Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:24:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2007-11-30Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:21:07Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 caneppele_fl_me_botfca.pdf: 1429117 bytes, checksum: c8c896af07e13fd2373df60b74a0e4c2 (MD5) / O uso de energias alternativas e renováveis tem sido cada vez mais discutido em todos os setores da sociedade. O interesse nessas fontes de energias, alternativas e renováveis, é de fundamental importância, tanto no que se refere à escassez, quanto ao preço do petróleo, além das questões ambientais envolvidas no uso dessas energias. Sistemas de geração eólica e fotovoltaica com armazenamento de energia em baterias tem-se apresentado como uma forma de geração alternativa de energia. A variabilidade na intensidade da energia eólica e solar pode ser contornada pela complementação entre uma fonte e outra, ou pela maior estabilidade configurada à geração do sistema. O objetivo desta dissertação é criar uma metodologia fuzzy e simular seu uso no controle inteligente de um sistema híbrido de geração de energia elétrica, utilizando as energias solar-fotovoltaica e eólica. Quando utilizamos um sistema de controle baseado na lógica fuzzy, é atingido o ponto de máxima geração de energia, desta forma transferindo toda a energia gerada à partir das fontes alternativas, solar-fotovoltaica e eólica, à carga e/ou as baterias quando seu uso não imediato. O modelo utilizado adota três variáveis de entrada, que são: velocidade do vento, radiação solar e carga do banco de baterias.Serão utilizados para as simulações alguns softwares como o MATLAB e outros, que serão citados ao longo do trabalho. Nestes ambientes serão analisadas e simuladas todas as modelagens matemáticas, regras e demais variáveis descritas no sistema fuzzy. Este modelo foi utilizado para a implementação de um sistema de controle de sistemas híbridos de geração de energia, proporcionando o melhor aproveitamento das fontes de energia, sol e vento, de modo que possamos extrair o máximo de energia possível dessas fontes alternativas sem nenhum prejuízo ao meio ambiente... / The use of alternative and renewable energy has been increasingly discussed in all sectors of society. The interest in these sources of energy, alternative and renewable, it is of fundamental importance, both in terms of shortage, as the price of oil, in addition to the environmental issues involved in the use of these energies. Systems with photovoltaic and wind generation storage of energy in batteries has been presented as a form of alternative energy generation. The variability in the intensity of solar and wind energy can be circumvented by complementation between a source and another, or the more stable set to the generation of the system. The objective of this dissertation is to create a methodology fuzzy and simulate their use in intelligent control of a hybrid system of generating power, using the energy solar-photovoltaic and wind.When you use a system of control based on fuzzy logic, is reached the point of maximum generation of energy, thus transferring all the energy generated on the basis of alternative sources, solar, photovoltaic and wind, to the load and / or batteries when its use not immediately. The model takes three variables of entry, which are: wind speed, solar radiation and loading the bank of batteries. The simulations will be used for some software such as MATLAB and others, that will be cited during the work. In these environments will be analyzed and simulated all mathematical modeling, rules and other variables in the system described fuzzy. This model could be used in the implementation of a system of control of hybrid systems to generate energy, providing the best use of energy sources, sun and wind, so we can extract the maximum energy possible these alternative sources without any prejudice to the environment. The work was developed in the Laboratory of Energização Rural, of the Department of Rural Engineering of UNESP - FCA...(Complete abstract, click electronic access below)

Nos últimos anos, um conjunto de fatores tem colaborado para expansão da energia fotovoltaica no Brasil. No entanto, ainda não se oferecem políticas públicas ou incentivos regulatórios para que as distribuidoras contribuam com a geração fotovoltaica sem prejuízo ao equilíbrio de suas operações. Diante disso, este trabalho buscou investigar a viabilidade de novos papéis para as distribuidoras brasileiras frente aos desafios de modernização do setor elétrico. Para isso, buscou nos EUA, país que apresenta crescente participação de energia FV em sua matriz elétrica, exemplos de incentivos financeiros e regulatórios e novos modelos de negócios para operação das distribuidoras. Através da metodologia de análise SWOT, três modelos de negócio do mercado fotovoltaico norte-americano são avaliados para o setor de distribuição brasileiro. Os resultados evidenciam as forças e fraquezas das distribuidoras em relação a outros atores do mercado e as oportunidade e ameaças de cada modelo. / In recent years, a combination of events have contributed for solar photovoltaics raising adoption in Brazil. However, there are yet no available regulatory incentives or public policies to enable utilities participation without harming their financial equilibrium. As a result, the current study aims to identify new roles for Brazilian utilities that comply with smart grid emerging challenges. In an effort to identify examples of financial and regulatory incentives as well as new business models, North American solar photovoltaic experiences were evaluated. The effectiveness of three American business models for the Brazilian energy sector were discussed through SWOT analysis. The results indicate utilities main strengths and weaknesses compared to other energy market actors and also the opportunities and threats of each business model.

