Sweden is working on increasing the share of wind energy, but it comes along with many challenges,one of those challenges is the uncertainty of the wind power; CHP could be an option for betterutilizing of wind power by adapting the power to heat ratio according to wind energy fluctuation.The potential for utilizing installed wind energy in Sweden using CHP plant has been studied. A CHPplant installed in the South of Sweden was considered as studied case. To match the heat andelectricity demand requested by the region with the output from the CHP plant two scenarios weresimulated. Results showed that 5.3 MW of installed wind energy in Sweden could be adjusted andset to a level of 73.6 MW if the CHP plant alone were to cover the heat demand, and 25.4 MW ofinstalled wind power in Sweden could be adjusted and set to a level of 54.2 MW with an additionalheat supply of 8 MW in the studied case.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-26T20:20:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Diego Sales Seoane.pdf: 1126312 bytes, checksum: ec401d5950b3d82fe5f5876f791d819b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-05-27 / This work the tax rate: the constitutional aspects and limitations of its imposition - aims to study the tax rate, more specifically its constitutional regulation, and therefore the limits established to the ordinary legislator in imposing a tax rate. This theme involved the analysis of all 39 references made in the constitutional text regarding the tax rate as well as the study of other constitutional provisions that despite not using the term tax rate in its essay, refers directly to it (as is the case, for example, of constitutional provisions dealing with the Contributory Capacity and Selectivity). Still, we try to demonstrate the limits imposed upon the ordinary legislator in the imposition of the tax rates, particularly the levy of different tax rates for taxpayers subject to the same tax. The issue was raised during the analysis of scientific literature regarding the elements composing the main rule of taxation. Besides the large number of works involving the study of both the taxpayers and the tax materiality or even the tax calculation base, there are a limited number of scientific works that devote more careful attention to the tax rate, despite of many judicial discussions revolve around the tax rate. Thus, through a literature search, we almalgamate the scientific thinking about the subject of this work and, from these ideas, have formulate our own opinions in order to demonstrate the existence of limits imposed to the ordinary legislator when establishing the tax rate. The various nuances in the constitutional regulation of taxes made the search extremely difficult yet pleasant, and the result was this thesis that, far from exhausting the subject, is an invitation to discuss deeperly this important element of Tax Law: the tax rate / O presente trabalho alíquota: aspectos constitucionais e limitações à sua instituição tem por objetivo o estudo do instituto jurídico da alíquota, mais especificamente a sua regulamentação constitucional e, consequentemente, os limites impostos ao legislador ordinário na instituição da alíquota. Este tema implicou na análise de todas as 39 referências feitas no texto constitucional à alíquota, bem como o estudo dos demais dispositivos constitucionais que apesar de não empregarem a palavra alíquota em sua redação, relacionamse diretamente com o instituto (como é o caso, por exemplo, dos dispositivos constitucionais que tratam da Capacidade Contributiva e da Seletividade). Ainda, buscamos demonstrar os limites objetivos impostos ao legislador ordinário na instituição das alíquotas, em especial na instituição de alíquotas diferenciadas entre contribuintes de um mesmo tributo. O tema surgiu a partir de uma análise da produção científica a respeito dos critérios da regra-matriz de incidência tributária, do grande número de obras voltadas ao estudo da sujeição passiva, da materialidade tributária ou, até mesmo, da base de cálculo. Contudo, apesar de muitas das discussões judiciais girarem em torno da alíquota, escassas são as obras científicas que dedicam uma atenção mais detida ao instituto jurídico da alíquota. Assim, por meio de uma pesquisa bibliográfica, buscamos reunir o pensamento científico a respeito do tema abordado no presente trabalho e, a partir destas idéias, formular opiniões próprias, de modo a demonstrar a existência de limites impostos ao legislador ordinário na instituição de alíquotas. As várias nuances na regulamentação constitucional dos tributos tornou a pesquisa extremamente árdua, porém prazerosa e o resultado foi a presente dissertação que longe de esgotar o tema, constitui um convite para discutir com maior profundidade este instituto tão importante do Direito Tributário: a alíquota

