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.

As the global population increases, so does the demand for water, and the increasing water scarcity is a challenge to the global water sector. It is imperative to take large-scale action in order to make water consumption more sustainable, and information and communication technologies such as smart meters have shown great potential.  Sweden is a country that generally does not face water shortage and where research on smart water metering is still rather new. Previous studies have focused on countries where water scarcity is very common, and more research is needed to examine the generalizability of previous findings. The purpose of this thesis is to examine the possibilities for a large-scale implementation of smart water meters in Swedish households, and the guiding research question is: “What are the main enablers and barriers for a large-scale implementation of smart water meters in Swedish households?”. This thesis is of qualitative and exploratory character, and the study consists of a pre-study, a literature review and interviews. Furthermore, the analysis in this thesis is made using a theoretical framework based on Technological Innovation Systems.  The findings indicate that the possibilities for a large-scale implementation of smart water meters in Swedish households are very good. The most significant enablers are that the Swedish water sector is an open and enabling environment, that smart water meters provide more technological opportunities compared to mechanical meters, and that smart water meters are generally accepted among the actors and considered to be the optimal solution in the future.  On the other hand, there are barriers which need to be addressed for a successful large-scale implementation. The most significant barriers are that smart water meters are more expensive and that there are still some uncertainties regarding the choice of technology such as compatibility issues, risk of lock-in effect, and that the technology quickly becomes outdated. However, these factors may not constitute barriers in the future since they either can disappear with time or some of them could be avoided already today. Therefore, the possibilities for a large-scale implementation are still assessed to be very good. / I samband med den globala befolkningsökningen ökar också efterfrågan på vatten, och den ökande vattenbristen är en utmaning för den globala vattensektorn. Det är nödvändigt att vidta storskaliga åtgärder för att göra vattenförbrukningen mer hållbar, och informations- och kommunikationsteknik såsom smarta mätare har visat stor potential.  Sverige är ett land som vanligtvis inte har vattenbrist och där forskningen om smart vattenmätning fortfarande är i sin linda. Tidigare studier har genomförts i länder där vattenbrist är mycket vanligare, och mer forskning behövs för att undersöka generaliserbarheten av tidigare resultat. Syftet med detta examensarbete är att undersöka möjligheterna för en storskalig implementering av smarta vattenmätare i svenska hushåll, och arbetets forskningsfråga är: ”Vilka är de viktigaste möjliggörarna och hindren för en storskalig implementering av smarta vattenmätare i svenska hushåll?”. Detta examensarbete är av kvalitativ och utforskande karaktär, och studien består av en förstudie, en litteraturstudie samt intervjuer. Vidare görs analysen i detta examensarbete med hjälp av ett teoretiskt ramverk baserat på Teknologiska innovationssystem.  Resultaten i denna studie tyder på att möjligheterna för en storskalig implementering av smarta vattenmätare i svenska hushåll är mycket goda. De viktigaste möjliggörarna är att den svenska vattensektorn är en öppen och möjliggörande miljö, att smarta vattenmätare ger fler tekniska möjligheter jämfört med mekaniska mätare, och att smarta vattenmätare är allmänt accepterade bland aktörerna och anses vara den optimala lösningen i framtiden.  Det finns dock vissa hinder som måste åtgärdas för att uppnå en framgångsrik storskalig implementering. De viktigaste hindren är att smarta vattenmätare är dyrare och att det fortfarande finns vissa osäkerhetsfaktorer när det gäller val av teknik, t.ex. kompatibilitetsproblem, risk för inlåsning, och att tekniken snabbt föråldras. Det är dock möjligt att dessa faktorer inte utgör hinder i framtiden eftersom de antingen kan försvinna med tiden eller undvikas och hanteras redan idag. Därför bedöms möjligheterna för en storskalig implementering av smarta vattenmätare i svenska hushåll ändå vara mycket goda.

