Backup diesel generator (DG) systems continue to be a heavily polluting and costly solution for institutions with unreliable grid connections. These systems slow economic growth and accelerate climate change. Photovoltaic (PV), energy storage (ES), grid connected, DG – Hybrid Energy Systems (HESs) or, PV-HESs, can alleviate overwhelming costs and harmful emissions incurred from traditional back-up DG systems and improve the reliability of power supply. However, from project conception to end of lifetime, PV-HESs face significant barriers of uncertainty and variable operating conditions. The fit-and-forget solution previously applied to backup DG systems should not be adopted for PV-HESs. To maximize cost and emission reductions, PV-HESs must be adapted to their boundary conditions for example, irradiance, temperature, and demand. These conditions can be defined and monitored using measurement equipment. From this, an opportunity for performance optimization can be established. The method demonstrated in this study is a techno-economic and environmental approach to improving the performance of PV-HESs. The method has been applied to a case study of an existing PV-HES in Kenya. A combination of both analytical and numerical analyses has been conducted. The analytical analysis has been carried out in Microsoft Excel with the intent of being easily repeatable and practical in a business environment. Simulation analysis has been conducted in improved Hybrid Optimization by Genetic Algorithms (iHOGA), which is a commercially available software for simulating HESs. Using six months of measurement data, the method presented identifies performance inefficiencies and explores corrective interventions. The proposed interventions are evaluated, by simulation analyses, using a set of techno-economic and environment key performance indicators, namely: Net Present Cost (NPC), generator runtime, fuel consumption, total system emissions, and renewable fraction. Five corrective interventions are proposed, and predictions indicate that if these are implemented fuel consumption can be reduced by 70 % and battery lifetime can be extended by 28 %, net present cost can be reduced by 30 % and emissions fall by 42 %. This method has only been applied to a single PV-HES; however, the impact this method could have on sub-Saharan Africa as well as similar regions with unreliable grid connections is found to be significant. In the future, in sub-Saharan Africa alone, over $500 million dollars (USD) and 1.7 billion kgCO2 emissions could be saved annually if only 25 % of the fuel savings identified in this study were realized. The method proposed here could be improved with additional measurement data and refined simulation models. Furthermore, this method could potentially be fully automated, which could allow it to be implemented more frequently and at lower cost.

This master’s thesis focuses on a design of injection mold which is used for manufacturing of a plastic holder of roof rack. The first part includes shape analysis of the holder and explains function of the product as well as specify essential requirements which must be met. The choice of the most suitable manufacturing technology is followed by theoretical part which deals with literature review of plastic materials, technology of injection molding and basics of injection mold designing. Practical part includes overall design of the mold for the holder of roof rack based on technological calculations. Practical part is followed by mold flow analysis simulation showing suitability of designed mold along with selection of suitable injection molding machine based on product construction design and technological process of manufacturing. The conclusion of master’s thesis includes an economical evaluation of proposed manufacturing technology.

生態都市以永續概念為基礎，強調自我調節與最小能源消耗，使人類與動植物能與自然環境永遠共存。過去於都市計畫領域中，土地使用分區管制工具及都市設計元素，對於生態都市環境之影響似乎尚未完全釐清。此外從環境使用者（包含人類與動植物）面向探討生態都市規劃時，不同環境使用者取向為主之綠色空間規劃相異，又各種綠色空間規劃之適用標的為何過去鮮少提及。為釐清上述研究缺口，本研究之研究目的為建立不同生態都市使用者之生態都市規劃原則，並判別促進生態都市的重要土地使用工具與設計元素，以提供生態都市規劃上之政策建議。 在研究方法方面，首先以ArcGIS建立一模擬都市，並設計出各種規劃元素及其變化情境；接著在模擬都市中模擬所有情境之市綠色空間配置；最後計算個情境之生態指標，並運用彈性系數分析各規劃元素改變對於生態都市改善程度差異。研究結果認為若都市已高度開發、無殘存原始棲地時，規劃應偏向提供人類良好足夠之綠色空間、提升植物生長空間，已達到降低汙染並提升環境品質之生態目標；若生態都市內具部分原始棲地時，綠色空間規劃則可增加綠色網路品質，以提供動物更具生態性之環境。又在所有土地使用工具與設計元素中，縮減式退縮、偏低的建蔽率、鄰棟距離容積向上移轉、前後院距離容積向上移轉為較佳之規劃元素；高度比、街角退縮等元素整體表現普通；此外ㄨ字型建物及十字型建物之退縮對於環境改善程度最大。 / Eco-city is based on the concept of sustainability, emphasizing self-regulation and of energy consumption minimization. In urban planning, the relationship of zoning and urban design elements with eco-city built environment is not totally clarified. Besides, the planning strategy of green space will be different because of different participators living in the city. The city includes people (which can be divided into residents and pedestrians), animals and plants. It’s rarely discussed how green space strategies apply to different types of city in the past. To clarify them, two purposes on this study are established. One is to set up eco-city planning principles which designed for different environment users. The other is to find out good land use tools and urban design elements which can make built environment more ecological. The research methods of this study can be done by the following ways . First, use ArcGIS to establish a simulated urban environment. Secondly, integrate all land use tools and design elements as input, and then simulate each input’s green space configuration. Finally, calculate eco-city index and then analyze with elasticity to evaluate the efficiency of land use tools and design elements for improving environmental quality. The result of study suggests that, if highly developed city lacks habitats, the planning strategy should emphasize on offering sufficient and high quality of greenspace in order to satisfy residents’ leisure needs and plants’ growth spaces. By this way, the goal of pollution-reducing and environment-quality-improving could be reached. If the habitat exists in the city, planning strategy should tend to increase the quality of green network system in order to provide a more ecological environment for animals. Simultaneously, the study finding that among all the inputs, SBU, lower BCR, SDU, and RDU are better for eco-city planning. Besides, HDB, HDR, and HDFAR perform ordinarily. Moreover, TP7 is the most efficient input for improving environment quality, followed by TP6.

