CLSBE - Dissertações de Mestrado / Master Dissertations
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Browsing CLSBE - Dissertações de Mestrado / Master Dissertations by Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) "07:Energias Renováveis e Acessíveis"
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- Artifical intelligence and sustainability : technology as an enabler and challenges. The examples of Google and MicrosoftPublication . Kilinç, Enis; Cruz, Nuno Moreira daThis Thesis examines the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in advancing corporate sustainability within the technology industry and focuses on studies of Microsoft and Google. Growing environmental challenges and stakeholder pressure prompts tech giants to integrate AI into their corporate sustainability strategies. While AI holds potential for positive environmental impact, its deployment also presents significant challenges which includes energy consumption and ethical concerns. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, to encompass literature review, case study analysis and expert interviews. The study investigates the alignment of AI initiatives with sustainability goals, challenges of the sustainable integration of AI and best practices in the technology sector. The analysis reveals that both Microsoft and Google leverage AI to enhance energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, reduce water usage, and advance circular economy practices. Their initiatives contribute to key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). However, challenges persist, which includes high energy demands of data centers and algorithmic transparency. The thesis identifies best practices for AI-driven sustainability, such as AI-powered innovative systems and the use of renewable energy in data center operations. It also highlights the need for balancing technological advancements with ethical and environmental responsibilities. The thesis underscores the dual role of AI as a solution and a challenge in corporate sustainability and offers actionable insights for technology companies and policymakers who strive for a sustainable future.
- Deepwater Horizon oil spill : stock performance effects on the energy industryPublication . Pereira, Pedro Miguel da Fonseca; Stahl, JörgThis dissertation investigates the financial implications of the largest marine oil spill in history (Deepwater Horizon oil spill) on the Oil and Gas and Alternative Energy industries. Employing event study and regression methodologies, the analysis spans US and European markets to assess intra-industry and cross-industry effects, with a focus on the role of Gulf of Mexico exposure in driving abnormal stock returns. Findings confirm significant negative market reactions for BP and its partners, with severe negative cumulative abnormal returns reflecting strong intra-industry contagion. The research further highlights the disproportionate impact of negative news on market reactions compared to positive developments, suggesting investors tend to overreact to adverse events. Additionally, exposure to the Gulf of Mexico during the spill was identified as a key driver of abnormal returns. The study provides key insights for stakeholders in assessing financial risks associated with environmental disasters and offers a foundation for further exploration into long-term industry ramifications, such as regulatory impacts and shifts in energy policy.
- Education : the key factor in developing Livo’s customer journeyPublication . Cintra, Teresa Vaz de; Xavier, RuteThis dissertation Education: The Key Factor in Developing Livo’s Customer Journey under Professor Rute Xavier’s supervision, explores how education can enhance Livo’s customer journey in integrating energy-efficient solutions into Ageas Portugal's insurance offerings. A mixed-methods approach was used to evaluate strategies, understand barriers, and uncover cross-selling opportunities. The research highlights the need to address two primary barriers: lack of consumer knowledge and financial constraints. Educational campaigns and clear communication can bridge awareness gaps, encouraging informed decisions. Moreover, emphasizing long-term cost savings and offering financing options could mitigate financial challenges. Key findings show that integrating Livo’s sustainable solutions with multi-risk insurance packages can elevate customer satisfaction and loyalty. Recommendations are structured around three phases of the customer journey, in the pre-purchase phase to build awareness through targeted campaigns, educational materials, and modular solutions tailored to diverse customer profiles. In the purchase phase to simplify decision-making with transparent pricing, and bundled incentives emphasizing long-term savings. In the post-purchase phase to reinforce trust with follow-up protocols, performance reports, and personalized service updates. The study concludes that aligning sustainability with insurance offerings presents significant opportunities for value creation. By addressing informational and financial barriers, Livo and Ageas can redefine the customer experience, enhancing loyalty and contributing to a sustainable future.