[pt] Os principais problemas enfrentados hoje pelas cidades estão relacionados ao crescimento da população urbana e ao desenvolvimento sustentável. Deste contexto emerge o importante debate mundial sobre as formas de planejamento mais adequadas ao atual momento. Ao mesmo tempo em que estamos diante dos maiores desafios da história das cidades, o avanço tecnológico se mostra exponencial, direcionando não só a solução para os problemas, mas promovendo também uma série de mudanças de paradigmas em relação à forma como vivemos, nos relacionamos e trabalhamos. A Cidade Inteligente – termo conhecido mundialmente, mas com significado ainda pouco preciso – surge nesse contexto, em que a tecnologia é usada para resolver problemas urbanos, garantir o desenvolvimento sustentável e a qualidade de vida das pessoas. Esse trabalho tem como objetivo definir, a partir da revisão da literatura, o conceito de Smart City e relatar o movimento das Human Smart Cities, contextualizando o cenário brasileiro e as diferentes abordagens existentes. A partir da análise das iniciativas voltadas para o mercado de Smart Cities no Brasil, foi possível perceber a necessidade de um equilíbrio entre as abordagens top-down e bottom-up nos projetos existentes e futuros. É relevante sublinhar a importância do aspecto humano na definição de Smart City, valorizando a participação da sociedade através de ecossistemas de inovação que incentivem a co-criação das soluções, em conjunto com a esfera pública, empresarial e acadêmica. A descentralização das tomadas de decisão, juntamente com a integração dos sistemas inteligentes da cidade que definem a verdadeira Smart City. / [en] The majority of modern cities reflect old urban models and specific historical contexts and need to deal with global and local issues never dealt with before. One example is the significant increase of urban population and objectives to reach sustainable development. There are many challenges to be faced: demographical, environmental, economic and institutional. At the same time we are facing one of the biggest challenges in the history of urban life, technological development grows at an exponential rate, providing not only solutions, but also promoting a series of shifts in paradigms in relation to our way of life, in how we relate and work. Due to technology – especially Information and Communications Technology (ICT) –, today society can communicate more easily, which allows them to consolidate and grow in networks, collaborate among themselves and obtain knowledge – an abundant and intangible resource that can change the current economic logic. Economy based of mass production of homogeneous products – one that exploits the environment without considering its consequences – is increasingly losing ground to new economies such as creative, collaborative, and knowledge-based economies where product and service productions are decentralized and diversified. The concept of Smart City arises from that context of technological evolution, increase in data generation, knowledge and consequently, of innovation. It is a challenging historical moment, but it also offers a variety of technological opportunities.

The innovation of electrical utilities in creating smart electrical grids has superseded that of water utilities in analogous efforts. While many water utilities are now using smart water technologies, they lack the virtual command center that allows for two-way communication for more effective forecasting, load balancing, preventive methods, emergency and master planning, and level of service delivery while ensuring environmental justice and enhancing the responsible use of resources. In this dissertation, I propose the idea of the Integrated Water Distribution System (IWDS) to overcome this challenge. IWDS coordinates management of water supply and demand in a way that benefits both the water utility and the customer. IWDS also allows for greater control over monitoring, operation and maintenance, security, asset management, artificial intelligence, and delivery of water in order to maximize economic, environmental, and social welfare. To provide a way forward for IWDS and bring water services onto a technological level equal to that of other infrastructure systems, I call for greater coordination and integration of smart water technology and data, including environmental justice evaluations, and improved customer engagement. As a demand side management (DSM) tool and smart water technology component of IWDS, smart irrigation controllers (SICs) have the potential to ensure water utilities are resilient to growth and can manage peak day demands. SICs, which interface with soil moisture, evapotranspiration, or weather sensors, have been promoted as a demand-side management tool for this purpose. I review the body of research on residential smart irrigation controllers and their effectiveness. I find that smart irrigation controllers consistently reduce water demand by 15% among general users and more than 40% among indulgent users. A hydraulic model simulation using EPANET demonstrates the effectiveness of residential SICs in shifting and shaving peak demands associated with outdoor irrigation. The pressurized irrigation system for Highland, Utah, USA, is modeled with irrigation demands on a baseline scenario compared to an intervention scenario. By employing the intervention, the water system experiences many positive impacts. Without the peak shifting and shaving adjustments, costly additional capital facility improvements would be needed to maintain the same level of service. The model indicates that the SICs, if providing a 30% conservation effect (intervention scenario with SIC conservation), would shave the peak demand allowing for greater optimization and efficiency. This is the first hydraulic model analysis to demonstrate the DSM effectiveness of SICs.

