Scaling up solar photovoltaic use : A system-oriented assessment of experiences gained in deployment

The transition towards low-carbon energy systems undeniably requires a strong scale-up in the diffusion of renewable energy technologies globally. Given its theoretical and techno-economic potential, solar photovoltaics (PV) is considered an important option. The envisioned scale-up of the use of solar PV, however, requires an in-depth and system-oriented perspective on structures and processes related to deployment. Particularly, as deployment-related aspects critically determine the competitiveness of PV, they need to be more comprehensively understood in order to be purposefully managed through policy and business decisions.Using an interdisciplinary, multi-level and system-oriented research approach, the analytical framework of this thesis draws on concepts from innovation system theory, network theory, business model theory, and the experience curve approach. Based on empirical examinations of the deployment experience in pioneering countries of distributed PV (primarily Germany, as well as the United States and Japan and, to some degree, other EU and OECD countries), the thesis aims to advance knowledge by providing a system-oriented perspective on deployment-related structures and processes.Results show that PV deployment relies on the collaborative actions of and interactions between a multitude of actors, including solar firms, utilities, banks, governments, users, and non-profit initiatives. Furthermore, results show the creation, accumulation and transfer of a comprehensive knowledge base related to deployment, both from domestic and international viewpoints. This deployment knowledge involves multiple dimensions (technical, financial, legal-regulatory, quality assurance, marketing, etc.). Processes of local learning are found to be critical for the effective integration of PV technology into the physical, organizational and institutional infrastructures of distinct geographies. In fact, findings reveal that structures, processes and strategies related to PV deployment depend significantly on geographic, institutional and cultural context. Furthermore, results help in understanding the decline of soft deployment costs as a result of the accumulation of local experience in deployment. Generally, soft deployment costs include labour costs, permit and insurance fees, as well as a variety of transaction costs associated with business transactions and compliance with different legal-administrative requirements. The findings also portray how dedicated business strategies of solar firms can address barriers to the adoption of PV by private users.The research outcomes exhibit several implications for the design of PV deployment policies. They highlight in particular the need for a holistic understanding of deployment systems as a knowledge foundation for more integrated policy approaches. Policies may be directed at demand creation, network formation, knowledge and awareness, streamlining of legal-administrative regulations, and a variety of other measures that contribute to the formation and further development of well-functioning local PV markets. The stronger inclusion of deployment-related aspects, as assessed in this thesis, into future policy assessment frameworks could support decision-making towards more integrated PV deployment policies

Towards a Circular Photovoltaic Economy: The Role of Service-based Business Models

Solar photovoltaics (PV) has experienced tremendous market growth and has large potential in the urgently needed transition towards a low-carbon energy system. The continued growth of the sector will, however, evoke new sustainability challenges with regard to efficient material use as well as end-of life management of PV products. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of potential Circular Economy actions in the PV sector, and explore the present and potential future role of servicebased business models in operationalizing these actions. Based on a review of academic and industry literature, the paper structures the circularity actions according to the ReSOLVE framework. The analysis also distinguishes between the role of product-oriented, use-oriented and result-oriented product-service systems (PSS). Results show that to result oriented business models have primarily been implemented in order to facilitate the adoption of PV deployment. Product-oriented PSS are widespread with the service component involving maintenance, repair, insurance and warranties. The paper further explores opportunities of service-based business models to enhance additional circularity actions such as a sharing, optimisation and looping, which so far are mostly in a conceptual or pilot stage only. Expanding beyond current practices, the paper explores future pathways of service-based business models to catalyse a range of additional circular economy actions in the PV sector, and discusses some of the associated key challenges and gaps in knowledge

