Examensarbeten för masterexamen // Master Theses
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- PostDesign of Bioretention Planters for Stormwater Flow control and removal of Toxic Metals and Organic Contaminats.(2015) Cuaran Bermudez, Andres Felipe; Lundberg, Linnea; Chalmers tekniska högskola / Institutionen för energi och miljö; Chalmers University of Technology / Department of Energy and EnvironmentIn this project a bioretention planter (BP) that retain stormwater and reduce nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is designed for use in Gothenburg. Initially the research question was defined following the Challenge Lab process. As the maximum capacity is reached at the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Gothenburg, stormwater has to be bypassed the treatment plant at heavy rains, and sustainable solutions to treat the stormwater closer to the source is needed. Green infrastructure, where water infiltrate in green areas, was identified as a solution to the stormwater over-flow pipe problems, but it gives a new environmental concerns when the contaminants accumulate in the soil. A combination of BPs and phytoremediation, a technology where plants are used to treat polluted soils, is a solution where both problems can be addressed. In addition to literature and design manuals of BPs, interviews has been carried out with stakeholders in the city. The result show that a BP with the depth of 1.5 m and surface area of 14.2 m2 can treat a volume of 9.5 m3 that is equivalent to water from an area of 200 m2 with a 50 mm rain in 24 hours. Suitable plants for treatment of Cu, Ni, Zn and PAHs are Populus deltoides x populus nigra L. (poplar), Salix (willow), Helianthus annuus (sunflower), Secale cereale L. (winter rye) and Medicago sativa (alfalfa). If the whole planter was filled with sunflowers, 154 mg of copper could be accumulated in the plant tissue per year, but in order to remediate PAH as well some space would have to be left for other plants. The cost to treat stormwater in BPs is calculated to 3.5 SEK per cubic meter, which is cheaper than the WWTP with a cost of 5.6 SEK per cubic meter. The Challenge Lab group process also included defining sustainability criteria for nature, society, economy and well-being, and the evaluation of the BP according to these criteria show that the solution is more sustainable than most alternatives.
- PostElectrification of Regional Buses and Possibilities of Shared Charging with Other Transportation Modes: What impact does the electrification of transportation modes have on the electric grid? A case study in Lysekil(2023) Edberg, Marcus; Wagnsson, Ellinor; Chalmers tekniska högskola / Institutionen för rymd-, geo- och miljövetenskap; Chalmers University of Technology / Department of Space, Earth and Environment; Taljegård, Maria; Taljegård, MariaTo reduce emissions originating from the transport sector, electrifying long-range heavy transportation modes such as regional buses and trucks is crucial. However, an identified obstacle in the early phases of electrification is the lack of required charging infrastructure, to which shared charging has emerged as a possible solution. Therefore, the objective of this study is to investigate the possibilities of electrifying regional buses and examine the feasibility of shared charging with other transportation modes to accelerate implementation. Additionally, the impact of extensive electrification on the power grid remains uncertain. To address this aspect a case study was conducted in Lysekil, examining the impact on a limited geographical area. The overall method used was a gap analysis which was applied to the case study of Lysekil, in turn consisting of three parts. Firstly, the energy consumption and necessary charging infrastructure for electrifying a regional bus were estimated. Secondly, other transportation modes that could potentially share charging in the area were identified, and their respective charging demands were assessed. Finally, the charging demands from all transportation modes were compiled and added upon current electric consumption in Lysekil to evaluate the overall impact. Results indicate that it is possible to electrify a regional bus, where the most suitable sharing options for the examined route were with trucks charging overnight, or sharing grid connection with the locally operating electric ferry. The resulting charging demand from the electrification of heavy transport modes has a notable impact on the power grid, but to what extent depends majorly on the future share of electric trucks. In addition, the impact resulting from the electrification of personal cars and related charging will presumably have a large impact on the grid but was not taken into account due to uncertainties of the charging patterns. It is indicated that flexible solutions such as installing energy storage could reduce the required installed power output, and thereby reduce the load on the grid and risk of congestion. Therefore, to use the electrification of the transport sector as an asset, it is important to apply a system perspective.