Competition in the smart phone market is fierce and despite the high market growth, smart phone manufacturers find it difficult to maintain their market share. Generation Y consumers generally have a good command of technology and engage in technology-related behaviour such as texting, tweeting and web-surfing. Therefore, when it comes to the adoption of smart phones applications, Generation Y is leading the way. For this reason, it is important to consider Generation Y consumers‟ attitudes and perceptions towards smart phone manufacturers and their brands. It has thus become critical for smart phone manufacturers to achieve customer satisfaction, generate loyalty, and build meaningful long-term relationships with Generation Y consumers. The primary objective of this study was to investigate customer satisfaction, brand loyalty and relationship intention amongst Generation Y consumers towards smart phone brands. The questionnaire was distributed by means of non-probability, convenience and quota sampling among 18 and 26 year old respondents living in Gauteng who owned or used a smart phone. In total, 395 respondents participated in the study. Based upon the literature review, a theoretical model was proposed that hypothesised the relationship between customer satisfaction, brand loyalty and relationship intention amongst Generation Y consumers with respect to their current smart phones. From the data analysis, it was evident that respondents exhibit a strong level of customer satisfaction, a mediocre level of brand loyalty, and a strong relationship intention towards their current smart phone brand. The results confirm that the measurement scales used to measure customer satisfaction, brand loyalty and the five dimensions of relationship intention all exhibit construct validity and internal consistency reliability. The study also uncovered significant differences between groups of Generation Y consumers in terms of gender, home language, education, employment status and time period of smart phone brand usage. The results of the structural equation modelling (SEM) technique used to test the theoretical model found that customer satisfaction exhibits a significant and large positive influence on brand loyalty, and a significant and medium positive influence on relationship intention. Furthermore, brand loyalty exhibits a significant medium positive influence on relationship intention. Finally, the dimensions of relationship intention exhibit significant medium to large effects on relationship intention. It is recommended that smart phone manufacturers should provide customers with a customer service application to measure customers‟ satisfaction in terms of their needs met. Smart phone manufacturers should also introduce new ways to communicate with Generation Y consumers to generate brand loyalty. Innovating ideas should be considered for smart phone manufacturers to retain Generation Y consumers. Brand loyalty can be improved by adding more applications according to Generation Y consumers‟ needs. The more a smart phone manufacturer focuses on customer satisfaction and brand loyalty, the more consumers will want to build long-term relationships with their smart phone brands. Recommendations for future research include the possibility to investigate each construct separately to ensure a more detailed investigation. Different cultures and age groups, as well as geographical areas can be studied to broaden results on how different consumers of different generations exhibit customer satisfaction, brand loyalty and relationship intention towards their smart phones. Specific smart phone manufacturers could be investigated to obtain specific information on customer satisfaction, brand loyalty and relationship intention so as to formulate appropriate strategies on improving the constructs measured. / MCom (Marketing Management), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Competition in the smart phone market is fierce and despite the high market growth, smart phone manufacturers find it difficult to maintain their market share. Generation Y consumers generally have a good command of technology and engage in technology-related behaviour such as texting, tweeting and web-surfing. Therefore, when it comes to the adoption of smart phones applications, Generation Y is leading the way. For this reason, it is important to consider Generation Y consumers‟ attitudes and perceptions towards smart phone manufacturers and their brands. It has thus become critical for smart phone manufacturers to achieve customer satisfaction, generate loyalty, and build meaningful long-term relationships with Generation Y consumers. The primary objective of this study was to investigate customer satisfaction, brand loyalty and relationship intention amongst Generation Y consumers towards smart phone brands. The questionnaire was distributed by means of non-probability, convenience and quota sampling among 18 and 26 year old respondents living in Gauteng who owned or used a smart phone. In total, 395 respondents participated in the study. Based upon the literature review, a