Thesis (M.Sc.Eng.)PLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis or dissertation. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at open-help@bu.edu. Thank you. / The exploration and production of oil and gas resources require innovative information acquisition strategies for wellbore environments to improve reservoir management. In this study, a microfluidic channel data retrieval platform was proposed for multiple sensor chip manipulation, wireless charging and information extraction in fluidic mediums. The working principle of near-field magneto inductive coupling was investigated and a prototype of a microfluidic channel integrated with a spiral reader antenna was designed and fabricated. Sensor chip manipulations and dynamic couplings between readers and sensors were demonstrated inside the proposed microfluidic channel. Furthermore, solid fluidic interaction between sensors and flows was analyzed. Comsol simulation was conducted to quantitatively characterize flow drag forces inside the channel. To prevent communication interference between sensors in the proposed coupling region, sensor separation strategies based on side channel and meander channel design were proposed and realized to separate sensors one by one by the desired distance. To enhance the efficiency of the sensor separation process, a new channel design based on a spinning blade with real-time image processing was also developed for feedback control of separation. Additionally, a 500-micron cubic sensor antenna was cut by a dicing saw and assembled into an 800-micron cubic package. Magneto inductive couplings between readers and the assembly package were conducted out of the channel. The results show that the coupling effect is strongly related with the orientation between the reader and the assembly package. Finally, the assembly package control with desired velocity and direction in oil mediums was successfully realized inside the channel. / 2999-01-01

Den länge stabila elbolagssindustrin genomgår stora förändringar. Regelverk, miljömässiga problem, framsteg inom förnybar generering och ICT har orsakat allvarliga tryck på affärsmodellerna för konventionella elbolag. Konsekvenserna på dessa elbolag är; vinstmarginalerna har minskat avsevärt, stora elkraftverk fasas ut och det finns ett stort behov av att generera investeringar för att uppfylla regulatoriska krav. På jakt efter nya affärsmöjligheter utforskar elbolag nya affärsområden så som "Smart Energy Solutions" området. "Smart Energy Solutions" utgör en växande marknad med outnyttjad potential. Uppdragsgivaren för denna rapport är det svenska elbolaget Vattenfall AB. Där uppdraget är att identifiera marknadsmöjligheter för Vattenfall "Smart Energy Solutions" för målgruppen små och medelstora företag (SME). Syftet med denna forskning har varit att undersöka anpassningen som krävs mellan organisationen, "Smart Energy Solutions" och SME marknaden. Resultaten av denna forskning användes för att föreslå en strategi för utveckling av smarta energilösningar med inriktning på SME marknaden. Vid analys av egenskaperna hos "Smart Energy Solutions" och egenskaperna hos SME konstaterandes tre resultat. "Smart Energy Solutions" identifieras som "teknisk konfiguration". SME är heterogena till sin natur och kan därför inte mötas med enhetliga lösningar. Samt det tredje resultatet, baserat på de tidigare två resultaten, en strategi för hur framgångsrika innovationen "Smart Energy Solutions" ska rikta in sig i SME marknaden. / The long-stable eletric utility industry is undergoing major transformations. Regulatory frameworks, enviromental concerns, advancements in the renewable genration and ICT have caused severe pressure on the business model of conventional electric utilites. For these utilities; profit margins have declined considerably, large generation assests are being phased-out,and there is a pressing need to generate investments to meet the regulatory requirements. In search for new business opportunities, electric utilties are exploring new business areas, Smart Energy Solutions represent an emerging market, with untapped potentials. This research was commissioned by the Swedish electric utility Vattenfall AB, to identify market opportunities for Vattenfall Smart Energy Solutions, targetting the small and medium size enterprises SMEs. The purpose of this research has been to investigate the required alignment between the organization, Smart Energy Solutions and the SMEs market; the findings were used to propose a strategy for the development of Smart Energy Solutions targeting the SMEs. Upon analyzing the characteristics of Smart Energy Solutions and the characteristics of SMEs, the finding of this research are: first, Smart Energy Solutions is identified as "Technological Configuration", second: the SMEs are heterogeneous in nature; thereby they can’t be targeted through uniform solutions, third: based on the previous two findings; and considering the organizational context; a strategy was proposed for the successful innovation of Smart Energy Solutions targeting the SMEs.