Energy storage technology is needed for the storage of surplus baseload generation and the storage of intermittent wind power, because it can increase the flexibility of power grid operations. Underground storage of hydrogen with natural gas (UHNG) is proposed as a new energy storage technology, to be considered for utility-scale energy storage applications. UHNG is a composite technology: using electrolyzers to convert electrical energy to chemical energy in the form of hydrogen. The latter is then injected along with natural gas into existing gas distribution and storage facilities. The energy stored as hydrogen is recovered as needed; as hydrogen for industrial and transportation applications, as electricity to serve power demand, or as hydrogen-enriched natural gas to serve gas demand. The storage of electrical energy in gaseous form is also termed “Power to Gas”. Such large scale electrical energy storage is desirable to baseload generators operators, renewable energy-based generator operators, independent system operators, and natural gas distribution utilities. Due to the low density of hydrogen, the hydrogen-natural gas mixture thus formed has lower volumetric energy content than conventional natural gas. But, compared to the combustion of conventional natural gas, to provide the same amount of energy, the hydrogen-enriched mixture emits less carbon dioxide. This thesis investigates the dynamic behaviour, financial and environmental performance of UHNG through scenario-based simulation. A proposed energy hub embodying the UHNG principle, located in Southwestern Ontario, is modeled in the MATLAB/Simulink environment. Then, the performance of UHNG for four different scenarios are assessed: injection of hydrogen for long term energy storage, surplus baseload generation load shifting, wind power integration and supplying large hydrogen demand. For each scenario, the configuration of the energy hub, its scale of operation and operating strategy are selected to match the application involved. All four scenarios are compared to the base case scenario, which simulates the operations of a conventional underground gas storage facility. For all scenarios in which hydrogen production and storage is not prioritized, the concentration of hydrogen in the storage reservoir is shown to remain lower than 7% for the first three years of operation. The simulation results also suggest that, of the five scenarios, hydrogen injection followed by recovery of hydrogen-enriched natural gas is the most likely energy recovery pathway in the near future. For this particular scenario, it was also found that it is not profitable to sell the hydrogen-enriched natural gas at the same price as regular natural gas. For the range of scenarios evaluated, a list of benchmark parameters has been established for the UHNG technology. With a roundtrip efficiency of 39%, rated capacity ranging from 25,000 MWh to 582,000 MWh and rated power from 1 to 100 MW, UHNG is an energy storage technology suitable for large storage capacity, low to medium power rating storage applications.

Energy storage technology is needed for the storage of surplus baseload generation and the storage of intermittent wind power, because it can increase the flexibility of power grid operations. Underground storage of hydrogen with natural gas (UHNG) is proposed as a new energy storage technology, to be considered for utility-scale energy storage applications. UHNG is a composite technology: using electrolyzers to convert electrical energy to chemical energy in the form of hydrogen. The latter is then injected along with natural gas into existing gas distribution and storage facilities. The energy stored as hydrogen is recovered as needed; as hydrogen for industrial and transportation applications, as electricity to serve power demand, or as hydrogen-enriched natural gas to serve gas demand. The storage of electrical energy in gaseous form is also termed “Power to Gas”. Such large scale electrical energy storage is desirable to baseload generators operators, renewable energy-based generator operators, independent system operators, and natural gas distribution utilities. Due to the low density of hydrogen, the hydrogen-natural gas mixture thus formed has lower volumetric energy content than conventional natural gas. But, compared to the combustion of conventional natural gas, to provide the same amount of energy, the hydrogen-enriched mixture emits less carbon dioxide. This thesis investigates the dynamic behaviour, financial and environmental performance of UHNG through scenario-based simulation. A proposed energy hub embodying the UHNG principle, located in Southwestern Ontario, is modeled in the MATLAB/Simulink environment. Then, the performance of UHNG for four different scenarios are assessed: injection of hydrogen for long term energy storage, surplus baseload generation load shifting, wind power integration and supplying large hydrogen demand. For each scenario, the configuration of the energy hub, its scale of operation and operating strategy are selected to match the application involved. All four scenarios are compared to the base case scenario, which simulates the operations of a conventional underground gas storage facility. For all scenarios in which hydrogen production and storage is not prioritized, the concentration of hydrogen in the storage reservoir is shown to remain lower than 7% for the first three years of operation. The simulation results also suggest that, of the five scenarios, hydrogen injection followed by recovery of hydrogen-enriched natural gas is the most likely energy recovery pathway in the near future. For this particular scenario, it was also found that it is not profitable to sell the hydrogen-enriched natural gas at the same price as regular natural gas. For the range of scenarios evaluated, a list of benchmark parameters has been established for the UHNG technology. With a roundtrip efficiency of 39%, rated capacity ranging from 25,000 MWh to 582,000 MWh and rated power from 1 to 100 MW, UHNG is an energy storage technology suitable for large storage capacity, low to medium power rating storage applications.