From the Proceedings of the 1972 Meetings of the Arizona Section - American Water Resources Assn. and the Hydrology Section - Arizona Academy of Science - May 5-6, 1972, Prescott, Arizona / A raingage reading is a sample from the point rainfall population of an area. The actual average rainfall on the area (watershed) is a conditional probability distribution. For the case of thunderstorm rainfall this distribution is simulated by looking at all storms that could have produced the raingage reading. The likelihood of each storm is a function of its center depth. The amount of rain dumped on the watershed by each storm is weighted by the likelihood of its occurence and the totality of such calculations is used to produce a probability distribution of rainfall on the watershed. Examples are given to illustrate the versatility of the program and its possible use in decision analysis.

From the Proceedings of the 1976 Meetings of the Arizona Section - American Water Resources Assn. and the Hydrology Section - Arizona Academy of Science - April 29-May 1, 1976, Tucson, Arizona / A linear relationship between point precipitation and elevation in conjunction with a computer four-point interpolation technique was used to simulate areal rainfall over Sonoita Creek Basin, Arizona. The simulation's sensitivity and accuracy were checked against the official isohyetal map of Arizona (Univ. of Arizona, 1965) by changing the density of the interpolation nodes. The simulation was found to be in good agreement with the official map. The average areal-rainfall was calculated by integration. Cumulative rainfall amounts were assumed to be stochastically independent from one season to another. The seasonal precipitations of forty years (1932-1972) were subdivided into five groups. to check for binomial distribution. The binomial model fits the historical data adequately. The binomial model for cumulative seasonal areal-precipitation provides one way to compute the return period. This information will be necessary for decision-makers and hydrologists to predict the area's future water balance.

The master’s thesis deals with the design of an injection mould for manufacturing of a plastic bottle cap with a child safety lock. Firstly, the analysis of the part is done including a detailed specification of its function and criteria, which have to be fulfilled. After the technology is chosen (injection moulding), the analysis of the injection moulding technology and the problematics of design process is provided. In the following practical part of the thesis, the particular mould for the given part is fully designed using simulation and technological calculation. On the basis of the acquired parameters of the mould, the injection machine was chosen. At the concussion of the thesis, the technical and economical evaluation of the proposed manufacturing process for the cap with child safety lock is realised.

The diploma thesis deals with the design of an injection mold for manufacturing double elbow, which finds its use in the siphon assembly. The part will be made of polypropylene with the trade name Tatren HT 25 11. The production batch size is set at 100,000 units in 3 months. Firstly, the analysis of the part is done including a detailed specification of its function and criteria that must be met by the component. Furthermore, a suitable technology for the production of the part is chosen. The theory of injection molding and mold design is made on the basis of the chosen injection technology. Subsequently, in the practical part is made a complete design of injection mold including technological calculations and simulations. An injection molding machine is chosen for the proposed injection mold. The conclusion of the thesis consists of technical - economic evaluation of the production of double elbow.