Thesis (M.Sc.Eng.) PLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis or dissertation. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at open-help@bu.edu. Thank you. / Electrodynamic Shields (EDS) have been targeted as a technology to help mitigate degradation of power output caused by dust deposition on various solar collectors. Though printed circuit board based EDS prototypes have shown promising dust removal efficiencies, an inexpensive method of transparent EDS fabrication must be realized before the EDS technology is adopted by the solar industry. Development of a screen-printing process is presented as a scalable, low-cost method of EDS fabrication. The process is established using a silver-based ink on borosilicate glass substrates and then adapted to incorporate transparent conductive PEDOT:PSS and ITO nanoparticle solutions. Successful EDS prototypes are characterized and integrated with photovoltaic cells and second surface mirrored substrates. Removal efficiencies of the screen-printed EDS are tested by measuring the restoration in specular reflection and transmission in integrated EDS-mirror and EDSPV modules after dust depositions. Finally, a cost analysis of the EDS screen-printing process is performed in order to predict the economic viability of the EDS technology when used in conjunction with solar collecting technologies. / 2031-01-01

Ethiopia is rapidly urbanising. Similar to other urban areas in developing countries, major issues in Ethiopia include a high level of income inequality, lack of formal employment opportunities and deeply rooted poverty, tenure insecurity, poor infrastructure, and limited access to electricity and energy. Frequently settlers end up in impoverished urban squatters and slums which do not offer them even the most basic infrastructure and hence lack to provide them with the perspectives they came for. Onward migration to farer off destinations such as the EU member states thus often remains as sole option for those caught in such urban poverty traps. Although the issue of informal urban settlements is not new to the context of Ethiopian cities, the current rapid urban growth rates are exposing urban rental markets as well as infrastructure and energy supply to considerable pressure. The paper investigates the respective situation in Ethiopia and demonstrates some best practice examples. In the context of Ethiopian cities, energy production and distribution have been highly centralised under state entities and the scope for exploring local/business driven and decentralised systems has been limited. Transitions can be implemented towards sustainability and the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals if collective identification and structuring of issues along with collective envisioning of future is provoked or facilitated.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-26T13:28:03Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 3403228 bytes, checksum: 8ccd0606f89da5ea0762960e15800c76 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-09-30 / The new buildings, resulting from physical expansion of the UFV can cause impacts, particularly regarding energy demand. Seen from this perspective it is important to tailor projects to UFV that buildings are energy efficient when put into use. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate and rate the energy efficiency of buildings still in desing stage so that necessary adjustments are made before the execution of the building. Thus, the aim of this paper is to propose guidelines for the implementation of sustainable and nergy efficient solutions in buildings in the Campus of UFV/Viçosa. As the object of study hás become the Building Health, part of the works of REUNI/UFV that is in the process of implementing the Campus UFV/Viçosa since September 2009. The evaluation and classification of this building were performed using the Prescribed Method of tagging, which is a classifiction of perfomance requirements of the building of the three parts: the envelope, the lighting system anda ir conditioning system. Though this work can be seen that the Classification and Labellign of Buildins is na efficient technique to avaluate energy consumption of building and, if incorporated into the routine of preparing for construction work for the Campus UFV/Viçosa, contribute to the minimization of costs energy and performance for a more sustainable infrastructure of this instituition, and constitue na important benchmark for society. / Os novos edifícios, decorrentes da expansão física da UFV podem ocasionar impactos, principalmente quanto à demanda energética. Considerando-se essa perspectiva, é importante para a UFV adequar os projetos para que os edifícios sejam energeticamente eficientes quando postos em uso. Para tanto, é necessário avaliar e classificar a eficiência energética dos edifícios ainda na etapa de projeto, para que as adequações necessárias sejam feitas antes da execução do edifício. Nesse sentido, o objetivo geral deste trabalho é propor diretrizes para a implementação de soluções energeticamente eficientes e sustentáveis em edifícios do Campus da UFV/Viçosa. Como objeto de estudo tomou-se o Edifício da Saúde, que faz parte das obras do REUNI/UFV que se encontra em processo de execução no Campus UFV/Viçosa desde setembro de 2009. A avaliação e classificação deste edifício foram realizadas utilizando-se o Método Prescritivo de Etiquetagem, que consiste em uma classificação dos requisitos relativos ao desempenho de três partes do edifício: a envoltória, o sistema de iluminação e o sistema de condicionamento do ar. Por meio deste trabalho pode-se observar que a Etiquetagem e Classificação de Edifícios é uma eficiente técnica para avaliar consumo energético de edificações e, se incorporada à rotina de elaboração de projetos de obras para os campi da UFV, contribuirá para a minimização dos custos de energia e para um desempenho mais sustentável da infra-estrutura desta instituição, além de se constituir num importante referencial para a sociedade.

