The problems of social inequality has plagued the Indian society since the history known. The caste system and its intersection with other religions have compounded the situations even further. This study focuses on the issue of marginalization between the three religious communities of India, namely Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam. Furthermore this investigation try to propose a solution to this ensuing problem of marginalization by involving the case of green energy sector and its components. The potential that green energy entails for the economy will be studied at close quarters and evidences will be portrayed to see the positive effects. The creation and realization of the fertile grounds for the intersection or the juxtaposition of green energy over marginalization will be studied by combining the two philosophies of complex equality and equality of condition. The investigation reveals that marginalization can be solved by introducing Green energy on a large scale. The proposed model under the architectures of the conceptual frameworks of Spheres of Justice and Development as Freedom creates Green Energy as an independent sphere of influence that shows positive effect in reducing Inequality by interacting with other spheres of influence. Keywords Social inequality,green energy,HDI,Capability...

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / There has been increasing interest in finding alternative sources for Rare Earth Elements (REEs) due to their application in green energy and Coal Fly Ash (CFA) has been found to be a viable potential source. Thus investigations on the feasibility of recovering REEs from CFA and the possibility of optimizing the current recovery techniques have become popular. The main focus in the investigations has been to use equipment and products that are environmentally sustainable and economically efficient. In addition, studies have shown that there is a relationship between the particle size of CFA and the REE concentration, which can potentially increase the recovery of REEs. However, there have been inconsistencies in the findings of this relationship.

Electricity-driven water splitting reaction achieved by electrochemical method to produce hydrogen and oxygen is utilized as an energy carrier in the form of highly pure hydrogen gas. However, the development of earth-abundant, durable, and highly effective electrocatlyst to overcome the high overpotentials of hydrogen, and oxygen evolution reaction (HER, OER) is extremely challenging. This dissertation presents firstly the catalytic properties of tungsten disulfide (WS2) as highly effective HER catalyst through direct growth of 2H-WS2 layered materials on a conductive substrate. Effect of various gaseous atmosphere and temperatures was studied and it was found that the amorphous structure of WS2 can be strongly affected under H2S environment which leads to the formation of bridging disulfide ligands S2 2- and apical S2- from WS3 phase, which is consequently contribute to the catalytic enhancement toward HER with extremely low overpotential (η10 = 184 mV). On the other hand, OER is the major bottleneck in water splitting reaction due to its poor kinetics originated from the complex four electrons transfer process. Chemical vapor deposition strategy is used here to enable stoichiometric tuning and phase engineering of CoP2 OER electrocatalyst followed by deposition of carbonaceous protection layer to overcome surface oxidation. Electrochemical studies indicate that C@CoP2/CC can achieve a remarkable activity (η10 = 234 mV), with minor decay from its initial current density after continuous operation of 80 hours. Lastly, electrolysis of alkaline water is the most common industrial method to produce H2; however, it is a formidable challenging to compete with Pt catalyst in base at industrial scale. For that, temperature-dependent phase evolution was studied in details and it is found that (Co(OH)2) precursor undergoes phase transition under a unique phosphidation system starting with partially phosphatized phase CoP-CoxOy, followed by phosphorus rich phase CoP2, and ultimately to pure CoP phase under elevated temperatures. Comprehensive analysis revealed that concerted composite CoP-CoxOy is the most active phase to produce H2 electrochemically from alkaline water which is contributed to the unique role of integrated phase and its ability to overcome the sluggish hydrogen kinetics in base.

Yes / By 2020, next generation (5G) cellular networks are expected to support a 1000 fold traffic increase. To meet such traffic demands, Base Station (BS) densification through small cells are deployed. However, BSs are costly and consume over half of the cellular network energy. Meanwhile, Cloud Radio Access Networks (C-RAN) has been proposed as an energy efficient architecture that leverage cloud computing technology where baseband processing is performed in the cloud. With such an arrangement, more energy gains can be acquired through statistical multiplexing by reducing the number of BBUs used. This paper proposes a green Intelligent Traffic and Resource Elastic Energy (iTREE) scheme for C-RAN. In iTREE, BBUs are reduced by matching the right amount of baseband processing with traffic load. This is a bin packing problem where items (BS aggregate traffic) are to be packed into bins (BBUs) such that the number of bins used are minimized. Idle BBUs can then be switched off to save energy. Simulation results show that iTREE can reduce BBUs by up to 97% during off peak and 66% at peak times with RAN power reductions of up to 27% and 18% respectively compared with conventional deployments.