近年來隨著台灣人口日漸少子化，「養兒防老」的傳統觀念已不符時勢所趨，面對高齡化社會所帶來龐大的財政負擔及老年人口安養等社會問題。過去研究結果提供了一可能的解決方案－「逆向房屋抵押貸款（Reverse Mortgage, RM）」，然而，對於此種新型貸款在台灣推行之完整可行性分析，相關研究尚付之闕如。是故，本研究從承貸雙方角度出發，旨在深入探討未來逆向房屋抵押貸款在台推行之可行性。 首先，對於申貸者而言，本研究以30至60歲且名下擁有不動產之家戶為研究單位，並用問卷調查台灣中年房屋持有者申請逆向房屋抵押貸款之意願程度。針對調查結果，再以「羅吉斯迴歸（Logistic Regression）」分析影響申請意願之顯著因子，據以探討申請意願與受訪者特性兩者之關係。 其次，從承貸者角度建立一貸款定價模型，模擬分析於損益兩平條件下，貸款機構有無貸款保險，以及於不同貸款給付方案中，其可提供逆向房屋抵押貸款之最高可貸款成數（Loan to Value, LTV）。再者，進一步結合台灣各主要都會區房價資料，研究顯示所得替代率（Income Replacement Ratio, IRR-RM）符合多數申貸者之基本需求。 本研究預期「逆向房屋抵押貸款」除了有效解決人口老化所衍生之社會問題外，亦兼具政府「就地老化（Aging in Place）」政策效益，提升了老年生活品質，維護老年人口的尊嚴。 / With the continuously declining fertility rates and the increasing life expectancy, Taiwan has become one of the aging societies in the world. To release the financial strain of the government, a great number of literature has suggested an alternative option, Reverse Mortgage (RM), to improve the retiring life quality of the elders. However, little attention has been given specifically to the feasibility of the application of RM and the pricing model in individual countries. This study thus conducted the questionnaire and collected the data in Taiwan for analysis in order to show the implementation feasibility of RM in aging society for both the aspects of both lenders and borrowers. First of all, to find out the factors affecting the willingness in applying for RM and the characteristic of the middle-aged homeowners, we designed a survey and a quantitative analysis of the questionnaire through Logistic Regression Analysis. Second, under a break-even hypothesis, we analyzed the ratio of Loan to Value (LTV) a reverse mortgage lender would offer through the simulation model. Furthermore, the housing data from different metropolises of Taiwan is integrated into the study in order to determine whether if the Income Replacement Ratio of RM (IRR-RM) could meet the basic needs of Taiwanese. Results found in this paper suggest that RM could satisfy the general need of people in Taiwan. Procedures conducted in this study may also provide precious insight for other aging countries. This paper suggests that reverse mortgage could not only solve the society issues, but also secure the retiring lives of the elders and preserve their living qualities.

From the Proceedings of the 1971 Meetings of the Arizona Section - American Water Resources Assn. and the Hydrology Section - Arizona Academy of Science - April 22-23, 1971, Tempe, Arizona / Streamflows of monthly or shorter time periods, are, in most parts of the world, conditionally dependent. In studies of planning, commitment and operation decisions concerning reservoirs, it is probably most computationally efficient to use simulation routines for decisions of low dimensions, as planning and commitment, and optimization routines for the highly dimensional operation rule decisions. This presents the major problem of combining the 2 routines, since streamflow dependencies in simulation routines are continuous while the direct stochastic optimization routines are discrete. A stochastic streamflow synthesis routine is described consisting of 2 parts: streamflow probability distribution and dependency analysis and a streamflow generation using the relationships developed. A discrete dependency matrix between streamflow amounts was then sought. Setting as the limits of interest the class 400-500 thousand acre ft in January and 500-600 thousand acre ft in February, and using the transforms specified, the appropriate normal deviates were determined. The next serious problem was calculating the conditional dependency based on the bivariate normal distribution. In order to calculate the joint probability exactly, double integrations would be required and these use too much computer time. For the problem addressed, therefore, the use of 1-dimensional conditional probabilities based on the flow interval midpoint is an adequate and effective procedure.

From the Proceedings of the 1972 Meetings of the Arizona Section - American Water Resources Assn. and the Hydrology Section - Arizona Academy of Science - May 5-6, 1972, Prescott, Arizona / A critique of statistical properties of monthly flows on an ephemeral stream in Arizona is given. A subjective procedure, justified for managerial purposes not concerned with the variability of flow within the month, is proposed for sequential generation of monthly flow data. Ephemeral flows should be modeled by starting with at least historical daily flows for more meaningful monthly flow models. Stochastic properties of monthly streamflows and state transition probabilities are reviewed with regard to ephemeral streams. A flow chart for a streamflow model geared to digital computers, with a simulation of streamflow subroutine, is developed. Meaningful monthly flow models could serve as a check on alternative models (subjective matrix, lag-one auto regressive, harmonic, bivariate normal, bivariate log-normal models). Rules and guidelines are presented in developing meaningful probability matrices.