scholarly journals Economic Evaluation of PV Installations for Self-Consumption in Industrial Parks

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 728
Author(s):  
Juan Pedrero ◽  
Patxi Hernández ◽  
Álvaro Martínez

This paper presents an analysis of the economic performance of photovoltaic (PV) self-consumption systems at an industrial park in the Basque Country (north of Spain). The economic feasibility of the installations is largely dependent on self-consumption and compensation due to electricity injected into the grid, as well as the assumed evolution of the electricity prices. A sensitivity analysis is carried out for different installation sizes and different evolution scenarios concerning electricity prices. The potential for installations for shared self-consumption with dynamic and static distribution coefficients is also analyzed. The results show that medium sized installations are generally a cost effective way to reduce energy bills, while the economic performance of larger installations is more uncertain, and is largely dependent on the selling price for electricity injected into the grid. This case study found that the economic benefits of shared self-consumption between different companies are substantial, and are slightly more favorable when applying dynamic distribution factors.

Energies ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1978 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanna Uski ◽  
Erkka Rinne ◽  
Janne Sarsama

Microgrids can be used for securing the supply of power during network outages. Underground cabling of distribution networks is another effective but conventional and expensive alternative to enhance the reliability of the power supply. This paper first presents an analysis method for the determination of microgrid power supply adequacy during islanded operation and, second, presents a comparison method for the overall cost calculation of microgrids versus underground cabling. The microgrid power adequacy during a rather long network outage is required in order to indicate high level of reliability of the supply. The overall cost calculation considers the economic benefits and costs incurred, combined for both the distribution network company and the consumer. Whereas the microgrid setup determines the islanded-operation power adequacy and thus the reliability of the supply, the economic feasibility results from the normal operations and services. The methods are illustrated by two typical, and even critical, case studies in rural distribution networks: an electric-heated detached house and a dairy farm. These case studies show that even in the case of a single consumer, a microgrid option could be more economical than network renovation by underground cabling of a branch in order to increase the reliability.


Author(s):  
Laura Soares ◽  
Hao Wang

Many airports are converting their ground fleets to electric vehicles to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase airport operation sustainability. Although this paradigm shift is relevant to the environment, it is necessary to understand the economic feasibility to justify the decision. This study used life-cycle cost analysis (LCCA) to compare the economic performance of electrified ground fleets in the airport with a conventional fossil fuel fleet. Three different charging systems (plug-in charging, stationary wireless charging, and dynamic wireless charging) for pushback tractors and inter-terminal buses at a major hub airport were considered in the analysis. Although the conventional fossil fuel options present the lowest initial cost for both fleets, they cost most in a 30-year analysis period. Among three electric charging infrastructures, the plug-in charging station shows the least accumulative cost for pushback tractors, and their cost differences are negligible for inter-terminal buses. Although the electric ground fleet is proved to show economic benefits, the most cost-effective charging infrastructure may vary depending on driving mileage and system design. The use of LCCA to analyze new systems and infrastructures for decision making at the project level is highly recommended.


Author(s):  
Sanna Uski ◽  
Erkka Rinne ◽  
Janne Sarsama

Microgrids can be used for securing power supply during network outages. Underground cabling of distribution networks is another effective, but conventional and expensive alternative to enhance reliability of power supply. This paper presents firstly an analysis method for the determination of microgrid power supply adequacy during islanded operation, and secondly, a comparison method for overall cost calculation of microgrids vs. underground cabling. The microgrid power adequacy during a rather long network outage is required in order to indicate high level of reliability of supply. The overall cost calculations consider the economic benefits and costs incurred combined for both the distribution network company and the consumer. Whereas the microgrid setup determines the islanded operation power adequacy and thus the reliability of supply, the economic feasibility results from the normal operations and services. The methods are illustrated by two typical, and even critical, case studies in rural distribution networks: an electric-heated detached house and a dairy farm. These case studies show that even in case of a single consumer, a microgrid option could be more economical than network renovation by underground cabling of a branch in order to increase reliability.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianming Guo ◽  
Kaixuan Huang ◽  
Rou Cao ◽  
Junhua Zhang ◽  
Yong Xu

