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Percorrer Reitoria por Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável (ODS) "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.
- Assessing the impact of extreme weather events on power grid failures : a data-driven analysis in SicilyPublication . Galvagno, Chiara; Fernandes, Pedro AfonsoThis thesis investigates the impact of extreme weather events on electric transmission networks in Sicily. As climate change increases the frequency and intensity of such events, and as decarbonization and integration of renewable energy introduce new operational complexities, the need for resilient grid infrastructure has become increasingly urgent. Sicily presents a compelling case due to its central Mediterranean location, geological and island characteristics, aging infrastructure, and growing renewable capacity, all of which increase vulnerability to weather-induced disruptions. A three-stage modeling framework is developed to predict grid failure occurrence, severity, and economic impact using daily panel data from 2014 to 2023, combining high-resolution weather data with transmission outage reports. The first stage employs binary classification to forecast outage occurrence; the second, multiclass classification to assess severity; and the third, regression analysis to estimate unserved energy and associated economic loss. While acknowledging that outages may have multiple causes, the analysis identifies weather, especially wind, as a key driver. Results also show that interpretable models, such as logistic regression, can provide operational value for prioritization and planning. The study contributes to climate-resilient grid planning by demonstrating the utility of supervised learning for predictive diagnostics and highlighting the importance of improved data integration in critical infrastructure monitoring.
- Business adaptation strategies in crisis : the MEO/MEO energia casePublication . Mendes, Guilherme dos Reis Gaspar; Cardeal, NunoThis thesis presents a real case of a company, its evolution and its current positioning, in order to respond to the scenario of uncertainty and volatility of the sector and the general situation it faces. The company studied is currently called MEO, whose origin comes from the beginnings of telecommunications in Portugal. Whether for external or internal reasons, the events of recent years have tested the company's ability to make strategic decisions in order to present an attractive and sustainable profitability. This case focuses with greater attention on the current threat to the global telecommunications sector, with the reduction of margins, driven on the one hand by external risk factors (e.g. inflation, political instability, etc.) and on the other by the outstanding growth of Over The Top services that conquer the direct relationship with the Customer. This last factor pushes telecommunications companies into the structural dilemma of becoming either a "just" infrastructure provider or developing and diversifying services that the end customer values and can represent a competitive advantage for global companies in the sector. The way MEO has responded over time and especially the recent strategic investment in the energy retail business 3 MEO Energia, is evaluated in this case that aims to serve as pedagogical material for the study of the applicability of strategy theories, namely: Porter's five forces, the RBV (Resource Base View) Theory and the Theory of Dynamic Capabilities.
- Data-driven solar surplus forecasting for UPACs using a deep neural networkPublication . Kreuzer, Laurenz; Nogueira, MiguelThis thesis addresses MEO Energia’s operational challenges in solar surplus forecasting for Units of Production for Self-Consumption (UPACs). These UPACs, including private households and small companies with solar panels, generate renewable energy for self-consumption and feed surplus electricity back into the Portuguese national grid. To comply with regulatory requirements, avoid financial penalties, and optimize operations, MEO Energia must report solar surplus production to the National Energy Network 48 hours in advance. To address these challenges, a predictive model based on a feedforward Deep Neural Network (DNN) was developed. The model generates forecasts at 15-minute intervals over a 7-day horizon, integrating historical production records with weather data obtained through a free weather API. An embedding layer enhances performance significantly by extracting latent patterns from supplier-specific IDs, allowing the model to adapt to the unique characteristics of individual UPACs. The model’s performance was evaluated using a six-month holdout dataset. Results indicate reliable short-term predictions, achieving daily aggregate errors of ±6% with the latest weather forecast data. Accuracy decreases with extended forecast horizons, reaching ±11% deviations for 48-hour forecasts, highlighting dependency on weather forecast precision. This research demonstrates the potential of DNN-based models to improve solar surplus prediction accuracy and operational efficiency. Current performance matches that of existing methods while offering significantly increased efficiency. Long-term improvements, driven by enhanced data quality and coverage, are expected to further optimize accuracy and position MEO Energia as a stronger competitor in the renewable energy market.
- 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.
- Do green bonds behave differently under geopolitical risk? : evidence from a matched-pairs portfolio study (2020-2024)Publication . Rolim, Hugo dos Santos; Martins, SusanaThis thesis examines whether green bonds display different sensitivities to geopolitical risk compared to conventional corporate bonds. Despite the rapid expansion of the green bond market, little is known about its short-term behavior under geopolitical shocks, representing an important gap in the sustainable finance literature. To address this, the study constructs a bond level matched dataset of investment-grade issuances from Europe and the Americas, covering the period from 2020 to 2024. Green bonds are matched with non-green counterparts on key structural features, and portfolio returns are analyzed using dynamic regressions with controls for U.S. Treasury yields. The results show that geopolitical shocks generate a consistent two-day cycle: same-day losses of approximately 0.32 to 0.36 percentage points followed by near-symmetric rebounds. Treasury yields remain the dominant driver of daily variation, explaining over two-thirds of return movements. Green bonds exhibit a very small, short-lived cushion relative to conventional bonds, which reverse quickly and lack economic significance.
- Driving Porsche’s electric future : the role of Porsche financial services in the go-to-market strategy for battery electric vehiclesPublication . Marx, Helena; Almeida, SílviaThis dissertation investigates how Porsche Financial Services (PFS) can impact the innovation adoption process for Porsche’s Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) in an environment of decreasing margins and demand combined with lower residual values and higher production costs. Applying the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2) framework, the dissertation integrates expert insights and customer perspectives by using a mixed-methods approach to identify key go-to-market initiatives driving BEV adoption. The findings show that PFS needs to transform its value proposition into a service-oriented, customer-centric provider that can impact BEV adoption by offering individualized leasing and financing options, increasing the flexibility of its pricing models, and accelerating an omnichannel customer journey. Strategic initiatives such as bundling financial services with insurance and maintenance, improving charging infrastructure access, and addressing range anxiety through flexible usage models can significantly reduce barriers to BEV adoption. Additionally, building on Porsche’s premium brand reputation while targeting younger, environmentally conscious customers can position PFS as an enabler of sustainable mobility combined with a luxurious experience. Data-driven personalization is fundamental in this process and requires PFS to invest in digital platforms that address customers’ needs while remaining compliant with regulatory constraints. This transformation to a platform-based service provider requires significant strategic repositioning and poses fundamental challenges, particularly in terms of data architecture, high investments, and risk management.
- 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.