in the South African ESCO industry which are similar to those experienced by ESCOs internationally. The uniqueness of the local barriers however, is that the industry operates in a highly regulated environment and that these regulators, being the government and Eskom, are recognised as the main perpetrators responsible for most of these barriers, largely due to a lack of dedicated action. Furthermore, the study shows that it is critical for all role players in the South African energy efficiency industry, and specifically the South African government and Eskom, to recognise these barriers and to assist in solving them to improve the growth opportunities in the ESCO industry. Removal of these barriers will not only improve the electricity situation, but will also have a number of positive effects on the micro and macro-economic levels of South Africa, as well as the environment. Finally, the study makes suggestions about the way forward through a number of actions to be taken to lower or remove the most important of these barriers. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Dit is reeds wêreldwyd bevestig dat energie-effektiwiteitsprojekte die vinnigste, kostedoeltreffendste en omgewingsvriendelikste manier is om energiebronne uit te brei. Wanneer die energieverskaffing wat beskikbaar gestel word deur energieeffektiwiteitsprojekte vergelyk word met die vermeerdering van primêre energie deur die bou van nuwe konvensionele opwekkingsfasiliteite, is eersgenoemde in die meeste gevalle ook veiliger en ’n meer betroubare en stabiele beleggingsvorm. Energie-diensmaatskappye (energy service companies (ESCOs)) is die erkende implementeringsmediums vir energie-effektiwiteitsprojekte en word reeds baie jare lank internasionaal vir hierdie doel aangewend. ESCOs het egter wêreldwyd nie ’n goeie rekord as lewensvatbare sake-ondernemings nie. Die vernaamste hindernisse wat ESCOs se groei en welvaart stuit is internasionaal geïdentifiseer as voornemende kliënte se gebrek aan bewustheid, inligting en begrip rakende energie-effektiwiteitsprojekte, die finansiering van sodanige projekte, asook die ondersteuning van die regering ten opsigte van energieeffektiewiteitsbeleide en -regulasies. Daar is groot dringendheid om energie-effektiewe projekte en maatreëls in Suid Afrika te implementeer, gebaseer op die huidige onsekerheid of die nasionale elektrisiteitsverskaffer wel in staat is om ’n betroubare bron van elektrisiteit aan sy huidige en voornemende kliënte te voorsien. Die Suid Afrikaanse elektriese energie situasie behoort daarom heelwat geleenthede te skep vir die plaaslike ESCO-industrie. Die doel van hierdie studie was dus om die belangrikheid van energie-effektiwiteitsprojekte te beklemtoon en om die hindernisse te omskryf wat ESCOs in Suid Afrika se groei en welvaart stuit, gesien vanuit ‘n internasionale perspektief. Dit was gedoen deur ‘n vraelys aan alle geregistreerde ESCOs te stuur. Na aanleiding van die terugvoering op die vraelyste, sukkel hierdie industrie om kop bo water te hou weens verskeie hindernisse wat hulle groei en welvaart stuit. Hierdie studie identifiseer agt belangrike hindernisse in die Suid-Afrikaanse ESCO industrie wat ooreenstem met die wat deur internasionale ESCOs ondervind word. Die uniekheid van die plaaslike hindernisse is egter dat die industrie werksaam is in ‘n streng gereguleerde omgewing en dat die reguleerders, die regering en Eskom, ook uitgewys word as die vernaamste skuldiges wat verantwoordelik is vir meeste van die hindernisse, hoofsaaklik as gevolg van hulle gebrek aan toegewyde uitvoering van take. Die bevindinge van hierdie studie toon verder dat dit krities is vir al die rolspelers in die Suid-Afrikaanse energie-effektiwiteitsindustrie, spesifiek die Suid-Afrikaanse regering en Eskom, om hierdie hindernisse te erken en om saam te werk om hulle te oorkom en sodoende die groeigeleenthede in die ESCO-bedryf te verbeter. Die verwydering van hierdie hindernisse sal nie alleen die elektrisiteitsituasie verbeter nie, maar sal ook ’n aantal positiewe invloede hê op die mikro- en makro-ekonomiese vlak van Suid-Afrika, sowel as die omgewing. Die studie sluit af met voorstelle rakende die uitvoering van verskeie aksies wat die verwydering van die vernaamste hindernisse tot gevolg sal hê, of die hindernisse se impak op die industrie sal verminder.

<p> Faults are an important element of reservoir characterization because they have the potential to compartmentalize a reservoir and create associated fractures that can profoundly influence fluid flow in the reservoir. This investigation describes details of the fault regime in a portion of the Wattenberg Field, Colorado. For the purposes of this study, seismic-scale faults are interpreted as horizons with displacements. Seismic-scale fractures are interpreted as linear amplitude discontinuities. Borehole image log scale faults show displacement. Borehole image log scale fractures do not show displacement. Both borehole image log scale faults and fractures are interpreted as seismic-scale fractures. </p><p> Faults were discovered by interpreting inflection points in cumulative dip plots and azimuth walkout plots derived from a borehole image log in a vertical well. On the image log fractures are consistently found in both the Niobrara chalk and marl benches. The individual benches are not resolvable at the scale of the seismic data, but evidence that faults are present in both the chalks and marls lends credence to the potential that seismic data may be able to predict fracture zones either directly or indirectly. </p><p> The hypothesis is tested on a 50 square mile 3D seismic survey. Generally, faults present in the Niobrara Formation in the survey are planar, normal faults that range up to two miles in length. Over 150 faults were picked. Rose diagrams illustrate a predominant strike direction of N 20 E. A predictive fracture volume was generated utilizing CGG&rsquo;s proprietary software: InsightEarth&trade;. The algorithm generates this volume statistically based on fault geometry. Each seismic-scale fault indicates a high potential for fracture swarms in the nearby vicinity. Fracture prediction can assist future exploration and development in the Niobrara resource play.</p>