Abstract Background Xylo-oligosaccharide is the spotlight of functional sugar that improves the economic benefits of lignocellulose biorefinery. Acetic acid acidolysis technology provides a promising application for xylo-oligosaccharide commercial production, but it is restricted by the aliphatic (wax-like) compounds, which cover the outer and inner surfaces of plants. Results We removed aliphatic compounds by extraction with two organic solvents. The benzene–ethanol extraction increased the yield of acidolyzed xylo-oligosaccharides of corncob, sugarcane bagasse, wheat straw, and poplar sawdust by 14.79, 21.05, 16.68, and 7.26% while ethanol extraction increased it by 11.88, 17.43, 1.26, and 13.64%, respectively. Conclusion The single ethanol extraction was safer, more environmentally friendly, and more cost-effective than benzene–ethanol solvent. In short, organic solvent extraction provided a promising auxiliary method for the selective acidolysis of herbaceous xylan to xylo-oligosaccharides, while it had minimal impact on woody poplar.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhi-Hua Liu ◽  
Naijia Hao ◽  
Yun-Yan Wang ◽  
Chang Dou ◽  
Furong Lin ◽  
...  

AbstractBiological lignin valorization has emerged as a major solution for sustainable and cost-effective biorefineries. However, current biorefineries yield lignin with inadequate fractionation for bioconversion, yet substantial changes of these biorefinery designs to focus on lignin could jeopardize carbohydrate efficiency and increase capital costs. We resolve the dilemma by designing ‘plug-in processes of lignin’ with the integration of leading pretreatment technologies. Substantial improvement of lignin bioconversion and synergistic enhancement of carbohydrate processing are achieved by solubilizing lignin via lowering molecular weight and increasing hydrophilic groups, addressing the dilemma of lignin- or carbohydrate-first scenarios. The plug-in processes of lignin could enable minimum polyhydroxyalkanoate selling price at as low as $6.18/kg. The results highlight the potential to achieve commercial production of polyhydroxyalkanoates as a co-product of cellulosic ethanol. Here, we show that the plug-in processes of lignin could transform biorefinery design toward sustainability by promoting carbon efficiency and optimizing the total capital cost.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Natalia Alfonso ◽  
Adnan A Hyder ◽  
Olakunle Alonge ◽  
Shumona Sharmin Salam ◽  
Kamran Baset ◽  
...  

Abstract Drowning is the leading cause of death among children 12-59 months old in rural Bangladesh. This study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of a large-scale crèche intervention in preventing child drowning. Estimates of the effectiveness of the crèches was based on prior studies and the program cost was assessed using monthly program expenditures captured prospectively throughout the study period from two different implementing agencies. The study evaluated the cost-effectiveness from both a program and societal perspective. Results showed that from the program perspective the annual operating cost of a crèche was $416.35 (95%C.I.: $222 to $576), the annual cost per child was $16 (95%C.I.: $9 to $22) and the incremental-cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) per life saved with the crèches was $17,803 (95%C.I.: $9,051 to $27,625). From the societal perspective (including parents time valued) the ICER per life saved was -$176,62 (95%C.I.: -$347,091 to -$67,684)—meaning crèches generated net economic benefits per child enrolled. Based on the ICER per disability-adjusted-life years averted from the societal perspective (excluding parents time), $2,020, the crèche intervention was cost-effective even when the societal economic benefits were ignored. Based on the evidence, the creche intervention has great potential for reducing child drowning at a cost that is reasonable.


2015 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 227
Author(s):  
D. Y. Dzansi

<p>Researchers and policy makers worldwide are convinced that only clear empirical evidence of the economic benefits of business social responsibility (BSR), rather than normative assertions, can motivate small businesses enough to accept and adopt it as an integral business practice. Unfortunately, empirical research so far has yielded mixed results, such that smaller businesses are right to be skeptical about adopting BSR. This paper reports the findings of empirical research on patterns of BSR engagement practices and growth in firms’ sales and gross profit among small and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in a South African setting. This is to determine how a small firm’s economic performance varies (if at all) with the degree of its BSR performance and the kind of BSR activity it engages in. The results suggest a high degree of BSR activity among firms with substantial portions of profit dedicated to BSR. However, contrary to expectations, very weak (minor) link was found between BSR performance and economic performance among the sample of small businesses on some but not all dimensions of BSR considered in the study. Nonetheless, it is recommended that managers and owners of small businesses be encouraged to adopt and practice BSR. Even if they do not do so for economic reasons, they would be right to do so to ‘atone’ for the widely acknowledged detrimental impacts of business on society. </p>