Climate change is no longer a problem of the future. Climate change is global, rapid, and intensifying. A reality. The latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report highlights the Anthropocene is behind the unprecedent rising temperatures, leading to extreme weather events such as heatwaves, droughts, heavy precipitation, or tropical cyclones. Climate action must be taken. The energy transition plays a fundamental role when considering the wellbeing of the planet. However, renewable energy finance has always been a challenge. To date, the energy transition has been regrettably underfunded. In 2018, the global energy system was below 50 % of the investment required to keep global warming below 1.5 °C and avert the worst consequences of the climate crisis[4]. This staggering statistic clearly shows that financial investment needs to either be redirected to the energy transition, or new financing channels must be open. Seeds Renewables, a California-based startup, has come up with a solution which has the potential to cover a portion of the energy financing deficit by enabling people to invest in renewable energy projects from as little as their spare change. Before allowing their users to invest, Seeds carries out the due diligence of the projects to determine the feasibility of the installation. It is identified that there is a current lack of concise and public literature regarding the process required to determine the technical feasibility and economic profitability of projects. This thesis serves as a guide for lenders, such as Seeds Renewables, who aim to conduct techno-economic assessments on solar photovoltaic installations. This core objectiveis complemented by qualitative checklists for project development and legal due diligence to provide a comprehensive overview of the factors which surround the techno-economic analysis of solar arrays. Furthermore, the optimal software available in the market to carry out an analysis of solarphotovoltaic installation is identified. The thesis covers the background research conducted on solar photovoltaic systems, acompilation of project due diligence best practices, insights on renewable energy project finance anda literature review on photovoltaic analysis software tools which leads to the selection of two softwares. PVsol and PVsyst are compared by means of a Multi-Criteria Analysis. A case study is conducted on a 63.3 kW solar photovoltaic array installed in 2016 to test the selected softwares. The array is located on the roof of Rinaldi Tile in Pajaro, California, United States of America. The array is replicated using PVsol and PVsyst. Consequently, the simulation predictions are compared to the real production data extracted from the system’s inverter. The performance ratio from the real data, PVsol and PVsyst are 82.4 %, 85.9 %, 80.51 % respectively. The real quantity of power produced over a 5-year period of study is average of 82.24 MWh whilethe simulations by PVsol and PVsyst predict 93.49 MWh and 81.30 MWh respectively. The discrepancy between the real data and software results is due to limitations of both tools. After evaluating the accuracy of the solar PV simulation tools, the Multi-Criteria Analysis rates PVsyst as the more desirable tool. Using this study, engineers or investors will have a clear framework to follow when carrying out the project due diligence on a solar photovoltaic installation and a rating of the available softwaresto assess the viability of the solar arrays. / Klimatförändringarna är inte längre ett framtidsproblem. Klimatförändringarna är globala, snabba och intensifierande. En verklighet. Den senaste Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) rapporten visar att Antropocen ligger bakom de aldrig tidigare skådade temperaturerna, vilket leder till extrema väderhändelser som värmeböljor, torka, kraftig nederbörd eller tropiska cykloner. Klimatåtgärder måste vidtas. Energiomställningen spelar en grundläggande roll när man överväger planetens välbefinnande. Finansiering av förnybar energi har dock alltid varit en utmaning. Hittills har energiomställningen tyvärr varit underfinansierad. År 2018 låg det globala energisystemet under 50% av investeringarna som krävs för att hålla den globala uppvärmningen under 1,5 ° C och avvärja de värstakonsekvenserna av klimatkrisen [4]. Denna häpnadsväckande statistik visar tydligt att finansiella investeringar antingen måste omdirigeras till energiomställningen eller att nya finansieringskanaler måste vara öppna. Seeds Renewables, en Kalifornienbaserad startup, har kommit fram till en lösning som har potential att täcka en del av energifinansieringsunderskottet genom att göra det möjligt för människor att investera i förnybara energiprojekt