The environmental effectiviness of alternative agri-environmental policy reforms : theoretical and empirical analysis

Selostus: Maatalouden ympäristöpolitiikan reformien tehokkuus ravinnepäästöjen vähentämisessä - teoreettinen ja empiirinen analyysi

Effects of winter feeding strategies with alternative feeds on the performance of mature suckler cows and their progeny

Selostus: Tasaruokinnan ja vaihtoehtoisten rehujen soveltuvuus emolehmien talvikauden ruokintaan

On diversity effects of alternative agricultural policy reforms in Finland : an agricultural sector modelling approach

Selostus: Maatalouspolitiikkauudistusten vaikutuksista pellonkäytön diversiteettiin

Socially Responsible Investing: Considerable Alternative to Conventional Investing?

The aim of the thesis was to examine socially responsible investing, its background, development, and performance relative to conventional investing. Finance theory was exploited in the study in order to find possible weaknesses of socially responsible investing. A number of U.S.-based studies about the same subject were analyzed as well. According to the majority of the studies, socially responsible investing performs equally well with conventional investing. Return differences during May 2000 through November 2008 were measured by conducting an empirical study about the Calvert Social Index, the broad-based S&P 500 index, and the technology-based Nasdaq index. Return differences were observed by using measures of simple return and risk-return ratios. Based on this empirical research we state that socially responsible investing underperforms conventional investing, which differs from the majority of the earlier study results. We also state that the time period used in this study is exceptional compared to that of the earlier studies, however, any factors causing the underperformance were not identified.

Alternative Energy Conversion Systems for a Micro Scale Wind Turbine

This Master's thesis deals with a Micro Scale Wind Wind Turbine application. The thesis consists of nine chapters. The first chapter is an introduction to the philosophy of a small scale wind turbine application. The second defines concepts, and lists the requirements. The third presents the whole application for an On-Grid , and for an Off-Grid arrangement, with main concentration on lighting, heating, and energy storage. The fourth deals with the Inverter's technology, which are used for the conversion of the produced power. The fifth chapter presents the available storage technology and it's possibilities. The sixth deals with the system, and the technological means used for the implementation. The seventh presents the PLC device, which was used as the controller for the management of the whole application. The eighth deals with the concept and the control application philosophy that the PLC involves. And the final chapter presents conclusions and ideas for further considerations.

Faster for the master! : exploring issues of religious expression and alternative Christian identity within the Finnish Christian metal music scene

Populärkulturen har i dagens läge kommit att utgöra en allt mer viktig och central inspirationskälla för allt fler människors konstruktion av den egna religiösa identiteten även inom traditionella och institutionella kristna sammanhang. Denna avhandling belyser denna utveckling i ljuset av den finländska kristna metallmusik-kulturen - en sällsynt stark sammanblanding av protestantisk kristendom och en utpräglad och kontroversiell populärmusikform och dess kultur. Fokus riktas framför allt på hur den kristna metallmusik-kulturen blir meningsfull för sina medlemmar genom de sätt på vilka den konstrueras diskursivt, dvs. genom de sätt på vilka den representeras och talas om bland sina egna anhängare. Den diskursiva konstruktionen av den kristna metallmusik-kulturen utforskas på ett såväl bredare transnationellt som ett finländskt nationellt plan. Studien redogör även för den kristna metalmusikens och -kulturens huvudsakliga verbala, visuella och estetiska kännetecken. Uppbyggnaden och spridningen av dagens transnationella kristna metallmusik-kultur undersöks även i ljuset av det teoretiska konceptet scene. Avhandlingens centrala argument är att den kristna metallmusikscenen erbjuder sina medlemmar en mängd resurser för skapandet av ett alternativt och komplementärt religiöst uttrycksätt, religiös praxis och en alternativ kristen identitet.

Design of marine generators for alternative diesel-electric power systems

This study compares different electric propulsion systems. Results of the analysis of all the advantages and disadvantages of the different propulsion systems are given. This thesis estimates possibilities to apply different diesel-electric propulsion concepts for different vessel types. Small and medium size vessel’s power ranges are studied. The optimal delivery system is chosen. This choice is made on the base of detailed study of the concepts, electrical equipment market and comparison of mass, volume and efficiency parameters. In this thesis three marine generators are designed. They are: salient pole synchronous generator and two permanent magnet synchronous generators. Their electrical, dimensional, cost and efficiency parameters are compared. To understand all the benefits diagrams with these parameters are prepared. Possible benefits and money savings are estimated. As the result the advantages, disadvantages and boundary conditions for the permanent magnet synchronous generator application in marine electric-power systems are found out.

Alternative liquid biofuels for lime kilns

Causticizing plant is an important part of kraft pulp mill. It uses green liquor from recovery boiler as a raw material and consumes lime to produce white liquor, which is an important chemical used in pulping. Lime kiln is a part of the causticizing process. It is used to convert lime mud, a by-product obtained from the causticizing back to lime in high temperatures. This conversion requires a lot of energy. The most common fuels used as energy source for lime kiln are heavy fuel oil and natural gas. In a modern pulp mill lime kiln is the only user of significant amount of fossil fuels. Replacing fossil fuels with biofuels can have prominent economical and environmental benefits. Interest in using biofuels as energy source of lime kiln has become a worldwide issue in the recent years. However fuels used for lime kiln have a lot of certain requirements. The purpose of this work is to study the required characteristics from liquid fuels used in pulp mill lime kiln and to map suitable liquid biofuels already available in the markets. Also taxation of liquid biofuels compared to heavy fuel oil in Finland, Sweden and Germany is shortly introduced.