Controlo e gestão da rede de postos de abastecimento : o caso da J.H. Ornelas & Suc., Lda.

Dissertação de Mestrado, Ciências Económicas e Empresariais, 15 de Dezembro de 2015, Universidade dos Açores.

Investment Determinants and Future Shape of Russia's Power Generation

The reformation of power sector is still in the process of development. The present day situation in Russian electricity power market ischaracterized as transitional period: competitive electricity market is forming, new companies are being created and the power of government regulation is decreasing. The main aim of the reformation is to attract much-needed private investments to the power sector. The electricity consumption increases very rapidly and power sector has to cope with high demand. The goal of this master's thesis is to analyze the nowadays situation in Russian power sector, such as generation structure, condition of electricity networks, electricity price formation for end-users, shape of fuel sector and investments risks and attraction.The final result of this work is creation of scenario of Russian power sector future shape and analysis of the present day situation.

Gliceroquímica: novos produtos e processos a partir da glicerina de produção de biodiesel

Glycerol is a byproduct of biodiesel production through transesterification of oils and fat. This article discusses the chemical transformation of glycerol in ethers, acetals and esters of high technological applications, especially in the fuel sector. Glycerol hydrogenolysis, dehydration to acrolein and oxidation are discussed as well, to show the potential use of glycerol for production of plastic monomers. Finally, the article shows other transformations, such as syn gas production, epichloridrin and glycerin carbonate.

Uma análise da jurisprudência do CADE acerca dos cartéis na revenda de combustíveis

Esta monografia analisa as decisões do Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Econômica (Cade) acerca dos cartéis no setor de revenda de combustíveis, com o objetivo de identificar as características do referido setor que propiciam a formação de cartel, bem como verificar as provas utilizadas como fundamento nas decisões e a participação da Agência Nacional do Petróleo, Gás Natural e Combustível (ANP) na defesa da concorrência no setor. Para introduzir o tema, foram apresentados alguns conceitos relevantes, como “cartel”, “acordo de leniência”, e “termo de compromisso de cessação de conduta”. Em seguida, de modo a delimitar a competência de cada um dos órgãos atuantes no setor, foi realizada uma análise da divisão de competências entre o Cade e a ANP. Dentre os resultados obtidos através de pesquisa processual, com o objetivo de levantar os Processos Administrativos levados a julgamento perante o Cade, foi destacada e aprofundada a análise da participação de Sindicatos como sendo o principal agente na formação de cartéis envolvendo a revenda de combustíveis, os tipos de provas utilizadas nas decisões do órgão antitruste e a valoração dos estudos econômicos realizados pela ANP. A conclusão deste estudo demonstra que os altos números de denúncias envolvendo a prática de cartel no setor são fundadas em indícios insuficientes para uma possível condenação, pois o Cade tem decidido tais casos com base em estudos especializados e provas capazes de comprovar efetivamente a ocorrência de cartel.

O regime constitucional da contribuição de intervenção do domínio econômico aplicável ao setor de combustíveis

The performance of the State in the economic area is only legitimized when to be given in virtue of the protection of the principles established constitutionally. Thus, the economic intervention of the State prioritizes the formation of a joust economic order and in this context, it fulfills to us to define, to the long one of this work, the contours of the intervention of the State in the economic domain in the presence of the Federal Constitution of the Republic of 05 of October of 1988, and, more specifically, in the petroliferous economic sector by means of the interventive contribution instituted after the Constitutional amendment 33/2001, with Law 10.336/2001. With the creation of this institute, in Brazil, emerged innumerable quarrels concerning its constitutional legitimacy, directing uncurling of the research to the study of the state intervention through this contribution and its constitutional limits, in the purpose to demonstrate the parameters for its institution and application. In this way, the interventive contribution in the fuel sector (CIDE-Combustíveis) shows itself as an intervention instrument on the economic domain, acting in way to finance the indirect performance of the State, specially in what concerns to the promotion of the principle of sustainable development principle. Therefore, CIDE-Combustíveis is an able instrument to concretizes the mentioned constitutional principle. Thus, the division of its incomes promotes the consolidation of the principle of the cooperative federalism. In this direction, from premises of the environmental tax law, this intends to demonstrate the utility and constitutionality of this exaction tax, primordially with regard to the realization of the basic right to the balanced environment

