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Building a PV strategy for Eneco using a Concentric Systems Approach. Utilizing interviews to identify the barriers that obstruct the roll-out of PV in the Netherlands. Two main barriers, lack of standardization and lack of knowledge are solved by using scientific theory. These underpinned solutions in the end form the components of a PV strategy for Eneco.

Consumers largely use outdated and inefficient lighting technology. If 40% of the electricity consumed in residential lighting could be saved, a 320 MW power plant could be taken off the grid. The European Union has acknowledged this problem. Its `ban on bulbs'--regulation tries to force consumers to switch to more efficient lighting (such as the compact fluorescent lamp or the LED lamp). However, we would like to know whether the ban will be effective. Are there other policy measures, perhaps more transition-oriented, that are also effective? This research aims to create insights into the ill-understood dynamics in the complex system of consumer lighting. The main research question is "How can we explore the consequences the E.U.\ ban on bulbs will have on the electricity demand of the consumer lighting sector?" A socio-technical systems perspective is applied to the system, with insights from innovation diffusion theory, and marketing science. The consumer lighting sector is a complex socio-technical system. Consumers mutually influence each other through word-of-mouth and normative adaptation, but they are also subject to influences of manufacturers, stores, government and technological options. The dynamics of the consumer lighting sector cannot be understood in advance, which necessitates a social simulations approach for assessing the consequences of the ban on bulbs, as well as from a number of different policy option. An agent-based model is developed in which consumers are simulated in their behaviour (purchase, sharing of information). Consumers are modelled based on heterogeneous preferences and have memory and perceptions. The results indicate that the ban on bulbs will be effective in realising an energy efficient sector, albeit at significant expense to consumers. Interesting so, a tax (of 2 euro) on incandescent light bulbs is also effective given that it is high enough. A full summary of the research is included in pages v-vii of the thesis.

Due to increasing energy dependencies, environmental concerns and European directives on sustainability, The Netherlands is increasing its share in renewable energy production. This has led to the definition of several energy ambitions. An example is related to green gas, with the ambition of green gas substituting 50% of the natural gas supply in 2050 in The Netherlands. At this moment in time, the most significant source of green gas in The Netherlands is biogas. This biogas is produced from biomass (e.g. cattle manure) by means of biological processes. Using an upgrading process step, biogas can be brought to the quality level of natural gas: green gas. However, these upgrading facilities are expensive, which results in it only being a viable option for those producers that handle significant volumes of biomass. Due to their relative low production volume, small-scale biogas producers cannot come to a solid business case for this upgrading of biogas. A biogas gathering infrastructure (biogas hub) seems to be a useful concept in approaching a cost-effective process. In this concept, several small-scale biogas producers are coupled using a stand-alone pipeline network which leads the gas of the different producers connect to one central upgrading facility. The upgrading costs are divided amongst all producers which increases the cost-effectiveness of the production process. Although several biogas infrastructures are initiated in The Netherlands, there is still no successful physical realization. However, this is not caused by a lack of enthusiasm amongst stakeholders; both private and public organizations have shown interest. Apparently there does not seem to be a successful environment in which it is able to realize a biogas infrastructure. This thesis explores the underlying causes of the impasse that arises here, by performing a system study based on the Multiple Perspective Approach of Mittrof and Linstone (1993). Recommendations are composed which could improve the situation for emerging biogas infrastructures in The Netherlands.

This research consists of two parts: 1. Analysis of application of systems engineering at Movares and ProRail and the interaction between these organizations. 2. The design of a framework for systems engineering methods in the Dutch rail sector.