A evolução da tecnologia e o acesso ao conhecimento proporcionam um ambiente de negócios cada vez mais mutante e competitivo. A informação é vista como essência da estratégia empresarial, onde a busca e manutenção do diferencial competitivo são constantes. As empresas de uma forma geral, e principalmente as pequenas empresas, necessitam de meios para acompanhar essas mudanças de forma a ajustar suas estratégias ao novo contexto apresentado. O objetivo desta dissertação é demonstrar que a internet pode ser utilizada como meio para o acompanhamento das informações do ambiente externo à empresa. A internet vem ao encontro desta realidade ao possibilitar o monitoramento das variáveis macro-ambientais: governo, legislação, tecnologia e informática, sócio-cultural, demográfica, estatística, fiscal e tributária, política e, econômica e financeira. A revisão bibliográfica aborda a importância para a pequena empresa em acompanhar as variáveis macro-ambientais, e ter o conhecimento destas informações para o processo decisório estratégico. No estudo exploratório foi feita extensa pesquisa, principalmente na internet, buscando identificar sites com as informações relacionadas a cada variável identificada pela revisão bibliográfica. Visando proporcionar informações para que a empresa decida estrategicamente com eficácia diante de ameaças ou restrições ambientais, além de também capitalizar as oportunidades oferecidas pelo ambiente, esta dissertação apresenta como resultado um guia de sites de conteúdo, com o intuito de facilitar a busca das informações macro-ambientais que influenciam direta ou indiretamente cada negócio. / The evolution of the technology and the access to the business-oriented knowledge provide to an environment each more mutant and competitive time. The information is seen as essence of the enterprise strategy, where the search and maintenance of the competitive differential are constant. The companies of one form generality, and mainly the small companies, need half following these changes of form to adjust its strategies to the new presented context. The objective of this dissertation is to demonstrate that the internet can be used as half for the accompaniment of the information of the external environment the company. The internet comes to the meeting of this reality when making possible the monitoring of the macro-ambient variable: government, legislation, technology and computer science, partner-cultural, demographic, statistics, inspector and tax, politics and, economic and financial. The bibliographical revision approaches the importance for the small company in following the macro-ambient variable, and having the knowledge of these information for the strategical power to decide process. In the exploratory study extensive research was made, mainly in the internet, searching to identify sites with the information related to each variable identified for the bibliographical revision. Aiming at to provide information so that the company strategically decides with effectiveness ahead of threats or ambient restrictions, beyond also capitalizing the chances offered for the environment, this dissertation it presents as resulted a guide of sites of content, with intention to indirectly facilitate to the search of the macro-ambient information that influence direct or each business.

