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Energy is consumed every day at home as we perform simple tasks, such as watching television, washing dishes and heating/cooling home spaces during season of extreme weather conditions, using appliances, or turning on lights. Most often, the energy resources used in residential systems are obtained from natural gas, coal and oil. Moreover, climate change has increased awareness of a need for expendable, energy resources. As a result, carbon dioxide emissions are increasing and creating a negative effect on our environment and on our health. In fact, growing energy demands and limited natural resource might have negative impacts on our future. Therefore, saving energy is becoming an important issue in our society and it is receiving more attention from the research community. This thesis introduces a intelligent energy controller algorithm based on software agent approach that reduce the energy consumption at home for both heating and cooling spaces by considering the user’s occupancy, outdoor temperature and user’s preferences as input to the system. Thus the proposed approach takes into consideration the occupant’s preferred temperature, the occupied and unoccupied spaces, as well as the time spent in each area of the home. A Java based simulator has been implemented to simulate the algorithm for saving energy in heating and cooling systems. The results from the simulator are compared to the results of using HOT2000, which is Canada’s leading residential energy analysis and rating software developed by CanmetENERGY’s Housing, Buildings, Communities and Simulation (HBCS) group. We have calculated how much energy a home modelled will use under emulated conditions. The results showed that the implementation of the proposed energy controller algorithm can save up to 50% in energy consumption in homes dedicated to heating and cooling systems compared to the results obtained by using HOT2000.

Im Rahmen der Dissertation wurde ein vollkeramischer Porenbrenner entwickelt, der im Bereich hoher Prozesstemperaturen eingesetzt werden kann. Die Brennerentwicklung umfasste die Entwicklung und Auswahl von geeigneten Komponenten wie ein Gehäuse und eine Flammensperre sowie die Anpassung an die Brennergeometrie. Die entwickelten Porenbrenner wurden Tests im Freibrand und im Hochtemperaturofen im Labor unterzogen. Eine entscheidende Rolle für die Bewertung des Brennersystems spielte die Qualifizierung unter Realbedingungen. Das Brennersystem wurde in Ofenanlagen zur Glasherstellung eingesetzt. Durch die Versuche in einer Arbeitswanne für die Herstellung von Behälterglas und in einer Vorwärmtrommel für die Herstellung von Kunstglas wurde der Nachweis der Industrietauglichkeit erbracht. Es wurden dabei die Vorteile wie Energieeinsparnis, verbesserte thermische Homogenität und niedrige CO- und NOx-Emissionen gezeigt.

The proceedings included herein are the papers presented in the Seventh ICCAE Open Forum held in October 20th, 2006 at Nagoya University, Japan.

Energy is consumed every day at home as we perform simple tasks, such as watching television, washing dishes and heating/cooling home spaces during season of extreme weather conditions, using appliances, or turning on lights. Most often, the energy resources used in residential systems are obtained from natural gas, coal and oil. Moreover, climate change has increased awareness of a need for expendable, energy resources. As a result, carbon dioxide emissions are increasing and creating a negative effect on our environment and on our health. In fact, growing energy demands and limited natural resource might have negative impacts on our future. Therefore, saving energy is becoming an important issue in our society and it is receiving more attention from the research community. This thesis introduces a intelligent energy controller algorithm based on software agent approach that reduce the energy consumption at home for both heating and cooling spaces by considering the user’s occupancy, outdoor temperature and user’s preferences as input to the system. Thus the proposed approach takes into consideration the occupant’s preferred temperature, the occupied and unoccupied spaces, as well as the time spent in each area of the home. A Java based simulator has been implemented to simulate the algorithm for saving energy in heating and cooling systems. The results from the simulator are compared to the results of using HOT2000, which is Canada’s leading residential energy analysis and rating software developed by CanmetENERGY’s Housing, Buildings, Communities and Simulation (HBCS) group. We have calculated how much energy a home modelled will use under emulated conditions. The results showed that the implementation of the proposed energy controller algorithm can save up to 50% in energy consumption in homes dedicated to heating and cooling systems compared to the results obtained by using HOT2000.

