There is an urgent need to mitigate carbon emissions to the atmosphere to reduce the negative effects of climate change. Countries have pledged national strategies to reach their climate change mitigation goals in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC). In the case of Colombia, the country envisions becoming carbon neutral by 2050.  A pathway to reach this goal is emission reduction through nature-based solutions (NBS). Biochar is an NBS with the potential to be used as a land-based emission mitigation technology. Records indicate that it was first used by indigenous communities in the Amazon about a thousand years ago. Biochar can be obtained through thermochemical conversion by slow pyrolysis of residual biomass. The original organic carbon present in the biomass is sequestered in the biochar as it is pyrolyzed and thus, CO2 emissions are prevented. Biochar is not yet considered in Colombia´s carbon neutrality strategy. The aim of this thesis project is to investigate the potential of biochar production in Colombia as a land-based mitigation technology (LMT). Therefore, a comprehensive assessment is performed with the purpose of identifying the status of biochar in the country. The motivation behind the assessment is to gain an understanding of the variables involved in biochar production. Factors such as the production sectors involved, feedstocks, production technologies, project costs and emission mitigation are of interest. The study explores these factors by following five methodological steps. First, the current research on the technology is mapped to understand biochar’s status at a national level. Second, experts are interviewed to collect their views regarding biochar and a PESTEL (Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental & Legal) analysis is employed based on their point of view on the technology. Third, the potential sources of residual biomass which could be used to produce biochar in the agricultural sector are quantified. The approach to biochar’s potential is enriched with a focused in-person case study of biochar production from oil palm residues. Fourth, these residual biomass sources are subsequently employed to estimate the emissions sequestered in their biochar production. Lastly, project feasibility implementation is evaluated through a techno-economic to identify the project’s main cost drivers. The results are then discussed using a SWOT (Strength, Weaknesses, and Opportunities & Threats) analysis. The existing studies and the local experts’ opinion indicate that biochar potential is in the agricultural sector and that it can be thought of for soil adaptation. Biochar’s emission mitigation is considered an added value. In 2021, the agricultural sector produced near 73 million tonnes of agricultural products. The residues from agriculture could be used for biochar production. If the residues from the most produced agricultural products are transformed into biochar, about 1 to 2,2 tonne of CO2 per tonne of biochar could be avoided. The published literature and the in-person study visit confirmed that the largest advance in biochar production and use in Colombia is in the oil palm sector. Palm kernel shell, fibre and empty fruit bunches are the oil palm residues that could be used to produce biochar. From 1 tonne of these three oil palm residues, about 60 kg of biochar can be obtained. The results show that currently there is no market for trading with biochar in Colombia. High investments, transport and feedstock costs are identified obstacles. An Advanced Technology pyrolizer cost can cost around 330.000 USD while a Basic Technology one can be around 100 USD. Taxes associated with revenue from the biochar trade can negatively impact a biochar project’s feasibility. In this study, a price for biochar is estimated using break-even analysis. Under the assumptions used, the biochar price per tonne is around 200 to 1.000 USD. Price variability is explained in the technologies used for production, feedstock biomass availability and variable revenues from biochar sales. / Koldioxidutsläppen till atmosfären behöver minskas för att undvika de negativa effekterna av klimatförändringar. Olika länder har presenterat på sina nationellt fastställda bidrag (NDC) hur sina mål för begränsning av klimatförändringarna skulle kunna uppnås. I Colombia är planen att uppnå koldioxidneutralitet år 2050. Ett sätt att uppnå detta mål är att minska utsläpp genom naturbaserade lösningar (NBS). Biokol är en NBS som kan användas som landbaserade åtgärder för att minska växthusgasutsläpp eller öka koldioxidupptag. Forskning har bevisat att biokol användes i Amazonas för ungefär tusen år sedan. Biokol framställs genom långsam pyrolys av restprodukter av biomass. Kolet i biomassan binds i biokolet genom pyrolysis, vilket förhindrar koldioxidens utsläppning till atmosfären. Biokol inkluderas ännu inte i Colombias strategi för koldioxidneutralitet. Syftet med detta projekt är att undersöka biokolets produktionspotential i Colombia son ett landbaserade åtgärder (LMT). En analys gjordes för att identifiera statusen av biokol runt om i landet. Faktorer såsom berörda produktionssektorer, råvaror, produktionstekniker, projektkostnader och koldioxidutsläppen var av intresse. Studien undersöker faktorerna ovan genom att tillämpa en femstegsmetod. Först identifierades den aktuella forskningen om biokol i Colombia. Sedan intervjuades experter för att samla in deras åsikter om biokol och en PESTEL analys (Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental & Legal) användes. Nästa steg