An evaluation of distributed cogeneration for disaggregated consumer populations on Islands : the case of Guernsey

There is currently no strategic energy conservation management on the island of Guernsey, nor may it be adequate to leave energy management entirely to market forces. Market mechanisms of themselves may not be adequate to balance the intrinsically conflicting objectives of obtaining the cheapest possible energy, ensure security of supply, reduce the risks associated with over-dependence on particular energy sources (such as petroleum products), whilst protecting the environment. Properly formed data sets, together with time-based capital budgeting, are necessary prerequisites for balanced political choice. The thesis deals with the central issues of strategy by use of a soft systems methodology. It develops the proposition that energy needs for communities, or 'clusters' of demand, might be better met and matched by taking local needs for energy and matching them to locally, parish based, generated supplies. This approach runs counter to much current public energy policy in relation to utilities and supply-demand relationships. Quality, Quantity and Timing (QQT) computer based models are developed for each parish on Guernsey which reflect diurnal/seasonal patterns of demand and explain how variability of demand on various time scales may influence supply technology choices. Parish energy sources are compared on a least-cost basis and a simulation model is used to take into account the variability in the supply potential of alternative renewable sources of energy, and it® relationship to variability of demand (as exposed by QQT modelling). The work described uses computer models based upon SuperCalc 5 advanced spreadsheet modelling techniques, dBASE III Plus database/programming language and compiled under Clipper. A TurboPascal simulation programme was also considered but ultimately rejected in the present context. As well as dealing with the central issues of strategy, and the tactics for achieving them, the thesis analyses the prospect that decentralisation of the power and energy base (through distributed cogeneration) could be a much better strategy to follow for an island such as Guernsey. One outcome of the soft system and simulation modelling approaches was a proposed formal 'States of Guernsey Energy Management System' to provide a mobilising strategy and an environment for market forces to operate within. This focuses on the energy service requirements of each parish and attempts to answer such questions as; "do we expand the present centralised Island supply of fuels and electricity, or do we instead use less fossil fuels to meet the energy services we want by other means, at lower cost ?". The fundamental proposition of the thesis is that much improved means exist for the efficient utilisation of important resources (energy, capital, manpower) within Guernsey and importantly, a wide range of other well populated ‘energy clusters’

Globalization and E-Commerce II: Environment and Policy in Germany

Due to its economic power as the largest economy in Europe and third largest in the world, Germany inevitably will play an important role in e-commerce. After the improvement and diffusion of high-speed Internet access, like ISDN or DSL, Germany enjoys more ISDN telephone lines than any country; also the highest DSL per capita ratio, in Europe. Germany includes a large, highly educated and relatively wealthy population, which is an important prerequisite for successful e-commerce activities. Due to foreign language skills in the German population (every pupil is required to learn English; a large number know basic French or Spanish, too), the language barrier to using international Web sites is small. Moreover, the German education system puts increasing emphasis on information and communications technology (ICT) skills. Invention activity in some areas of ICT shows signs of improvement. Starting from a low level, patent activity in mobile communications and the Internet grew faster in Germany than anywhere else in Europe. This growth could be viewed as an early indicator of strengthening the mobile e-commerce sector in Germany and may be interpreted as an important effort in catching-up with overall e-commerce development. More than 80% of the GNP is created in mid-sized companies (Mittelstand), which traditionally are considered as more flexible and innovative than large enterprises. The majority of these small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can access the Internet. Looking at Internet penetration, German SMEs are at the top together with SMEs in Scandinavian countries. The central position of Germany as a hub to Europe together with the excellent public and private transport infrastructure is a competitive advantage to attract foreign investments. Germany follows the innovation model be the best imitator of successful developments and within this course exploits the competitive advantage achievable through integration. After e-commerce technologies proved successful, Germany caught up in developing its relevant infrastructure and is now gaining momentum

Solar capabilities : promoting, technological learning in South Africa's photovoltaic supply industry

Thesis (M.C.P.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning, 2003.Includes bibliographical references (p. 62-67).I explore the mechanisms through which technological capabilities have been built in the market for photovoltaic (PV) module and balance of system (BOS) manufacture in South Africa. Drawing on the literature on technology transfer and economic development, my aim is to identify the relative influence of three types of learning mechanisms - enterprise specific, supplier driven, and government induced - on the acquisition of technological capabilities in firms. Qualitative case studies provide the context through which the influence of each learning mechanism is assessed. My research suggests that South African firms rely far more heavily on learning relationships associated with their suppliers, than learning derived from human resources internal to the firm or the policy and regulatory framework promoted by the national government. South Africa's approach differs greatly from latecomer countries with more advanced module manufacturing industries: in India, for example, local firms have relied heavily on government policy and regulation to facilitate their entrance into more technologically complex areas of operation. The implications of this finding are discussed, and recommendations put forth for how the national government can bolster industrial learning activities.by Janelle N. Wright.M.C.P

Advances in Methodology and Applications of Decision Support Systems

These Proceedings are composed of a selection of papers of the Workshop on Advances in Methodology and Applications of Decision Support Systems, organized by the System and Decision Sciences (SDS) Program of IIASA and the Japan Institute of Systems Research (JISR). The workshop was held at IIASA on August 20-22, 1990. The Methodology of Decision Analysis (MDA) Project of the SDS Program focuses on a system-analytical approach to decision support and is devoted to developing methodology, software and applications of decision support systems concentrated primarily around interactive systems for data analysis, interpretation and multiobjective decisionmaking, including uncertainty analysis and group decision making situations in both their cooperative and noncooperative aspects. The objectives of the research on decision support systems (DSS) performed in cooperation with the MDA Project are to: compare various approaches to decision support systems; advance theory and methodology of decision support; convert existing theories and methodologies into usable (simple to use, user-friendly and robust) tools that could easily be used in solving real-life problems. A principal characteristic of decision support systems is that they must be tuned to specific decision situations, to complex real-life characteristics of every application. Even if the theory and methodology of decision support is quite advanced, every application might provide impulses for further theoretical and methodological advances. Therefore the principle underlying this project is that theoretical and methodological research should be strongly connected to the implementation and applications of its results to sufficiently complicated, real-life examples. This approach results in obtaining really applicable working tools for decision support. The papers for this Proceedings have been selected according to the above summarized framework of the research activities. Therefore, the papers deal both with theoretical and methodological problems and with real-life applications

Behavioral Assumptions Underlying California Residential Sector Energy Efficiency Programs

This white paper explores the ways in which residential consumers are addressed by California utility-managed energy efficiency programs, and offers suggestions for improvements that might better support the state’s ambitious greenhouse gas reduction goals. The report reviews the assumptions that underlie the state’s residential energy efficiency policies and programs. A key set of assumptions can be found in a physical-technical-economic model (PTEM) that has oriented energy efficiency program design for several decades. The authors examine a suite of programs currently in operation and identify four somewhat different approaches being taken to influenceconsumer behavior and choice. They are variants of the PTEM, but also diverge by adding somewhat more realistic elements

2004-2005 Annual Report: Lessons learned from the dragon (China) and the elephant (India)

Poverty reduction, economic growth, Economic reform, Governance, Food policy, Food systems, Agriculture, Rural development Asia,