från så lite som deras växel. Innan de tillåter sina användare att investera, utför Seeds projektets due diligence -analys för att avgöra genomförbarheten av installationen. Det identifieras att det för närvarande saknas kortfattad och offentlig litteratur om processen som krävs för att bestämma projektens tekniska genomförbarhet och ekonomiska lönsamhet. Denna avhandling fungerar som en vägledning förlångivare, till exempel Seeds Renewables, som syftar till att göra tekno-ekonomiska bedömningar avsolcellsanläggningar. Detta kärnmål kompletteras med kvalitativa checklistor för projektutvecklingoch juridisk due diligence för att ge en övergripande överblick över de faktorer som omger den tekno-ekonomiska analysen av solsystem. Dessutom identifieras den optimala programvara som finns tillgänglig på marknaden för att utföra en analys av solcellsinstallation. Avhandlingen omfattar bakgrundsforskning på solcellssystem, en sammanställning av bästa praxis för aktsamhet, insikter om projektfinansiering för förnybar energi och en litteraturgenomgång om programvara för fotovoltaiska analyser som leder till val av två programvaror. PVsol och PVsyst jämförs med hjälp av en multikriterieanalys. En fallstudie genomförs på en solcellsanläggning på 63,3 kW installerad 2016 för att testa de utvalda programvarorna. Arrayen ligger på taket av Rinaldi Tile i Pajaro, Kalifornien, USA. Arrayen replikeras med PVsol och PVsyst. Följaktligen jämförs simuleringsprognoserna med de verkliga produktionsdata som extraherats från systemets inverter. Prestandakvoten från de verkliga uppgifterna, PVsol och PVsyst är 82.4 %, 85,9% respektive 80,51%. Den verkliga mängden kraft som produceras under en 5-års studieperiod är i genomsnitt 82,24 MWh medan simuleringarna av PVsol och PVsyst förutsäger 93,49 MWh respektive 81,30 MWh. Skillnaden mellan de verkliga data- och programvareresultaten beror på begränsningar för båda verktygen. Efter att ha utvärderat noggrannheten i solcells-PV-simuleringsverktygen med multikriterieanalysen bedöms Multi-Criteria Analysis PVsyst som det mer önskvärda verktyget. Med hjälp av denna studie kommer ingenjörer eller investerare att ha en tydlig ram att följa när projektet genomförs due diligence på en solcellsanläggning och en bedömning av de tillgängliga programvarorna för att bedöma matrisernas livskraft.

Este documento mostra uma interpretação do comportamento do consumo de energia elétrica baseada nos dados numéricos que foram coletados com o uso de contadores de Ah em 38 instalações fotovoltaicas domiciliares. A pesquisa envolveu igual número de famílias de 10 comunidades rurais com diferentes características sócioculturais localizadas nos Estados de São Paulo, Pernambuco e Amazonas, no Brasil, e adicionalmente na região Puno, no Peru. Também se discute diversas questões acerca do consumo de energia elétrica em sistemas fotovoltaicos domiciliares e sua relação com o desenvolvimento socioeconômico. O objetivo principal é propor um procedimento para dimensionar esses sistemas que inclua os múltiplos fatores que foram identificados e que exercem forte influência no comportamento do consumo. Estes foram denominados fatores técnicos, gerenciais, psicológicos, geográficos, demográficos, socioculturais e econômicos. O procedimento proposto leva em conta a constatação resultante da análise estatística dos dados por meio da qual a função de distribuição Gama é a que melhor caracteriza o comportamento desse consumo. Em sua essência, esta função indica que “muitas pessoas consomem pouco e poucas pessoas consomem muito". / This document shows an interpretation of the behavior of the electric energy consumption based on the numerical data collected with the use of Ah meter in 38 solar home systems. The research involved an equal number of families of 10 rural communities with different sociocultural characteristics located in the Brazilian States of São Paulo, Pernambuco and Amazonas, and additionally in the Puno region, in Peru. It also raises several points concerning the electric energy consumption in SHS´s and its relationship with the socioeconomic development. The main objective is to suggest a procedure for the sizing of SHS´s that includes the several factors that were identified and that exert strong influence in the behavior of the consumption. These were called technical, administrative, psychological, geographical, demographical, sociocultural and economic factors. This procedure takes into account the evidence resultant of the statistic analysis of the data by means of which the Gamma distribution function is the one which better characterizes the behavior of this consumption. Essentially, this function indicates that “many people consume little and few people consume much".