The main contributions of this thesis are located in the domain of wireless sensor netorks. More in detail, we introduce energyaware algorithms and protocols in the context of the following topics: self-synchronized duty-cycling in networks with energy harvesting capabilities, distributed graph coloring and minimum energy broadcasting with realistic antennas. In the following, we review the research conducted in each case. We propose a self-synchronized duty-cycling mechanism for sensor networks. This mechanism is based on the working and resting phases of natural ant colonies, which show self-synchronized activity phases. The main goal of duty-cycling methods is to save energy by efficiently alternating between different states. In the case at hand, we considered two different states: the sleep state, where communications are not possible and energy consumption is low; and the active state, where communication result in a higher energy consumption. In order to test the model, we conducted an extensive experimentation with synchronous simulations on mobile networks and static networks, and also considering asynchronous networks. Later, we extended this work by assuming a broader point of view and including a comprehensive study of the parameters. In addition, thanks to a collaboration with the Technical University of Braunschweig, we were able to test our algorithm in the real sensor network simulator Shawn (http://shawn.sf.net). The second part of this thesis is devoted to the desynchronization of wireless sensor nodes and its application to the distributed graph coloring problem. In particular, our research is inspired by the calling behavior of Japanese tree frogs, whose males use their calls to attract females. Interestingly, as female frogs are only able to correctly localize the male frogs when their calls are not too close in time, groups of males that are located nearby each other desynchronize their calls. Based on a model of this behavior from the literature, we propose a novel algorithm with applications to the field of sensor networks. More in detail, we analyzed the ability of the algorithm to desynchronize neighboring nodes. Furthermore, we considered extensions of the original model, hereby improving its desynchronization capabilities.To illustrate the potential benefits of desynchronized networks, we then focused on distributed graph coloring. Later, we analyzed the algorithm more extensively and show its performance on a larger set of benchmark instances. The classical minimum energy broadcast (MEB) problem in wireless ad hoc networks, which is well-studied in the scientific literature, considers an antenna model that allows the adjustment of the transmission power to any desired real value from zero up to the maximum transmission power level. However, when specifically considering sensor networks, a look at the currently available hardware shows that this antenna model is not very realistic. In this work we re-formulate the MEB problem for an antenna model that is realistic for sensor networks. In this antenna model transmission power levels are chosen from a finite set of possible ones. A further contribution concerns the adaptation of an ant colony optimization algorithm --currently being the state of the art for the classical MEB problem-- to the more realistic problem version, the so-called minimum energy broadcast problem with realistic antennas (MEBRA). The obtained results show that the advantage of ant colony optimization over classical heuristics even grows when the number of possible transmission power levels decreases. Finally we build a distributed version of the algorithm, which also compares quite favorably against centralized heuristics from the literature. / Las principles contribuciones de esta tesis se encuentran en el domino de las redes de sensores inalámbricas. Más en detalle, introducimos algoritmos y protocolos que intentan minimizar el consumo energético para los siguientes problemas: gestión autosincronizada de encendido y apagado de sensores con capacidad para obtener energía del ambiente, coloreado de grafos distribuido y broadcasting de consumo mínimo en entornos con antenas reales. En primer lugar, proponemos un sistema capaz de autosincronizar los ciclos de encendido y apagado de los nodos de una red de sensores. El mecanismo está basado en las fases de trabajo y reposo de las colonias de hormigas tal y como estas pueden observarse en la naturaleza, es decir, con fases de actividad autosincronizadas. El principal objectivo de este tipo de técnicas es ahorrar energía gracias a alternar estados de forma eficiente. En este caso en concreto, consideramos dos estados diferentes: el estado dormido, en el que los nodos no pueden comunicarse y el consumo energético es bajo; y el estado activo, en el que las comunicaciones propician un consumo energético elevado. Con el objetivo de probar el modelo, se ha llevado a cabo una extensa experimentación que incluye tanto simulaciones síncronas en redes móviles y estáticas, como simulaciones en redes asíncronas. Además, este trabajo se extendió asumiendo un punto de vista más amplio e incluyendo un detallado estudio de los parámetros del algoritmo. Finalmente, gracias a la colaboración con la Technical University of Braunschweig, tuvimos la oportunidad de probar el mecanismo en el simulador realista de redes de sensores, Shawn (http://shawn.sf.net). La segunda parte de esta tesis está dedicada a la desincronización de nodos en redes de sensores y a su aplicación al problema del coloreado de grafos de forma distribuida. En particular, nuestra investigación está inspirada por el canto de las ranas de árbol japonesas, cuyos machos utilizan su canto para atraer a las hembras. Resulta interesante que debido a que las hembras solo son capaces de localizar las ranas macho cuando sus cantos no están demasiado cerca en el tiempo, los grupos de machos que se hallan en una misma región desincronizan sus cantos. Basado en un modelo de este comportamiento que se encuentra en la literatura, proponemos un nuevo algoritmo con aplicaciones al campo de las redes de sensores. Más en detalle, analizamos la habilidad del algoritmo para desincronizar nodos vecinos. Además, consideramos extensiones del modelo original, mejorando su capacidad de desincronización. Para ilustrar los potenciales beneficios de las redes desincronizadas, nos centramos en el problema del coloreado de grafos distribuido que tiene relación con diferentes tareas habituales en redes de sensores. El clásico problema del broadcasting de consumo mínimo en redes ad hoc ha sido bien estudiado en la literatura. El problema considera un modelo de antena que permite transmitir a cualquier potencia elegida (hasta un máximo establecido por el dispositivo). Sin embargo, cuando se trabaja de forma específica con redes de sensores, un vistazo al hardware actualmente disponible muestra que este modelo de antena no es demasiado realista. En este trabajo reformulamos el problema para el modelo de antena más habitual en redes de sensores. En este modelo, los niveles de potencia de transmisión se eligen de un conjunto finito de posibilidades. La siguiente contribución consiste en en la adaptación de un algoritmo de optimización por colonias de hormigas a la versión más realista del problema, también conocida como broadcasting de consumo mínimo con antenas realistas. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que la ventaja de este método sobre heurísticas clásicas incluso crece cuando el número de posibles potencias de transmisión decrece. Además, se ha presentado una versión distribuida del algoritmo, que también se compara de forma bastante favorable contra las heurísticas centralizadas conocidas.