i metoden var att kvantifiera potentialen av restprodukter inom jordbrukssektorn. Detta steg kompletterades med en fallstudie som fokuserade på biokolproduktion från rester från oljepalmer och sedan beräknades utsläppen som binds i biokol. Till sist utvärderades projektets genomförbarhet genom en teknoekonomisk analys som identifierade viktigaste drivkrafterna bakom kostnaderna. Resultaten diskuterades med hjälp av en SWOT analys (Strength, Weaknesses, and Opportunities & Threats). Experter och forskningsresultat om biokol i Colombia anger att det finns stor potential nom jordbrukssektor där biokol skulle kunna användas för jordförbättring, medan utsläppsminskningar endast anses vara en ytterligare fördel. År 2021 Colombias jordbrukssektor producerade nästan 73 millioner tonne av jordbruksprodukter och restprodukter från jordbruket kan användas för produktion av biokol. För varje ton biokol som produceras undviks ungefär 1 till 2,2 tonne koldioxid. Litteraturen och studiebesöket bekräftade att största framsteget inom produktion och användning av biokol i Colombia händer inom oljepalmssektorn. Palmkärnor, fibrer och tomma fruktknippar är restprodukterna som kan användas för att producera biokol. En ton av dessa tre typer av oljepalmsrester ger cirka 60 kg biokol. Resultaten visar att det inte finns en marknad för biokol i Colombia. Höga investeringskostnader, transport-och råvarukostnader är främsta hindarna som identifierades. En pyrolysanläggning med avancerad teknik kostar cirka 330 000 US-dollar, medan en pyrolysanläggning med grundläggande teknik kostar cirka 100 US -dollar. Skatter på inkomster från biokolsförsäljning kan ha en negativ effekt på genomförbarhet. Studien uppskattas ett pris för biokol med hjälp av en break-even-analys och visar att cirka 200 till 1.000 USD per tonne biokol vore ett möjligt prisintervall. Prisvariationerna förklaras av tekniken som används för produktion, tillgång på biomassa som råvara och varierande intäkter från biokolförsäljning.

Объектом исследования является идея осуществления производства антикоррозийных продуктов. Целью работы является обоснование экономической целесообразности реализации проекта по производству антикоррозийных продуктов. В процессе выполнения работы были получены следующие результаты. В рамках изучения методических подходов к оценке экономических перспектив были даны определения экономического и маркетингового анализа, определены их основные методы и задачи. А также составлена авторская классификация антикоррозионных продуктов, учитывающая их ключевые признаки. Результаты анализа рыночных и перспектив позволили выявить основных потребителей и конкурентов интересующего отраслевого рынка, а также позволили определить оптимальный объем выпуска антикоррозийного продукта и его среднерыночную стоимость. Таким образом, оптимальный объем выпуска, не нарушающий сложившегося рыночного равновесия, составляет порядка 30 тонн, а среднерыночная стоимость 1 тонны продукта составляет 100-110 тыс. рублей. Результаты патентного исследования, проведенного в рамках оценки научно-технических перспектив, позволили определить динамику патентования и выявить аналогичные технические решения. На основе результатов проведенного патентного исследования пределен средний срок жизни проекта по производству железооксидного пигмента с противокоррозионными свойствами – 4 года. Научно-практическим результатом, полученным автором в процессе выполнения работы, является создание модели производства, учитывающей более эффективные инструменты реализации идеи по производству антикоррозийных продуктов. В рамках этой модели, с учетом выводов, сделанных в аналитической части работы, рассчитаны показатели экономической эффективности трех вариантов трансфера технологии. / The object of the study is the idea of the production of anti-corrosion products. The purpose of the work is to justify the economic feasibility of the project for the production of anti-corrosion products. The following results were obtained in the course of the work. As part of the study of methodological approaches to the assessment of economic prospects, the definitions of economic and marketing analysis were given, their main methods and tasks were determined. And also the author's classification of anticorrosion products, taking into account their key features. The results of market and prospects analysis allowed to identify the main consumers and competitors of the industry market of interest, as well as to determine the optimal volume of production of anti-corrosion product and its average market value. Thus, the optimal volume of output that does not violate the existing market balance is about 30 tons, and the average market value of 1 ton of product is 100-110 thousand rubles. The results of the patent research conducted in the framework of the assessment of scientific and technical prospects allowed to determine the dynamics of patenting and to identify similar technical solutions. Based on the results of the patent research, the average life of the project for the production of iron oxide pigment with anti – corrosive properties is limited to 4 years. The scientific and practical result obtained by the author in the process of the work is the creation of a production model that takes into account more effective tools for the implementation of the idea for the production of anti-corrosion products. Within the framework of this model, taking into account the conclusions made in the analytical part of the work, the indicators of economic efficiency of the three options for technology transfer are calculated.