- Emissions trading and energy sector profitability : analysis of energy sector companiesPublication . Monteiro, Francisco Sousa Pedro Coutinho; Stahl, JörgThis dissertation examines how Phase III of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) influenced the financial performance of energy firms, specifically comparing oil and gas companies against renewable energy firms. Using a Difference-in-Differences (DiD) methodology, the analysis tracks changes in ROA, EBITDA/Assets and Capex/Assets before and after the regulatory intervention. The results indicate that Oil & Gas firms experience a significant negative impact on some profitability metrics, such as ROA. In contrast, EBITDA/Assets and Capex/Assets do not follow the same significant impacts. Placebo tests confirm that no pre-existing trends explain these effects, backing the conclusion that Phase III imposed a tangible financial limitation on carbon-intensive firms in the year regulations took place. Operating margins (EBITDA/Assets) and investment intensity (Capex/Assets) appear less sensitive to policy-driven cost pressures. These findings suggest that effective climate policies must weigh environmental goals against economic viability, highlighting possible differing responses from high and low-carbon firms in transitioning to greener energies.
- Green hydrogen market in Germany : the demand drivers and potential market scenariosPublication . Deubel, Tom Lennart; Ferreira, Duarte CardosoThis thesis aims to support green hydrogen firms in Germany to navigate regulatory and market uncertainties. By focusing on the key demand drivers and their future development, the study seeks to provide a comprehensive overview that enables firms to address challenges and position themselves strategically in the emerging green hydrogen market in Germany. A qualitative research methodology was employed, incorporating semi-structured expert interviews and analyzed using Kuckartz’s Structured Content Analysis. Market scenarios were developed based on expert insights and previous literature review, capturing potential regulatory and market developments and their implications for firm strategies. The results highlight the critical role of regulatory support and long-term stability as well as infrastructure development and technological advancements to create a stable market, driving green hydrogen adoption. Four market scenarios were developed to anticipate potential future outlooks, outlining strategic approaches for firms to mitigate risks and capitalize on opportunities. Limitations include the reliance on qualitative data, which may not fully capture the diversity of stakeholder perspectives, and the rapidly evolving nature of the green hydrogen sector, which could shift key findings over time. Thisthesis provides valuable practical implicationsfor firms and policymakers, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts acrossthe value chain, robust public-private partnerships, and scenario-based strategic planning. By addressing these elements, the thesis contributes to the understanding of how firms can adapt and thrive within the volatile green hydrogen market in Germany.
- A managerial perspective on generative AI’s role in digital twin- enabled positive energy districtsPublication . Schmidt, Vanessa; Bohnsack, RenéAs cities worldwide strive toward more sustainable energy systems, Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) have emerged as a promising approach to achieving net-positive annual energy balances. However, the complexity and variability of urban energy supply and demand pose significant challenges for effective energy management. This thesis investigates how the integration of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) with Digital Twin (DT) technologies can enhance PEDs. Based on a comprehensive literature review, project proposals, and qualitative interviews with industry experts, the research explores how GenAI can strengthen DT capabilities by improving forecasting accuracy, scenario testing and resource allocation. Key findings show that GenAI can fill data gaps, support adaptive modelling and facilitate proactive energy distribution decisions. In addition, the research identifies organisational and regulatory barriers - such as privacy, interoperability standards and the need for capacity building - that must be overcome to realise these benefits. By providing actionable insights into how GenAI can augment DTs, this work contributes to the theoretical and practical knowledge of sustainable urban energy systems. It highlights the importance of strategic planning, stakeholder collaboration and robust governance mechanisms to guide managers and policy makers towards more efficient, equitable and forward-looking energy solutions in DTs.
