An Alternative Approach to PV System Life Cycle Cost Analysis (PV LCC): Phase II

Solar Energy ◽  
2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Larsen ◽  
Jennifer Szaro ◽  
William Wilson ◽  
Kevin Lynn
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Life Cycle Cost ◽  
Life Time ◽  
Total System ◽  
Cost Information ◽  
Pv System ◽  
Reliability Data ◽  
Cost Performance ◽  
System Life ◽  
The Impact

This analysis expands the photovoltaic (PV) life cycle cost (LCC) results presented at ASES 2004. That paper presented the model and concept used to develop PV LCC, and it showed the results of the analysis of over one hundred systems monitored by the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC). FSEC began tracking cost, performance and reliability data for systems installed in Florida in 1998, with data now available through a web-accessible database. For the majority of the 124 systems, installed cost information was collected as part of the state’s PV rebate and PV for schools programs. Results presented previously [1] indicated that over an assumed 20–30 system life time a PV system will have a positive life cycle cost. That is, a negative total return on investment. These results were based on actual cost, performance, maintenance, and reliability data. In the baseline case, average total system costs over the lifetime were 32.4¢/kWh while electricity savings totaled 3.7¢/kWh netting a life cycle cost of 28.7¢/kWh. While based on actual data from over 100 installed systems — some installed for over 6 years — a number of conservative assumptions also drove the analysis, such as the exclusion of the state’s rebate programs (varying from $2 to $5 per DC Watt) which impacted nearly all of the systems in the analysis. Since the first presentation of these results the PV LCC model has been further developed to incorporate additional performance information and expands the sample of systems incorporated. This paper will thus provide further insight into the relative importance of various up-front and on-going costs to the overall lifetime economics of a system. The paper will also address additional sensitivity analysis performed. Particular attention is paid to inverter mean time between failure (MTBF), the impact of incentives, and basic financial assumptions used in the model such as the discount rate and electricity rates. Various scenarios are considered in asking the question of what is necessary for the system LCC to break-even.

An Alternative Approach to PV System Life Cycle Cost Analysis

Solar Energy ◽  
2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Larsen ◽  
Jennifer Szaro ◽  
William Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Life Cycle Cost ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Population Sample ◽  
Department Of Energy ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Life Cycle Costs ◽  
Pv System ◽  
Pv Systems ◽  
The Impact

This analysis uses actual installed system costs from available data to better assess and understand the real installed and life cycle costs for small-scale photovoltaic (PV) installations. Most PV systems are sold on the basis of first cost, but in addition to these first costs, system owners must consider operation and maintenance (O&M) costs and down time, as well as energy savings [1]. The challenge in developing realistic life cycle costs is that most databases have only new data available, and only one database — that maintained by the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) — contains performance information along with cost and maintenance data. The goals of this effort are to: 1. Characterize the actual life cycle costs (LCC) of PV systems installed in Florida and tracked since 1998. 2. Develop a benchmark of PV LCC that will aid in prioritizing cost improvement steps and feed into the U.S. Department of Energy and its subcontractors’ efforts to develop a baseline for grid-connected small residential and larger commercial PV system costs. 3. Develop an easy to use and modify LCC model that allows sensitivity analysis and input of new data as it becomes available. The PV system LCC model developed and used here is based on statistical methods, which provide us with a range of expected outcomes. The Monte Carlo technique allows the use of repeated simulation iterations to mimic a population sample. For inputs, the model relies largely on data from FSEC’s performance and maintenance databases, and where appropriate simplifying assumptions are explained. Beyond establishing an LCC baseline, this project considers the sensitivity of the total LCC to various inputs and thereby provides guidance on the question of where to put valuable resources to substantially reduce PV system costs. Further discussion is offered concerning the additional value of this model in determining the impact of various methods of PV system performance tracking.

scholarly journals Life Cycle Assessment of Railway Ground-Borne Noise and Vibration Mitigation Methods Using Geosynthetics, Metamaterials and Ground Improvement

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 3753 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sakdirat Kaewunruen ◽  
Victor Martin
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Life Cycle Cost ◽  
Ground Improvement ◽  
Cycle Performance ◽  
Vibration Mitigation ◽  
Noise And Vibration ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Extreme Climate ◽  
Mitigation Methods ◽  
The Impact

Significant increase in the demand for freight and passenger transports by trains pushes the railway authorities and train companies to increase the speed, the axle load and the number of train carriages/wagons. All of these actions increase ground-borne noise and vibrations that negatively affect people who work, stay, or reside nearby the railway lines. In order to mitigate these phenomena, many techniques have been developed and studied but there is a serious lack of life-cycle information regarding such the methods in order to make a well-informed and sustainable decision. The aim of this study is to evaluate the life-cycle performance of mitigation methods that can enhance sustainability and efficacy in the railway industry. The emphasis of this study is placed on new methods for ground-borne noise and vibration mitigation including metamaterials, geosynthetics, and ground improvement. To benchmark all of these methods, identical baseline assumptions and the life-cycle analysis over 50 years have been adopted where relevant. This study also evaluates and highlights the impact of extreme climate conditions on the life-cycle cost of each method. It is found that the anti-resonator method is the most expensive methods compared with the others whilst the use of geogrids (for subgrade stiffening) is relatively reliable when used in combination with ground improvements. The adverse climate has also played a significant role in all of the methods. However, it was found that sustainable methods, which are less sensitive to extreme climate, are associated with the applications of geosynthetic materials such as geogrids, composites, etc.

