University of Twente Student Theses
On-Site Cable Waste Management During the Construction of Energy Networks
Zurita Proaño, I. (2024) On-Site Cable Waste Management During the Construction of Energy Networks.
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| Abstract: | The Netherlands is undergoing an energy transition while striving to be sustainable. This shift in energy sources and overall energy production requires a rapid reconstruction of energy infrastructure. New forms of electrification will replace fossil fuel gas with electricity and transform for connections to renewable sources. Due to environmental goals for 2050, these changes need to be implemented in twenty years, a work that previously would have taken forty years (Circular Manager, 2024). The accelerated change places stress on the environment, particularly because the cables used for electricity generation are made of scarce materials like copper and aluminum. Despite this, efficient waste management in the construction of electricity projects has not been thoroughly investigated. This report aims to analyze how cable surplus is managed during the construction of energy networks considering the amount of new infrastructure that will be implemented in the future with electricity transported through cables. The investigation employs an ideal framework based on Ajayi et al. (2017) on Critical Management Practices Influencing On-site Waste Minimization in Construction Projects. The framework provides twelve measures that represent an ideal successful waste generation based on the four components of contract management, waste segregation, material reuse, and logistics management. The goal of this framework is to describe what is the best way to perform waste management on-site. The analysis will study the framework in comparison with the projects for constructing energy networks conducted between Alliander and Siers from the energy network construction sector. The application into the construction of energy networks so it is possible to minimize waste and reduce environmental impact from the industry. This qualitative research used triangulation to increase the validity of findings, meaning that data was collected from multiple sources. The study gathered 3 observations on-site construction areas, 11 interviews with professionals from different backgrounds in the supply chain, 19 national policies, and 33 company documents. The data was categorized, clustering it into groups based on the different measures from the framework. Grouping the methods was done by identifying patterns and conducting a thematic analysis, from which data was categorized into the measures from the framework. This approach helped conclude the current situation regarding waste management of cables in the construction of energy networks. Further conclusions on the success of waste management were drawn by comparing the situation described in the literature. The results indicated that seven out of twelve measures were properly applied by Alliander and Siers. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Bachelor) |
| Faculty: | ET: Engineering Technology |
| Programme: | Civil Engineering BSc (56952) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/104481 |
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