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Hydrogen can be produced from biomass; this hydrogen is called biohydrogen. Biohydrogen produced in Western Canada can partially contribute to meeting the demand for hydrogen needed for bitumen upgrading. Gasification and pyrolysis are two promising pathways for producing biohydrogen in a large-scale plant. Syngas, produced from the gasification of biomass, and bio-oil, produced from fast pyrolysis of biomass, can be steam reformed to produce biohydrogen. The cost of biohydrogen delivered by pipeline to a distance of 500 km is $2.20 per kg of H2, assuming that a plant utilizes 2000 dry tonnes of whole-tree biomass per day processing it in a Battelle Columbus Laboratory (BCL) gasifier. For forest residue- and straw-based biohydrogen plants the values are similar: $2.19 and $2.31 per kg of H2, respectively. Maximum economy of scale benefits are realized for biohydrogen production plants capable of processing 2000 and 3000 dry tonnes per day using BCL and GTI (Gas Technology Institute) gasification technology, respectively. The cost of biohydrogen from fast pyrolysis ($2.47 per kg of H2 from a 2000 dry tonne per day plant), using forest residue as the feedstock, is higher than the cost of biohydrogen produced by gasification. Carbon credits of about $120-$140 per tonne of CO2 are required to make biohydrogen competitive with natural-gas-based hydrogen.

Transportation and energy play an essential role in modern society. Since the Industrial Revolution, fossil fuels have enabled great advancements in human society. Within this process, Internal Combustion Engines Vehicles (ICEVs) played a significant role in guaranteeing reliable and affordable long-distance transportation. However, the subsequent increase of the Motorized Private Transport resulted in undesired effects such as pollution. One instrument in reducing the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions of the transport sector is to shift from the conventional ICEVs toward zero local emission vehicles. Electric Vehicles (EVs) are being promoted worldwide as a suitable powertrain technology that could replace the ICEVs. However, unless combined with electricity from renewable generation technologies the EVs will not effectively reduce GHG emissions. Through the simulation of future transport and energy sector scenarios in Germany, the GHG emission reductions have been analyzed. Techno-economic and environmental characteristics for several powertrain technologies under several vehicles charging strategies are evaluated. The thesis explores the impact of charging EVs on the electrical grid. The result show that EVs using smart charging strategies that support Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) are capable of fulfilling mobility needs of users while providing substantial flexibility to the electrical grid. Such flexibility can facilitate the future expansion of non-dispatchable Renewable Energy Sources (RES).

The urgency for a drastic reduction in greenhouse gas emission is emphasised in the new Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5 °C by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, in order to maintain the security and sustainable development of humanity. As proposed in the report, changing individual consumption behaviour can considerably alleviate the environmental impact of consumption and emissions. However, transforming individual to sustainable consumption behaviour has proven over time to be a challenging task involving all aspects of the society and industry. Sharing practice is a form of collaborative consumption proven to be applicable in fulfilling user needs with minimised environmental impact and material consumption as well as creating a sustainable consumption behaviour. A case study is conducted on the online peer-to-peer stuff sharing platform to discover what challenges users to perform sharing practice, what influences the participation in sharing practice, and what strategy a platform can have to stimulate the participation in sharing practice. The method of this thesis is a qualitative content analysis of the user reviews from the online stuff sharing platform, and the approach is inspired by grounded theory. The findings of the thesis present the difficulties of platform users in sharing practice, i.e. information transparency, arrangement, quality, security, and user knowledge. Also, the findings state the factors underlying identified difficulties, namely social presence, competence in sharing practice, and platform responsibility. The study concludes with strategies that can be applied for optimising sharing practice and platform. Besides, the initiative of the platform is highlighted to create transformation toward sustainable consumption behaviour. Otherwise, the development of sharing practice can be jeopardised. Besides, further research is necessary to establish a holistic outlook of sharing practice and facilitating the transformation toward sustainable consumption.

The key role of diet in both human health and environmental sustainability is well known. However, there is a lack of studies investigating the environmental impact of children’s dietary behavior. The aim of this observational study was to investigate the dietary environmental impact in a sample of primary school children living in Parma (Italy, n = 172, 8–10 years), in relation to their adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD). Children completed a 3-day food record in both winter and spring. Dietary records were processed to obtain: (i) adherence to the MD and (ii) mean daily carbon and ecological footprints. Adherence to the MD was similar in winter and spring, with almost half of the participants showing a medium MD score. Carbon and ecological footprints were higher during winter, and the main dietary contributors were red and processed meat for both indexes. A small positive correlation was observed between adherence to the MD and total carbon and ecological footprints. This study provided the first analysis of the relationship between adherence to the MD and environmental impact of primary school children. Further research is needed to better investigate the environmental impact of primary school children’s diet and the possible relationship between the MD and environmental sustainability.

