Fossil fuels are the major sources of electrical power generation in the world. Among all fossil fuels, oil is considered as the most sought-after fuel. The burden on countries that provide subsidized electricity produced from oil-fired power plants is noteworthy. Kuwait is a notable example of these countries. Electricity in Kuwait is heavily consumed by residential air conditioning, which comprises 60% of the total electricity generated at peak times on a hot summer day. From this perspective, residential air conditioning in Kuwait was selected to undergo further investigation regarding low energy air conditioning choices. Three solutions to control the rapid growth of demand for electricity by residential air conditioning are examined. The first solution investigated assesses the orientation and grouping of houses in Kuwait in order to examine their effect on cooling load and electrical energy consumption for future houses. Four residential cases were developed; each case comprises six typical houses. The cases identified are: (1) single block facing east-west, (2) single block facing north-south, (3) double block facing east-west and (4) double block facing north-south. Cooling loads are calculated using the DesignBuilder building thermal simulation software. Case (2) is found to have the smallest cooling load, and case (1) the largest. The estimated savings from applying case (2) compared to the average of the four cases for the future houses planned to be built by the government by the year 2016 (i.e. approximately 20,000 houses) are found to be approximately .US 33 million of power system capital costs, 15 GWh per year of electrical energy consumption and 11 kilotons per year of CO2 emissions. In the second solution, a lifecycle cost analysis is performed to evaluate the economic feasibilities of electricity driven chilled water system compared to predominant air conditioning system in Kuwaiti houses which is Packaged- Direct Expansion. The study considers the total cash paid by the consumer and the total cash paid by the government, since electricity is subsidized in Kuwait. The study finds that the chilled water system is not cost-effective for consumers due to high installation cost. However, a chilled water system would be cost-effective for the government because it consumes 40%less electrical energy than Packaged-DX. So, the study suggests subsidising the installation of chilled water systems so that the installation cost to the consumer is the same as for Packaged-DX systems. In the third solution, the study examines the viability of a single-effect LiBr absorption chiller driven by steam extracted from the steam turbine in the configuration of a combined cycle power plant (CCPP). The analysis shows that CCPP with absorption chiller yields less net electrical power available to utility grid compared to similar CCPP giving electricity to the grid and to Direct-Expansion air conditioning systems for the same cooling requirements. The reasons for that are the reduction in steam turbine power output resulted from steam extraction, and the amount of electrical energy required to operate the configuration of CCPP with absorption chiller.

Historically, the most frequently used energy sources have been those nearest and easiest to consume. Unfortunately, society’s reliance on fossil fuel for power generation has occurred at the expense of the environment, coal being a major contribution to carbon dioxide (CO2) emission. Carbon dioxide is classified as a greenhouse gas (GHG); it contributes to the phenomenon of climate change (Haw & Hughes, 2007, p.1). According to Worrell (2011), industry uses nearly 40 percent of worldwide energy on economic activities. Value chain activities alone contribute almost 37 percent to global GHG. Organisations are socially and ethically required to minimise the carbon footprint of their operations. Reducing energy use makes perfect business sense; it saves money, enhances corporate reputations and helps everyone participate the fight against climate change (Carbon Trust, 2011). Gielen, Newman, and Patel (2008) strongly believe the overall energy and emissions trends can be mitigated through additional energy efficiency measures. However, implementing EnMS will enable organisations to establish systematic approaches and the processes necessary to improve energy performance, including energy efficiency, use and consumption (SANS 50001, 2011). The objective of this paper was to evaluate the current energy management strategy adopted by selected automotive manufacture in Eastern Cape. The research was motivated by the fact that previous researchers have focused more on technological aspects and less of management functions. The research paradigm followed in this paper was qualitative because a case study is used to gain an insight and understanding about more and less successful energy management strategies. In this report, background about the global energy outlook and its significant to economic development, factors behind energy demands, the link to climate change and providing effective energy management principles are covered. The energy management principles covered key elements for delivering successful energy management. Literature highlighted that, senior management commitment is the foundation of good energy management, which is delivered through a formal energy policy and a supporting energy strategy with action plan. High level commitment will provide: Advocacy from senior managers; Visibility of the issues across your organization; Impetus for the organisation to implement energy management; Resources, both human and financial. It will also demonstrate that good energy management is part of your organisation’s mission and as relevant as other management aspects. The empirical study is focused on the characteristics of the current management system and organisational structure employed with its relevant functions. Based on these reference points the paper concludes with recommendations for the case study organisation.

