Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Space heating and cooling, as required for chicken poultry farming, is an energy intensive operation. Due to the continuous rise in the prices of fossil fuel, water and electricity, there is a need to develop renewable and sustainable energy systems that minimise the use of fuel or electricity, for heating, and water, for cooling of air. The HYDROSOL (HYDro ROck SOLar) system, developed at Stellenbosch University, is such a renewable energy system that potentially provides a low cost solution. Instead of using conventional gas and electricity heaters for the heating of air during winter, the HYDROSOL system collects solar heat, stores it in a packed bed of rocks and dispatches the heat as required. During hot summer days, when cooling is needed, the rocks are cooled during the night when the ambient temperatures are low and/ or by evaporative cooling by spraying water onto them. During the day, hot air is then cooled when it passes through the colder rocks with minimal water consumption compared to current systems. In this thesis, a prototype of the HYDROSOL system is presented, designed and built for experimental testing. A transient 2-D thermo flow model is developed and presented for the analytical and experimental performance evaluation of this system for solar heating and night air cooling operation. This model is used to conduct a parametric study on HYDROSOL to gain a better understanding of the operation and control of the system. The HYDROSOL concept is intended to be used for heating and cooling of residential buildings, office suites, warehouses, shopping centres, food processing industries e.g. drying of foods, and various agricultural industries e.g. greenhouses. In this thesis, a HYDROSOL system is developed mainly for poultry broiler houses in South Africa focussing on convective dry cooling, charging the rock bed with night-time ambient air, and convective heating, harvesting solar heat during the day, with different modes of operation available. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Ruimte verhitting en verkoeling, soos benodig vir hoender pluimvee boerdery, is ‘n energie intensiewe bedryf. As gevolg van die voortdurende styging in fossiel brandstof-, water- en elektrisiteitpryse, het ‘n behoefte ontstaan om hernubare en volhoubare energie-stelsels te ontwikkel wat minder brandstof of elektrisiteit, vir verhitting, en water, vir verkoeling van lug, gebruik. Die HYDROSOL (HYDro ROck SOLar) stelsel, wat ontwikkel is by die Universiteit van Stellenbosch, is ‘n hernubare energie-stelsel wat ‘n potensiële lae koste oplossing bied. In plaas daarvan om konvensionele gas en elektrisiteit verwarmers vir verhitting van lug gedurende die winter te gebruik, maak HYDROSOL gebruik van son warmte, stoor dit in `n gepakte bed van klip en onttrek die warmte soos benodig. Gedurende die warm somer dae wanneer verkoeling benodig word, word die klippe gedurende die nag, met kouer omgewings lug en/of met verdampingsverkoeling, deur water op die klippe te spuit, afgekoel. Gedurende die dag word warm lug afgekoel deur die lug oor die koue klippe te forseer met minimale waterverbruik in vergelyking met huidige stelsels. ‘n Prototipe van die HYDROSOL word voorgestel, ontwerp en gebou vir eksperimentele doeleindes. ‘n 2-D tyd afhanklike termo- vloei model word voorgestel vir die analitiese en eksperimentele verrigting evaluering vir son verhitting en nag lug verkoeling. Hierdie model word gebruik om ‘n parametriese studie te doen om die werking en beheer van HYDROSOL beter te verstaan. Die HYDROSOL stelsel is bedoel om die verwarming en verkoeling vereistes van residensiële geboue, kantoor areas, pakhuise, winkelsentrums, voedsel verwerking nywerhede, soos bv. die droging van voedsel, en verskeie landboubedrywe, soos bv. kweekhuise, te bevredig. In hierdie tesis word ‘n HYDROSOL stelsel, hoofsaaklik vir pluimvee kuikenhuise in Suid- Afrika, ondersoek en fokus op die droë verkoeling, deur die rotsbed te laai gedurende die nag, asook droë- verhitting, wat gebruik maak van son energie gedurende die dag en kan beheer word op verskillende maniere.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / This study determined the status, in 2012, of the implementation of Sustainable solutions (SS) to commercial buildings in the City of Johannesburg. The term “going green” was seen as an alternative approach to business, but demonstrated necessity in the property industry. As greenhouse gas emissions drive the rising average global temperature at an alarming rate, the business environment cannot only be aware of the impact that business industries have on the livelihood of the growing population, but need to act promptly to ensure sustainability. Environmental sustainability is an important topic in decision making for businesses in South Africa and this study grouped renewable energy (RE) and energy efficiency (EE) to create sustainable solutions as the main concept of environmental sustainability. Renewable energy refers to finding an energy source like the sun or wind, but the main focus is on the purpose of sustainability of the energy resource and the supply. Eskom obtains 97% of their electricity for South Africa from coal power plants, but the reality is that coal is a limited resource that will not be available indefinitely unlike renewable energy. Energy efficiency on the other hand focuses on reducing the energy requirements of commercial buildings. As this concept received sufficient attention in South Africa, the present study was conducted to obtain further information to drive energy efficient practices. With energy efficiency, making basic adjustments in the design of new buildings to use less electricity can greatly contribute to their longevity and reduce the overall running costs that in turn enhance the sustainability for organisations that own or manage properties. By gathering the principals for renewable energy from natural resources and implementing energy efficient practices, the concept of sustainable solutions was conceived. The implementation of sustainable solutions also increases the value of properties, fosters economic enhancement, fosters socioeconomic improvement and most importantly improves the environment by reducing carbon emissions.