Fossil fuel dependence and interfuel substitution in the electricity sector of Western European countries between 1990-2011

A Work Project, presented as part of the requirements for the Award of a Masters Degree in Economics from the NOVA – School of Business and Economics

Modeling the Transport Sector: The Role of Existing Fuel Taxes in Climate Policy

Existing fuel taxes play a major role in determining the welfare effects of exempting the transportation sector from measures to control greenhouse gases. To study this phenomenon we modify the MIT Emissions Prediction and Policy Analysis (EPPA) model to disaggregate the household transportation sector. This improvement requires an extension of the GTAP data set that underlies the model. The revised and extended facility is then used to compare economic costs of cap-and-trade systems differentiated by sector, focusing on two regions: the USA where the fuel taxes are low, and Europe where the fuel taxes are high. We find that the interplay between carbon policies and pre-existing taxes leads to different results in these regions: in the USA exemption of transport from such a system would increase the welfare cost of achieving a national emissions target, while in Europe such exemptions will correct pre-existing distortions and reduce the cost.

Study of a fuel cell cogeneration system applied to a Brazilian tertiary sector

In this paper, a methodology for the study of a molten carbonate fuel cell cogeneration system and applied to a computer center building is developed. This system permits the recovery of waste heat, available between 600°C and 700°C, which can be used to the production of steam, hot and cold water, hot and cold air, depending on the recuperation equipment associated. Initially, some technical information about the most diffusing types of the fuel cell demonstration in the world are presented. In conclusion, the fuel cell cogeneration system may have an excellent opportunity to strengthen the decentralized energy production in the Brazilian tertiary sector.

Post-merger innovative performance in the renewable energy sector

Due to global warming and shrinking fossil fuel resources, politics as well as society urge for a reduction of green house gas (GHG) emissions. This leads to a re-orientation towards a renewable energy sector. In this context, innovation and new technologies are key success factors. Moreover, the renewable energy sector has entered a consolidation stage, where corporate investors and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) gain in importance. Although both M&A and innovation in the renewable energy sector are important corporate strategies, the link between those two aspects has not been examined before. The present thesis examines the research question how M&A influence the acquirer’s post-merger innovative performance in the renewable energy sector. Based on a framework of relevant literature, three hypotheses are defined. First, the relation between non-technology oriented M&A and post-merger innovative performance is discussed. Second, the impact of absolute acquired knowledge on postmerger innovativeness is examined. Third, the target-acquirer relatedness is discussed. A panel data set of 117 firms collected over a period of six years has been analyzed via a random effects negative binomial regression model and a time lag of one year. The results support a non-significant, negative impact of non-technology M&A on postmerger innovative performance. The applied model did not support a positive and significant impact of absolute acquired knowledge on post-merger innovative performance. Lastly, the results suggest a reverse relation than postulated by Hypothesis 3. Targets from the same industry significantly and negatively influence the acquirers’ innovativeness.

Analise do sector Petrolífera Cabo-Verdiano Importância da Logística e Seu Impacto Na Economia

