60 percent of toilets in India are constructed with an onsite sanitation system (OSS). In the West Bengal (WB) State of India, 78 percent of the urban population is covered with unsewered and OSS systems. There is no detailed study that compares the economic benefits of FSTP in India with those of a Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP). This study is done to derive the anticipated outcome and benefits which may be achieved from independent Faecal Sludge Treatment Plants (FSTP) concerning economic aspects and control of environmental pollution caused by untreated discharge of Faecal Sludge (FS) and Septage into open ground and water bodies. The study was conducted in an indigenous and unique manner, following rigorous literature reviews and data collection. The study emphasises the immediate implementation of FSTP in each city where an unserved sanitation system exists. To establish an independent FSTP with 100 KLD capacity, it is concluded that the average capital cost (CapEx) for construction and its operation and maintenance cost (OpEx) for 15 years are around INR 106.5 million and INR 330 million, respectively. Considering this, the total CapEx plus OpEx (15 years) incurs around INR 985 per capita for using FSTP. On the other hand, the same approach, using STP, amounts to approximately INR 18,000 per capita, comprising capital expenditure (INR 9,000) and Operational Expenditure (INR 9,000 for 15 years). The economic benefits of adopting FSTP over STP are expected to reach INR 251 billion within the first 15 years. Moreover, end products of FSTPs add resource recovery, control environmental pollution, ensure sustainable development goals and promote a circular economy.

The aim of this research is to determine the influence of Capital Expenditures on the Economic Growth of Berau Regency, to determine the influence of Original Regional Income (PAD) on the Economic Growth of Berau Regency, to determine the influence of Capital Expenditures and Original Regional Income (PAD) on the Economic Growth of Berau Regency. This study uses a quantitative approach. Quantitative research is research that emphasizes analysis of numerical data (numbers) processed using statistical methods. The results of this research concluded that based on the results of the analysis and results of data processing calculations, the development of Berau Regency Regional Government Capital Expenditures does not always increase every year, it tends to fluctuate. The results of the test show that the Regional Original Income (PAD) variable has a positive and significant impact on Economic Growth both simultaneously, namely simultaneously and partially, namely individually. If the Regional Original Income (PAD) variable received is higher, the level of Economic Growth in Berau Regency will increase.

District Metered Area (DMA) systems promoted as a strategy for reducing Non-Revenue Water (NRW) and improving operational efficiency in urban water supply networks, yet their financial viability in Sub-Saharan Africa remains uncertain. This study assessed the economic feasibility of implementing 13 DMAs in Kinondoni Service Area under the Dar es Salaam Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (DAWASA) between 2023 and 2025. Using a cost benefit framework that combined Capital Expenditure (CapEx), Operational Expenditure (OpEx), and Net Revenue Gain (NRG), four indicators, Return on Investment (ROI), Cost-Benefit Ratio (CBR), Payback Period (PP), and Financial Sustainability Index (FSI) applied. Results showed poor short-term viability (ROI ?96.5%, CBR 0.035, PP 23.1 years, FSI ?0.797), driven by high initial costs and modest revenue gains. Scenario analysis identified NRG as the most decisive factor for financial recovery. The study concludes that DMA investments are not currently financially sustainable, but phased implementation in high-NRW zones, supported by tariff reform and donor cost sharing, could improve long-term economic viability. These findings provide important guidance for DAWASA, regulators, and development partners in designing policies and financing models for sustainable water supply management.