Chile and Santiago are struggling with heavy environmental problems as a consequence of urbanisation and industrialisation. In the Santiago region the air is seriously contaminated and most of the rivers are classified as heavily polluted. The aim of this thesis is to survey the industrial fluid waste situation in the Santiago region and to make suggestions on technological improvements or process changes. The purpose is also to study five different enterprises more closely and to give more detailed suggestions for improvement. Another purpose is to summarize relevant Chilean legislation. Information, provided by the supervisory authority, about the release of industrial wastewater to rivers has been analysed. Deep interviews have been made with authorities and consultants. Five enterprises have been visited; a brewery, a dairy, a bakery, a producer of cooked meat and a surface treatment industry. The present treatment of the wastewater was studied at the plants and the information was completed with a questionnaire to the responsible at each company. The contamination load released to the Chilean rivers is heavy. The rivers in southern Chile receive the biggest loads of BOD and SS and the rivers in central Chile were the most exposed to discharges of the metals Cr, Cu, Zn and CN as well as phenols. The industrial discharge into the rivers of Santiago RM and Region VII is also to a large extent characterized by high concentrations of BOD and SS. Large releases of oils and greases, nitrogen and phosphorus are also fairly common, as are too high or too low pH levels. The food industry is the most contaminating sector, but also tanneries have great problems with effluents exceeding limits. All five companies visited share the need to take measures towards more water saving technologies. The brewery, the producer of cooked meat and the surface treatment company also need end-of-pipe-treatment of their wastewater. In many cases, the recommended and most economic alternative is to separate the flows with the highest concentration of polluting substances for internal treatment, while releasing the rest of the wastewater to the outside sewage system. The costs of the suggested changes must be balanced against the present costs for treatment of wastewater and remaining solid waste as well as the costs for alternative treatments. The economic incentives for Chilean companies to invest in wastewater treatment plants or to optimize the processes until today have been few. Cost reductions may be achieved by savings in water consumption and reuse of raw material. Another motive could be to keep “one step ahead” if the discharge limits in the future are tightened up leading to rising costs. / Chile och Santiago brottas med omfattande miljöproblem till följd av urbanisering och industrialisering. I santiagoregionen är luftföroreningarna svåra och de flesta floderna klassas som gravt förorenade av CONAMA, det chilenska naturvårdsverket. Syftet med examensarbetet är att kartlägga situationen i santiagoregionen med avseende på industriell avloppsrening samt att ge förslag på förbättring av teknik eller förändring av processer. Dessutom är syftet att studera fem industrier närmare och att ge mer detaljerade förslag på åtgärder. Syftet är också att ge rekommendationer för fortsatt utveckling av relevant chilensk lagstiftning. Uppgifter från tillsynsmyndigheten för utsläpp till ytvattendrag har studerats och djupintervjuer har gjorts med myndigheter och konsulter. Fem olika industrier besöktes; ett bryggeri, ett mejeri, ett bageri, ett charkuteri samt en ytbehandlingsindustri. Nuvarande hantering av processvattnet studerades på plats och med hjälp av ett frågeformulär kompletterades uppgifterna av ansvariga på företagen. Föroreningsbelastningen på Chiles floder är stor. Floderna i södra delen av landet tar emot störst mängder organiskt material och suspenderat material medan centrala Chiles floder är värst drabbade av utsläpp av metallerna Cr, Cu, Zn och CN samt utsläpp av fenoler. Utsläppen från industrin till floderna i Region Metropolitana och Region VII kännetecknas också i stor utsträckning av höga halter BOD och suspenderat material. Relativt vanligt är också stora utsläpp av oljor och fetter, kväve, fosfor samt för höga eller låga för pH-värden. Det är främst flera olika typer av livsmedelsindustri, som har de största utsläppen till floderna, men även garverierna har stora problem med överskridande av gränsvärden. Gemensamt för de fem besökta företagen är att vattenbesparande åtgärder bör vidtas för att minska volymen avloppsvatten som går till extern eller intern behandling. Bryggeriet, charkuterifabriken och ytbehandlaren behöver även end-of-pipe-rening. Det kan ofta vara lämpligt och mer ekonomiskt att avskilja de flöden som har högst halt av föroreningar till den interna reningsanläggningen. Resten av avloppet kan i vissa fall släppas ut på avloppsnätet. Kostnader för föreslagna åtgärder måste vägas mot aktuella kostnader för behandling av avlopp och restprodukter, samt kostnader för alternativa behandlingar. Incitamenten, bl a de ekonomiska, för chilenska företag att skaffa eget reningsverk eller att resurseffektivisera produktionen har hittills varit små. Kostnadsminskningar kan uppnås genom sänkt vattenförbrukning samt återanvändning av råmaterial. Ytterligare en drivkraft kan vara att ”ligga steget före” om utsläppskraven i framtiden skärps och kostnaderna därmed ökar.