Cabo Verde é hoje um país cada vez mais inserido no mundo globalizado, tendo desenvolvido ao longo dos anos importantes reformas sócio - económicas, as quais se traduziram, no campo energético, em aumentos significativos nas importações de combustíveis fósseis. Hoje, a importação de produtos petrolíferos atinge cerca de 280 mil toneladas ao ano, dos quais cerca de 40 por cento são reexportados através da “ bunker” internacional e da aviação civil. Embora os valores sejam expressivos para um pequeno país insular como Cabo Verde, no contexto mundial o volume de importação é de facto irrisório, o que não permite qualquer margem negocial junto dos fornecedores. Desde sempre os produtos petrolíferos como o Gasóleo e Fuelóleo (doravante Fuel) foram recebidos em São Vicente, o JetA1 e a Gasolina no Sal e o gás Butano na ilha de Santiago. A redistribuição entre as ilhas é efectuada com recurso a pequenos tankers, processo que contribui para o aumento dos custos e consequente repercussão nos preços de venda ao consumidor final. Com o desenvolvimento exponencial da Ilha de Santiago aumentou igualmente o consumo de combustíveis, com especial destaque na produção de energia eléctrica. Actualmente a Ilha consome internamente cerca de 50 % dos produtos petrolíferos importados, processo altamente dificultado pela inexistência de condições portuárias que permitam a recepção directa dos produtos petrolíferos. Assim torna-se imprescindível a racionalização deste sector de forma a minimizar os custos para o consumidor final, com a criação de condições de descarga no principal centro consumidor do país e a constituição de uma empresa de logística comum, que envolva as empresas privadas que trabalham neste ramo, a Enacol e a Vivo Energy. A segurança energética será reforçada com a constituição das reservas estratégicas de combustíveis. Para alcançar os objectivos preconizados neste trabalho, fiz pesquisas e estudos aprofundados com base na bibliografia citada, bem como nos relatórios, Leis, Decretos-Leis e trabalhos especializados. De igual modo realizei entrevistas a pessoas com competência nesta área, com a finalidade de compreender melhor o sector e dar meu contributo para o fortalecimento da sua eficiência, dado o impacto que tem na economia Cabo-verdiana.

Research of wood fuel market in North-West of Russia

The main purposes of this study are analyzing of forest sector of North-West and research of potentials of wood fuel market in this region. Research is focused on definition of the most perspective areas for export of wood fuel: logging residues, industrial wood processing residues, pellets and briquettes. Russian wood energy industry is very young in comparison with European countries. Nowadays there are no support and serious attention from the government to this sector. Hence almost all wood fuel market is oriented to the Western Europe. Export of wood fuel is dominated over the internal consumption. Pellet production in North –West is rapidly growing. Despite internal market has been developed the lion's share of pellets goes to export. Part of industrial wood processing residues is used by producers for their own goals, part goes to the export and rest of them is not used at all. Logging residues as raw materials for fuel have great potentials; most of them are left in a forest. Special techniques for their processing are too expensive for Russian entrepreneur. Some parts of North –West, which are situated close to the border with European countries, are potential for export. Political, economical and logistical challenges are complicated facilities for foreign customer to purchase wood fuel in remote parts of North-West. However some decisions for solving this problem exist and Russian manufactures are still interested in export of their products.

Container logistic innovations in forest-energy sector: Markets, future service concepts and technical improvements

The report presents the results of the commercialization project called the Container logistic services for forest bioenergy. The project promotes new business that is emerging around overall container logistic services in the bioenergy sector. The results assess the European markets of the container logistics for biomass, enablers for new business creation and required service bundles for the concept. We also demonstrate the customer value of the container logistic services for different market segments. The concept analysis is based on concept mapping, quality function deployment process (QFD) and business network analysis. The business network analysis assesses key shareholders and their mutual connections. The performance of the roadside chipping chain is analysed by the logistic cost simulation, RFID system demonstration and freezing tests. The EU has set the renewable energy target to 20 % in 2020 of which Biomass could account for two-thirds. In the Europe, the production of wood fuels was 132.9 million solid-m3 in 2012 and production of wood chips and particles was 69.0 million solidm3. The wood-based chips and particle flows are suitable for container transportation providing market of 180.6 million loose- m3 which mean 4.5 million container loads per year. The intermodal logistics of trucks and trains are promising for the composite containers because the biomass does not freeze onto the inner surfaces in the unloading situations. The overall service concept includes several packages: container rental, container maintenance, terminal services, RFID-tracking service, and simulation and ERP-integration service. The container rental and maintenance would provide transportation entrepreneurs a way to increase the capacity without high investment costs. The RFID-concept would lead to better work planning improving profitability throughout the logistic chain and simulation supports fuel supply optimization.