Thesis (MScIng (Electrical and Electronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / A bi-directional, direct conversion switch-mode converter is proposed for use in distributed household renewable energy systems. The converter is intended as the central interface between the household energy system’s low voltage Direct Current bus and the high voltage Alternating Current bus. The low voltage DC bus is connected to renewable generation and storage devices, while the high voltage AC bus is connected to the user’s equipment and the mains grid. The converter overcomes the inherent reverse-duty cycle problem associated with bi-directional converters by using a combination step-up / step-down half-bridge converter on the high voltage side of a high frequency transformer. The low voltage side of the transformer is driven by a full bridge inverter that acts as a rectifier during reverse mode. In order to control the flow of power in both directions the converter implements Average Current Mode Control. A method is developed to determine the transfer functions of common switch-mode converters by inspection alone. This method is applied to the proposed converter, and both current and voltage mode control loops are designed with the frequency response method. The control system is implemented using a Digital Signal Processor. A method of simultaneously simulating both the converter hardware and software is developed using VHDL. This method greatly reduced the development effort of the converter. The operation of the proposed converter is verified through this method of simulation. A prototype converter is constructed and successfully tested, thereby proving the viability of the proposed converter topology and control methodology.

Energy use and production have become highly salient within both national and international policy. This reflects an international recognition of the need to cut emissions in order to mitigate the threats of climate change. Within the UK there is significant policy support for renewable energy development generally, and wind power in particular. Nevertheless, the UK is not expected to meet its targets for renewable energy production. This is often portrayed as being the result of localised public opposition to particular proposed developments. However, this thesis challenges the notion that local objectors are powerful actors within renewable energy deployment. A detailed, multi-method case study of one planning application for a wind power development was conducted in order to explore how the planning process is experienced and perceived by various different actors involved (i.e. representatives of the developers, local objectors, local supporters). The findings refute the assertion that localised opposition presents significant obstacles for the development of renewable energy; they instead highlight the limited influence of objectors. In order to understand the many different forms of power which may be exercised the research employs Lukes’ three-dimensional view of power as a framework of how the concept is to be understood. Through this framework, the thesis does not only consider the power of objectors, but also of prospective developers and the forms of power that are found within the structures of the planning system. Power is considered to be visible not only in the outcomes of decision-making processes but also in the processes themselves. It is shown that whilst planning processes are presented as being public and democratic, considerable power is exercised in controlling the participation that is allowed and ultimately the range of outcomes which can be achieved.