Obwohl der Konzern eine hohe praktische Relevanz im europäischen Binnenmarkt aufweist, besteht kein einheitliches europäisches Konzernrecht. Die Arbeit entwickelt einen Regelungsvorschlag für ein europäisches Konzernleitungsrecht und schließt damit diese Lücke. Zunächst werden die rechtlichen Grundlagen des Konzerns dargestellt. Anschließend werden die Akteure des Konzerns und deren Eigeninteressen beschrieben. Die wirtschaftlichen Anreize und Risiken der Konzernierung werden diskutiert. Die ökonomische Analyse des grenzüberschreitenden Konzerns gibt die optimale Konzernstruktur vor, die rechtlich abgesichert werden muss. Das sekundärrechtlich zu gewährleistende Weisungsrecht muss sich nahtlos in die Rechtsordnungen der einzelnen Mitgliedstaaten einfügen. Es werden die bestehenden Möglichkeiten einer einheitlichen Konzernleitung und deren Grenzen aufgezeigt. Letztere sind die Haftungsrisiken für die Geschäftsführer der Mutter- und der Tochtergesellschaft und die Rechte der Minderheitsgesellschafter. Als Beispiele dienen die deutsche sowie die französische Rechtsordnung. Anschließend wird untersucht, ob und inwieweit die Grenzen der einheitlichen Leitung durch die Anerkennung des Gruppeninteresses überwunden werden können. Das französische und das deutsche Recht halten unterschiedliche Antworten bereit, so dass die Begriffskonturierung nicht den nationalen Rechtsordnungen überlassen werden sollte, sondern auf der Grundlage von binnenmarktorientierten Effizienzerwägungen autonom bestimmt werden sollte. Diese Überwindung durch die Anerkennung des Gruppeninteresses wird ihrerseits durch das Insolvenzrecht begrenzt. / Although the corporate group is of great practical importance in the European internal market, there is no uniform European corporate group law. The thesis develops a regulatory proposal for a European group management law and thus remedies this absence. First, the legal basis of the corporate group is presented. Then, the actors of the group and their own interests are demonstrated. The economic incentives and risks of integration into a group are discussed. The economic analysis of the cross-border group prescribes the optimal group structure, which must be legally secured. The right to issue instructions, which is to be guaranteed by secondary legislation, must fit smoothly into the legal systems of the individual Member States. The existing possibilities of uniform group management and the limits are highlighted. The latter are the liability risks for the managers of the parent and the subsidiary and the rights of minority shareholders. The German and French systems serve as examples. It is then examined whether and to what extent the limitations of uniform management can be overcome by the recognition of the group interest. French and German law provide different answers, so that the contours of the concept should not be left to the national legal systems but should be determined autonomously based on efficiency considerations oriented towards the internal market. This overcoming by the recognition of the group interest does not apply without limitations in insolvency law.