Since the end of the 1990s, the number of forcibly displaced people has increased from 33 million to 80 million at the end of 2019. The living conditions within the refugee camps have progressed beyond emergency assistance, with the main objective being to provide short-term protection in refugee camps designed for short-term stays. However, the average time spent in a refugee camp is 20 years, and refugees often lack food security and power supply to meet basic needs such as cooking or lighting. Refugee settlements are stressful and unstable environments, especially for women and girls, who are vulnerable to various sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) forms. A systematic literature review of eight peer-reviewed articles and seven semi-structured interviews are used in this study to assess the effectiveness of humanitarian energy initiatives in reducing SGBV against women in refugee camps. In this thesis, a feminist lens is used to shed more light and unlock place-based challenges to sustainable energy solutions. Our study's findings indicate that establishing a link between sexual and gender-based violence and energy is difficult, and we cannot rule out the possibility of an existing link. We assert, however, that the most effective approach to reducing SGBV among refugee women is not through energy interventions but through a combination of mixed long-term solutions that address the root causes of violence.

To reach the Swedish goal of reaching a completely fossil-free electricity sector by the year 2040, there is a need for an increased rate of installed renewable electricity sources. Companies have the opportunity to work towards this goal by investing in solar power technologies, which results in a lowered electricity bill, and an additional revenue when electricity is sold to the grid. As a result, the investment usually pays back within a reasonable timeframe. GEHAB is a company located that is located in Alvesta, Sweden, and they are interested in investing in rooftop solar power. This thesis investigates the potential and effects of such an investment at the company through energy simulations. This is done through four different scenarios, which aim at finding the largest possible installation, the most cost-optimal installation, according to the Levelized Cost Of Energy (LCOE), the impact of an added battery installation and finding the current issues with becoming a net-zero consumer of electricity. Finally, a sensitivity analysis was made to investigate how different factors impacted the LCOE. The results showed that the most cost-optimal size for the company to invest in was a 215 kWp installation, which is smaller than the maximum possible size of 335 kWp that can be installed on the rooftop. Such an installation would have an LCOE of -366 SEK/MWh when the avoided costs are included. The discounted payback time of that investment was 11.3 years. The involvement of batteries showed that they would lead to a higher LCOE and for the largest possible solar installation size, including a battery, means that it would not pay back within the lifetime of the PVs. Finally, the net-zero electricity consumption scenario found that currently, the largest issue to reach this scenario is that there is a regulation that limits solar installations to 500 kWp to avoid an energy tax.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:53:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 PauloRC_principal.pdf: 1483825 bytes, checksum: 47d66773f4b521df5517f6190c35f1be (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006-05-19 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior / The natural gas perform a essential paper, not only in primary sectors of energy, but also in others sectors of economy. The use natural gas will have expansion in Brazil, motivated by governmental decision to increase the participation of this fuel in the Brazilian energy matrix from 4% to 12% up until 2010. in order to reach the objective related to increase the consumption of natural gas in the energy matrix and to propose solutions to attend the electric requirements of heart and refrigeration, using natural gas as primary power plant. This thesis has a main objective to analysis the perception of businessmen of hotel sector about the feasability of investment with micro-cogeneration system by natural gas in their hotel in turistic sector, in Natal/RN. It s show a case for the hotels selected analyzing the actual knowledge of businessmen about alternative of new technology in generation of owner energy. There was make a interview using a standard form researching information about this topic. In this interview has shown 4 (four) canaries for businessmen with different configurations of investment in micro-cogeneration. Two of this canaries uses the project finance like option to make fasible this projects. The resulteis showed who businessmen has insecurity to make decision to put in office alone, or with a local company, and perhaps with a national company to perform for a alternative energy system, justifying, the alone feasability and without information by local businessmen. Apart from that, they are receptive for a option to put in office in micro-cogeneration configured in the settings using project finance / O g?s natural desempenha um papel fundamental, n?o s? no setor de energia prim?ria, mas tamb?m em outros setores da economia. Ele ter? forte expans?o no Brasil, motivado pela decis?o do Governo Federal de aumentar a participa??o desse combust?vel na matriz energ?tica de 4% para 12% at? 2010. Para que isso aconte?a ? de suma import?ncia o investimento em novas tecnologias e inclusive o aprimoramento. Afim de um aumento do consumo do g?s natural, na matriz energ?tica, e propor solu??es que atendam aos requisitos el?tricos, na gera??o de calor e refrigera??o, utilizando g?s natural como fonte de energia prim?ria. Este trabalho tem por objetivo principal analisar a atual percep??o dos empres?rios do setor hoteleiro com rela??o ? viabilidade de investimentos com um sistema de microcogera??o a g?s natural em seus hot?is do setor tur?stico, na cidade de Natal/RN. ? apresentado um estudo de caso para os hot?is selecionados, analisando o atual conhecimento dos empres?rios sobre alternativas de novas tecnologias na gera??o de energia pr?pria. Foi realizada uma entrevista com utiliza??o de um question?rio padr?o, buscando as informa??es relevantes sobre o tema. Nesta entrevista foram apresentados 04 (quatro) cen?rios para os empres?rios, onde foram configuradas diferentes op??es de investimentos em microcogera??o. Dois desses cen?rios utilizam o Project finance como op??o de viabilizar o financiamento dos projetos. Os resultados alcan?ados mostram que os empres?rios t?m inseguran?a na tomada de decis?o para investir sozinho, ou em parceria com uma empresa local, e talvez com uma empresa nacional na execu??o de um sistema alternativo de energia, justificando, a inviabilidade isoladaeafalta de vis?o dos empres?rios locais. Em contrapartida se mostraram receptivos a op??o de investimento em micro-cogera??o configurado nos cen?rios utilizando o Project Finance