Användandet av fossila bränslen som energikälla leder till stora utsläpp av växthusgaser och klimatförändringar, vilket börjar bli ett hot som växer sig större för varje år. Genom att använda e-bränslen kan man ersätta fossila bränslen, minska utsläppen av växthusgaser och lyckas uppnå klimatmålen. Examensarbetet specialiserade sig på produktion av e-metanol som är en slutprodukt av e-bränslen. Syftet var att undersöka förutsättningarna för ett ekonomiskt, tekniskt och säkerhetsmässigt hållbart Power-to-X koncept i form av en e-metanolanläggning i Norra Sverige. Detta gjordes genom att ta fram mass- och energibalans för metanolproduktion, dimensionera och genomföra en ekonomisk analys för en e-metanolanläggning. För dimensionering undersöktes metanolbehovet och vad nuvarande konventionella metanolanläggningar producerar. En teknisk kartläggning av e-metanolproduktion och olika elektrolys-tekniker utfördes, för att uppskatta en genomförbar storlek av e-metanolanläggning i Norra Sverige. För examensarbetet utfördes inte en teknisk kartläggning för koldioxidavskiljning, CO2-råvaran valdes att köpas in som en driftskostnad. Ett förenklat flödesschema togs fram med vald PEM-elektrolysteknik och direkt CO2-hydrering baserad på liknande studier inom metanolproduktion. För ekonomiska analysen utvärderades anläggningens totala kapitalinvesteringskostnad och driftskostnad för metanolproduktion och elektrolysör separat. Kostnaden för utrustningen inom metanolproduktionen togs från studier med ett liknande flödesschema. Utrustningen som beaktades var kompressorer, värmeväxlare, reaktor, separator och destillation. Efterfrågan på förnybar metanol i Sverige och resten av världen är stor och förväntas fortsätta att öka, för att användas i flera tusentals vardagsprodukter, inklusive plast, färg, kosmetiska och bränslen. För e-metanolanläggningen krävs det stora mängder el och vatten till elektrolysören och koldioxid för metanolproduktionen. En e-metanolanläggning med 500 kton/år i kapacitet, anses vara fullt genomförbar att realisera i Norra Sverige. Tekniken finns för att kunna skapa den mängd CO2 och H2 som anläggningen kräver. Största svårigheten är att få råvarorna, CO2 och H2, till en rimlig kostnad och kapital för att bygga anläggningen. Vidare är det osäkert ifall det finns tillräckligt med förnybar CO2 från netto CO2-neutrala källor i Norra Sverige. Den totala kapitalkostnaden för denna storlek uppskattades till 1,61 miljarder SEK fördelat på tre konstruktionsår, vilket till största del bestod av kostnaden för elektrolysören med 72 %. Den totala driftskostnaden uppskattades till 1,74 miljarder SEK per år, vilket till största del bestod av kostnaden för elektriciteten med 72 %, där majoriteten gick till elektrolysören. Priset på CO2 har en stor inverkan beroende på val av källa och teknik för koldioxidavskiljning. Dessa kostnader är en uppskattning och kan vara högre för ett verkligt fall, när skatter, plats etc. tas i hänsyn och när elprisets variation är medräknat. E-metanol kan bli konkurrenskraftig med fossil metanol om kostnaden för elektrolysören och elpriset, skulle minska avsevärt och ifall det finns tillräckligt med förnybar CO2 tillgängligt.