Tesis por compendio / [ES] Actualmente, la mayor parte de la población mundial vive en ciudades y se espera que esta tendencia continúe, trasladando cada año más población rural hacia las áreas urbanas. Este fenómeno se debe principalmente al desarrollo económico que se genera en las ciudades. Estas condiciones plantean desafíos importantes para las ciudades en cuanto a su planificación y gestión. Si el crecimiento de la urbanización se gestiona adecuadamente puede contribuir al crecimiento sostenible, aumentando la productividad y el nivel de vida de las personas. Sin embargo, no se puede pasar por alto que el crecimiento de las ciudades implica una afectación al medioambiente. Uno de los problemas que más preocupación causa es la expansión de las ciudades que sustituyen los espacios verdes y agrícolas que rodean a las ciudades por calles y estructuras impermeables. Este proceso disminuye la capacidad del suelo para absorber el agua en un evento de lluvia, incrementando la escorrentía y el riesgo de inundaciones. Si a este problema particular de las ciudades, le sumamos el innegable cambio climático que aumenta la frecuencia de eventos de lluvias extremas en ciertas zonas del planeta, la adaptación de la infraestructura de las ciudades para hacerlas más seguras es una necesidad imperiosa. Los sistemas de drenaje son infraestructuras esenciales, concebidos para captar y transportar el agua producto de las precipitaciones, su buen funcionamiento genera seguridad y bienestar a las personas mientras que un funcionamiento inadecuado se asocia al riesgo y a la vulnerabilidad. Bajo escenarios de cambio climático estas estructuras que fueron diseñadas para caudales menores no garantizan la efectiva evacuación de las aguas, volviendo a las ciudades vulnerables a las inundaciones que pueden generar pérdidas sociales y económicas. Para mitigar estos impactos se han desarrollado diferentes medidas como las denominadas buenas prácticas de manejo o la instalación de sistemas de drenaje con tecnología de bajo impacto, entre otras. Sin embargo, estas medidas no son suficientes para controlar el caudal pico de una lluvia extrema. Adaptar la red existente a las nuevas condiciones climáticas, se presenta como una alternativa idónea para el control de las inundaciones en el entorno urbano. Ampliar la capacidad de la red cambiando el tamaño de las tuberías por otras de mayor diámetro ha sido el enfoque tradicional que se ha venido usando desde hace muchos años. La inclusión de tanques de tormenta en el sistema es una medida que se adoptó posteriormente para dotarlo de mayor resiliencia a los picos de lluvias extremas. Desafortunadamente la construcción de estas estructuras en el entorno conlleva una gran dificultad por el tamaño de la intervención, el tiempo y el coste. En este contexto, el presente trabajo, presenta una novedosa forma de mejorar las redes de drenaje combinando el cambio de tuberías, la instalación de tanques de tormenta en la red de drenaje e incluye también elementos de control hidráulico en la red de drenaje. Con estas acciones se considera que la rehabilitación de la red será más eficiente en términos técnicos y económicos. Para lograrlo, se usa un modelo de optimización creado a partir de un algoritmo genético modificado conectado al modelo SWMM mediante una toolkit. El modelo de optimización se enfoca en minimizar el coste de la infraestructura requerida y de los costes asociados a las inundaciones. Planteado así el problema, se define una función objetivo compuesta por funciones de coste que será evaluada para encontrar las mejores soluciones. El desarrollo de diferentes pasos para la obtención de una metodología eficiente, las estrategias para reducir los tiempos de cálculo y el esfuerzo computacional, el análisis económico de las inundaciones y las estructuras requeridas se detalla en cada capítulo de esta tesis. / [CA] Actualment, la major part de la població mundial viu en ciutats i s'espera que aquesta tendència continue, traslladant cada any més població rural cap a les àrees urbanes. Aquest fenomen es deu principalment al desenvolupament econòmic que es genera a les ciutats. Aquestes condicions plantegen desafiaments importants per a les ciutats quant a la seua planificació i gestió. Si el creixement de la urbanització es gestiona adequadament pot contribuir al creixement sostenible, augmentant la productivitat i el nivell de vida de les persones. No obstant això, no es pot passar per alt que el creixement de les ciutats implica una afectació al medi ambient. Un dels problemes que més preocupació causa és l'expansió de les ciutats que substitueixen els espais verds i agrícoles que envolten a les ciutats per carrers i estructures impermeables. Aquest procés disminueix la capacitat del sòl per a absorbir l'aigua en un