/library/oar/handle/123456789/129232 2026-06-11T19:21:55Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/101549 Title: Using ENERGY STAR portfolio manager as a tool for hospitals Abstract: Across the globe, people are becoming concerned with the state of the environment and their own environmental impact. In the United States, many industries have yet to undergo significant changes towards greener operations. One such industry, the healthcare industry, has a disproportionately large environmental impact considering their size. In this project, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager will be investigated for its ability to fully monitor the diverse universe of healthcare facilities and to address the goals, needs, and desires of their core healthcare stakeholders. Through using Carilion Clinic, a non-profit healthcare organization based out of Roanoke, Virginia, as a single case study, the attributes and abilities of Portfolio Manager will be investigated and evaluated. Carilion Clinic operates 7 major hospitals in Western Virginia; in this report, 3 of their largest hospitals will be set up in Portfolio Manager. By working closely with Carilion, their core regional stakeholders will be identified and their goals for Portfolio Manager articulated. Based on the experiences with using Portfolio Manager for these 3 hospitals, the software package was found to be able to account for most of the specifications inherent to Carilion's facilities. Additionally, Portfolio Manager served as a capable tool that fulfilled the majority of the stakeholder goals. In implementing the Portfolio Manager software package, it was realized that the program, as currently configured, does have limitations and may benefit from the use of a supplemental software package. For Carilion, GoRPM has been shown to complement Portfolio Manager and together they provide an encompassing solution to online facilities management. Description: MSC.ENV.MANGT.&SUS. 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/18841 Title: The feasibility of biogas systems in farms in Gozo Abstract: The renewable energy sector in Malta has been given a lot of importance in the last years due to the EU-sanctioned 10% target that Malta has to reach by 2020. An option that can be a very useful source of renewable energy is the installation of biogas plants on farms. Biogas systems are able to treat manure and produce electrical energy. This type of technology has been used in farms around the world for several years however in Malta it is a relatively new concept. In fact, none of the farms in Malta or Gozo have a biogas system. Biogas plants in Malta would eliminate extra costs incurred by manure treatment conducted by the Water ����������� Corporation (WSC) and prevent contamination of sea and ground water. The purpose of this research study is to analyse whether a biogas plant is viable in four individual farms or if shared among all of them. Interviews with the farm owners were carried out to obtain data regarding manure production, electricity consumption and handling of animal waste on each farm. This information along with other data obtained from literature were evaluated through a cost-benefit analysis in order to determine the viability of the plant. The results indicated that a biogas plant shared among the four farms is economically more feasible than a biogas plant per farm. The payback period is 13 years when farmers do not receive Government subsidies. A biogas plant in any of the selected farms is not viable due to the small size of the farms and longer payback time. The construction and operation of a biogas plant serving four farms in Gozo would enable the generation of energy from waste and the production of good quality fertilizer. This would be of benefit to the environment and, economy, and in the best interests of society. Description: M.SC.ENV.MANGT.&SUS. 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/18840 Title: The urban heat island effect in Malta and the adequacy of green roofs in its mitigation Abstract: Urbanisation is a reality of every major western society. The growth of cities, however, often results in major environmental impacts that not only effect the natural world but also humanity as well. One of these impacts is the Urban Heat Island (UHI) a phenomenon that influences the temperature inside built-up areas, often resulting in uncomfortably hot air temperature, especially in summer. However, as global climate change predictions keep forecasting warmer periods for regions such as Malta, UHI has the potential to transform from a nuisance to a deadly reality more often than in the present. This work strives to get an understanding of the poorly studied UHI phenomenon in the Maltese Islands and through foreign literature, look into the potential of green roofs in its mitigation locally. Data collection via a modified vehicular transect has shown that UHI is a reality even in Malta, a small island with a strong marine influence. Even though UHIs are not continuous because of the highly heterogeneous urban-rural areas of Malta, all urban sites investigated show a higher temperature than the surrounding countryside. The highest UHI intensity was of around 1.5⁰C. The presence of vegetation has indicated lower temperatures, even when present in urban gardens. For this reason, this study shows that in Malta green roofs would aid the mitigation of UHIs as a part of an UHI mitigation plan. Description: M.SC.ENV.MANGT.&SUS. 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/18838 Title: Evaluating the economic feasibility of photovoltaic electricity generation : central Minnesota Abstract: Global economies are transitioning to renewable energy sources and it is important to understand the strengths and weaknesses of current renewable energy technologies. The focus of this project is to determine if solar technology, specifically photovoltaic, is an economically viable means of electricity generation at northern latitudes. This project will also conduct a side by side comparison of stationary panels versus horizontal north-south axis with east-west tracking panels, to determine if the tracking panels generate enough additional electricity to offset their greater installation and maintenance costs. St John’s Solar Farm, located in Central Minnesota and owned by St John’s Abbey, was identified as the facility to evaluate. This solar farm consists of a 340 kWp horizontal north-south axis with east-west tracking panel array and a 143 kWp stationary panel array with the panels set at a 35o incline. The two technologies sit next to each other within the farm. The farm has a 20-year life cycle. A multifaceted methodology was developed to complete this project. The solar farm site was assessed for its suitability. Then, the electricity generation of the fixed panel and tracking panel arrays were compared using final yield for a 12-month period, final yield per month, energy yield per m2 of flat land occupied by each technology, and performance ratio. Finally, the economic aspects of the solar farm were assessed. The data showed that Minnesota has a higher solar potential than many parts of the United States. The data also showed that the tracking panels did generate more electricity than the fixed panels; however, it was not enough to justify their extra cost, maintenance, and land requirements. It is recommended that new photovoltaic installations consist of fixed panels. This will ensure the most economically viable solar farms are developed. Description: M.SC.SUS.ENV.RES.MANGT. 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z