Orientador: Odivaldo José Seraphim / Banca: Luiz Francisco da Cruz / Banca: Eduardo Antonio Sleiman / Resumo: O uso de energias alternativas e renováveis tem sido cada vez mais discutido em todos os setores da sociedade. O interesse nessas fontes de energias, alternativas e renováveis, é de fundamental importância, tanto no que se refere à escassez, quanto ao preço do petróleo, além das questões ambientais envolvidas no uso dessas energias. Sistemas de geração eólica e fotovoltaica com armazenamento de energia em baterias tem-se apresentado como uma forma de geração alternativa de energia. A variabilidade na intensidade da energia eólica e solar pode ser contornada pela complementação entre uma fonte e outra, ou pela maior estabilidade configurada à geração do sistema. O objetivo desta dissertação é criar uma metodologia fuzzy e simular seu uso no controle inteligente de um sistema híbrido de geração de energia elétrica, utilizando as energias solar-fotovoltaica e eólica. Quando utilizamos um sistema de controle baseado na lógica fuzzy, é atingido o ponto de máxima geração de energia, desta forma transferindo toda a energia gerada à partir das fontes alternativas, solar-fotovoltaica e eólica, à carga e/ou as baterias quando seu uso não imediato. O modelo utilizado adota três variáveis de entrada, que são: velocidade do vento, radiação solar e carga do banco de baterias.Serão utilizados para as simulações alguns softwares como o MATLAB e outros, que serão citados ao longo do trabalho. Nestes ambientes serão analisadas e simuladas todas as modelagens matemáticas, regras e demais variáveis descritas no sistema fuzzy. Este modelo foi utilizado para a implementação de um sistema de controle de sistemas híbridos de geração de energia, proporcionando o melhor aproveitamento das fontes de energia, sol e vento, de modo que possamos extrair o máximo de energia possível dessas fontes alternativas sem nenhum prejuízo ao meio ambiente...(Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The use of alternative and renewable energy has been increasingly discussed in all sectors of society. The interest in these sources of energy, alternative and renewable, it is of fundamental importance, both in terms of shortage, as the price of oil, in addition to the environmental issues involved in the use of these energies. Systems with photovoltaic and wind generation storage of energy in batteries has been presented as a form of alternative energy generation. The variability in the intensity of solar and wind energy can be circumvented by complementation between a source and another, or the more stable set to the generation of the system. The objective of this dissertation is to create a methodology fuzzy and simulate their use in intelligent control of a hybrid system of generating power, using the energy solar-photovoltaic and wind.When you use a system of control based on fuzzy logic, is reached the point of maximum generation of energy, thus transferring all the energy generated on the basis of alternative sources, solar, photovoltaic and wind, to the load and / or batteries when its use not immediately. The model takes three variables of entry, which are: wind speed, solar radiation and loading the bank of batteries. The simulations will be used for some software such as MATLAB and others, that will be cited during the work. In these environments will be analyzed and simulated all mathematical modeling, rules and other variables in the system described fuzzy. This model could be used in the implementation of a system of control of hybrid systems to generate energy, providing the best use of energy sources, sun and wind, so we can extract the maximum energy possible these alternative sources without any prejudice to the environment. The work was developed in the Laboratory of Energização Rural, of the Department of Rural Engineering of UNESP - FCA...(Complete abstract, click electronic access below) / Mestre