theoretical model was proposed that hypothesised the relationship between customer satisfaction, brand loyalty and relationship intention amongst Generation Y consumers with respect to their current smart phones. From the data analysis, it was evident that respondents exhibit a strong level of customer satisfaction, a mediocre level of brand loyalty, and a strong relationship intention towards their current smart phone brand. The results confirm that the measurement scales used to measure customer satisfaction, brand loyalty and the five dimensions of relationship intention all exhibit construct validity and internal consistency reliability. The study also uncovered significant differences between groups of Generation Y consumers in terms of gender, home language, education, employment status and time period of smart phone brand usage. The results of the structural equation modelling (SEM) technique used to test the theoretical model found that customer satisfaction exhibits a significant and large positive influence on brand loyalty, and a significant and medium positive influence on relationship intention. Furthermore, brand loyalty exhibits a significant medium positive influence on relationship intention. Finally, the dimensions of relationship intention exhibit significant medium to large effects on relationship intention. It is recommended that smart phone manufacturers should provide customers with a customer service application to measure customers‟ satisfaction in terms of their needs met. Smart phone manufacturers should also introduce new ways to communicate with Generation Y consumers to generate brand loyalty. Innovating ideas should be considered for smart phone manufacturers to retain Generation Y consumers. Brand loyalty can be improved by adding more applications according to Generation Y consumers‟ needs. The more a smart phone manufacturer focuses on customer satisfaction and brand loyalty, the more consumers will want to build long-term relationships with their smart phone brands. Recommendations for future research include the possibility to investigate each construct separately to ensure a more detailed investigation. Different cultures and age groups, as well as geographical areas can be studied to broaden results on how different consumers of different generations exhibit customer satisfaction, brand loyalty and relationship intention towards their smart phones. Specific smart phone manufacturers could be investigated to obtain specific information on customer satisfaction, brand loyalty and relationship intention so as to formulate appropriate strategies on improving the constructs measured. / MCom (Marketing Management), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

With the grasp of a smart grid in sight, discussions have shifted the focus of system security measures away from generation capacity; apart from modifying the supply side, demand may also be exploited to keep the system in balance. Specifically, Demand Response (DR) is the concept of consumer load modification as a result of price signaling, generation adequacy, or state of grid reliability. Implementation of DR mechanisms is one of the solutions being investigated to improve the efficiency of electricity markets and to maintain system-wide stability.  In a liberalized electricity sector, with a smart grid vision that is committed to market-based operation, end-users have now become the focal point of decision-making at every stage of the process in producing, delivering and consuming electricity. DR program implementation falls within the smart grid domain: a complex socio-technical energy system with a multiplicity of physical, economic, political and social interactions. This thesis thus employs both qualitative and quantitative research methods in order to address the ways in which residential end-users can become active DR flexibility providers in deregulated European electricity markets. The research focuses on economic incentives including dynamic pricing contracts, dynamic distribution price signals and the aggregation of load flexibility for participation in the various short-term electricity markets. / <p>The Doctoral Degrees issued upon completion of the programme are issued by Comillas Pontifical University, Delft University of Technology and KTH Royal Institute of Technology. The invested degrees are official in Spain, the Netherlands and Sweden, respectively.</p><p>QC 20160225</p> / Erasmus Mundus Joint Doctorate in Sustainable Energy Technologies and Strategies (SETS)