Circular Business Models for the Solar Power Industry - Guide for Policy Makers

Solar power and electric vehicles (EV) are set to play a leading role in the achievement of the 2030 EU renewable targets and the commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050. Importantly, solar photovoltaics (PV), in combination with energy storage, also has the potential to significantly enhance European energy security, provide citizens and industry with competitive energy, and lead to the creation of thousands of jobs in manufacturing, installation, maintenance, and end-of-life management. While the expected rapid growth of the solar power sector over the coming decade will bring along various resource and waste management challenges, following a circular economy strategy can ensure that these will be handled in a proactive and future-proof manner. Furthermore, a circular economy approach will offer the European solar industry new business opportunities in the design and manufacturing of circular-ready products, as well as in the reuse, refurbishment and recycling of older solar panels.In response to the emerging resource and waste challenges of the solar power and battery sectors, the CIRCUSOL Innovation Action project (funded by the Horizon2020 programme of the European Commission) explored a number of innovative approaches and strategies towards circular business models in these two sectors. Specifically, the project focused on four circularity strategies: (1) reuse of discarded PV panels in second-life applications, and enabled through service-based business models; (2) repurposing of EVBs in second-life applications, specifically for stationary storage of solar power, and enabled through service-based business models; (3) ecodesign of PV panels; and (4) recycling of PV panels through innovative techniques.This guide for policy makers is based on the lessons learned in the CIRCUSOL project from 2018-2022. It compiles key findings from the project and seeks to sketch out pathways and strategies on the way forward. As such, the report aims to contribute to a debate across policy makers, industry representatives, experts and other stakeholders about a potential future policy and governance framework that could catalyze the transition towards circular and resource-efficient solar power and EV battery sectors in Europe

Assessing risk of falling: A comparison of three different methods

Session presented on Thursday, 21 July 2016 and Friday, 22 July 2016: Purpose: Prevention of falls and fall-related consequences is crucial in elderly health care because older individuals are at a high risk of suffering falls. Various risk assessment methods have been developed to assess fall risk. Diagnostic accuracy of fall risk assessments is low and there is a scarcity of evidence regarding clinical effectiveness. The study\u27s aim was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and clinical effectiveness of a standardized fall risk assessment relative to clinical and self-report assessment. Methods: A single-site, prospective, longitudinal study was performed in a group of geriatric patients. Participants were patients being admitted to a geriatric rehabilitation hospital. The St. Thomas\u27s risk assessment tool (STRATIFY), clinical assessment, and a self-report assessment (fear of falling) were used to assess fall risk at two time points (at baseline and 3-weeks follow-up). The primary outcome was fall events. Contingency tables were used to calculate sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values, and negative predictive values. Fisher\u27s exact test was used to test the association between assessments and fall events. Results: A total of 124 patients participated in the study. The self-report technique demonstrated the highest sensitivity and negative predictive validity. The STRATIFY tool showed the highest specificity but the lowest sensitivity. The self-report technique was associated with a decrease in the number of fall events. Conclusions: Given the lack of diagnostic accuracy of all three assessment techniques and the lack of evidence regarding clinical effectiveness, the usefulness of these fall risk assessments can be challenged. It is questionable whether time-consuming assessments examined in this study are necessary. None of the three fall risk assessment techniques demonstrated adequate diagnostic accuracy, which emphasizes the current state of research. The self-report technique seemed to be associated with a decrease in fall events. Given the lack of diagnostic accuracy in all three assessment techniques the usefulness of these fall risk assessments can be challenged. Further studies are needed to examine the diagnostic accuracy and clinical effectiveness of fall risk assessments. At least in settings in which fall prevention programs are a part of standard care, additional time consuming assessments may not be required

Improving understanding of energy autonomy: a systematic review

Autonomy is often cited as a key aspect of energy systems. Previous academic literature on energy autonomy has predominantly approached it from a technological perspective, and conceptualized it as self-sufficiency of energy production. In addition to self-sufficiency, autonomous energy users and communities often aim to create energy systems that treat different stakeholders as equals, with a balanced distribution of costs and benefits. This paper has two aims. First, it aims to clarify the concept of ‘energy autonomy’. Second, it aims to provide an overview of existing literature addressing energy autonomy, identifying relevant publications and publication outlets, as well as main research themes and activities. The results, based on a systematic review of 71 peer-reviewed academic articles, show that energy autonomy research has increased in the last twenty years. The results also show how existing literature has understood, and used, the concept of energy autonomy in varying ways. Furthermore, the paper reveals how motivations, technologies, and scales differ in energy autonomy projects. While the aim of reaching energy autonomy is often motivated by economic and/or social reasons, these aspects are nevertheless rarely discussed in academic literature as the predominant focus tends to be on technological issues and self-sufficiency. The paper concludes with energy policy implications and avenues for future research