Reducing the carbon footprint of domestic properties is, due to global warming and social impact of increased energy costs, an ever increasing priority. Although the compulsive building standards are set by the building regulation part L1, The Code for Sustainable Homes have set more stringent requirements above the requirements of Building Regulations to achieve zero carbon emissions during occupation. This Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH) requires all new homes to be zero carbon by 2016. Land scarcity and lower number of people per household forces developers to develop compact apartment-based dwellings on brown field sites, constraining the design. The aim of this research is to understand the effect of practical constraints on real building design and technology on achieving zero carbon performance in compact urban dwellings in a maritime northern European climate. In this work, currently commercially implementable renewable generation technologies are evaluated for their suitability in a compact urban setting. A model-based approach is developed to evaluate the energy consumption (both regulated and unregulated) and energy balance under the specific constraints of compact urban buildings. Graphical representation enables the introduction of a demand envelope, which shows the boundaries of the minimum and maximum expected thermal and electrical energy consumption over one year period. The research has three key findings: 1. Due to variations in energy consumption by the occupants, mainly by the unregulated energy consumption, multiple renewable energy technologies would have to be implemented to achieve the lowest possible carbon emission. 2. Although the combination of PV, CHP and HP is the generation option with the lowest carbon emissions, it is not completely carbon free when producing the required electrical and thermal energy. This suggests that there is a high likelihood that zero-carbon energy generation can not be achieved in this case study of a compact urban dwelling with the currently available technology. 3. The simulations show that with highly insulated dwellings the amount of space heating required is less than 10% of the overall energy consumption, as opposed to the 60% generally achieved in the building industry. Subsequent on-site measurements showed an estimation of just under 30% of the total energy consumption was used in space heating, which is higher than the simulated value, but still less than half that of a conventional dwelling. The main academic recommendation resulting from this research is a requirement for further ongoing research into new generation technologies as they become mature. Recommendations for the sponsoring company include continuation of measurements at the case study building to enable confirmation of energy consumption/generation findings so far.

Τα τελευταία χρόνια, οι ολοένα και περισσότερο εμφανιζόμενες επιπτώσεις της κλιματικής αλλαγής, η οικονομική αστάθεια αλλά και οι μεταβαλλόμενες πολιτικές συνθήκες, έχουν επαναφέρει δυναμικά στο προσκήνιο τις Ανανεώσιμες Πηγές Ενέργειας, καθιστώντας αυτές ως το πλέον εναλλακτικό τρόπο παροχής ενέργειας, μετά τις συμβατικές πηγές. Τόσο η Ελλάδα όσο και οι Βουλγαρία είναι δύο χώρες με μεγάλο δυναμικό ανανεώσιμων πηγών ενέργειας, η αξιοποίηση του οποίου μπορεί να δώσει σημαντική βοήθεια στην οικονομική τους ανάπτυξη, ιδιαίτερα εν μέσω της δύσκολης οικονομικής συγκυρίας που έχει εμφανείς επιπτώσεις και στις δύο χώρες. Στην παρούσα έρευνα, γίνεται προσπάθεια ώστε να σκιαγραφηθούν οι απόψεις των πολιτών των χωρών της Ελλάδος και της Βουλγαρίας αναφορικά με τις Ανανεώσιμες Πηγές Ενέργειας, καθώς και μία θεωρητική ανάλυση για την κατάσταση σχετικά με την «πράσινη» ενέργεια που επικρατεί στις δύο χώρες. Στόχος είναι να αποτυπωθούν οι απόψεις των πολιτών, να συγκριθούν και τελικά να εξαχθούν χρήσιμα συμπεράσματα που θα προσδιορίσουν τον τρόπο δράσης των αρμοδίων των δύο χωρών. Τα δεδομένα συλλέχθηκαν μέσω ερωτηματολογίων που διατέθηκαν σε 400 συνολικά πολίτες των δύο χωρών (200 Έλληνες και 200 Βούλγαρους), και αναλύθηκαν μέσω του προγράμματος SPSS 19. / In recent years, the emerging impacts of climate change, the economic instability and the political conditions have turned renewable energy sources to the most important alternative energy supply. Both Greece and Bulgaria are two countries with large potential on renewable energy sources. Their use can provide significant assistance in economic development, particularly in the midst of economic crisis which has obvious implications for both countries. In the present study, an attempt is made to sketch the views of citizens of the two countries regarding renewable energy. It is also a theoretical analysis of the situation of "green" energy in both countries. The objective is to properly reflect the views of citizens, to compare and ultimately to teach lessons that will determine the mode of action at these two countries. Questionnaires were distributed to a total of 400 citizens of the two countries (200 Bulgarians and 200 Greeks) in order to collect the data and we used SPSS 19 to analyze them.