Today's world needs increasing amounts of energy for satisfaction of all human needs and wants. The fundamental problem is enormous disproportion among the areas with the largest energy consumption and places with the greatest energy reserves. This thesis set out to analyze the economic vulnerability of the biggest players in the world in terms of energy self-(in)sufficiency. The main focus of this thesis is to evaluate the status and future potential on the issue of fossil fuels, especially oil, natural gas and coal in the three world centers, the U.S., the EU and China. The thesis contains information about the alternative "clean" energy sources as well. Future energy development in these countries will affect their position in the world economy and mutual relations and also impact the current balance of power of these players.

Fossil fuels constitute a significant fraction of the world’s energy demand. The burning of fossil fuels emits huge amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Therefore, the limited availability of fossil fuel resources and the environmental impact of their use require a change to alternative energy sources or carriers (such as hydrogen) in the foreseeable future. The development of methods to mitigate carbon dioxide emission into the atmosphere is equally important. Hence, extensive research has been carried out on the development of cost-effective technologies for carbon dioxide capture and techniques to establish hydrogen economy. Hydrogen is a clean energy fuel with a very high specific energy content of about 120MJ/kg and an energy density of 10Wh/kg. However, its potential is limited by the lack of environment-friendly production methods and a suitable storage medium. Conventional hydrogen production methods such as Steam-methane-reformation and Coal-gasification were modified by the inclusion of NaOH. The modified methods are thermodynamically more favorable and can be regarded as near-zero emission production routes. Further, suitable catalysts were employed to accelerate the proposed NaOH-assisted reactions and a relation between reaction yield and catalyst size has been established. A 1:1:1 molar mixture of LiAlH4, NaNH2 and MgH2 were investigated as a potential hydrogen storage medium. The hydrogen desorption mechanism was explored using in-situ XRD and Raman Spectroscopy. Mesoporous metal oxides were assessed for CO2 capture at both power and non-power sectors. A 96.96% of mesoporous MgO (325 mesh size, surface area = 95.08 ± 1.5 m2/g) was converted to MgCO3 at 350°C and 10 bars CO2. But the absorption capacity of 1h ball milled zinc oxide was low, 0.198 gCO2 /gZnO at 75°C and 10 bars CO2. Interestingly, 57% mass conversion of Fe and Fe3O4 mixture to FeCO3 was observed at 200°C and 10 bars CO2. MgO, ZnO and Fe3O4 could be completely regenerated at 550°C, 250°C and 350°C respectively. Furthermore, the possible retrofit of MgO and a mixture of Fe and Fe3O4 to a 300 MWe coal-fired power plant and iron making industry were also evaluated.

Thesis (M.Sc. (Chemistry)) -- University of Limpopo, 2015 / The study has focused on the effects of different acids treatments on the nanostructure of MWCNTs; doping metal oxides (copper oxide (CuO), Iron (III) oxide (Fe2O3), nickel oxide (NiO) and cobalt oxide (Co3O4)) on MWCNTs and investigates their electrochemical hydrogen and energy storage capabilities. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) confirmed the formation of functional groups on the surface of the acid treated MWCNTs. X-ray diffraction (XRD) showed that the graphitic structure of the MWCNTs was retained after treatment with mild acids (nitric acid (HNO3), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), a mixture of the acids, hydrogen peroxide: nitric acid (H2O2:HNO3) and hydrogen peroxide: sulfuric acid (H2O2:H2SO4)). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirms the removal of bamboo carbon structures inside the inner tubes of the MWCNTs after treatment with mild acids. Brunauer-Emmet- Teller (BET) showed an increase in the surface area of mild acids treated MWCNTs. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results demonstrated that the thermal stability of MWCNTs increases after treatment with mixtures of the acids. Different metal oxides treated at different temperatures were incorporated into MWCNTs (treated by a mixture of H2O2:HNO3). X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed the presence of different metal oxides inside/on the surface of the acid treated MWCNTs. The MWCNTs treated by H2O2:HNO3 gave both the highest discharge capacity (72.63 mAh/g) and capacitance (8.61 F/g), as compared to the other electrode materials. The improved hydrogen storage capacity and specific capacitance can be attributed to high surface area, wider pore size distribution and the amount of functional groups on the surface of H2O2:HNO3-treated MWCNTs; with the functional groups acting as electron transmitters. The 5wt.% CuO@300oC-MWCNTs composite showed the highest hydrogen storage capacity of 159 mAh/g. This capacity was further improved by addition of manganese oxide resulting in the highest discharge capacity of 172 mAh/g (which is equivalent to 0.64 wt.% of hydrogen stored). The highest specific capacitance of 9.70 F/g was obtained on 5wt% Fe2O3@400oCMWCNTs composite.