Densification of rice straw such as compacting and pelletizing is an important process to increase the density of rice straw resulting in a reduction of transportation cost. Within this research, we conducted a techno-economic investigation of rice straw densification to produce compressed bales and pellets, which are later used for animal feed. In line with the main deliverable of the performance of rice straw compacting and pelletizing processes, we also looked into the quality of the product in terms of uptake and digestibility of the cattle feed which could be improved by adding amendments such as urea during the compacting process. The compacting technology resulted in a 400% increase of bale density (from 94 to 390 kg.m-3). This could reduce transportation costs by about 60% for a 60 km driving distance using trucks. The net profit that resulted from compacted bales was USD 0.0062 kg-1. Although the pelletizing technology increased the cost of the densified product by 40–50%, its density increases by 700%, from 94 to 666 kg.m-3. The enriched-rice straw pellets contained 12.1% protein, 2.8% lipid, 32.7% raw fibre, and 11.2% ash. In addition, a test of this product for cattle feeding illustrated an increase in its eating desirability for cows. Findings from this study contribute to reducing feedstock cost and developing densified rice straw products. These, therefore, provide more alternative options to increase the benefits from rice production and thus, reduce the unsustainable burning of rice straw in the field. / Nén ép rơm là quá trình quan trọng và cần thiết để tăng khối lượng thể tích với mục đích giảm chi phí vận chuyển. Trong nghiên cứu này, chúng tôi đã thực hiện nghiên cứu đánh giá tính khả thi về kỹ thuật và kinh tế đối với nội dung nén ép rơm cuộn và ép viên rơm. Cùng với mục đích chính là tăng dung trọng của sản phẩm từ rơm, chúng tôi cũng đánh giá chất lượng sản phẩm làm thức ăn cho bò giúp cho tăng kích thích quá trình tiêu hóa. Kết quả nén ép cuộn rơm đã làm tăng dung trọng của kiện rơm đến 400% (từ 94 đến 398.7 kg.m-3). Qua đó, đã giảm được chi phí vận chuyển 60% được ước tính cho 60 km khoảng cách vận chuyển. Đối với ép viên rơm, dung trọng tăng đến 700% (từ 94 đến 666 kg.m-3). Hàm lượng dinh dưỡng của viên nén hỗn hợp rơm gồm protein (12,1%), chất béo (2,8%), chất xơ (32,7%), và lượng tro tổng (11,2%). Ngoài ra, kết quả thử nghiệm cho bò ăn sản phẩm viên nén này cho thấy bò có cảm giác thích và ăn hết toàn bộ viên nén. Kết quả của nghiên cứu đã góp phần giảm chi phí khi sản xuất thức ăn cho bò, tăng thu nhập cho người nông dân và từ đó giảm tác động môi trường do việc đốt rơm trên đồng.

This study was aimed to assess the status of waste treatment for cow raising at small farm households in Can Tho, Tra Vinh, Soc Trang, and Hau Giang. The interview of 120 cow farmer households indicated that local farmers normally treat their waste by sun-drying, storing in ponds, discharging directly into rivers, or applying to anaerobic biogas. The farmers select ways to treat cow excrement according to seasons of the year: in the dry season cow waste is mostly sun-dried for sale (76.7%); stored for use (10%), untreated (7.5%) or applied to biogas plants (5.8%); however, in the rainy season most of the farmers leave the waste untreated (94.2%), except for those owning biogas tanks. Biogas treatment is applied mainly by dairy cow-raising households, accounting for 85.7% of biogas users. The cow farmer households have limited knowledge about biogas application; 23.3% of the interviewed farmers knew about biogas technology; 47.5% had little knowledge about this technology, however, 29.2% of the selected persons had no idea about biogas technology. Based on the quantity of beef cattle herds in the surveyed areas, it is estimated that CH4 gas emissions account for around 252.3 tons, 61.4 tons, 8.2 tons, and 2.5 tons in Soc Trang, Tra Vinh, Can Tho, and Hau Giang, respectively. / Nghiên cứu này nhằm đánh giá hiện trạng xử lý chất thải tại các hộ chăn nuôi bò ở thành phố Cần Thơ và các tỉnh Trà Vinh, Sóc Trăng, Hậu Giang. Tổng số 120 hộ chăn nuôi đã được phỏng vấn cho thấy có 4 phương pháp xử lý chính để xử lý chất thải chăn nuôi phát sinh: ủ yếm khí (biogas), phơi khô và bán, trữ lại trong ao để sử dụng, và không xử lý. Tùy theo thời điểm trong năm người dân sẽ thay đổi cách thức xử lý chất thải chăn nuôi bò: vào mùa khô có nhiều nắng chủ yếu người dân phơi khô để bán (76,7%), để lại và sử dụng (10%), dùng để ủ biogas (5,8%), và không xử lý (7,5%); tuy nhiên vào mùa mưa hầu hết các hộ dân không xử lý chất thải chăn nuôi (94,2%), chỉ trừ những hộ dân đã có hầm ủ biogas để xử lý. Xử lý chất thải chăn nuôi bằng công nghệ biogas được áp dụng phổ biến ở các hộ nuôi bò sữa, chiếm 85,7% số hộ có hầm ủ biogas. Sự hiểu biết về công nghệ biogas của các hộ chăn nuôi còn khá giới hạn, chỉ 23,3% hộ dân được phỏng vấn biết về công nghệ biogas, 47,5% hộ biết ít về công nghệ này, trong khi 29,2% hộ dân hoàn toàn không biết. Dựa trên số lượng đàn bò thịt trong vùng khảo sát, có thể tính được lượng CH4 phát thải hàng năm từ chất thải chăn nuôi là 252,3 tấn, 61,4 tấn, 8,2 tấn và 2,5 tấn từ các địa phương Sóc Trăng, Trà Vinh, Cần Thơ, và Hậu Giang.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:56:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 5317.pdf: 4354756 bytes, checksum: c3428f42cdc8f5cda6298342a6938dab (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-06-19 / In light of the scientific evidence for global warming, the United Nations established the Framework Convention on Climate Change and defined the Kyoto Protocol that provided opportunities for sustainable social and economic development. The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) is one of the protocols applicable to developing countries such as Brazil. Opportunities for industries to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions can be led by thermal energy integration studies. In addition, sustainable processes can result in energy savings as well as help to mitigate GHG emissions. This work presents a study of heat exchanger network (HEN) synthesis in order to reduce energy consumption and GHG emissions, and the benefits are evaluated in terms of energy savings and carbon credits for CDM projects. It was proposed to two case studies using HEN data from literature, one concerns burning fossil fuels, and other one was evaluated the bagasse combustion. Both studies were applied the Aspen Energy Analyzer® software and its performance of the design of the HEN employed the Automatic Retrofit and Automatic Recommend Designs features were evaluated too. GHG emissions were mitigated; the first case confirmed that the carbon credits improve Capital Expenditure Index, returning 13% less in payback depending on fossil fuel price. The second case presents a maximum value of reduction of 26.2% burning bagasse, 7.7% GHG emissions, 30% increase power generation, together with 19,411 carbon credits per year. / Em virtude da constatação inequívoca do aquecimento global, foi estabelecida pela Organização das Nações Unidas (ONU) a Convenção-Quadro sobre Mudança do Clima. No seu âmbito, foi criado o Protocolo de Quioto, que define mecanismos que enquadram responsabilidades e obrigações, abrindo oportunidades de desenvolvimento social e econômico sustentável. Um dos mecanismos estabelecido é o Mecanismo de Desenvolvimento Limpo (MDL), o único aplicável a países em desenvolvimento como o Brasil. Assim, no âmbito industrial existem várias oportunidades de redução das emissões de gases de efeito estufa (GEE) aliados a trabalhos de integração energética. Além do comprometimento sustentável, é possível obter cenários economicamente viáveis devido à redução de energia associada à mitigação das emissões de GEE. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a síntese de rede de trocadores de calor (RTC) na redução do consumo de utilidades e de emissões de GEE, além de contabilizar os benefícios gerados na economia de combustíveis e a obtenção de créditos de carbono ligados a projetos que promovem o desenvolvimento limpo. Foram realizados dois estudos de casos com os dados da RTC obtidos da literatura, um referente à queima de combustíveis fósseis e outro referente à combustão do bagaço. Em ambos os estudos foi utilizado o software Aspen Energy Analyzer®, tendo como opções as ferramentas Automatic Retrofit e Automatic Recommend Designs, sendo estas avaliadas quanto ao seu desempenho na otimização da RTC. Foram mitigadas as emissões dos GEE, sendo que o primeiro caso foi comprovado que os créditos de carbono promovem um retorno financeiro mais rápido de até 13% dependendo do combustível fóssil e no segundo foi obtida uma redução de até 26,2% da queima do bagaço, 7,7% das emissões de GEE, geração extra de energia elétrica de até 30% e crédito de carbono de até 19.411 t CO2 ao ano.

