https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/83349 2026-04-15T05:18:16Z 2026-04-15T05:18:16Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/107493 2024-02-19T10:01:55Z 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Design and prototyping of a thermal energy meter for solar applications Abstract: In 2009, the EU Renewable Energy Directive 2009/28/EC had for the first time recognised solar thermal systems as contributing towards the renewable energy target of EU Member States, rather than just saving energy. This was a major step change in its perception towards this technology, which was consolidated by the updated directive (EU) 2018/2001 that specifically requested Member States to promote the use of renewable heating systems in buildings. However, quite often, solar heating systems do not come with an accompanying thermal energy meter. This implies that the user is not able to quantify or report the thermal energy savings. Consequently, Member States often resort to estimates when it comes to reporting their annual thermal renewable energy generation to the EU. This project aims at addressing these challenges by designing, building and testing a low-cost, reliable, versatile, and accurate thermal energy meter that can easily fit to any solar heating system with the scope of monitoring and storing performance data, as well as controlling the use of backup electric heaters with the intention of optimising the use of solar energy, without compromising the availability of hot water. Moreover, the device shall include features to alert the user of any potential malfunctions of the SWH, which can all be accessed through a user-friendly web-based interface. The requirements and means to monitor the performance of a SWH to a high degree of accuracy were explored, and using appropriate hardware and software configurations, a prototype was produced, calibrated and tested on a typical domestic thermosiphon solar heating system. After extensive testing and fine-tuning, it was confirmed that the monitoring device functioned as intended with stable operation. By the end of the project, the prototype has passed all tests and fulfilled all the aims of the project, for monitoring the system, storing and presenting data, controlling solar heater operation, reporting malfunctions and making it all accessible through any network-connected device. Given that the market does not offer a similar device at a reasonable price, the product has the potential of being further developed to make it market ready. To that end, future endeavours will be made to patent it and to apply for seed funding for further development towards commercialisation. Description: M.Sc.(Melit.) Sust.Energy

2021-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/107492 2024-02-19T07:04:56Z 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Analysis towards energy savings in dry storage systems of semiconductor devices Abstract: The semiconductor industry is a fast-changing industry, and many new electronic devices are being developed every year. As components get smaller and thinner, moisture-related problems increase since moisture can penetrate to critical areas much easier. Many manufactures have been investing money and human resources to come up with ideas to save their industry. One of the best methods to prevent moisture ingress is to store the semiconductor device in a dry storage enclosure such as a Dry Box. The humidity inside the Dry Box is kept low by either suppling it with Nitrogen or Compressed Dry Air. A company based in Malta was used as a case study to investigate the use of a Dry Box which is supplied with Compressed Dry Air using the dual bed drying technology. A new desiccant-based technology was also investigated for this case study and an assessment was conducted to investigate the electrical energy consumption for both technologies. A design of experiment had to be formulated to quantify the electrical energy consumption of one storage system by setting up the required measuring equipment. Apart from electrical energy consumption, the relative humidity and air temperature inside the Dry Box were measured in order to assess the behaviour of both technologies against time. An analysis of the conditions of the Dry Box was conducted in order to better understand the sources of any existing losses and to identify whether scope for improvement, if any, existed. In fact, in one of the experiments, it was highlighted that by improving the door seal and the construction joints therefore reducing the infiltration rate, and reducing the internal volume of the Dry Box, the compressed dry air was reduced by nearly 26.4%, resulting in a reduction of €308.3 per year per Dry Box. This means that even if the supply side (Drying Technology) is not changed, improvements can be made on the demand side (i.e. the Dry Box itself) to ensure a more sustainable process and therefore reduce the carbon footprint of the company. Description: M.Sc.(Melit.) Sust.Energy