Improving understanding of energy autonomy: a systematic review

Autonomy is often cited as a key aspect of energy systems. Previous academic literature on energy autonomy has predominantly approached it from a technological perspective, and conceptualized it as self-sufficiency of energy production. In addition to self-sufficiency, autonomous energy users and communities often aim to create energy systems that treat different stakeholders as equals, with a balanced distribution of costs and benefits. This paper has two aims. First, it aims to clarify the concept of ‘energy autonomy’. Second, it aims to provide an overview of existing literature addressing energy autonomy, identifying relevant publications and publication outlets, as well as main research themes and activities. The results, based on a systematic review of 71 peer-reviewed academic articles, show that energy autonomy research has increased in the last twenty years. The results also show how existing literature has understood, and used, the concept of energy autonomy in varying ways. Furthermore, the paper reveals how motivations, technologies, and scales differ in energy autonomy projects. While the aim of reaching energy autonomy is often motivated by economic and/or social reasons, these aspects are nevertheless rarely discussed in academic literature as the predominant focus tends to be on technological issues and self-sufficiency. The paper concludes with energy policy implications and avenues for future research

Evidence-based background for health promotion and prevention for extended nursing health care practice using the exemple mobility and quality of life

Einleitung: Vor allem ältere Menschen haben ein erhöhtes Risiko pflegebedürftig zu werden. Pflegebedürftigkeit ist für die Betroffenen und ihre Angehörigen mit einer Vielzahl von Einschränkungen verbunden. Ältere Menschen mit Mobilitätseinschränkungen stellen eine besonders vulnerable Gruppe für das Eintreten und Fortschreiten der Pflegebedürftigkeit dar. Darüber hinaus wird Mobilität als ein zentrales menschliches Bedürfnis angesehen, welches entscheidend zur Lebensqualität eines Menschen beiträgt. Daher kommt der Entwicklung, Überprüfung und Umsetzung von Konzepten und Ansätzen zur Prävention und Gesundheitsförderung im Kontext des Mobilitätserhaltes sowie Erhaltung und Verbesserung der Lebensqualität eine besondere Bedeutung zu. Methodik: In der vorliegenden Dissertation wurde untersucht, wie sich die Lebensqualität und der funktionelle Status bei älteren Menschen nach der Entlassung aus der stationären Rehabilitation entwickelt, welche Effekte eine Intervention zur Patientenedukation auf diese Zielgrößen hat und welche Bedarfe im Rahmen der Edukation bestehen. Die Daten wurden im Rahmen einer prospektiven Längsschnittstudie an Patienten einer geriatrischen Klinik erhoben. Ergebnisse: Hinsichtlich der Entwicklung des funktionellen Status und der Lebensqualität konnte eine Verbesserung nach sechs Monaten, im Vergleich zum Zeitpunkt der Einweisung, sowie eine leichte Verschlechterung nach zwölf Monaten festgestellt werden. Daraus lässt sich ein Bedarf an Interventionen, insbesondere nach einem halben Jahr nach Entlassung ableiten. Die Intervention führte zu einer besseren Entwicklung des funktionellen Status bei der Interventionsgruppe im Vergleich zur Kontrollgruppe. In Bezug auf die Lebensqualität war, mit Ausnahme der sozialen Domäne, ein gegenteiliger Verlauf zu beobachten. Die Untersuchung gibt Hinweise auf die Wirkung edukativer Maßnahmen in der untersuchten Zielgruppe. Jedoch besteht weiterhin ein Klärungsbedarf hinsichtlich der Wirksamkeit dieser und ähnlicher Interventionen. Weiterhin konnte festgestellt werden, dass ein genereller Edukationsbedarf bei den Patienten bestand, der im Genaueren abhängig vom Zeitpunkt und der Umgebung war. Von der Notwendigkeit edukativer Maßnahmen ist auszugehen. Schlussfolgerung: Im Rahmen der Studie konnte gezeigt werden, dass die Umsetzung einer strukturierten und längerfristigen edukativen, pflegerischen Intervention positive Auswirkungen haben kann. Von schädlichen Effekten ist dagegen nicht auszugehen. Um eindeutige Aussagen hinsichtlich der Wirksamkeit von edukativen Interventionen treffen zu können, bedarf es weiterer Forschung. Dennoch sollte, vor dem Hintergrund der sich bietenden Chance für die Disziplin der Pflege und des vermuteten Bedarfs, die Patientenedukation als eigenständiger Bestandteil der pflegerischen Arbeit etabliert werden. Die ohnehin im Pflegealltag existenten edukativen Maßnahmen gilt es dabei zu strukturieren und auf professioneller Basis umzusetzen. Konzepte, wie die im Rahmen dieser Dissertation untersuchte Pflegesprechstunde, können dabei als Orientierung bei der Planung