esdeveniment de pluja, incrementant l'escolament i el risc d'inundacions. Si a aquest problema particular de les ciutats, li sumem l'innegable canvi climàtic que augmenta la freqüència d'esdeveniments de pluges extremes en unes certes zones del planeta, l'adaptació de la infraestructura de les ciutats per a fer-les més segures és una necessitat imperiosa. Els sistemes de drenatge són infraestructures essencials, concebuts per a captar i transportar l'aigua producte de les precipitacions, el seu bon funcionament genera seguretat i benestar a les persones mentre que un funcionament inadequat s'associa al risc i a la vulnerabilitat. Sota escenaris de canvi climàtic aquestes estructures que van ser dissenyades per a cabals menors no garanteixen l'efectiva evacuació de les aigües, tornant a les ciutats vulnerables a les inundacions que poden generar pèrdues socials i econòmiques. Per a mitigar aquests impactes s'han desenvolupat diferents mesures com les denominades bones pràctiques de maneig o la instal·lació de sistemes de drenatge amb tecnologia de baix impacte, entre altres. No obstant això, aquestes mesures no són suficients per a controlar el cabal pique d'una pluja extrema. Adaptar la xarxa existent a les noves condicions climàtiques, es presenta com una alternativa idònia per al control de les inundacions en l'entorn urbà. Ampliar la capacitat de la xarxa canviant la grandària de les canonades per altres de major diàmetre ha sigut l'enfocament tradicional que s'ha vingut usant des de fa molts anys. La inclusió de tancs de tempesta en el sistema és una mesura que es va adoptar posteriorment per a dotar-lo de major resiliència als pics de pluges extremes. Desafortunadament la construcció d'aquestes estructures en l'entorn comporta una gran dificultat per la grandària de la intervenció, el temps i el cost. En aquest context, el present treball, presenta una nova manera de millorar les xarxes de drenatge combinant el canvi de canonades, la instal·lació de tancs de tempesta en la xarxa de drenatge i inclou també elements de control hidràulic en la xarxa de drenatge. Amb aquestes accions es considera que la rehabilitació de la xarxa serà més eficient en termes tècnics i econòmics. Per a aconseguir-ho, s'usa un model d'optimització creat a partir d'un algorisme genètic modificat connectat al model SWMM mitjançant una toolkit. El model d'optimització s'enfoca a minimitzar el cost de la infraestructura requerida i dels costos associats a les inundacions. Plantejat així el problema, es defineix una funció objectiu composta per funcions de cost que serà avaluada per a trobar les millors solucions. El desenvolupament de diferents passos per a l'obtenció d'una metodologia eficient, les estratègies per a reduir els temps de càlcul i l'esforç computacional, l'anàlisi econòmica de les inundacions i les estructures requerides es detalla en cada capítol d'aquesta tesi. / [EN] Currently, most of the world's population lives in cities and this trend is expected to continue, moving more rural population to urban areas every year. This phenomenon is mainly due to the economic development that is generated in the cities. These conditions pose significant challenges for cities in terms of planning and management. If the growth of urbanization is properly managed, it can contribute to sustainable growth, increasing productivity and people's standard of living. However, it cannot be overlooked that the growth of cities implies an impact on the environment. One of the problems that causes the most concern is the expansion of cities that replace the green and agricultural spaces that surround the cities with streets and impermeable structures. This process decreases the capacity of the soil to absorb water in a rain event, increasing runoff and the risk of flooding. If adding to this problem of cities the undeniable climate change that increases the frequency of extreme rainfall events in certain areas of the planet, the adaptation of the infrastructure of cities to make them safer is an urgent need. Drainage systems are essential infrastructures, designed to capture and transport water produced by precipitation, their proper functioning generates security and wellness for people, while inadequate functioning is associated with risk and vulnerability. Under climate change scenarios, these structures, which were designed for lower flows, do not guarantee the effective evacuation of water, making cities vulnerable to floods that can generate social and economic losses. To mitigate these impacts, different measures have been developed, such as the so-called Best Management Practices or the installation of Low Impact Development etc. However, these measures are not enough to control the peak flow of extreme rainfall. Adapting the existing network to the new climatic