https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/106729 2026-04-14T19:31:25Z 2026-04-14T19:31:25Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/106951 2023-03-02T08:41:30Z 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Analysis of sea waves data for the Maltese Islands Abstract: This dissertation analyses different sources of sea waves data for the Maltese Islands. The first aim was to establish the comparability of different datasets, be it modelled or measured, hindcast or forecast, for the purpose of operational use. The second aim was to asses the power potential, using the same datasets as before, and investigating the applicability of different Wave Energy Converters (WECs). The dataset sources considered are the following: Directional Wave Spectral Drifter (buoy), HF Radar, Satellite, Copernicus model, and ROSARIOSWAN model. The ROSARIOSWAN model used in this work is one which has yet to be extensively validated and fine tuned, and so, this work serves to contribute to its further development. The inter-comparison of data from the considered datasets (excluding HF radar) generally yielded the the best correlation for the significant wave height (SWH) comparison, and the worst for the peak period comparison. ROSARIOSWAN models tend to overestimate the buoy values, while the Copernicus model compares better, despite lower resolution. Filtering out data with lower SWH yielded better correlation for all but the SWH parameter, when comparing buoy and model data. Two prominent wave directions, East and North-West, resulted from this analysis. The wave power potential analysis indicated that the Maltese Islands have a low potential for wave energy extraction (Class I) due to, mainly, low SWH; this is typical of enclosed seas. In addition, high variability in the Maltese Waters further worsen the situation. The WEC found to be most suitable in this study is the point absorber Wavestar C6 which, at the buoy position, has an annual average output power of 192.7 kW and capacity factor of 32.1%. Description: M.Sc.(Melit.) Sust.Energy

2022-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/106932 2023-03-01T14:17:48Z 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Evaluating the potential for industrial symbiosis at the Ħal Far Industrial Estate Abstract: The transition from a linear to a circular economy is a multi-faceted endeavour, targeting multiple disciplines, specifically industry. Industrial Symbiosis (IS) is considered to be a prominent means to achieve such a target. Still, IS will not happen by itself, but requires a facilitator who identifies areas of potential collaboration, establishes a suitable communications platform between parties, and highlights the benefits that such a relationship can bring to the participants. As a case-study, this dissertation will address a local industrial cluster, construe an appropriate methodology to discover the potential for IS within it, and demonstrate how such a process can function as a catalyst towards the formation of symbiotic relationships. This study, will therefore define the methodology used to perform a ‘resource mapping exercise’, a process which is necessary to build a dataset of resource flows, which process is followed by an ‘opportunity discovery stage’ and subsequently the realisation of IS opportunities. The study has been divided in three thematics, and has produced a set of objectives for each, thereby addressing specific areas of importance for IS, namely a) a Collaborative Capacity thematic, b) an Energy Resource Thematic, and c) a Material resource thematic. From an administrative perspective, this research highlighted the need to substantiate the technical capacity of the industrial cluster as well as noting the importance of a central facilitator. The results revealed a series of interesting IS opportunities for both the energy and material resource thematics as well as exposed major contrasts between them. More specifically, for the thermal energy component, the study identified a potential recovery of c. 106 MWh/Wk, as well as a potential material resource recovery aspect with estimated carbon footprint savings of 1.3 tonnes of CO2/Wk. A number of pre-existing material IS relationships were also identified, with estimated carbon footprint savings of 25.7 tonnes of CO2/Wk. The above results expose a number of opportunities for the recovery and re-circulation of resources, which account for 7.5% of the material resources identified as entering the cluster as well as c. 23.9% of the reported heating demand. Description: M.Sc.(Melit.) Sust.Energy

2022-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/106930 2026-01-13T06:25:24Z 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: A desktop study on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the gig economy from a mobility and energy use perspective Abstract: The various worldwide lockdowns imposed as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic have caused dramatic disruptions to businesses and supply chains, and to most people’s routines and previous ways of life, but more so to individuals who were already vulnerable by virtue of having to rely on mostly insecure gig work for their livelihood, and to workers who were laid off from previously secure employment. The proportion of people who can enjoy reasonable financial stability and holistic wellbeing by relying on established, full-time, secure, steady employment, complete with annual vacation leave, sick leave, eventual pension assurance, plus health, injury, death and dependents’ insurance, has been decreasing since the mid-1970s, as concurrently, precarious employment keeps increasing. During health and/or financial crisis situations, precariously-employed persons are the most vulnerable, and the first to experience most hardships. Primarily based on a survey of existing journal articles, grey literature and current affairs sources, this study aimed to identify changing work structures, especially with regards to livelihoods and wellbeing of gig and contingent workers, along with relevant equity, mobility and energy supply issues. Some gaps in the existing research literature were identified, and several suggestions for further research are presented, together with an overview of important caveats. Description: M.Sc.(Melit.) Sust.Energy

2022-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/106929 2023-03-01T14:16:25Z 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Determining the typical meteorological year for the Maltese Islands Abstract: Typical meteorological year (TMY) data files are becoming increasingly in demand especially to serve as input to building energy modelling software, which requires representative hourly dataset of one year. The dataset should contain all relevant meteorological parameters, such as dry bulb temperature, dew point temperature, wind speed and wind direction, global and diffuse solar radiation, relative humidity, and atmospheric pressure. Several methods by which such an hourly TMY can be derived from a long-term dataset exist. These methods apply various statistical tools and selection criteria to select the most representative months from the available set of weather data files. The selected months are then concatenated to form what is known as the TMY. The main aim of this dissertation was to build the TMY for the Maltese Islands for its implementation in building energy performance software. Different methodologies were applied to a 13-year dataset of meteorological measurements from an onshore site in the Maltese Islands and five TMYs were generated. The TMYs were statistically compared to the long-term weather behaviour and the most representative TMY was determined. From the analyses carried out it was found that overall, the most representative TMY was the one yielded by a variant of the Festa-Ratto method developed by Festa and Ratto. The other methods produced TMYs with varying degrees of representation. Description: M.Sc.(Melit.) Sust.Energy

2022-01-01T00:00:00Z