2021-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/83402 2021-11-05T05:34:51Z 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Techno-economic feasibility of floating offshore wind-driven hydrogen production for decarbonising maritime transport between Malta and Gozo Abstract: The maritime sector is a high emitting sector contributing to 2.5% of global emissions [1], [2]. With current trade increases it is expected to grow by 75% by 2035 [3]. Due to the long lifetimes of ships it is crucial to decarbonise the sector as soon as possible to be able to reach climate goals, such as the ones set by the Paris Agreement in 2015. The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has set a target reduction of 50% from shipping by 2050 but other more stringent regulations by the IMO in the future can be expected and the EU is going to impose more stringent measures in terms of emissions from shipping [1], [2]. Renewable energy is growing at a fast pace, and poses some integration challenges due to its intermittency. Green hydrogen produced from electrolysis is a significant contender for solving these challenges due to its renewable aspect, versatility as an energy vector and storage capabilities. Hydrogen can be used as a fuel in mobility and is especially useful for sectors that are hard to electrictrify such as heavy industry, heat, power and mobility. In the transport sector, the applications for which hydrogen is especially useful are high range requirements, high availability due to fast refuelling and high energy density requirements, especially when compared to batteries in these aspects. This makes hydrogen and its derivatives particularly valuable for decarbonising shipping [4]. Many governmental institutions recognise hydrogen as a key for solving the challenges ahead. Among other policies part of the Green Deal, the EU published its hydrogen strategy in July 2020 and sees hydrogen as the future energy vector in many sectors [5]. The main barrier for hydrogen from electrolysis both in maritime but also other sectors remains cost. In this context, a solution to decarbonise the Malta-Gozo ferry service between the islands was determined according to the most technically feasible pathway. The ship design was therefore modified to use fuel cells and pure compressed hydrogen at 350 bar produced from floating offshore wind turbines off the coast of Gozo. The results showed that the system design and supply chain would be technically feasible. The total cost of ownership of the fuel cell system excluding the fuel supply would be less than the internal combustion engine design. The project was divided into two phases 2025-2030 and 2030-2050, to mitigate for the risk of the demand falling due to the potential construction of a tunnel between Malta and Gozo. A list of suitable options for the production of hydrogen was established, including grid connection and island-mode options for the production were analysed. Estimations of costs, varying efficiencies and scheduled replacement of equipments were established in order to accommodate the lifetime of the project. The Levelised cost of electricity (LCOE) of the wind farm with pre-electrolyser infrastructure was 12.48-16.75 Eurocent/kWh, an expensive solution for electrolysis. From an economic perspective the lowest potential LCOH would be 10.79 EUR/kgH2 in a low cost scenario with an electrolyser on land and a grid connection, where surplus and imports of electricity occur. However, it could be as high as 27.30 EUR/kgH2 in a high cost scenario and with all installations offshore. Over the course of the project, 580kt of CO2 emissions and 11kt of NOx emissions would be avoided from the ferry transport. Although with significant environmental benefits, the costs of the project is quite far from hydrogen production costs from fossil fuels and more expensive than marine diesel oil, which excluding transmission and distribution is about 2 EUR/kgH2. On the other hand, at the exit of the electrolyser the potential cost could be as low as 7.97 EUR/kgH2 for Option 2a. Potential improvements could include other sources of renewables or another possibility could be the importation of hydrogen from other countries. Description: M.Sc.(Melit.) Sust.Energy

2021-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/83396 2021-11-05T05:34:22Z 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The use of waste cooking oil as a form of energy in Malta Abstract: Waste cooking oil can be a significant burden to sewage treatment plants, drains, sewers and the environment if not disposed responsibly and properly. The conversion and its utilisation as an alternative feedstock for biofuel production offers a more sustainable solution to the disposal problem, as well as a feasible and cleaner substitute to carbon intensive fossil fuels. This dissertation focuses on waste edible oil generated by takeaways, restaurants and snack bars. Thorough research was initially carried out on the process of biofuel production; EU laws and standards, as well as initiatives and practices on the collection of such waste stream adopted by various countries. Following this, semi-structured telephone interviews/face-to-face interviews or email questionnaires were sent/conducted with 27 take-aways, 127 restaurants and 164 snack bars. Moreover, semi-structured interviews were carried out with 2 private waste management facilities permitted to accept waste edible oils under EWC code 20 01 25. These interviews sought to explore, study and examine what are the current practices with regards to waste cooking oil from catering establishments to the oil’s final fate. The response of these stakeholders was analysed to synthesize the information and a Sankey diagram was produced to further explain the data while statistical analysis was carried out to explain in more detail the WMF responses. Additionally, the author conducted an interview with the owner of a former company which produced biofuels from waste cooking oil in Malta to understand the practice, challenges and ultimately closure of the said company. Furthermore, the study also determines the potential CO2 emission reduction if Malta’s 2020 target as set out in Directive 2009/28/EC is to be reached. Results show that none of the catering establishments interviewed find any difficulties in disposing their waste cooking oil. Furthermore, waste management facilities lamented that lack of governmental support is one of the reasons which discourages them from producing biofuels from waste cooking oil locally. In fact, the said justification was mentioned as to why the owner of a former company which produced biofuels locally stopped its operation. This study endeavours to provide guidance and support to policymakers and other relevant stakeholders in the transport, energy and environmental sector in promoting biofuels in the Maltese Islands. Description: M.Sc.(Melit.) Sust.Energy

2021-01-01T00:00:00Z