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An environmental, economical and feasibility study of green roofs and rainwater harvesting systems in Ireland.
Get PDFThis minor thesis is a comparative study of the environmental and economical impact of normal roofs versus green roofs, as well as an examination of the feasibility of integrating a rainwater harvesting system with a green roof. Water is becoming more and more valuable as a resource in today’s environment and society. Domestic water charges are also being re-introduced in Ireland in order to fund the high cost of treating water to drinking quality, as well as the cost of maintaining and upgrading sewerage and stormwater drainage systems around the country. Green roofs have been installed in a number of international cities in order to harness the environmental and cost benefits they bring to urbanised areas. However, they are a relatively new sustainable build technique in Ireland. Rainwater harvesting systems are also quite uncommon in commercial and domestic buildings in Ireland. There are no government incentives for either technology in this country. This study aims to outline the description, benefits, limitations and potential applications of green roofs, as well as rainwater harvesting systems, in Ireland. An extensive literature review was carried out in order to acquire as objective a point of view on the topic as possible. The study begins with describing the problem of climate change; action that is being taken at various levels to combat climate change; sustainable building techniques - namely, green roofs and rainwater harvesting systems; different methodologies that are used to calculate the environmental and financial impacts of green roofs and rainwater harvesting systems — Life Cycle Assessment and Whole Life Costing.\ud
A comparative LCA/LCCA analysis was then carried out in order to determine the environmental and financial impact of each system in the study. This study was carried out for the benefit of an Irish company, Bauder Ltd., who expressed an interest in the results of the LCA/LCCA. The author worked closely with the staff at Bauder, who provided all the normal roof and green roof technical information and images in this thesis without hesitation. In order to carry out an accurate study, a hypothetical building on which each roof and rainwater harvesting system would be installed, was developed. The author used the Eco Indicator method to calculate, in millipoints (mPt), the environmental impact of each system. An NPV (Net Present Value) formula was used to calculate the cost of each system over the course of 70 years. The results showed that the green roof had a lower environmental impact than the normal roof. However, the cost of the green roof was higher than the cost of manufacturing and maintaining a normal roof over the course of 70 years — the average lifespan of a building. Recommendations were then made as to which system would be most suitable for both a domestic and commercial building in Ireland
An environmental, economical and feasibility study of green roofs and rainwater harvesting systems in Ireland.
Get PDFThis minor thesis is a comparative study of the environmental and economical impact of normal roofs versus green roofs, as well as an examination of the feasibility of integrating a rainwater harvesting system with a green roof. Water is becoming more and more valuable as a resource in today’s environment and society. Domestic water charges are also being re-introduced in Ireland in order to fund the high cost of treating water to drinking quality, as well as the cost of maintaining and upgrading sewerage and stormwater drainage systems around the country. Green roofs have been installed in a number of international cities in order to harness the environmental and cost benefits they bring to urbanised areas. However, they are a relatively new sustainable build technique in Ireland. Rainwater harvesting systems are also quite uncommon in commercial and domestic buildings in Ireland. There are no government incentives for either technology in this country. This study aims to outline the description, benefits, limitations and potential applications of green roofs, as well as rainwater harvesting systems, in Ireland. An extensive literature review was carried out in order to acquire as objective a point of view on the topic as possible. The study begins with describing the problem of climate change; action that is being taken at various levels to combat climate change; sustainable building techniques - namely, green roofs and rainwater harvesting systems; different methodologies that are used to calculate the environmental and financial impacts of green roofs and rainwater harvesting systems — Life Cycle Assessment and Whole Life Costing.