L’objectif de cette étude est d’appréhender, à travers l’exemple du système européen d’échange des quotas d’émission de gaz à effet de serre, les conditions d’efficacité d’un instrument particulier de réalisation du développement durable : la technique de marché. Définie comme un instrument de police consistant en la poursuite d’un objectif de politique publique, préalablement défini par les pouvoirs publics, au moyen de la création volontaire d’un marché, c’est-à-dire l’organisation d’échanges d’« unités » entre opérateurs économiques, la technique de marché est utilisée de manière privilégiée en matière environnementale. La création ex nihilo d’un marché pour protéger l’environnement ne doit pas induire en erreur : la technique de marché ne conduit pas à une substitution de la liberté à la puissance publique. Au contraire, la technique de marché n’est efficace que si elle est sous-tendue par une action publique forte. Une intervention permanente – au stade de l’élaboration et de la mise en oeuvre de cet instrument – et multiforme – au niveau international, régional et national – de la puissance publique est nécessaire. La « main invisible » du marché ne produit ses effets que grâce à la « main visible » de la puissance publique. / By taking the example of the European Union emission trading system, the objective of the present study is to understand the conditions of effectiveness of a specific tool: the market-based instrument. Market-based instrument is defined as a tool of policing aiming at the achievement of a public policy objective (pre-established by public authorities) with the creation of a market, i.e. the organisation of exchanges of “units” between economic operators. This tool is widely used in environmental law. The ex nihilo creation of a market in order to protect the environment must not mislead: the market-based instrument does not lead to a shift from public action to freedom. To the contrary, the effectiveness of the market-based instrument depends on a strong public action. A permanent (i.e. both during the preparation and the implementation of this tool) and multifaceted (i.e. at international, regional and national levels) public intervention is therefore required. The “invisible hand” of the market could only be effective with the “visible hand” of public authorities.

隨著全球溫室氣體排放量的增長，氣候變遷帶來的衝擊益加嚴重，京都議定書的三種彈性減量機制為人類對抗氣候變遷帶來了新的契機，「碳交易」及「碳市場」於焉而生。為與國際的潮流接軌，立法院於2015年6月15日三讀通過了《溫室氣體減量及管理法》，嗣經總統於同年7月1日公布施行，我國將可藉由「總量管制與排放交易」(Cap and Trade)的實施，建立一個強制性的碳市場。本論文以市場規模最大的歐盟及中、美兩大排碳國為例，探討它們碳市場發展的經驗，並將重點聚焦在其歷史背景、制度面的設計、碳交易的情形及執行減量的成效上，希望從中找出我國碳交易可以學習與借鑑的地方。 歐、美及中國的碳市場各在不同的背景之下產生，歐盟及中國以強制性市場為主，美國則以自願性市場為主。本論文發現，歐盟排放交易體系(EU ETS)及中國的7個碳試點，其發展有賴明確的溫室氣體減量目標與碳交易的強制規定作為基礎，此正是美國碳市場所缺乏的。芝加哥氣候交易所(CCX)本質上其實類似歐盟及中國的碳市場，它們最大的差別在於：前者可由企業自行決定加入與否，後兩者則強制達一定排放量的企業加入。CCX失敗的例子，恰恰說明了缺乏國家明確方向的指引，單靠企業憑良心加入的自願性市場，發展仍然有限。 最後，本論文提出對我國碳交易後續規劃方向的7項建議，以及後續論文研究方向的3項建議。 / With the rapid growth of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, impacts of climate change become more serious. To reduce GHG emissions, the Kyoto Protocol was adopted in 1997 and entered into force on 16 February 2005. Various carbon markets have been structured at the domestic or international level, especially since the introduction of three flexible mechanisms under the Kyoto Protocol. To demonstrate Taiwan’s commitment to combating climate change in line with the global trend, the Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction and Management Act was promulgated by the president on 1 July 2015. It provides a legal basis for establishing a cap and trade system, and a compliance carbon market will be structured in Taiwan. In this paper, we consider the world’s three major carbon markets, the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS), the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) and the Chinese seven official ETS pilots. This study seeks to provide some suggestions for future carbon transactions in Taiwan from their evolution experiences. The discussions developed in this study will focus on their historical backgrounds, system designs, allowance transactions, and emission reductions achievement. By comparing their evolution experiences, we find critical success factors behind carbon markets. Finally, suggestions for Taiwan’s government and future researches are presented.