This thesis considers the long term energy problem and the role which active solar collector systems for building application might play in alleviating this problem. The major part of this thesis describes the derivation and solution of the mathematical model to simulate the principal components in a solar energy collector system. The model is based on an implicit numerical technique which allows the investigation of the simultaneous interaction between system components in liquid and photovoltaic collectors. A simulation progam called FLARE, based on the aforementioned model, has been developed for use as a research and design model. This program forms the central core of a suite of interrelating computer programs which provide sophisticated user participation by means of a high level interactive graphics facility.

published_or_final_version / Environmental Management / Master / Master of Science in Environmental Management

<p>NOvA is a long-baseline neutrino oscillation experiment that uses two functionally identical detectors separated by 810 kilometers at locations 14 milliradians off-axis from the NuMI muon neutrino beam at Fermilab. At these locations the beam energy peaks at 2 GeV. This baseline is the longest in the world for an accelerator-based neutrino oscillation experiment, which enhances the sensitivity to the neutrino mass ordering. The experiment studies oscillations of the muon neutrino and anti-neutrino beam that is produced. Both detectors completed commissioning in the summer of 2014 and continue to collect data. One of the primary physics goals of the experiment is the measurement of electron neutrino appearance in the muon neutrino beam which yields measurements of the oscillation parameters $\sin</p><p>{2}2\theta_{13}$, $\delta$, and the neutrino mass ordering within the standard model of neutrino oscillations. This thesis presents the analysis of data collected between February 2014 and May 2015, corresponding to $3.52\times 10</p><p>{20}$ protons-on-target. In this first analysis NOvA recorded 6 electron neutrino candidates which is a $3.3\sigma$ observation of electron neutrino appearance. The T2K experiment performs the same measurement on a baseline of 295 kilometers and has a $1~\sigma$ preference for the normal mass ordering over the inverted ordering over the phase space of the CP violating parameter $\delta$, which is also weakly seen in the NOvA result. By the summer of 2016 NOvA will triple its statistics due to increased beam power and a completed detector. If electron neutrinos continue to be observed at the current rate NOvA willl be able to establish a mass ordering preference at a similar confidence level to T2K.

The interest in renewable energy has grown in recent decades because of environmental effects of fossil fuels and technological advances that have made some renewable energy technologies competitive with conventional gas fired power plants. Wind energy is playing a major role in increasing renewable energy’s share of electricity production worldwide. The global installed capacity of wind power has grown at a rate of more than 20% each year since the year 2000 (WWEA, 2009). Currently, the Mexican electricity sector is comprised of fossil fuel fired power plants. However, Mexico has a large endowment of renewable energy resources that can be harnessed to generate electricity. For example, the Comisión Reguladora de Energía estimates that Oaxaca´s wind power potential is about 10,000 MW (CRE, 2006). Studies have shown that Baja California´s wind power potential is also about 10,000 MW (KEMA, 2008). This thesis focuses on wind energy because it is expected to grow at the fastest rate during the next decade in Mexico relative to other renewable energy sources (Sener, 2008). Mexico’s installed wind power capacity is 202.5 MW. This capacity will increase by 456 MW by the end of 2010. Another 2,123 MW will be added during the period 2010-2012 (AMDEE, 2006). This research investigates various aspects of the wind farm development process in Mexico. The initial chapters describe the electricity sector and its participants. Subsequent chapters describe the regulatory framework and the mechanisms used by private investors to finance renewable energy projects. The final chapters describe the economic aspects of wind energy projects using a conventional discounted cash flow model. Statistical simulation is used to estimate capacity factors, and design of experiments is used to statistically analyze performance under different scenarios. / text

A salt gradient solar pond offers an economical means of both collecting summer solar heat, and storing it in water over periods of a few months for use in winter space heating. The vertical gradient of salt density prevents convection in the pond and makes it self-insulating against heat losses. The solar pond project at the university of Sussex aimed to study the design, construction, filling, and operation of a salt gradient solar pond, and to develop inexpensive instrumentation for the harsh environment of hot salt water solution, for monitoring behaviour and performance. A new method of heat extraction, from both the insulation and storage layers of the pond, was tested, and a computer program was developed to model pond behaviour under non-steady techniques. Construction, filling, and operation of indoor and state conditions, using finite difference outdoor pilot solar ponds is described and a simple means of maintaining salt density gradient, as well as work on achieving good pond transparency over the two-year period of operation of the pond. To improve the efficiency of the pond successful experiments were carried out to extract heat from both the convecting storage layer and the non-convecting insulation layer of the pond. This permits interception and extraction of heat flow in the non-convecting layer which would otherwise be lost to the surface. Laboratory and outdoor exper iments were car ried out to test whether this causes unwanted convective mixing and increased upward diffusion of salt in the non-convective zone of the pond. Heat transfer coefficients were measured with the heat exchanger placed in the non-convecting insulation layer. Both steady-state and finite difference model calculations are presented to indicate the improvements in operating efficiency and temperatures that are achievable with the new method of heat extraction. Theoretical results from the finite difference model are in good agreement with observed performance.