A comparative LCA/LCCA analysis was then carried out in order to determine the environmental and financial impact of each system in the study. This study was carried out for the benefit of an Irish company, Bauder Ltd., who expressed an interest in the results of the LCA/LCCA. The author worked closely with the staff at Bauder, who provided all the normal roof and green roof technical information and images in this thesis without hesitation. In order to carry out an accurate study, a hypothetical building on which each roof and rainwater harvesting system would be installed, was developed. The author used the Eco Indicator method to calculate, in millipoints (mPt), the environmental impact of each system. An NPV (Net Present Value) formula was used to calculate the cost of each system over the course of 70 years. The results showed that the green roof had a lower environmental impact than the normal roof. However, the cost of the green roof was higher than the cost of manufacturing and maintaining a normal roof over the course of 70 years — the average lifespan of a building. Recommendations were then made as to which system would be most suitable for both a domestic and commercial building in Ireland
The challenges of establishing the electric vehicle in Ireland
No full textThis thesis investigates the challenges of establishing the electric vehicle (EV) in Ireland and how the Irish government and industry are trying to meet them. It further seeks to provide information on Irish consumers’ attitudes towards the electric vehicle and their willingness to purchase it. The review of the literature showed that the Irish government is investing significant funds in trying to establish the market for the electric vehicle and position itself as a world leader in adopting the electric vehicle. The EV will also have an important role to play in how Ireland meets its targets for CO2 reductions towards 2020. Climate change and use of fossil fuels are driving the need for increased use of renewable energy and increased energy independence while reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that are the leading cause of climate change. The transport sector is almost completely dependent on the use of fossil fuel and resultantly is one of the largest sources of these GHG emissions. These issues are leading to the design and production of more energy efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles. The ultimate goal is to achieve a zero emissions vehicle.
The electric vehicle is presently the only vehicle being mass produced that has the potential to be zero emissions. There are however issues that customers may not be willing to overlook such as the lower range of the vehicle and the length of time it takes to recharge. Vehicle cost is also an important issue that customers may not overlook. Knowing what the consumer’s attitudes are towards the EV and their willingness to purchase them is important as these new vehicles begin to appear in the showrooms. The consumers will be vital to how successful this market becomes. Using an online questionnaire methodology, in a sample of 118 consumers, the major conclusion to be drawn from the research is that the vehicle price, the convenience to recharge and vehicle range were the three most essential issues for the consumers if they were purchasing an EV. The success of the electric vehicle market may depend on what measures are taken to overcome them
The challenges of establishing the electric vehicle in Ireland
Get PDFThis thesis investigates the challenges of establishing the electric vehicle (EV) in Ireland and how the Irish government and industry are trying to meet them. It further seeks to provide information on Irish consumers’ attitudes towards the electric vehicle and their willingness to purchase it. The review of the literature showed that the Irish government is investing significant funds in trying to establish the market for the electric vehicle and position itself as a world leader in adopting the electric vehicle. The EV will also have an important role to play in how Ireland meets its targets for CO2 reductions towards 2020. Climate change and use of fossil fuels are driving the need for increased use of renewable energy and increased energy independence while reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that are the leading cause of climate change. The transport sector is almost completely dependent on the use of fossil fuel and resultantly is one of the largest sources of these GHG emissions. These issues are leading to the design and production of more energy efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles. The ultimate goal is to achieve a zero emissions vehicle.\ud
The electric vehicle is presently the only vehicle being mass produced that has the potential to be zero emissions. There are however issues that customers may not be willing to overlook such as the lower range of the vehicle and the length of time it takes to recharge. Vehicle cost is also an important issue that customers may not overlook. Knowing what the consumer’s attitudes are towards the EV and their willingness to purchase them is important as these new vehicles begin to appear in the showrooms. The consumers will be vital to how successful this market becomes. Using an online questionnaire methodology, in a sample of 118 consumers, the major conclusion to be drawn from the research is that the vehicle price, the convenience to recharge and vehicle range were the three most essential issues for the consumers if they were purchasing an EV. The success of the electric vehicle market may depend on what measures are taken to overcome them
Environmental and economic decision support methodology for end-of-life products