Este documento mostra uma interpretação do comportamento do consumo de energia elétrica baseada nos dados numéricos que foram coletados com o uso de contadores de Ah em 38 instalações fotovoltaicas domiciliares. A pesquisa envolveu igual número de famílias de 10 comunidades rurais com diferentes características sócioculturais localizadas nos Estados de São Paulo, Pernambuco e Amazonas, no Brasil, e adicionalmente na região Puno, no Peru. Também se discute diversas questões acerca do consumo de energia elétrica em sistemas fotovoltaicos domiciliares e sua relação com o desenvolvimento socioeconômico. O objetivo principal é propor um procedimento para dimensionar esses sistemas que inclua os múltiplos fatores que foram identificados e que exercem forte influência no comportamento do consumo. Estes foram denominados fatores técnicos, gerenciais, psicológicos, geográficos, demográficos, socioculturais e econômicos. O procedimento proposto leva em conta a constatação resultante da análise estatística dos dados por meio da qual a função de distribuição Gama é a que melhor caracteriza o comportamento desse consumo. Em sua essência, esta função indica que “muitas pessoas consomem pouco e poucas pessoas consomem muito”. / This document shows an interpretation of the behavior of the electric energy consumption based on the numerical data collected with the use of Ah meter in 38 solar home systems. The research involved an equal number of families of 10 rural communities with different sociocultural characteristics located in the Brazilian States of São Paulo, Pernambuco and Amazonas, and additionally in the Puno region, in Peru. It also raises several points concerning the electric energy consumption in SHS´s and its relationship with the socioeconomic development. The main objective is to suggest a procedure for the sizing of SHS´s that includes the several factors that were identified and that exert strong influence in the behavior of the consumption. These were called technical, administrative, psychological, geographical, demographical, sociocultural and economic factors. This procedure takes into account the evidence resultant of the statistic analysis of the data by means of which the Gamma distribution function is the one which better characterizes the behavior of this consumption. Essentially, this function indicates that “many people consume little and few people consume much”.

The aim of this Thesis is to consider a methodological framework suitable to support a primary and primitive investigation and evaluation of the technical applicability and energy feasibility of a specific Energy Island model in Greece. For such purpose, the general concept and the potential applications of Energy Island are presented, and the present situation of the Greek energy sector and RES technologies in Greece are outlined. In order to attempt to evaluate the technical performance of a specific Energy Island model in Greece, a theoretical and hypothetical Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) process is developed and conducted. The methodological framework developed and applied for the present case study pertains to a theoretical decision-making process for the selection of the optimum Energy Island scenario in Greece amongst four (4) alternatives. As derived from the extracted results of the applied MCDA model, the hypothetical scenario with the highest annual energy production and the least environmental and technological issues ranks optimal for all the implicated stakeholders and is considered the most preferred alternative. This Thesis concludes that the perspective of the various applications of the concept of the Energy Island model has the potential to contribute to more efficient utilization of the available RES technologies in Greece, in order to accelerate the decarbonization of the Greek energy system as well as to assure the security of the system, by replacing the existing conventional fossil fuel generation plants with clean offshore renewable energy.