Potential for Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions by Using Biomethane as a Road Transportation Fuel

The aim of this thesis is to study whether the use of biomethane as a transportation fuel is reasonable from climate change perspective. In order to identify potentials and challenges for the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, this dissertation focuses on GHG emission comparisons, on feasibility studies and on the effects of various calculation methodologies. The GHG emissions calculations are carried out by using life cycle assessment (LCA) methodologies. The aim of these LCA studies is to figure out the key parameters affecting the GHG emission saving potential of biomethane production and use and to give recommendations related to methodological choices. The feasibility studies are also carried out from the life cycle perspective by dividing the biomethane production chain for various operators along the life cycle of biomethane in order to recognize economic bottlenecks. Biomethane use in the transportation sector leads to GHG emission reductions compared to fossil transportation fuels in most cases. In addition, electricity and heat production from landfill gas, biogas or biomethane leads to GHG reductions as well. Electricity production for electric vehicles is also a potential route to direct biogas or biomethane energy to transportation sector. However, various factors along the life cycle of biomethane affect the GHG reduction potentials. Furthermore, the methodological selections have significant effects on the results. From economic perspective, there are factors related to different operators along the life cycle of biomethane, which are not encouraging biomethane use in the transportation sector. To minimize the greenhouse gas emissions from the life cycle of biomethane, waste feedstock should be preferred. In addition, energy consumption, methane leakages, digestate utilization and the current use of feedstock or biogas are also key factors. To increase the use of biomethane in the transportation sector, political steering is needed to improve the feasibility for the operators. From methodological perspective, it is important to recognize the aim of the life cycle assessment study. The life cycle assessment studies can be divided into two categories: 1.) To produce average GHG information of biomethane to evaluate the acceptability of biomethane use compared to fossil transportation fuels. 2.) To produce GHG information of biomethane related to actual decision-making situations. This helps to figure out the actual GHG emission changes in cases when feedstock, biogas or biomethane are already in other use. For example directing biogas from electricity production to transportation use does not necessarily lead to additional GHG emission reductions. The use of biomethane seems to have a lot of potential for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions as a transportation fuel. However, there are various aspects related to production processes, to the current use of feedstock or biogas and to the feasibility that have to be taken into account.

La tecnología del hidrógeno, una oportunidad estratégica para la perdurabilidad del sector energético en Colombia

El incremento de la actividad humana en el último siglo y el desarrollo de tecnologías ligadas con el petróleo como vector energético, han generado efectos medioambientales adversos que aunados con las limitadas reservas mundiales de crudo y su estrecha relación con el crecimiento económico mundial ha generado presiones economías, políticas y sociales en todos los países. Esta situación ha dinamizado la investigación y desarrollo de nuevas tecnologías basadas en el hidrogeno como un nuevo vector energético tecnológicamente compatible que permita la portabilidad de energía con el menor impacto ambiental y económico a la luz de la prospectiva de consumo y la perdurabilidad energética. Este trabajo identifica las experiencias más relevantes respecto a la tecnología del hidrogeno a nivel mundial con el fin de consolidar un plan estratégico para la incorporación del hidrógeno como vector energético al portafolio productivo colombiano mediante la aplicación de un modelo que permite el análisis del nivel de integración de los sectores educativo, empresarial y gubernamental, teniendo como base los resultados del análisis estructural y análisis de actores.

Caracterización del sector transporte; marítimo, fluvial y aéreo, como un factor importante para el perfil logístico en Colombia

El Proyecto “Caracterización del sector Transporte; marítimo, fluvial y aéreo, como un factor importante para el perfil logístico en Colombia” es un trabajo que tiene como objeto elaborar un documento, que proporcione toda la información necesaria para comprender y analizar el sector a tratar, teniendo en cuenta los factores que influyeron en el proceso de conformación en cada uno de los sistemas de transporte, dando así un punto de partida para entender la situación actual y las posibles fallas a lo largo de todo el proceso logístico que este implica.