Mit Power-to-X (PtX) wird eine Reihe von Verfahren beschrieben, die elektrische Energie in andere Kraft-, Brenn- und Grundstoffe umwandeln. Mögliche Anwendungsbereiche der strombasierten Stoffe finden sich beispielsweise im Verkehrs-, Wärme- und Industriesektor. PtX leistet damit einen wichtigen Beitrag für eine Kopplung des Verkehrs- und Energiesektors. Damit PtX einen signifikanten Anteil zum Klimaschutz leisten kann, wird als Basistechnologie die Umwandlung von erneuerbaren Energien zu grünen Wasserstoff (H2), mittels eines Elektrolyseurs, angestrebt. Für die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit von grünen H2, müssen insbesondere die Gestehungskosten gesenkt werden. Dazu werden im Bericht folgende wesentliche Einflussfaktoren identifiziert: Anlagengröße und Automatisierungsgrad der Herstellung, Anzahl der Betriebsstunden (Auslastungsgrad), Stromeinkaufspreis (aus erneuerbaren Energien), Stromnebenkosten (Steuern, Abgaben und Umlagen). Darüber hinaus spielt der Genehmigungsaufwand für die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit von Elektrolyseuren eine wichtige Rolle. Zur Optimierung dieser Einflussfaktoren in Richtung einer wirtschaftlichen und wettbewerbsfähigen Produktion von grünen H2 benennt der vorliegende Bericht verschiedene politische Handlungsempfehlungen. Grundsätzlich ist es von großer Bedeutung, ein Level-Playing-Field zu schaffen und die Energiewende konsequent voranzutreiben. Dies soll vor allem durch eine umfängliche CO2-Bepreisung aller Energieträger und einen massiven Ausbau an erneuerbaren Energien in Deutschland erfolgen. Zudem schlägt die AG 5 vor, bereits heute schon den Aufbau von zukünftigen H2-Märkten weltweit zu unterstützen. Zur Senkung der Investitions- und Stromnebenkosten empfehlen die Experten der AG 5 eine ambitionierte Umsetzung der europäischen Gesetzgebung (RED II) und die Prüfung von Beimischquoten von grünem Wasserstoff in der Wärmeversorgung. Des Weiteren spricht sich die AG 5 für eine Reduzierung von Umlagen (insbesondere der EEG-Umlage) und der Beibehaltung der Netzentgeltbefreiung aus. Ein wesentlicher Schritt zur Marktreife von grünem Wasserstoff sind Skaleneffekte bei Elektrolyseuren. Dazu muss das bereits heute bestehende Marktpotential genutzt werden. Vor allem in der Industrie und in Raffinerien bestehen große Bedarfe an H2 zur stofflichen Verwendung, die derzeit noch überwiegend durch die Dampfreformierung gedeckt werden.:1 Executive Summary 2 Ausgangslage und Zielsetzung 3 Sachstand und Fokus 4 Marktpotenzial Elektrolyse 4.1 Heutige Markte für H2 In Deutschland 4.2 Potenzielle Markte für grünen Wasserstoff 4.2.1 Warme 4.2.2 Verkehr 4.2.3 Speicher 5 Wettbewerbsfähigkeit von grünem H2 5.1 Regionale Verteilung 5.2 Transportkosten für zentrale Elektrolyse 5.3 Anwendungsfalle 5.4 Ausbaubedarf erneuerbarer Energien 6 Handlungsempfehlungen 7 Anhang 7.1 Überschlägige unverbindliche Berechnung der Transportkosten von Wasserstoff Im Gasnetz

High-temperature Co-electrolysis of H2O and CO2 in a solid-oxide electrolyser (Co-SOE) for syngas production is a high-efficiency renewable electricity conversion and storage method part of the Power-to-X technologies. Syngas, a mixture of H2, CO and CO2, is a critical building block to make several chemical and synthesis fuels. The thesis aimed to model the Co-electrolysis process in a steady-state process modelling tool called Aspen Plus. The model was designed at thermoneutral mode and four cases with electrolysis temperatures of 700 °C, 750 °C, 800 °C and 850°C. The results from the model were used to perform an economic assessment and check the feasibility of Co-SOE. The analysis included calculation of Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and the Levelised cost of Syngas (LCOS). The LCOS from Co-SOE was compared to the benchmark technology of syngas production in a Reverse Water Gas Shift (RWGS) reactor. The H2 feed to the RWGS reactor was assumed to be obtained from a Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolyser(PEME). A sensitivity analysis was performed to check the effect of electricity price, electrolyser stack price, electrolyser lifetime, CO2 feed price, by-product O2 revenue and discount rate on the LCOS. The LCOS was calculated to be 0.697, 0.727, 0.752 and 0.783 €/kg at 700 °C, 750 °C, 800 °C and 850 °C, respectively, increased with temperature due to increased electricity consumption at thermoneutral mode. The average LCOS from Co-SOE was 18.5% cheaper than the benchmark technology due to the high investment in the PEME and low conversion efficiency of the RWGS process. There was a trade-off between LCOS and system efficiency due to the effect of internal methanation occurring on the cathode side of the SOE. 750 °C was found to be the optimum design temperature to minimise the LCOS and maximise the efficiency. LCOS was most sensitive to electricity price, followed by O2 revenue and discount rate, while other parameters were less significant. The thesis also discussed key challenges to overcome in the future development of the Co-SOE technology. Co-SOE was found to be a promising technology for green syngas production. However, challenges concerning low stack lifetime, high capital investment and high cost of electricity have yet to be overcome to demonstrate it at a commercial scale.