- Navigating uncertainty : quantifying residual load and enhancing portfolio resilience for EDP PortugalPublication . Rauser, Daniel Marco; Nogueira, MiguelDecarbonizing the energy sector is crucial to achieve climate goals set by international agreements. Energias de Portugal (EDP), which relies heavily on renewable energy, may face significant challenges due to increased potential variability and uncertainty in energy generation caused by climate change. These changes significantly influence the residual load, which is formally defined as the difference between total electricity demand and renewable energy supply. The thesis employs an innovative methodology that uses climate data with advanced predictive analytics to first assess EDP9s current residual load and later estimate future residual loads and its implications until 2045. It is novel in integrating different data, including company-specific data, high resolution climate data amongst others, to provide climate scenario risk assessments. Simulations are conducted to explore strategic mitigation paths such as energy storage expansion, optimizing investments, or bitcoin mining for excess energy utilization. The results show increased residual load in the future, mainly influenced by intensified climate extremes, including anticipated droughts that significantly affect hydropower production, which makes up 75% of EDP9s generation portfolio in severe climate scenarios. The originality of the study is in translating climate risks into interpretable financial terms for EDP and providing concrete recommendations for strategic adaptation especially concerning portfolio expansions. While EDP's current investments, including large-scale batteries and diversified renewable assets, are increasing resilience, this research quantifies further diversification. Ultimately, this thesis highlights the need for proactive, data-driven planning to ensure long term financial stability and operational reliability of renewable-centric energy providers in a climate-uncertain future.
- The Paris agreement : an analysis of its effects on energy firms’ investments and profitability in Europe and United StatesPublication . Tomasi, Davide; Stahl, JörgThe Paris Agreement has significantly influenced the energy sector, emphasizing the transition to low-carbon economies. This thesis explores its impact on the capital expenditure and profitability of energy companies in Europe and the United States, focusing on differences between firms reliant on fossil fuels and those exclusively using renewable energy. Employing a Difference-in-Differences (DiD) approach, the study examines how regulatory frameworks and policy uncertainty shaped corporate decisions. The analysis reveals that the Paris Agreement had a negative effect on investments of polluting energy firms, with variations between regions due to differences in policy stability. While the profitability of these firms declined in Europe, we observed no significant impact in the United States, likely reflecting the influence of regulatory and political contexts. Robustness checks support the findings, though some limitations in data interpretation remain. This research contributes to understanding how international climate agreements affect corporate strategy, highlighting the importance of regulatory design and stable policy environments in driving sustainable investment and financial performance.
- A service-driven energy transition : understanding the consumer and business perspective of solar-as-a-service empirical inductive research on the impact of solar-as-a-service on the adoption of solar systems in German householdsPublication . Bogner, Johanna Christina; Azevedo, CarlosThe transition toward decentralized energy production has positioned homeowners as key players in the energy market. While various pathways to prosumerism have been explored, emerging business models such as Solar-as-a-Service (SaaS) present new opportunities and challenges. This study investigates how SaaS can increase prosumerism and drive solar adoption in single- and two-family homes in Germany, where 89% of such households remain untapped for solar energy adoption. The research explores barriers, motivators, business model improvements, and expert insights on SaaS. Using an exploratory approach that includes qualitative interviews with experts and homeowners, as well as quantitative data from the consumer research platform GWI. The study identifies lack of awareness, complexity, financial concerns, reliance on SaaS providers and limited flexibility as key barriers to adoption. However, motivators include cost savings, ease of installation and maintenance, and environmental benefits. The findings suggest that current SaaS models could be improved by offering more flexible contracts, bundling solar with energy management services, and educating consumers on flexsumerism. The study concludes that Solar-as-a-Service is unlikely to drive solar adoption in German single-and two-family homes. While improvements could boost appeal, profitability remains a challenge. However, SaaS can play an important role in multi-party buildings and rental properties, becoming a catalyst for mass prosumer adoption and contributing to Germany's renewable energy transition.
- Sustainable credit : integration of ESG principles in the grating of personal credit by UNICREPublication . Freire, Raquel Machado Santos Vicente; Xavier, RuteThis dissertation focuses on the design and development of a new green credit product for renewable energies at UNICRE, with the aim of aligning financial solutions with ESG principles and supporting sustainability objectives. By analysing both a consumer survey structured based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) and benchmarking, it was possible to identify the main characteristics that customers value and the factors that influence their decision to adopt the green credit product. Social influence and ease of use proved to be the main factors. Recommendations include using stories and partnerships to inspire trust, simplifying credit processes and transparently presenting the product's environmental benefits to improve UNICRE's market position.