No full textMany producers are becoming environmentally conscious due to legislative, consumer and business pressures. The proposed EU Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE Directive) sets targets for the reuse and recycling of electrical and electronic products reaching the end of life stage. How a producer determines which is the best strategy for his/her products (reuse, part reclamation, remanufacturing, recycling) is not addressed. Producers must meet targets in the WEEE Directive, consider other environmental regulations, and make sure they are economically efficient. The question then is how to incorporate both economic and environment into their business decisions. A methodology that intends to overcome this difficulty is developed and presented in this thesis. The challenge is to calculate environmental and economic indicators per product for each end-of-life option. A product model and end-of-life option models are proposed to assist in calculations development. An algorithm for calculation of environmental indicators per product is developed and the absorption costs method chosen for calculation of costs per product. However, economic costs and values are expressed in money, environmental impacts in a multitude of units. The difficulty for decision-makers is the comparison of dissimilar criteria (€, kg CO2 equivalent, etc.). The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) is proposed to support the decision as to choice of end-of-life strategy for electrical and electronic products. Thus, environmental considerations and constraints stated by legislation along with the economic judgements are incorporated in the decision-making process for end-of-life product
Environmental and economic decision support methodology for end-of-life products
No full textMany producers are becoming environmentally conscious due to legislative, consumer and business pressures. The proposed EU Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE Directive) sets targets for the reuse and recycling of electrical and electronic products reaching the end of life stage. How a producer determines which is the best strategy for his/her products (reuse, part reclamation, remanufacturing, recycling) is not addressed. Producers must meet targets in the WEEE Directive, consider other environmental regulations, and make sure they are economically efficient. The question then is how to incorporate both economic and environment into their business decisions. A methodology that intends to overcome this difficulty is developed and presented in this thesis. The challenge is to calculate environmental and economic indicators per product for each end-of-life option. A product model and end-of-life option models are proposed to assist in calculations development. An algorithm for calculation of environmental indicators per product is developed and the absorption costs method chosen for calculation of costs per product. However, economic costs and values are expressed in money, environmental impacts in a multitude of units. The difficulty for decision-makers is the comparison of dissimilar criteria (€, kg CO2 equivalent, etc.). The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) is proposed to support the decision as to choice of end-of-life strategy for electrical and electronic products. Thus, environmental considerations and constraints stated by legislation along with the economic judgements are incorporated in the decision-making process for end-of-life product
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Get PDFThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
An Evaluation of the Impact of Project-Based Learning on Student Engagement in the Six Sigma Green Belt Quality Module at Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology: A Case Study
Get PDFComprehensive and in-depth discipline content knowledge and professional, practical skills are critical in the engineering domain. At the same time, soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, critical thinking and problem-solving have become increasingly important at the workplace. Lecturers in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at GMIT spare no efforts to ensure their students are equipped with the right skills, competences and knowledge. Project-based learning (PBL) is a teaching strategy proven to enable students acquire both hard and soft skills. The PBL approach, moreover, has the potential to increase motivation and interest in learning, which, consequently, lead to increased student engagement, as well as enhanced learning and academic performance. The aim of this research is to evaluate the impact of PBL on student engagement in the Six Sigma Green Belt Quality module at GMIT. The case study methodology and mixed methods for data collection were employed. The findings suggest that PBL has a positive impact on student engagement. It contributes to increased involvement in class activities and engagement in collaboration with peers, it motivates students to learn and it has a positive impact on their learning satisfaction. The analysis revealed further positive impacts of PBL such as enhanced, deep learning and increased knowledge. PBL, moreover, gives students more control over their learning, transforming them in independent learners. The study has limited generalisability due to the small scale of the study and the selection of participants, which was based on convenience and purposive sampling and not a random selection of students. However, it offered the researcher an in-depth understanding of the impact of PBL on student engagement in tthe engineering module of Six Sigma Green Belt Quality and the way this impact is perceived by the students themselves.n
Variations on the Author
Get PDF“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
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