Klimatförändringar är den enskilt största utmaningen som mänskligheten står inför under 2000-talet. För att ta itu med denna utmaning förutses förnybara energikällor en stor ökning av andelen primärenergi globalt. Den naturliga variabiliteten hos sol och vind kräver att energilagring används tillsammans med dem för en energisystemövergång. Power-to-Gas (PtG) -teknologier erbjuder en attraktiv lösning genom att möjliggöra omvandling av elektrisk energi till vätgas eller metan, vilket möjliggör integration över nätverk och sektorövergripande integration. Denna avhandling undersöker lönsamheten för en PtG-anläggning med enprimär applikation för att producera syntetisk metan (SNG) för injektion av naturgas(NG). En teknik-ekonomisk modell skapades för att simulera anläggningens drift under ett år och extrapolera resultaten för projektets livslängd. Modellen designades baserat på ett pilotprojekt som utvecklades i Frankrike med namnet HYCAUNAIS och har använt partner-samt litteraturdata för bearbetning. På grund av begränsningar i den lokala NG-nätkapaciteten undersöktes era scenarier som inkluderade att lägga till ytterligare investeringar som möjliggör ökad driftstid och intäktsströmmar, inklusive: fast elpris eller day-ahead (DA) marknadsdeltagande; nätuppgradering för ökad NG-nätkapacitet; och CH4 och H2 mobilitet. Elektrolysörers deltagande i frekvensbegränsningsreserven (FCR) ansågs också förökad lönsamhet. Resultaten visade att standardfallsscenariot (inga ytterligare investeringar) med deltagande på DA-elmarknaden var det mest attraktiva när det gäller tre undersökta mål: nettonuvärde (NPV), återbetalningsperiod (PBP) och nivåniserad metankostnad (LCOM). Driftstiden för standardfallet befanns vara cirka 90% av året; produktionen hindrades inte av begränsad nätkapacitet tillräckligt för att anse ytterligare investeringar nödvändiga. Vidare bör deltagande på DA-marknaden bestämmas av en upphörd betalningsvilja (WTP) för el i motsats till marginell vinst (MP). Att använda WTP som avgörande faktor tillät ökade driftstimmar och lägre LCOM. Men i alla undersökta scenarier var inga lönsamma; vilket innebär att marknadsförhållandena fortfarande måste förbättras kraftigt innan PtG kan få fart. En känslighetsanalys gjordes på standardfallsscenariot för att se vilka parametrar som påverkar lönsamheten mest och bör vara i fokus för vidare forskning och utveckling. SNG-taxan visade sig vara den mest inytelserika på NPV, vilket krävde att en tariff på minst 188 e=MWh (120 e=MWh användes för modellering) för att vara lönsam. Elpriset var det näst mest inytelserika och krävde ett genomsnittligt marknadspris på 25 e=MWh för att vara lönsamt. Eftersom PtG-teknik kan ge era externa fördelar som inte realiseras ekonomiskt av investerare, kan intäktsgenerering av dem ge ett sätt att förbättra lönsamheten. Detta inkluderar nätbalansering och exibilitet, avkolning, lägre nätkostnader ochförbättrad energisäkerhet. Sammanfattningsvis måste kapitalkostnaderna för utrustning,elpriser och avgifter i samband med dessa samt taxor för gröna gaser förbättras dramatiskt för att SNG-produktionen ska vara en attraktiv lösning för minskning och avkolning av el. / Climate change is the single largest challenge facing humanity in the 21st century. To tackle this challenge, renewable energies are seeing a large increase in primary energy share globally. The natural variableness of solar and wind requires energy storage to be used in conjuction with them for an energy system transition. Power-to-Gas (PtG) technologies offer an attractive solution by allowing conversion of electrical energy to hydrogen or methane, enabling cross-energy-network and cross-sectoral integration. This thesis investigates profitability of a PtG plant with a primary application of producing synthetic methane (SNG) for natural gas (NG) grid injection. A techno-economical model was created to simulate plant operation over one year and extrapolate the results for the