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Chemistry / Christopher T. Culbertson / During the last five years, great advancements in microfluidics have been achieved with the development of “sample-in-answer-out” systems. Such systems have begun to realize the true potential of analytical miniaturization since the concept of the “micro-Total Analysis System” was first envisioned. These systems are characterized by the elegant integration of multiple fluid-handling channel architectures that enable serial execution of sample preparation, separation and detection techniques on a single device. While miniaturization and portability are often identified as key advantages for microfluidics, these highly integrated systems are heavily reliant upon large off-chip equipment, i.e. the microchip is often tethered to the laboratory via multiple syringe pumps, vacuum pumps, solenoid valves, gas cylinders and high voltage power supplies. In this dissertation, a procedure for the facile integration of dielectric elastomer (DE) actuators (called IDEAs) onto microfluidic devices is described. Poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) is commonly used as a microchip substrate because it is cheap and easy to fabricate, mechanically robust and optically transparent. The operation of an IDEA exploits the ability of PDMS to behave as a smart material and deform in the presence of an electric field. In Chapter 2, the fabrication of IDEA units on a standard microchip electrophoresis device is described. IDEA-derived injections were used to evaluate the physical performance of this novel actuator configuration. In Chapter 3, the analytical merits of IDEA-derived injections were evaluated. Sampling bias caused by electokinetic injection techniques has been problematic for conventional microchip electrophoresis systems due to the lack of fluid access. The hydrodynamic injections created by IDEA operation were found to be highly reproducible, efficient, and possess a negligible degree of sampling bias. In Chapter 4, the spatial characteristics of microchannel deformation due to IDEA actuation have been investigated using fluorescence microscopy. It was determined that the DE compresses more along the edge of the channel than in the middle of the channel. This information can be used to design a new generation of more efficient IDEAs.

ITC/USA 2010 Conference Proceedings / The Forty-Sixth Annual International Telemetering Conference and Technical Exhibition / October 25-28, 2010 / Town and Country Resort & Convention Center, San Diego, California / Direct spatial antenna modulation (DSAM) is a new approach to phased array control that opens up new "smart antenna" architecture possibilities. The DSAM technique leverages the inherent spatial differences of excitation in an antenna in a novel way to achieve the equivalent of conventional modulation and beam control effects. Smart antenna techniques are of potentially increasing importance to test range operations given a trend toward more flexible, internetworked, and autonomous test activities. The DSAM technique has been demonstrated through several generations of analysis, simulation, and prototyping, but has previously only been applied to narrowband antenna designs. Furthermore, the IQ DSAM approach in particular has not been previously implemented in hardware. This paper details the application of IQ DSAM to achieve wideband phase control using a commercial off the shelf (COTS) antenna. The phase control performance of IQ DSAM over a range of 1.5 GHz to 4 GHz is measured across relative field control angles of +/- 45 degrees. The measured IQ DSAM performance is compared to what could be expected from a conventional phased array element control architecture.

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 18-21, 2004 / Town & Country Resort, San Diego, California / The HDF5 (Hierarchical Data Format) data storage family is an industry standard format that allows data to be stored in a common format and retrieved by a wide range of common tools. HDF5 is a widely accepted industry standard container for data storage developed by the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The HDF5 data storage family includes HDF-Time History, intended for data processing, and HDF-Packet, intended for real-time data collection; each of these is an extension to the basic HDF5 format, which defines data structures and associated interrelationships, optimized for that particular purpose. HDF-Time History, developed jointly by Boeing and NCSA, is in the process of being adopted throughout the Boeing test community and by its external partners. The Boeing/NCSA team is currently developing HDF-Packet to support real-time streaming applications, such as airborne data collection and recording of received telemetry. The advantages are significant cost reduction resulting from storing the data in its final format, thus avoiding conversion between a myriad of recording and intermediate formats. In addition, by eliminating intermediate file translations and conversions, data integrity is maintained from recording through processing and archival storage. As well, HDF5 is a general-purpose wrapper, into which can be stored processed data and other data documentation information (such as calibrations), thus making the final data file self-documenting. This paper describes the basics of the HDF-Time History, the extensions required to support real-time acquisition with HDF-Packet, and implementation issues unique to real-time acquisition. It also describes potential future implementations for data acquisition systems in different segments of the test data industry.