Linear Alpha Olefins (LAOs) are one of the most important commodities in the chemical industry, which are currently mainly produced via homogenous catalytic processes. Heterogeneous catalysts have always been desirable from an industrial viewpoint due to their advantages of low operation cost, ease of separation, and catalyst reusability. However, the development of highly active, selective, and stable heterogeneous catalysts for the production of LAOs has been a challenge throughout the last 60 years. In this dissertation, we designed and prepared a series of heterogeneous catalysts by incorporating structural moieties of homogenous benchmark catalysts into metal-organic-frameworks (MOFs), aiming to provide a feasible solution to this long-standing challenge. First, we reviewed the background and state of the art of this field and put forward the main objectives of our research. Then, we thoroughly discussed a novel heterogeneous catalyst (Ni-ZIF-8) that we developed for ethylene dimerization to produce 1-butene, focusing on its designed principle, detailed characterizations, catalytic performance evaluation, and reaction mechanisms. Ni-ZIF-8 exhibits an average ethylene turnover frequency greater than 1,000,000 h$^{-1}$ (1-butene selectivity >85%), far exceeding the activities of previously reported heterogeneous and many homogenous catalysts under similar conditions. Compared with homogenous nickel catalysts, Ni-ZIF-8 has significantly higher stability and showed constant activity during four hours of continuous reaction for at least two reaction cycles. The combination of isotopic labeling studies and Density Functional Theory calculations demonstrated that ethylene dimerization on Ni-ZIF-8 follows the Cossee-Arlman mechanism, and that the full exposure and square-planer coordination of the nickel sites account for the observed high activity. After that, we further optimized the Ni-ZIF-8 catalytic system from the perspective of practical applications. We achieved double productivity of 1-butene by optimizing the synthetic conditions and explored its usability and performances under solvent-free conditions. Then, we extended our catalyst design concept to prepare heterogeneous catalysts comprising other metals and MOFs, which provided a suitable platform for studying the effects of the metallic center and coordination environment on the catalytic production of LAOs. Finally, we gave our perspectives on the further development of heterogeneous catalysts for the production of LAOs.

Major energy-consuming countries implemented new laws on energy-efficiency during the course of 2013. The new energy-efficiency law make provision for a 16% reduction in energy intensity by 2015 in China. New law in the United States of America requires new fuel-economy standards. European Union law aims for a cut of 20% in energy demand for the countries forming part of the European Union. Japan, with the country's new energy strategy aims to decrease electricity demand with 10% by 2030 as stipulated in the new energy strategy. South Arica is currently experiencing a shortage in electricity generating capacity and operates within its reserve margin. The construction of new power stations is in process to address the shortage but Eskom must finance these assets by increasing the electricity tariff. Electricity prices are predicted to double from 2013 to 2017. In addition to the tariff increases, the Energy Conservation Scheme (ECS) is also planned by Eskom whereby all electricity consumers have to reduce their electricity consumption by 10% or face penalties. Energy efficiency initiatives in South Africa will help meet some of the country's social, economic, and environmental goals. These initiatives are important as they immediately tackle the problem of electricity shortages and are a cost-effective way of increasing available electricity supply. The aim of this study was to determine the need for businesses in the Vaal Triangle to be resource efficient and practice clean production in order to be able to capitalise on that need. With the current knowledge and technology available, Resource Efficiency and Cleaner Production (RECP) will prove to be a future necessity for industry. To determine the perceived readiness towards a green economy contribution is thus of importance. The study did a review on RECP, energy efficiency, supply of energy in South Africa, focus areas for energy efficiency and the benefits thereof. The study discussed energy efficiency incentive schemes and subsidisation funds available in South Africa. The study assessed the primary fields for RECP, the drivers and barriers to RECP and the willingness to participate in RECP initiatives in the Vaal Triangle. The study concluded that there exists a need in the Vaal Triangle for RECP initiatives and that there exists potential for the start of a green economy in the region. The research indicated the reaction towards RECP initiatives to be very positive in the studied region. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Major energy-consuming countries implemented new laws on energy-efficiency during the course of 2013. The new energy-efficiency law make provision for a 16% reduction in energy intensity by 2015 in China. New law in the United States of America requires new fuel-economy standards. European Union law aims for a cut of 20% in energy demand for the countries forming part of the European Union. Japan, with the country's new energy strategy aims to decrease electricity demand with 10% by 2030 as stipulated in the new energy strategy. South Arica is currently experiencing a shortage in electricity generating capacity and operates within its reserve margin. The construction of new power stations is in process to address the shortage but Eskom must finance these assets by increasing the electricity tariff. Electricity prices are predicted to double from 2013 to 2017. In addition to the tariff increases, the Energy Conservation Scheme (ECS) is also planned by Eskom whereby all electricity consumers have to reduce their electricity consumption by 10% or face penalties. Energy efficiency initiatives in South Africa will help meet some of the country's social, economic, and environmental goals. These initiatives are important as they immediately tackle the problem of electricity shortages and are a cost-effective way of increasing available electricity supply. The aim of this study was to determine the need for businesses in the Vaal Triangle to be resource efficient and practice clean production in order to be able to capitalise on that need. With the current knowledge and technology available, Resource Efficiency and Cleaner Production (RECP) will prove to be a future necessity for industry. To determine the perceived readiness towards a green economy contribution is thus of importance. The study did a review on RECP, energy efficiency, supply of energy in South Africa, focus areas for energy efficiency and the benefits thereof. The study discussed energy efficiency incentive schemes and subsidisation funds available in South Africa. The study assessed the primary fields for RECP, the drivers and barriers to RECP and the willingness to participate in RECP initiatives in the Vaal Triangle. The study concluded that there exists a need in the Vaal Triangle for RECP initiatives and that there exists potential for the start of a green economy in the region. The research indicated the reaction towards RECP initiatives to be very positive in the studied region. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

