Preda, M. (2017). Integrating renewable energy sources in marinas and nautical ports in Croatia : an innovative smart grid concept and business plan [Master Thesis, Technische Universität Wien; Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien]. reposiTUm. https://doi.org/10.34726/hss.2017.45921
Main objectives of this master thesis are to identify and assess the introduction of renewable energy sources in marinas and nautical ports, jointly with existing environmental programs building on the quality and environmental management and monitoring differentiators and demand estimation tools to achieve competitive advantage. The document explores the current status and drivers of smart grid disruptive technologies, as well as latest technological concepts to propose an integrated solution driving sustainable development towards the achievement of a zero emission marina. With the purpose to address such need, a smart grid concept is proposed integrating a hybrid renewable energy sources distribution system, energy management software and an IOT platform as a turnkey solution. The current scarcity of RES integration in marina operation, as well as increasing favorable market pull and technology push policies, have created an environment fostering innovation with first-mover advantage opportunities. With the emergence of such turn-key solution integrators, the thesis also aims at establishing an efficient methodology for such vehicles to provide a viable venture with a strong emphasis on customer preferred product attributes. Towards the achievement of the proposed objectives the author has decided on international literature review, an electronic audit of official websites of the marina operator electronic survey and business plan for the proposed concept. The results confirm the initial hypotheses and establish in a convincing matter that RES can be integrated into marina operators in line with current environmental programs through a viable smart grid concept. The originality of this master thesis lies in research of recent, international literature on the subject and empirical research performed resulting in the start-up launch proposal of an innovative turn-key solution integrator for marinas and nautical ports in Croatia.