und Umsetzung dienen.Introduction: Especially elderly people are at high risk of becoming care dependent. Care dependency is associated with a variety of restrictions for those affected and their significant others. Elderly people with mobility impairments represent a severally vulnerable group in terms of the occurrence and progression of care dependency. Moreover mobility is seen as a central human need that contributes to quality of life. Developing, testing, and implementing conceptions and approaches for prevention and health promotion in the context of mobility maintenance as well as maintenance of quality of life is crucial. Methods: In the present dissertation it was examined how quality of life and functional status in elderly people develop after discharge from inpatient rehabilitation and if a patient education intervention has effects on these outcomes. Additionally the education needs were determined. The data were collected in the course of a prospective longitudinal study on patients of a geriatric clinic. Findings: Concerning the development of functional status and quality of life the participants showed an improvement after six months and a slight decline after twelve months follow-up. Thus it can be concluded that there is a need for interventions, especially following six months after discharge. The intervention leaded to a better development of functional status in the intervention group compared to the control group. Concerning quality of life, except from the social domain, there was a converse progression. The findings indicate a benefit of the intervention. However there is a need for clarity concerning the effectiveness of educational interventions. Moreover it could be shown that there is a general need for education in the patients examined. In particular educational needs depend on time and setting. It can be assumed that educational interventions are necessary. Conclusion: In the course of this study it could be shown that the implementation of a structured and longer-term educational nursing intervention can be beneficial. In contrast it cannot be assumed that it has harmful effects. Further research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of educational interventions. However, against the backdrop of education as a chance for nursing and the need assumed, patient education should be established as an integrated part of nursing. Already existing educational measures shall be structured and implemented on a professional basis. Conceptions such as that examined in this dissertation can serve as an orientation in planning and implementing interventions

Best available technologies and techniques in the transport sector

This report has been compiled within the framework of the programme on Regional Air Pollution in Developing Countries (RAPIDC), Phase III conducted during the period 2005-2008. RAPIDC is funded by the Department of Infrastructure and Economic Cooperation (INEC) of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). It is coordinated by the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) and carried out in collaboration with Swedish Universities and research organisations together with inter-governmental agencies and research organisations in Asia and Africa. This work has been produced by the International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics (IIIEE) at Lund University. This document generally focuses upon, and is primarily directed towards the eight signatory countries to the Malé Declaration on Control and Prevention of Air Pollution and Its Likely Transboundary Effects for South Asia (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Iran, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) but is in essence relevant to most developing countries. This document serves as a decision support information resource for best available technologies and techniques to address air pollution from the transport sector. Drawing on the experiences of other countries, regions and municipalities this document presents a comprehensive overview and successful examples of technical and organisational measures and strategies that can contribute towards reduced air pollution from transport systems. Best available technologies and techniques (practices) that should be considered when defining strategies for sustainable and cleaner transport systems are presented within this report. This work distinguishes between: (1) land use planning and mobility management, being the fundamental starting point for managing and steering transport demand, (2) transit, walking and cycling being more sustainable transport options than individual motorised transport, and finally (3) cleaner vehicles and cleaner fuels