With the threatening of global warming and energy crises, searching for renewable and green energy resources with reduced carbon emissions is one of the most urgent challenges to the sustainable development of human civilization. In the past decades, increasing research efforts have been committed to seek for clean and renewable energy sources as well as to develop renewable energy technologies. Mechanical motion ubiquitously exists in ambient environment and people’s daily life. In recent years, it becomes an attractive target for energy harvesting as a promising supplement to traditional fuel sources and a potentially alternative power source to battery-operated electronics. Until recently, the mechanisms of mechanical energy harvesting are limited to transductions based on piezoelectric effect, electromagnetic effect, electrostatic effect and magnetostrictive effect. Widespread usage of these techniques is likely to be shadowed by possible limitations, such as structure complexity, low power output, fabrication of high-quality materials, reliance on external power sources and little adaptability on structural design for different applications. In 2012, triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG), a creative invention for harvesting ambient mechanical energy based on the coupling between triboelectric effect and electrostatic effect has been launched as a new and renewable energy technology. The concept and design presented in this thesis research can greatly promote the development of TENG as both sustainable power sources and self-powered active sensors. And it will greatly help to define the TENG as a fundamentally new green energy technology, featured as being simple, reliable, cost-effective as well as high efficiency.

La recrudescence et le déploiement de nouveaux services et applications dans les systèmes de communication, ainsi que le nombre toujours croissant d'utilisateurs, conduisent à une augmentation de la consommation d'énergie des réseaux et technologies de l'information et de la communication, ce qui contribue de façon significative au réchauffement climatique. Ainsi, pour satisfaire aux exigences énergétiques aussi bien pour les réseaux sans fil que filaires, de nouvelles approches doivent être développées. Dans un premier temps, nos travaux de recherche se focalisent sur les mécanismes d'allocation des ressources de systèmes point-à-point dans deux modes de transmission (mono-porteuse et multi-porteuses) avec pour objectif la minimisation de l'énergie consommée. Dans cette partie, nous présentons une nouvelle approche appelée ultra large bande (ULT) ainsi qu'un nouvelle métrique pour les systèmes de communication. En se basant sur cette nouvelle approche, des algorithmes d'allocation des ressources sont proposés afin d'améliorer l'efficacité énergétique des réseaux sans fil et des réseaux filaires, dont notamment les réseaux CPL (courant porteur en ligne).Dans un second temps, nous étudions les techniques impulsionnelles ultra large bande (ULB). Un simulateur logiciel de laisoon point-à-point ULB impulsionnelle, générique et paramétrable a été développé. L'objectif est d'améliorer l'efficacité énergétique d'une laison ULB. les différents paramètres du systèmes (largeur de l'impulsion, temps de garde, nombre d'impulsions transmises) sont exploités afin d'optimiser les performances du système. / The demand for new services and applications in communication systems, as well as the number of users, are steadily increasing. This growth invoves a great use of energy in information and communications technologies , which contributes significantly to global warming. Furthermore, to satisfy the energy requirements for both wired and wireless networks, new approaches must be developed..Firstly, our researches focus on resources allocation mechanisms in point-to-point systems for two transmission modes (single-carrier and multi-carrier) with the goal of minimizing the energy cosumption. In this part, we present a new approach called ultra wide time (UWT) and a new metric for communication systems. Based on this approach, efficient algorithms for resource allocation are proposed to improve energy efficiency in wireless and wired networks.

Solar panels are used in many different applications for generating sustainable energy. Many countries use solar power as a power generation method. It is also, an excellent option for getting power to difficult areas. There are three main systems used when generating solar power: grid-tied, battery banked, and direct driven systems. Most systems use a combination of grid-tied and battery banked so any unused power can be fed back into the main grid for compensation. The solar power application suggested in this thesis will provide USB power to a picnic table enabling students to charge cellphones and other small devices while at the table. The solar panel will be mounted on the top of the picnic table or on a canopy as shading for the table. These locations along with the power generation systems were researched and tested to find the best option.