conditions is presented as an ideal alternative for flood control in the urban environment. Expanding the capacity of the network by changing the size of the pipes for others with a larger diameter has been the traditional approach that has been used for many years. The inclusion of storm tanks in the system is a measure that was later adopted to provide it with greater resilience to extreme rainfall peaks. Unfortunately, the construction of these structures in the environment entails great difficulty due to the size of the intervention, the time, and the cost. In this context, the present work presents a novel way of improving drainage networks combining the replacement of pipes, the installation of storm tanks in the drainage network and also includes elements of hydraulic control in the drainage network. With these actions it is considered that the rehabilitation of the network will be more efficient in technical and economic terms. To achieve this, an optimization model created from a modified genetic algorithm connected to the SWMM model through a toolkit is used. The optimization model focuses on minimizing the cost of the required infrastructure and the costs associated with flooding. Posing the problem in this way, an objective function is defined composed of cost functions that will be evaluated to find the best solutions. The development of different steps to obtain an efficient methodology, the strategies to reduce calculation times and computational effort, the economic analysis of floods and the required structures are detailed in each chapter of this thesis. / I want to mention the support for the realization of this thesis from the Program Fondecyt through Project No. 1210410 and Project No. 1180660 of the National Agency for Research and Development (ANID) of Chile. From the program PAID 12-21 of the Polytechnic University of Valencia and the program E+/EU Erasmus+ Traineeship. / Bayas Jiménez, LA. (2023). Flood control in urban areas through the rehabilitation of drainage networks [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/199234 / Compendio

中國共產黨建政8年後，就宣布完成全行業社會主義改造（1949-1956），實現了公有制與計畫經濟體制，取消了中國既有的混合經濟體制與私有財產制度。然而，自70年代末期開始，一連串試圖搞活經濟的措施開啟了中國經濟制度變化的序幕，30年來，中國已經由公有制計畫經濟體制，轉變到今日混合所有制市場經濟形態。 那些力量驅動了這場變化？那些變數與其交互作用影響，變化了經濟改革的方向？通過經濟制度變化的過程，那些成果帶來經濟制度走上不歸路的效用呢？這是筆者試圖解釋的課題。 事實上，中國經濟制度的變化，是一連串政權行動者「始料未及」的變化的結果，這場制度變遷─中國由公有制計畫經濟體制重新回到混合所有制市場經濟體制，一開始並未有指引變革行動的藍圖，變革的方向亦是在變化的過程上才漸次浮現的，它受到制度的限制，也受到偶發事件的影響，當然也就不意味是整體領導層的共識結果，它是在特定歷史結構與制度交錯相互影響下的產物。換句話說，是歷史（時間序列上的事件與變化）、制度與行動者組構了這場變遷。同時，這也是一場動態的變遷過程，變遷的路徑有來自制度遺產的影響，它也存在著路徑依賴的現象。 不過，路徑因行動者與制度安排的激勵而強化，從而實現變遷，但也在行動者基於觀念（意識形態）或利益下予以限制，從而轉折到不同的方向上。筆者認為，在中國獨特的政經體制下，路徑自我強化的現象不是內部自我激勵造成的結果，而是來自外部的因素；在路徑依賴的背後，制度結構與行動者的作用具有不容忽視的影響。 筆者認為，改變中國經濟制度最重要的取徑，就是「雙軌制」。「雙軌制」是一項行動者非意圖的創造，它始自陳雲倡議「摸著石頭過河」，獲得鄧小平的贊同，從而形成「試點」模式，並作為該模式的指導原則。 此外，觀念的引進與衝突是這場變化過程的重要部份，像是在推動「經濟特區試點政策過程中尤為明顯；當政權領導人受外部引入的觀念的影響，產生經濟特區政策，而領導人內部也因觀念的分歧，形成足以阻滯特區試點政策的衝突；他們之間的衝突（正統派vs改革派）貫穿整個變遷過程，這也正好說明了觀念因素在中國改變經濟制度過程上的重要影響。 / 8 years after the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, the Chinese Communist Party claimed that socialist reform has been successfully conducted. Public ownership and planned economy replaced mixed economy as well as private ownership. In the end of 1970s, however, a series of economic reform challenged public ownership with planned economy, which leads China enter into a mixed ownership economy. This thesis attempts to sort out the forces and consequences that drive economic reform. Through the transition of economic system, which leads China’s economy into a no return road. In fact, economic reform in China is an unexpected result by political regulators. Originally, it did not have a blueprint to lead the way. The direction from public ownership to mixed economy emerged throughout the reform, which is not a common consensus from the political leaders. Instead, it is dominated by history, political system as well as regulator in a dynamic way. This path dependency with institutional heritage character is the spot light of economic reform. The author claims the importance and direction of this reform is dominated by external factor. The most importance factor that change China’s economic is the launch of dual system. This system, with the slogan of “crossing the river by groping the stones along the way,” is proposed by CHEN Yun and approved by Deng Xiao-Ping. The introduction of concept is an important factor through the reform, which can be seemed from the process during the promotion of Special Economic Zones SEZs. When political regulators received outer concept and launched SEZs, internal diversity emerged that blocking the reform. Conflicts between orthodoxy and reformist can be seemed throughout reform period, influencing the forces and consequences of China’s economic system.