project lifespan. The model was designed based off of a pilot project being developed in France named HYCAUNAIS and used partner as well as literature data for processing. Due to limitations inlocal NG grid capacity, several scenarios were investigated that included adding additional investments that allow increased operational time and revenue streams, including: fixed electrical price or day-ahead (DA) market participation; mesh upgrade for increased NG grid capacity; and CH4 and H2 mobility. Electrolyser participation in the frequency containment reserve (FCR) was also considered for increased profitability. The results determined the standard case scenario (no additional investments) with participation in the DA electricity market was the most attractive in terms of three objectives investigated: net present value (NPV), payback period (PBP) and levelized cost of methane (LCOM). The operational hours of the standard case was found to be approximately 90% of the year; production was not hindered by limited grid capacity sufficiently to deem additional investments necessary. Further, participation in the DA market should be determined by a cut-off willingness to pay (WTP) for electricity as opposed to marginal profit (MP). Using WTP as the determining factor allowed increased operational hours and lower LCOM. However, in all of the scenarios investigated, none were profitable; meaning that market conditions still need to greatly improve before PtG can gain momentum. A sensitivity analysis was done on the standard case scenario to see which parameters influence profitability the most and should be the focus of further research and development. The SNG tariff was found to be the most influential on NPV, requiring a tariff of at least 188 e=MWh (120 e=MWh was used for modeling) to be profitable. Electricity price was the second most inuential and required an average market price of 25 e=MWh to be profitable. As PtG technologies can provide several external benefits that are not economically realized by investors, monetization of them could provide a means of improving profitability. This includes, grid balancing and exibility, decarbonization, lower grid costs and improved energy security. Inconclusion, capital costs of equipment, electricity prices and fees associated to them, and tariffs for green gases all need to improve dramatically for SNG production tobe an attractive solution for electricity curtailment and decarbonization.

This is an exploration of the director's role in autobiographical theatre. The director is in a unique position when storytelling on a personal level is being executed theatrically. I explored this topic over the course of directing three plays, each of which contained a strong personal storytelling element, which broadened my perspective of the director's role. The three plays were Slashtipher Coleman’s The Neon Man and Me, Birth by Karen Brody, and Will Power to Youth Richmond presents: William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Traditionally, the director’s role includes a myriad of tasks. These tasks can include and are not limited to creating pictures on stage that reflect the story being told, coaching actors in their craft specific to the production, vocal and movement coaching, viii creating a concept, interpreting and translating the action, and being the intermediary amongst the creative team in reaching the overall artistic vision. However, when the director is presented with personal stories to shape and mold, this role changes; no longer can the director wear a traditional hat and assume that the story will tell itself through a series of pictures, but now the director dons different hats and accesses other skills that more closely reflect those of mentor, spiritual leader, psychologist, teacher, and friend. This thesis is a narrative of the explorative process that one director experienced when staging these three prototypes of autobiographical theatre.