scholarly journals Engineered Resilient System Life Cycle Costing Model

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 149-155
Author(s):  
Allen Blash ◽  
William Butler ◽  
Lindy Clark ◽  
Kyle Fleming ◽  
LTC Jennifer Kasker
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Life Cycle Cost ◽  
Defense Spending ◽  
Analysis Tool ◽  
Defense Acquisition ◽  
Cost Estimating ◽  
Tracked Vehicles ◽  
Test And Evaluation ◽  
System Life ◽  
The Cost

In order to make the best use of the defense spending budget, it is critical that the Department of Defense (DoD) accurately predict the Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E), Procurement, and Operation and Support (O&S) costs down to the third level of the Work Breakdown Structure for Major Defense Acquisition Project (MDAP) wheeled or tracked vehicles. This research utilizes historical data, extracted from government databases, to develop cost estimating relationships (CERs) that predict the life cycle cost of wheeled and tracked vehicles based on attributes. This research can also be leveraged for defense acquisition programs across the DoD portfolio. The model will be integrated into a tradespace analysis tool, ERS & CREATE-GV, which was developed by ERDC to predict the cost of each alternative created in the tradespace.

scholarly journals The Impact Assessment of Campus Buildings Based on a Life Cycle Assessment–Life Cycle Cost Integrated Model

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhuyuan Xue ◽  
Hongbo Liu ◽  
Qinxiao Zhang ◽  
Jingxin Wang ◽  
Jilin Fan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Life Cycle Cost ◽  
Electric Energy ◽  
Integrated Model ◽  
Economic Costs ◽  
Analytic Hierarchy ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
The Impact

The development of higher education has led to an increasing demand for campus buildings. To promote the sustainable development of campus buildings, this paper combines social willingness-to-pay (WTP) with the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) based on the characteristics of Chinese campus buildings to establish a life cycle assessment–life cycle cost (LCA–LCC) integrated model. Based on this model, this paper analyses the teaching building at a university in North China. The results show that the environmental impacts and economic costs are largest in the operation phase of the life cycle, mainly because of the use of electric energy. The environmental impacts and economic costs during the construction phase mainly come from the building material production process (BMPP); in this process, steel is the main source. Throughout the life cycle, abiotic depletion-fossil fuel potential (ADP fossil) and global warming potential (GWP) are the most prominent indexes. Further analysis shows that these two indexes should be the emphases of similar building assessments in the near future. Finally, this study offers suggestions for the proposed buildings and existing buildings based on the prominent problems found in the case study, with the aim to provide reference for the design, construction, and operation management of similar buildings.

Sustainable construction

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Waseem Khan ◽  
Yousaf Ali
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Rice Husk ◽  
Life Cycle Cost ◽  
Sustainable Construction ◽  
Partial Replacement ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Government Organizations ◽  
Construction Companies ◽  
Concrete Type ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The change in climate and depletion of natural resources because of the harmful emissions from different materials becomes a main issue for the globe. Some of the developed and developing countries have focused on this issue and performed research to provide a solution. The purpose of this study is to identify the best types of concrete based on its impact on the environment and economy. Design/methodology/approach The life cycle assessment and life cycle cost analysis of six concrete mixtures that include construction and demolition wastes (CDW), marble sludge, rice husk and bagasse ash as a partial replacement of cement, are performed. These types of concrete are compared with each other and with ordinary concrete to select the best possible concrete type for a developing country, like Pakistan. Findings The results show that, although for an agricultural country like Pakistan, the agriculture wastes such as rice husk and bagasse ash are preferable to be used, if the emissions of CO2 and CO from rice husk and NOx and SO2 from bagasse ash are properly controlled. However, based on the results, it is recommended to use the CDW in concrete because of the small amount of air emissions and affordable prices. Originality/value Through this study, a path has been provided to construction companies and relative government organizations of Pakistan, which leads to sustainable practices in the construction industry. Moreover, the base is provided for future researchers who want to work in this area, as for Pakistan, there is no database available that helps to identify the impact of different concrete on the environment.

Pump System Life Cycle Cost Reduction

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Heinz P. Bloch ◽  
Allan R. Budris
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Cost Reduction ◽  
Life Cycle Cost ◽  
Pump System ◽  
System Life

scholarly journals Aviation Technology Life Cycle Management: Importance for Aviation Companies, Aerospace Industry Organizations and Relevant Stakeholders

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stanislav Szabo ◽  
Ivan Koblen
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Cost Estimation ◽  
Life Cycle Cost ◽  
Aerospace Industry ◽  
Life Cycle Management ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Life Cycle Stages ◽  
Aviation Technology ◽  
Technology Life Cycle ◽  
System Life

<p align="LEFT">The paper in the introductory part underlines some aspects concerning the importance of Aviation Technology Life Cycle Management and informs on basic international standards for the processes and stages of life cycle. The second part is focused on definition and main objectives of system life cycle management. The authors subsequently inform on system life cycle stages (in general) and system life cycle processes according to ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288:2015 standard. Following the fact, that life cycle cost (LCC) is inseparable part and has direct connection to the life cycle management, the paper contains brief information regarding to LCC (cost categories, cost breakdown structure, cost estimation a.o.). Recently was issued the first part of Aviation Technology Life Cycle Management monograph (in Slovak: ”Manažment životného cyklu leteckej techniky I”), written by I.Koblen and S.Szabo. Following this fact and direct relation to the topic of article it is a part of article briefly introduced the content of two parts of this monograph (the 2nd part of monograph it has been prepared for the print). The last part of article is focused on issue concerning main assumptions and conditions for successful application of aviation technology life cycle management in aviation companies, aerospace industry organizations as well as from the relevant stakeholders side.</p>

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