Diploma thesis deals with evaluation of the economic situation of the company TRW Volant Inc. in the years 2003 -- 2007 and assessment of its financial health by analysing the chosen economic indicators. There are shortly described the individual phases of financial analysis as a basic instrument of the economic analysis in the theoretical part and there are also explained some basic terms. The practical part is focused on further identification of the company and the branch where it operates in, and also on aplication of theoretical analyses by means of mathematic calculation and graphic comparison. For the analysis purposes I used f.e. ratio indexes from the sphere of profitability, liquidity, structure of capital, activity and capital market, value index EVA, chosen bankruptcy and financial standing models, Du Pont's pyramidal decomposition etc. One of the component parts is also comparison of the analysed company with an average of the branch.

This study centered on a novel thermoelectric generator (TEG) integrated into the built environment. Designed by Watts Thermoelectric LLC, the TEG is essentially a novel assembly of thermoelectric modules whose required temperature differential is supplied by hot and cold streams of water flowing through the TEG. Per its recommended operating conditions, the TEG nominally generates 83 Watts of electrical power. In its default configuration in the built environment, solar-thermal energy serves as the TEG’s hot stream source and geothermal energy serves as its cold stream source. Two systems-level, thermodynamic analyses were performed, which were based on the TEG’s upcoming characterization testing, scheduled to occur later in 2011 in Detroit, Michigan. The first analysis considered the TEG coupled with a solar collector system. A numerical model of the coupled system was constructed in order to estimate the system’s annual energetic performance. It was determined numerically that over the course of a sample year, the solar collector system could deliver 39.73 megawatt-hours (MWh) of thermal energy to the TEG. The TEG converted that thermal energy into a net of 266.5 kilowatt-hours of electricity in that year. The second analysis focused on the TEG itself during operation with the purpose of providing a preliminary thermodynamic characterization of the TEG. Using experimental data, this analysis found the TEG’s operating efficiency to be 1.72%. Next, the annual emissions that would be avoided by implementing the zero-emission TEG were considered. The emission factor of Michigan’s electric grid, RFCM, was calculated to be 0.830 tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent (CO2e) per MWh, and with the TEG’s annual energy output, it was concluded that 0.221 tons CO2e would be avoided each year with the TEG. It is important to note that the TEG can be linearly scaled up by including additional modules. Thus, these benefits can be multiplied through the incorporation of more TEG units. Finally, the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of the TEG integrated into the built environment with the solar-thermal hot source and passive ground-based cold source was considered. The LCOE of the system was estimated to be approximately $8,404/MWh, which is substantially greater than current generation technologies. Note that this calculation was based on one particular configuration with a particular and narrow set of assumptions, and is not intended to be a general conclusion about TEG systems overall. It was concluded that while solar-thermal energy systems can sustain the TEG, they are capital-intensive and therefore not economically suitable for the TEG given the assumptions of this analysis. In the end, because of the large costs associated with the solar-thermal system, waste heat recovery is proposed as a potentially more cost-effective provider of the TEG’s hot stream source. / text