The aim of this project was to develop a product in cooperation with Primus Company in Stockholm. It consisted of designing a container with the items needed when cooking and eating outdoors, in order to help the users eat and cook in a proper way while practicing activities such as camping or hiking.   Considering the specifications posed by Primus, research was done. One of the main issues to start this research was to carry out a market analysis in order to know all the products similar to the one that was going to be developed. Then, an analysis of the company and the main competitors of it was done in order to develop a product with Primus style and to get ideas for the product. In addition, a questionnaire study directed to potential users was carried out. In this way, it was possible to get to know things such as which items people usually carry in their backpack for cooking and eating outdoors and which ones they considered essential. This helped with making a choice of what the product should contain.   Once all the information collected from the research and from the study of the specifications was prioritized, the concept development phase started. For reaching an outcome, many aspects such as the items that the container should include, the shape of the container and the best material for the product were discussed.   Primus TetraCube is a product that suits all the requirements established at the beginning. In this way, Primus TetraCube is a product that can be carried in an 80 litres backpack and where the user can store all the necessary items for four people who want to eat and cook outdoors. It has also been designed taking into consideration all the details, resulting in a product that follows the aesthetics of Primus with soft shapes and colours such as red, black and grey. Everything combined make Primus TetraCube a comfortable product which helps the user feel at home in terms of convenience and comfort.

Multiple causes of continuously occurring power outages in Yazd Province of Iran have been experienced in recent years. This research studies how key stakeholders have perceived the results of the strategic decisions taken by directors of HEPP to diminish the power shortages and to even increase power supply to a limit of exporting power to other neighboring provinces. How could HEPP emerge from an organization in the edge of bankruptcy to an organization that can surpass all expectations and won over their competitors? HEPP’s strategic decisions followed implications of several models and finally a strategic plan on the bases of the Bryson model was selected and practically applied to achieve their final expected results. The literature review in this study describes selected models as well as the Bryson model set up and structure. This study portrays a demonstration and an evaluation of various strategic plan management models used in Iranian organization in particular HEPP. The researcher designed several questionnaires and forwarded them to HEPP’s administrators, employees and other stakeholders in three groups. Additional phone interviews were conducted and the quantitative as well as qualitative data collected was evaluated and displayed in tables and figures in this study. Data analysis demonstrates a few shortcomings, weaknesses and strengths that are discussed in detail and conclusive proposals are presented through the conclusion section in enhancement of HEPP’s services to the advantages of stakeholders and employees of HEPP with a complete consideration for HEPP’s well being and awareness of its competitors. Although this study is limited in scope it highlights what needs to be done in HEPP or similar hydro electric organizations in Iran, and it can act as a stepping stone for further research and analysis of hydro electrical demand and supply issues in Yazd region of Iran.

Marine shipping industry is the biggest economy of the global logistics, the cost that the vessel runs includes: personnel's salary, insurance, shipping administration expense, port charges, maintenance and fuel, etc.. Among them port charges and fuel are estimated can probably take 70% of the total operating cost, and the proportion of the fuel cost may be up to 50%. So the fuel cost is a main reason for influencing the operation performance of shipping. Because the international oil price runs high in recent years, besides designing the optimization with ship type, vessel technology and development move towards the innovative study and application of the power-saving technology, in order to reduce the operating cost. In addition, in shipping management, it is main directions to move towards maximization of ship and energy-conservation to reduce the expenditure of the cost. Until high oil price and the whole world might face economic depression unfavorable factor, the motive force of shipping is unable to store, unable to reuse, so how to popularize energy-conserving actuating device and relevant environmental protection assists the energy-saving equipment, trader to boat last economic benefits greatest and how effective management energy and last greatest benefit, study the focal point for this thesis. This thesis is in Professor Zhang Yu-Shan's guidance, starts from the operating cost of shipping, discusses shipping machines and impact on operating cost of auxiliary energy- saving equipment, investigate of the shipping business to analyze and prove it. To feedback my experiences engaged in the relevant trade of the past 20 years.