ESTIMATION OF LONG-TERM INVESTMENT PROJECTS WITH ENERGY-EFFICIENT SOLUTIONS BASED ON LIFE CYCLE COSTS INDICATOR

Abstract

The starting stage of the tender procedures in Russia with the participation of foreign suppliers dictates the feasibility of the developments for economical methods directed to comparison of technical solutions on the construction field. The article describes the example of practical Life Cycle Cost (LCC) evaluations under respect of Present Value (PV) determination. These create a possibility for investor to estimate long-term projects (indicated as 25 years) as commercially profitable, taking into account inflation rate, interest rate, real discount rate (indicated as 5 %). For economic analysis air-blower station of WWTP was selected as a significant energy consumer. Technical variants for the comparison of blower types are: 1 - multistage without control, 2 - multistage with VFD control, 3 - single stage double vane control. The result of LCC estimation shows the last variant as most attractive or cost-effective for investments with economy of 17,2 % (variant 1) and 21,0 % (variant 2) under adopted duty conditions and evaluations of capital costs (Cic + Cin) with annual expenditure related (Ce+Co+Cm). The adopted duty conditions include daily and seasonal fluctuations of air flow. This was the reason for the adopted energy consumption as, kW∙h: 2158 (variant 1),1743...2201 (variant 2), 1058...1951 (variant 3). The article refers to Europump guide tables in order to simplify sophisticated factors search (Cp /Cn, df), which can be useful for economical analyses in Russia. Example of evaluations connected with energy-efficient solutions is given, but this reference involves the use of materials for the cases with resource savings, such as all types of fuel. In conclusion follows the assent to use LCC indicator jointly with the method of determining discounted cash flows, that will satisfy the investor’s need for interest source due to technical and economical comparisons.