- PostImplementing Inland Waterway Transportation in Urban Logistics(2016) Jandl, Otto-Maximilian; Chalmers tekniska högskola / Institutionen för energi och miljö; Chalmers University of Technology / Department of Energy and EnvironmentUrbanisation puts tremendous stress on road infrastructure. Consequently, innovative solutions to cater for the growing population and subsequent need for increased transport of goods and waste in urban areas need to be explored. A modal shift from road transportation to inland waterway transportation can be beneficial for several reasons such as less pollution, traffic congestion, accidents and noise. This study analyses the necessary conditions for a successful implementation of a combined goods and waste transportation system on inland waterways based on the case of an urban planning project in the City of Gothenburg. Therefore, semi-structured interviews with stakeholders from the local urban supply chain, field trips and work group meetings have been conducted, attended and analysed. It was found that economic and operational factors, behavioural change, policy and regulations represent strong barriers for the implementation of such a transportation system. As weak drivers, public interest, environmental drivers, political incentives, regulations and technical development were identified. To overcome strong barriers, weak drivers need to be strengthened. More emphasis needs to be put on policy and regulations as those have strong power to influence the actions of stakeholders in the urban supply chain and thus, bring forward sustainable transportation. It is concluded, that building trust represents a core element in the implementation process of a new transportation system. Consequently, new systems need to prove their applicability and reliability on a small scale in the short run. In the long run, these new systems need to serve more areas, thus achieving economies of scale and profitability.
- PostProbing Organizational Consciousness: How do personal and organizational perspectives of sustainability align?(2016) Berg, Lindsay; Chalmers tekniska högskola / Institutionen för energi och miljö; Chalmers University of Technology / Department of Energy and EnvironmentOrganizations have the potential to increase their output by increasing the engagement of their employees. However, in order to do so there must be alignment between personal values, current organizational values and desired values for where the organization intends to go. Unfortunately, this lack of alignment is commonly overlooked, and, in the context of sustainability there have been no systemic attempts to explore this alignment within an organization. Therefore, this study addresses: (i) how personal and organizational perspectives on sustainability align within an organization; and, (ii) what may a management group do to increase employee engagement and performance in the implementation of sustainability goals. To address these questions interviews were conducted with a management team of a local organization, consisting of 30-35 employees, followed by a focus group with interview participants. A multi-method approach was adopted to allow for data triangulation, flexibility and reflexivity. Data was analyzed using the Barrett Values Centre model for Organizational Consciousness. The results illustrated a limited perception of sustainability, different perspectives of sustainability between the participants’ personal lives and organizational lives, and, that little time if any has been spent envisioning a desirable state of sustainability for the organization. To overcome these barriers, it is recommended the organization takes time for individual and communal reflection, incorporates an active approach towards leadership training for all staff, and, applies a Backcasting through principles approach in order to nurture a shared mental framework. It may prove worthy to apply these research methodologies to other organizations to enhance their performance in the implementation of sustainability goals. This thesis has been conducted in an innovative educational setting, that of the Challenge Lab, at Chalmers University of Technology, whereby students are equipped with self-leadership training, dialogue and facilitation tools, systems thinking and design thinking methods to overcome societal barriers in the transition to a sustainable future.
- PostReplacing parking with mobility services? A study of Gothenburg’s flexible parking requirements and work with mobility agreements(2021) Johansson, Emma; Rosendahl, Nicole; Chalmers tekniska högskola / Institutionen för rymd-, geo- och miljövetenskap; Sprei, Frances; Sprei, Frances
- PostSustainability criteria for urban freight systems - A case study of DenCity(2016) Raoofi, Aako; Chalmers tekniska högskola / Institutionen för energi och miljö; Chalmers University of Technology / Department of Energy and EnvironmentThe concept of sustainable development has failed to make radical changes in today’s behavior. This concept has not been incorporated into the engineering practices. Change over time is certain what those changes would be is uncertain. Lock-ins in existing socio-technical system are strong barriers against radical changes. Unsustainable trends are deeply established and rooted in all the elements. Urban freight system, a system to transport goods in an urban unit, is an inevitable system needed for any society. The major challenge identified was to evaluate relative sustainability of different scenarios in the field of urban freight system. A proactive approach is necessary from municipalities not only to integrate urban freight system in their decision-making processes but to also incorporate sustainability into this system. Sustainability criteria are a set of factors to evaluate the relative sustainability of a set of alternatives. These criteria help to ask relevant questions within a project to see whether or not this project move the society towards the desired future. Inclusion, providing equitable opportunities, flexibility, ability to adopt and resource efficiency are among the most important requirements that have been tried to be covered. These criteria are operational, non-prescriptive and comprehensive by considering the future generation needs and unsustainability impacts of today’s activities.