The grid connected solar PV system with battery storage is one of the promising alternativeenergy solutions for electricity consumers. The Local System Operator (LSO) will be a newactor to operate its own energy system by integrating PV and battery system with other technicalsolutions. This thesis investigates the technical and economic viability of a grid connected PVsystem with battery storage in behind-the-meter approach for aggregated residential load toassess the LSO model for the present conditions in Sweden.The system model is developed using the System Advisory Model (SAM) – a simulationsoftware for renewable energy system analysis. The PV system model is designed using solarirradiation profile and fifty multi-dwelling aggregated residential load data from Sweden. Theappropriate design inputs of solar PV module, inverter and system loss are taken from previousstudies. The electricity price is analysed from the comparative study of Nord-pool wholesaleprice, market retail price and distribution grid tariffs. The financial metrics such as discountrate, inflation rate, system cost and currently available PV incentives are considered to make anaccurate model. To help with the assessment, three cases are formed; the first case representsonly the PV system and the other cases include storage - using a lithium-ion or lead-acid battery.This comparative study helps to determine the optimum PV and battery size at two differentlocations in Sweden.The optimum net present value (NPV) and profitability index (PI) is found at the 40 kW PVand 3 kWh battery system at Karlstad, Sweden. The optimum case is considered for furtherinvestigation to evaluate the system life time energy profile, electricity bill saving capabilityand battery performance. The system peak shaving potential is investigated by making twoother scenarios with higher battery capacity. Sensitivity analysis is also performed to assess thesystem’s technical and financial input parameters. The system capacity factor at the site locationis found as an influential parameter to the annual production and profitability. The optimumsize of PV system with a lithium-ion battery investment is found feasible for the LSO realimplementation only considering the current PV incentives and electricity price in Sweden. Thereport concludes with the assessment, the technical and economic feasibility of the studied PVand battery storage system profitability depends on the system site location, residential loadsize, consumer electricity cost and available PV incentives. / solcellsystem (PV) med batterilagring är en lovande alternativenergilösning förslutkonsumenten. Den 'local system operator', LSO, blir en ny aktör som driver egetenergisystem genom att integrera PV- och batterisystem med andra tekniska lösningar. Dennaavhandling undersöker det tekniska och ekonomiska genomförbarhetet i ett nätanslutet PVsystem med batterilagring i 'bakom mätaren' scenario för aggregerade bostäder i ettflerbostadshus, för att urvärdera LSO modellen.Systemmodellen är utvecklat med 'system advisory model' (rådgivande modell), SAM, ettsimuleringsprogram för förnybara energisystem. PV systemparametrarna beräknas med hänsyntill väderprofiler och lastdata från Sverige. Lämpliga parametrar för solcellsmoduler, omriktareoch systemförluster tas från tidigare studier. Slutkonsumenternas elpriser analyseras frånjämförande studie av NordPool grosshandelspris, konsumentpris och distributionnätstariffer.Finansiella mått såsom system kostnad, rabatt och inflationstakten och tillgängliga incitamentför PV investeringar används för att göra modellen noggrannare. Tre fall undersöks; det förstarepresenterar systemet med bara PV, och de övriga fallen lägger till lagring, genom antingenlitiumjon eller bly-syre batterier. Denna jämförande studie är ett underlag för att bestämma denoptimala PV och batteristorleken för anläggninar på två olika område i Sverige.Den optimala netto nuvarande värde (NPV) och lönsamhet index (PI) är på 40 kW PV systemetoch 3 kWh batteri på Karlstad, Sverige. Ytterligare undersökning av detta fall används för attutvärdera energiprofilen under systemets livstid, möjlighet till minskad elräkning, och batterietsprestanda. Potential för utjämning av systemets topplast utreds genom att skapa två andrascenarier med högre batterikapacitet. Känslighetsanalys utförs också för att bedöma de tekniskaoch ekonomiska parametrarna. Den optimuma storleken på PV system med ett litium-jonbatterifinns rimligt för LSO riktiga genomförande med tanke på incitamenten. Simuleringsresultatenoch systemkonsekvenserna av LSO modellen diskuteras. Rapporten visar att den tekniska ochekonomiska genomförbarheten av det studerade PV systemet med litium-jon batteri beror påslutkonsumentelpriset, PV incitament och globala trender i kostnaderna försystemkomponenter, samt på valet av lämplig plats med en effektiv analys av väder profil ochsystemetförluster.