Η παρούσα διπλωματική εργασία εκπονήθηκε με σκοπό την δημιουργία ενός μοντέλου του Εθνικού Διασυνδεδεμένου Συστήματος Μεταφοράς για το έτος 2015, στο οποίο θα συμπεριλαμβάνονται όλες οι μονάδες Ανανεώσιμων Πηγών Ενέργειας που γνωρίζομε ή υποθέτουμε ότι θα ενταχθούν στο Σύστημα μέχρι το 2015. Οι υποθέσεις αυτές έγιναν σύμφωνα με τα στοιχεία της ΜΑΣΜ 2010-2014 (όπου αναφέρονται αναλυτικά οι μονάδες παραγωγής ενέργειας συμβατικές και μη, που θα συνδεθούν ή θα αποσυρθούν από το Σύστημα), τις προβλέψεις του Εθνικού Σχεδίου Δράσης για τις ΑΠΕ (ΕΣΔ/ΑΠΕ), την σχετική μελέτη που πραγματοποιήθηκε στο Κέντρο Ανανεώσιμων Πηγών Ενέργειας (ΚΑΠΕ), καθώς από την Ρυθμιστική Αρχή Ενέργειας (ΡΑΕ) από την οποία γνωρίζουμε ποιες μονάδες βρίσκονται στο στάδιο της αδειοδοτικής διαδικασίας και επομένως η ένταξή τους στο Σύστημα είναι πολύ πιθανό να πραγματοποιηθεί στα προσεχή έτη. Η επιλογή του έτους 2015 για την μελέτη έγινε επειδή τα διαθέσιμα μέχρι σήμερα στοιχεία επιτρέπουν πιο ασφαλείς προβλέψεις για την διαμόρφωση του ηλεκτρικού Συστήματος Μεταφοράς. Παρόλο που ο τελικός στόχος από την Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση τέθηκε για το 2020, μια απευθείας μελέτη διαμόρφωσης του Συστήματος για τότε θα ήταν επισφαλής, καθώς, όπως προαναφέρθηκε, δεν υπάρχει η απαιτούμενη πληροφορία. Άλλωστε το 2015 θα μπορούσε να θεωρηθεί ένας βασικός σταθμός καθώς θα αποτελέσει την βάση για την επίτευξη του στόχου που έχει τεθεί για το 2020. Πιο αναλυτικά η διπλωματική αυτή εργασία χωρίζεται στις παρακάτω ενότητες: ΚΕΦΑΛΑΙΟ 1Ο: ΘΕΩΡΙΑ ΣΥΣΤΗΜΑΤΩΝ ΗΛΕΚΤΡΙΚΗΣ ΕΝΕΡΓΕΙΑΣ Στο κεφάλαιο αυτό στην πρώτη ενότητα αρχικά γίνεται αναφορά στην Ανάλυση Ροής Φορτίου και στο πόσο σημαντικό ρόλο έχει η ανάλυση αυτή για την σωστή σχεδίαση και λειτουργία του ηλεκτρικού Συστήματος. Στη συνέχεια γίνεται η μαθηματική περιγραφή του προβλήματος της ανάλυσης ροής φορτίου καθώς και μια εκτενής αναφορά για τις παραδοχές και τις προϋποθέσεις που πρέπει να τηρηθούν ώστε τελικά να δουλέψει σωστά το Σύστημα ηλεκτρικής ενέργειας που πρόκειται να σχεδιαστεί. Τέλος γίνεται μια μικρή αναφορά στις αριθμητικές μεθόδους που θα χρησιμοποιηθούν ώστε να πραγματοποιηθεί η επίλυση των εξισώσεων που προέκυψαν από την ανάλυση ροής φορτίου. Στην επόμενη ενότητα του ίδιου κεφαλαίου παρουσιάζονται τα στοιχεία του Συστήματος (π.χ. ζυγοί, κυκλώματα, μηχανές, φορτία κλπ.) που περιλαμβάνονται στην βάση δεδομένων του υπολογιστικού προγράμματος που θα χρησιμοποιηθεί για την επίλυση των εξισώσεων της ανάλυσης ροής φορτίου. Στην τελευταία ενότητα αυτού του κεφαλαίου γίνεται μια μικρή παρουσίαση του προγράμματος PSS/E, που είναι και το υπολογιστικό πρόγραμμα που χρησιμοποιήθηκε στην παρούσα εργασία για την επίλυση του Συστήματος. ΚΕΦΑΛΑΙΟ 2Ο: ΕΘΝΙΚΟ ΣΧΕΔΙΟ ΔΡΑΣΗΣ ΓΙΑ ΤΙΣ ΑΠΕ ΚΑΙ ΟΙ ΣΤΟΧΟΙ ΜΕΧΡΙ ΤΟ 2020 Στην πρώτη ενότητα αυτού του κεφαλαίου παρουσιάζεται ποιο είναι το σχέδιο δράσης για τις ΑΠΕ που αφορά την χώρα μας. Στην επόμενη ενότητα αυτού του κεφαλαίου, γίνεται μια αναφορά στις προϋποθέσεις ώστε να επιτευχθούν οι στόχοι που θέτει το εθνικό σχέδιο δράσης για τις ΑΠΕ. Τέλος στην τρίτη ενότητα παρουσιάζονται αναλυτικά οι στόχοι διείσδυσης των ΑΠΕ από το 2010 έως το 2020. ΚΕΦΑΛΑΙΟ 3Ο: ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΟ ΔΙΑΣΥΝΔΕΔΕΜΕΝΟ ΣΥΣΤΗΜΑ ΜΕΤΑΦΟΡΑΣ Στην πρώτη ενότητα του κεφαλαίου γίνεται μια αναλυτική περιγραφή του υφιστάμενου Συστήματος Μεταφοράς της χώρας. Στην δεύτερη ενότητα γίνεται αναφορά στην δυνατότητα του ηλεκτρικού δικτύου της χώρας να απορροφήσει την παραγωγή των σταθμών ΑΠΕ που πρόκειται να συνδεθούν σε αυτό. Επιπλέον γίνεται αναφορά στην διαδικασία αδειοδότησης και καθώς και στις υπόλοιπες προϋποθέσεις για την διείσδυση των ΑΠΕ στο Σύστημα. Τέλος στην τρίτη ενότητα γίνεται εφαρμογή του σχεδίου δράσης για τις ΑΠΕ στο έτος 2015, που αποτελεί και το έτος μελέτης της παρούσας εργασίας. ΚΕΦΑΛΑΙΟ 4Ο: ΔΙΑΜΟΡΦΩΣΗ ΤΟΥ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΟΥ ΔΙΑΣΥΝΔΕΔΕΜΕΝΟΥ ΣΥΣΤΗΜΑΤΟΣ ΜΕΤΑΦΟΡΑΣ ΗΛΕΚΤΡΙΚΗΣ ΕΝΕΡΓΕΙΑΣ ΓΙΑ ΤΟ 2015 Αρχικά στην πρώτη ενότητα παρουσιάζεται η κατανομή φορτίου στους υποσταθμούς του Συστήματος για το 2015. Στη συνέχεια (δεύτερη ενότητα), γίνεται λεπτομερής περιγραφή του Εθνικού Διασυνδεδεμένου Συστήματος Μεταφοράς (ΕΔΣΜ), όπως διαμορφώθηκε για το έτος μελέτης της εργασίας. Τέλος στην τρίτη ενότητα, φαίνεται η μελέτη του μοντέλου του Συστήματος, όπως διαμορφώθηκε για το έτος 2015, για τρία διαφορετικά ακραία σενάρια λειτουργίας. ΚΕΦΑΛΑΙΟ 5Ο: ΣΥΜΠΕΡΑΣΜΑΤΑ ΚΑΙ ΠΡΟΟΠΤΙΚΕΣ Στην πρώτη ενότητα αυτού του κεφαλαίου αναφέρονται τα γενικά συμπεράσματα που προέκυψαν από την προηγηθείσα μελέτη. Στην επόμενη ενότητα, γίνεται αναλυτική παρουσίαση των αποτελεσμάτων στης ανάλυσης ροής φορτίου για κάθε ένα από τα τρία σενάρια που μελετήθηκαν. Ενώ στην τελευταία ενότητα, γίνεται αναφορά στις προοπτικές ανάπτυξης και διαμόρφωσης του Συστήματος για το 2020, βασιζόμενοι στα αποτελέσματα που προέκυψαν από την διαμόρφωση του δικτύου για το 2015. / This thesis, entitled "Study for the development of an electric energy transmission network which incorporates Renewable Energy Sources", was conducted in order to create a model of the National Interconnected Electric Energy Transmission System, which will include all the renewable energy system units that are already known or assumed to join the system by 2015. These assumptions were made according to the data provided by the TSDS 2010-2014 (offering a detailed plan of the all the power plant units, conventional or not, which will be connected to or removed from the system), the provisions of the National Action Plan for Renewable Energy Sources (EA / RES) , the related study conducted at the Centre for Renewable Energy Sources (CRES), and the data of the Regulatory Authority for Energy (RAE), which indicated the units that are under the licensing process and therefore they are likely to be connected to the system in the years to come. Choosing the year 2015 for the study is based on the fact that the available data nowadays allows for more accurate predictions about the configuration of the electric transmission system in two years period. Although the European Union set the ultimate goal for 2020, a direct study of the system configuration at that time would be risky, since, as mentioned above, the required information is not available. Besides that, the year 2015 could be considered a basic year as it will form the basis for achieving the target set for 2020. This thesis is divided into the following sections: CHAPTER 1: SYSTEMS THEORY OF ELECTRICITY In this chapter the first section refers to Load Flow Analysis and how important this analysis is for the proper design and operation of electrical systems. Afterwards, a mathematical description of the problem of load flow analysis is presented along with a comprehensive analysis of all the assumptions and conditions that must be met, in order to guarantee that power system to be designed will finally work properly. The numerical methods used to solve the equations resulting from the load flow analysis are described briefly. The second section of this chapter contains the system components (eg. scales, circuits, machines, loads, etc.) that are included in the database of the computer program which will be used to solve the equations of the load flow analysis. The last section of this chapter is a short presentation of the PSS / E program, which is the computer program used in this thesis in order to solve the problems stated. CHAPTER 2:NATIONAL ACTION PLAN FOR RES AND GOALS SET BY 2020The first section of this chapter is a thorough description of the action plan for Renewable Energy Sources in our country. The next section of this chapter refers to the conditions that should be