The Bush administration's decision to abandon the Kyoto Protocol can be explained by prospect theory. The change in federal climate policy between the Clinton and Bush administrations was due to the difference in domain that each president operated under. President Clinton operated under a domain of losses as he associated continued fossil fuel use with future socio-economic and environmental damages from climate change. This domain of losses increased President Clinton's risk tolerances and explains his pursuit of the Kyoto Protocol, an international agreement to limit greenhouse gas emissions. Conversely, President Bush operated under a domain of gains where he did not connect fossil fuel use with future damages, rather with continued economic growth. President Bush's domain of gains reduced his risk tolerance and resulted in his pursuit of fossil fuel intensive economic development policies. This paper defines the domain that Presidents Clinton and Bush operated under regarding climate change, the independent variable of this analysis. A total of 26 speeches on climate change by these presidents were coded to explicate domain according to two categories of beliefs. The single most salient variable is the decision makers beliefs about the perceived robustness of the current state of scientific knowledge on climate change. The second most important aspect of these decision makers beliefs revolve around the role of fossil fuels in economic growth. Once domain has been defined through the cognitive maps and each decision makers corresponding risk tolerance explicated, the dependent variable of policy preferences are analyzed. Two policy options are analyzed; the business as usual (BAU) option associated with the status quo, as well as a climate protection policy that is reflective of the emissions reductions associated with US compliance with Kyoto. These two policy options are evaluated in three case studies; the economy wide costs of compliance with Kyoto targets for greenhouse gas emissions, the public health impacts of greenhouse gas reductions, and finally against a component of the Kyoto Protocol that allows for international trading of permits to emit greenhouse gases.

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Previous studies have claimed a deadlock between fuel producers, airlines and policymakers when it comes to the market uptake of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). This report investigates the market from a stakeholder perspective, including producers, distributors, purchasers and logistic holders. Obstacles in terms of market maturity are identified as mainly the price gap between Conventional Aviation Fuel (CAF) and SAF. This is due to many things, whereas one being the detachment between travellers and the usage of SAF. It is also the current blend restriction of a maximum of 50 %, as well as extensive and expensive certification processes. Currently, there are few, but a lack of policies and incentives directed towards SAF and a lack of coherency between those that exist and are being implemented. Stakeholders agree that there is a need for developing these, as well as a need for additional financial support during stages of developing production facilities. When it comes to procurement of SAF, stakeholders agree upon that flexibility within different areas are advantageous for the market uptake of SAF, and in most regards, the procurement made by Swedavia is indeed flexible. An important aspect identified in the analysis of Swedavia’s procurement is the use of a business model which reduces the price gap between CAF and SAF for airlines and enabling Swedavia to claim the CO2 reduction of corporate travel. Multiple corporates joined the previous procurement of SAF for corporate travel, and Swedavia holds great opportunities to continue to contribute to the market uptake of SAF by expanding the concept. Multiple opportunities also lie in expanding the business concept to reach all travellers. Concluding, it is established that the current route, mainly referring to the procedure of procurement, is effective and carries great opportunity for further implementation and development. / <p>2021-06-04</p>

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