La thèse apporte un éclairage sur le rôle des mouvements sociaux dans le développement de secteurs émergents en ligne avec les valeurs d'un mouvement social. Le premier chapitre remet en cause l'idée selon laquelle activistes et entreprises ont des intérêts divergents et le cantonnement des mouvements sociaux à un rôle de confrontation.Les propositions développées visent à expliquer pourquoi les actions des organisations de mouvements sociaux (SMO)sns dimension d'opposition revêtent une importance pour les entreprises et à quelles conditions les SMO influencent les décisions stratégiques des entreprises. Le deuxième chapitre de la thèse examine si le soutien apporté aux organisations de mouvements sociaux proche d'une industrie est lié à une augmentation de l'engagement des entreprises au sein de ce secteur. Cette hypothèse est testée empiriquement et confirmée en utilisant une base de données longitudinale de producteurs européens de panneaux solaires. De plus, il est démontré que le type d'entreprise et le niveau d'engagement passé modèrent le lien entre le soutien apporté aux SMO et l'augmentation de l'engagement de l'entreprise vis-à-vis de l'industrie. Le dernier chapitre examine la mise en vigueur de politiques favorables aux énergies solaires au sein des pays de l'Union Européenne. Les résultats empiriques suggèrent que de telles politiques peuvent en partie s'expliquer par l'interaction entre la densité d'entreprises de novo dans un pays et le soutien aux SMO. Cette thèse contribue à la littérature en management stratégique, à la théorie des mouvements sociaux ainsi qu'à l'analyse de la création d'industries / This thesis sheds light on the role of social movement organizations in the developement of nascent sectors that are aligned with the values of a social movement.The first research chapter questions the assumption that activists and firms have divergent interests, and the emphasis on the confrontational role of social movements.Propositions are developed to explain why non-oppositional social movement organizations' (SMOs) actions matter for fims, and when SMOs willl influence firms' strategic behavior.The second research chapter investigates whether support for social movement organizations sympathetic to an industry is linked to increased commitments of firms to the focal sector.Using a unique longitudinal dataset of European solar cell producers, this hypothesis is tested empirically and confirmed; further, it is demonstrated that the type of firms and their prior commitments moderate the link between SMO support and increased firm commitment to the industry.The last research chapter investigates the enactment of favorable policies for solar energy across EU countries. Empirical findings suggest that such policies can be partly explained by the interaction between de novo firm density in a country and SMO support. This dissertation contributes to strategic management, social movement theory, and studies of industry creation

Growing concerns about climate change have led to the world experiencing an unprecedented push towards renewable energy. Economic drivers and government policies mean that small, distributed forms of generation, like solar photovoltaics, will play a large role in our transition to a clean energy future. In this thesis, a novel DC-DC converter known as the Coupled Inductors Combined Cuk-SEPIC' (CI-CCS) converter is explored, which is particularly attractive for these photovoltaic applications. A topological modification is investigated which provides several benefits, including increased power density, efficiency, and operational advantages for solar energy conversion. The converter, which is based on the combination of the Cuk and SEPIC converters, provides a bipolar output (i.e. both positive and negative voltages). This converter also offers both step-up and step-down capabilities with a continuous input current, and uses only a single, ground-referenced switching device. A significant enhancement to this converter is proposed: magnetic coupling of the converter's three inductors. This can substantially reduce the CI-CCS converter's input current ripple - an important benefit for maximum power point tracking (MPPT) in photovoltaic applications. The effect of this coupling is examined theoretically, and optimisations are performed - both analytically and in simulations - to inform the design of a 4 kW prototype CI-CCS converter, switched at a high frequency (100 kHz) with a silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFET. Simulation and experimental results are then presented to demonstrate the CI-CCS converter's operation and highlight the benefits of coupling its inductors. An efficiency analysis is also undertaken and its sources of losses are quantified. The converter is subsequently integrated into a domestic photovoltaic system to provide a practical demonstration of its suitability for such applications. MPPT is integrated into the CI-CCS DC-DC converter, and a combined half bridge/T-type converter is developed and paired with the CI-CCS converter to form an entirely transformerless single-phase solar energy conversion system. The combination of the CI-CCS converter's bipolar DC output with the combined half bridge/T-type converter's bipolar DC input allows grounding at both the photovoltaic panels and the AC grid's neutral point. This eliminates high frequency common mode voltages from the PV array, which in turn prevents leakage currents. The entire system can be operated in grid-connected mode - where the objective is to maximise power extracted from the photovoltaic system, and is demonstrated in stand-alone mode - where the objective is to match solar generation with the load's power demands.