met in order to achieve the targets set by the National Action Plan for RES. Finally, in the third section the objectives of the adoption of the RES from 2010 to 2020 are discussed. CHAPTER 3: GREEK INTERCONNECTED TRANSFER SYSTEM The first section of this chapter is a detailed description of the existing electric energy transportation system of our country. In the second part we examine the ability of the existing electric energy network to absorb the production of the RES plants that will be to be connected to it. Furthermore, a presentation of the licensing process and all the other requirements for the adoption of RES in the existing system is provided. In the third section the implementation of the Action Plan for RES in 2015, which is the year that we examine in this thesis, is attempted. CHAPTER 4: DEVELOPMENT OF THE GREEK INTERCONNECTED ELECTRIC ENERGY TRANSFER SYSTEM FOR 2015 Initially how the load will be distributed to the system’s substation in 2015 is described in the first section. The second section is a detailed description of the National Interconnected Transmission System (EDSM) which was designed in this thesis for 2015. Finally, assuming three different extreme scenarios for the system operation an analysis of the designed model for the system, as described in the second section, is presented. CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSIONS AND PROSPECTS The first section of this chapter summarizes all the general conclusions drawn from the study conducted in this thesis. In the next section, there is a detailed presentation of the results extracted by the load flow analysis conducted for each of the three scenarios examined in the third section of Chapter 4. The last section discusses prospects for the growth and the development of the system for 2020, based on the results extracted from the network configuration that was done for 2015.This thesis was conducted by the student of Electical and Computer Engineering Department, University of Patras, Melaniti Maria-Anthia with the help of Dr. Sakellaridis Nicholas employee to CRES.

Thesis (MScIng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis discusses a 23 kW three-phase AC bus system that is utilized together with the “Stirling Energy System (SES) Integrated Solar Dish-Stirling Module” to function as a mini-grid for off-grid locations. The system is designed to supply power to 27 rural households. This three-phase AC bus system includes a bidirectional 4-wire PWM converter and a battery bank for energy storage. The simulations and results presented show that the system can function as a rectifier and as an inverter. The system operates as an inverter when the SES starts up and when different AC loads are connected to the AC bus. The unit functions as a rectifier when the battery bank is charged. The design was implemented successfully in a practical system and measurements revealed that the system functioned as a standalone unit. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis bespreek ‘n 23 kW drie-fase vier-draad WS bus stelsel wat saam met die “Stirling Energy System (SES) Integrated Solar Dish-Stirling Module” gebruik word om as ‘n alleenstaande stelsel in ’n plattelandse omgewing te laat funksioneer. Die sisteem is ontwerp om vir 27 plattelandse huise drywing te lewer. Hierdie stelsel behels ‘n drie-fase GS na WS omsetter, saam met loodsuur batterye as energiestoor. Die simulasies en resultate wat gegee word, dui aan dat die omsetter as ‘n wisselrigter en ook as ‘n gelykrigter kan werk. Die stelsel funksioneer as ‘n wisselrigter as die SES aanskakel, en as ekstra laste op die WS bus gekoppel word. Die sisteem funksioneer as ‘n gelykrigter as die batterye gelaai word. Die ontwerp is suksesvol in ‘n praktiese stelsel geimplimenteer wat as ‘n alleenstaande stelsel funksioneer.