Social variables are a predominant force to community development in rural areas. However, research on how social aspects affect the energy situation as a community expands is to date limited. This study aims explore this void and investigate the following question: “What could be a feasible pathway to reach a sustainable and resilient future state in Micaya, based on the impact of key variables within three different sectors: education, health and production?” In this study, theories and models of rural electrification and scenario analysis are transposed and applied to community operated rural electrification in order to frame development. The investigation is restricted to focus on three social sectors, healthcare, education and production. Current literature confirmed that social aspects are missing in rural electrification programs.  Through interview and discussion with an established expert group important social variables have been identified in the study community. These variables lay the foundation for the scenario building used to define a desirable future in the case study community. It was found that the variables within the production sector are most influential to future developments in the study community.  The study revealed that energy access, especially access to electricity, is an essential condition for the development of rural communities. However, it does not guarantee an increase in productivity or effectiveness in social institutions in the absence of other development programs. The study also concludes that well-planned, carefully implemented rural electrification programs provide enormous benefits to rural people. Once an area has reached a certain level of development, further improvement of societal institutions depends on the availability of a secure and stable energy supply.

The transition towards sustainable energy in the construction machinery sector is gaining momentum due to the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and operational costs. Despite the benefits of electric construction machinery, challenges such as high initial investment costs, infrastructure requirements, and the practicality of battery swapping systems hinder widespread adoption. Understanding the economic feasibility and practical implications of implementing battery swapping in different construction scenarios is crucial for facilitating this transition. This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by conducting a detailed Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis for various energy sources —diesel, built-in batteries, and battery swapping systems — in two distinct construction settings: Big Quarry and Small Construction site. It provides a comparative evaluation of these options, highlighting the economic and environmental benefits of battery swapping. A comprehensive TCO analysis was performed, encompassing costs related to machine purchase, fuel/electricity consumption, maintenance, and infrastructure. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to identify critical cost drivers and assess the impact of fluctuating fuel and battery prices on the overall cost-effectiveness of each energy solution.  The findings indicate that battery swapping is the most cost-effective option across both construction sites, offering substantial savings compared to diesel and built-in batteries. Sensitivity analyses further showed that even with increased battery costs, electric machinery maintained stable economic performance, underscoring its viability as a sustainable alternative.