2006 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 102-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bradley Guy

Deconstruction is the selective dismantling of building structures to recover the maximum amount of primarily reusable and secondarily recyclable materials in a safe and cost-effective manner. Deconstruction is a labor intensive process and can be difficult to achieve in a time-efficient and economical manner for light wood-framed buildings. Deconstruction techniques that balance hand and mechanical labor must be developed to maintain the integrity of materials for reuse and obtain maximum salvage value per unit of cost and time-on-site. This project entailed the removal of three identical WWII-era two-story wood-framed barracks buildings at Ft. McClellan Army Base, Anniston, AL, using hand deconstruction, combined mechanical and hand deconstruction techniques, and a traditional demolition method, i.e., mechanical reduction and disposal, in order to determine “optimal” deconstruction techniques based on salvage value per unit of cost. The maximum practical materials salvage from the study buildings using 100% hand deconstruction techniques was 39% of the mass by weight. A combination of hand and mechanical techniques was discovered to have approximately the same economic efficiency as 100% hand deconstruction, measured as a ratio of gross cost per salvage value, with a 44.6% reduction in total labor-hours, and a reduction of only 7% of salvage materials by weight. These findings indicate the potential for greatly increasing wood-framed building deconstruction practice relative to the additional time-on-site and labor that is required, compared to demolition, while optimizing economic benefits. This paper describes the research methods and deconstruction techniques employed, and lessons learned to advance the practice of deconstruction to be more economically competitive and time-efficient.


1994 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael A. Cimino ◽  
Coleman M. Rotstein ◽  
Jason E. Moser

OBJECTIVE: To describe the economic benefits of a quality improvement effort directed at optimizing clinical outcome. DESIGN: A before—after observational design was used to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of a consensus approach to antimicrobial therapy. SETTING: The evaluation was conducted at a cancer research hospital. PATIENTS: Oncology patients requiring parenteral antibiotic therapy were consecutively observed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Outcome (clinical and microbiologic response), safety, and cost of therapy were assessed during a baseline period and compared to a period during which the consensus approach was used. INTERVENTIONS: The influence of a designated individual, in this case a clinical pharmacist, responsible for promotion of the consensus approach was explored. RESULTS: The consensus approach in combination with the promotional efforts of the clinical pharmacist was associated with a 13 percent increase in overall clinical response and a reduction of pathogen persistence from 22 to 11 percent. No difference in the average number of adverse effects per patient was observed over the two observation periods. These findings were associated with an estimated $22000/month cost savings. The consensus approach alone, without benefit of the clinical pharmacist, was not associated with improved therapeutic outcome or cost savings over the same observation periods. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that a consensus approach to antibiotic therapy can be cost-effective. An individual, such as a clinical pharmacist, may add significantly to quality improvement and cost-effective efforts in a hospital setting.


Author(s):  
Mohammad Anwar Rahman ◽  
Vivian A. Pereda

Freight transportation and logistics decisions such as modal choice decisions are strategically important for effective supply chain operation and economic benefits. The freight selection logistic is a multi-criteria multi-objective (MCMO) process, crucial for smooth sourcing of materials, cost-effective delivery of products to customers in the right time, at the right quantity. The study discusses the major transport logistics attributes and the order preference by similarity ideal solution (TOPSIS) algorithm as the preferred MCMO model to support comparative ranking among the alternative freights. The entropy weight coefficient method minimizes the subjectivity in the selection of weight of the attribute. This study integrates the entropy technique on TOPSIS platform to improve the freight selection decision. A numerical example illustrates the procedure of the proposed algorithm and ranks the choices among truck, rail, and several intermodal transport combinations (rail/truck and air/truck) in a transportation selection model.


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