The rate of adoption of renewable energy (RE) production and associated enterprises onfarms in the UK has been lower than expected suggesting that the UK government’s energy, agricultural and climate change objectives may not be achieved. The aim of this research is to investigate why this is the case by assessing the uptake, motivations, constraints and the factors affecting farmers’ RE investment intentions. Building on extant research literature (institutional theory, social cognition theory, theory of planned behaviour and the resource based view) a novel comprehensive and multidimensional model of entrepreneurial intentions was developed and tested using principal component, path and multivariate regression analysis techniques. Data were collected to test the model through a sample of 2000 farmers in the West Midlands Region of the UK. Of the 393 farmers who responded, 14% adopted RE enterprises, with half of adopters reporting slight to significant improvements in farm business performance in 2009. Solar panels were the most popular of the RE technologies available to farmers, compared to biomass related technologies. The study found that the most influential personal level factors contributing to the adoption of RE and associated technologies were cognitive such as the level of education. Of current 338 non-adopters, 66% might decide to invest in RE technologies over the next five years. For these potential adopters, the study shows that the type of tenure, educational attainment and the type of farm business diversification activity in which a farmer is engaged are the most significant personal and farm business situational factors which influence farmers’ RE investment intentions though contrary to expectation current non-adopters assessed the policy support framework more favourably than current adopters. The explanation of this seems to be connected with timing, in that two very positive and encouraging signals in relation to ii Feed in Tariffs (2010) and the Renewable Heat Incentive (2011) were underway or near introduction before this research took place. The study provides the first empirical evidence of the effects of the multidimensional measures of the country’s institutional profile on farmers’ RE investment intentions. Secondly, it clarifies the distinct role played by national formal and informal institutions on farmers’ investment intentions showing that informal institutions and not formal regulatory factors have a direct effect on farmers’ intentions to invest in RE enterprises. Thirdly, the investigation reveals that social acceptability of entrepreneurship in the RE sector is negatively related to investment intentions and moderates the efficacy of formal government policies in influencing entrepreneurial behaviour in the RE sector. The study concludes that any study that relies only on one type of institution will be making significant prediction mistakes. This study provides further support for cognitive based process models of intentions by showing strong significant positive effects of perceived self-efficacy and perceived desirability of RE enterprises on investment intentions. In fact, the study shows that farmers’ attitudes towards RE explain the highest amount of variance in investment intentions over and above the combined effect of external resource and institutional factors. The study illustrates that perceived self-efficacy and perceived desirability of RE enterprises mediate the effect of the rich set of exogenous variables investigated in this study on investment intentions and argues that policy makers need to focus on improving the regulatory, cognitive and normative institutional environments as a way to improve attitudes towards RE and consequently their intentions to invest in these enterprises.

<p>A scholarship from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) made it possible for the authors to collect primary data on location in Vietnam. Through a study of three organizations we aimed to create an understanding of the Clean Development Mechanism.</p><p>Despite all the natural resources and the potential of renewable energy in Vietnam, a large percent of the electricity production comes from coal and other sources that contribute to carbon dioxide emissions. However, there are organizations working nationwide with implementing renewable energy projects and educating the Vietnamese. Since the birth of carbon market in connection with the Kyoto Protocol new possibilities have emerged as e.g the Clean Development Mechanism. For example high quality carbon offsetting companies are working on projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.</p><p>The purpose of this thesis is to study and describe how three organizations are working with renewable energy in rural areas in Vietnam and their connection to Clean Development Mechanism.</p><p>We have carried out an explorative study with an inductive approach. Our three semi-structured interviews were conducted as personal interviews at location in Vietnam. We also had two informative meetings, also in Vietnam. Beyond, we had e-mail correspondents with a number of professionals in their field.</p><p>Due to the heavy bureaucracy the Governmental process rate is slow, which are making projects such as in the area of renewable energy difficult to initiate. Also the Governmental interest in renewable energy as a source of generating electricity is limited. However, new policies are on the agenda which might increase the support for organisations working towards a sustainable development.</p>