Electrochemical CO2 separations are receiving considerable attention as potentially modular, scalable, and economically viable alternatives to conventional technologies. Electrochemically mediated amine regeneration (EMAR) is a well-established technique employing readily available amine electrolytes; however, the integration of membranes introduces substantial capital expenditures and operational challenges [1-2]. This study presents a novel two-stage electrochemical system for CO2 capture achieved through a fundamentally redesigned EMAR process configuration. Gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs) function as gas-breathing interfaces serving as both the anode and cathode to facilitate cathodic absorption (simultaneous CO2 absorption with Cu2+ electroplating) and anodic desorption (simultaneous CO2 removal during copper oxidation). Taking advantage of the two-stage system, CO2 absorption and removal at the electrode interfaces induce a shift in the equilibrium Nernstian potential—more positive for the cathodic reaction and more negative for the anodic reaction—enabling the system to approach the thermodynamic minimum work more closely [3-4]. The mass transfer of redox species occurs via diffusion and migration under electrochemical forces, enabling batch-mode operation, which eliminates the need for electrolyte circulation. Furthermore, this redesign reduces the system's capital and operational expenditures (CapEx and OpEx) while maintaining high desorption efficiency, dropping the need for pumps, membranes, absorbers, and flash tanks.In this study, two types of GDE assemblies were used: mesh-attached and electrodeposited. Electrodeposited GDEs demonstrated superior performance, achieving CO2 removal efficiencies exceeding 90%, compared to 35–55% for mesh-attached GDEs. Copper loading for electrodeposited GDEs, was the determining factor; higher loadings resulted in lower carbon removal efficiency due to the copper layer acting as a physical barrier against CO2 transport. Optimal performance was achieved with a copper loading of 1.7 mg/cm2 on a Toray 060 gas diffusion layer (GDL), delivering 87% removal efficiency, 176 A/m2 current density, and 76 kJ/molCO2 energy consumption for flue gas (0.15 bar partial pressure, released at 1 bar). The detection of CO2 via online gas chromatography confirms the effectiveness of the system in selectively desorbing CO2 without side reactions or the co-transfer of other flue gas components i.e., N2 through the electrolyte.Techno-economic analysis of the membraneless EMAR system indicated a levelized cost of carbon capture (LCOCC) of approximately $69.7/tonneCO2, about 50% lower than the $137/tonneCO2 for conventional membrane-based systems. Sensitivity analysis suggests that carbon capture costs may be reduced to as low as $50/tonneCO2 with further improvements in current density and removal efficiency. This two-stage EMAR system represents a significant advancement in electrochemical carbon capture technology, offering a simpler configuration, smaller footprint, and substantially lower costs compared to conventional systems, making it a promising solution for scalable point-source carbon capture.

This project evaluates the economics of pyrolyzing eastern redcedar to produce bio-oil, and subsequent upgradation through a hydrogenation process, reducing its oxygen content and improving its energy density to meet conventional fuel heating values. The process simulation was carried out using Aspen Plus software, and the yields of biochar, bio-oil, and syngas from pyrolysis, which were modeled using a Ryield reactor at 450 °C, were derived from an experimental source selected for its detailed analysis of bio-oil compounds and their precise thermodynamic representation. Equipment and utility costing was performed using Aspen Economic Analyzer (AEA), and CAPCOST software.To accurately define the properties of eastern redcedar and biochar in Aspen Plus, the HCOALGEN model was selected to compute density, while the DECOALIGT model was employed for enthalpy calculations. Both models are reliable methods for handling non-conventional solids in Aspen Plus. The estimated annual fuel production after water removal was 39,903 kg at a biomass feed rate of 100 kg hr-1. In this process, biochar after pyrolysis was separated in a cyclone, and the vapor (bio-oil and syngas) was cooled, condensed, and separated into bio-oil and syngas in a knockout drum. Another separator was used to separate the water from the bio-oil. Thermal upgradation of bio-oil (water-free) is conducted in a RStoic reactor at 450 °C and 105 bar. Figure 1a is an Aspen Plus flowsheet that represents the generation of bio-oil from eastern redcedar as well as its thermal upgradation. The reactor was modeled to upgrade a select group of oxygenated compounds that significantly contribute to the higher heating value (HHV). Oxygen-free compounds that contribute minimally to HHV were not included in the upgradation to avoid consumption of expensive hydrogen, which would unnecessarily increase operating expenses without improving fuel quality. The wastewater generated after the upgradation was separated from the final fuel product. The built-in alkaline electrolyzer designed for water splitting was used for hydrogen generation in the electrochemical upgradation process. The electrochemical approach eliminates the need for the high-pressure pump and preheater required in the thermal process. The pump, heater, and RStoic reactor from the thermal section were replaced by a single electrolyzer unit (Figure 1b).The upgradation process reduced the oxygen content of the water-free bio-oil from 28.30 wt.% to < 20 wt.%, which, in turn, increased the HHV, estimated using Dulong’s equation, from 26.7 MJ kg-1 to 35.3 MJ kg-1, rendering the final product with a HHV close to that of conventional fuels. The results of the economic analysis showed an estimated plant capital expenditures (CAPEX) at $1.33 million for the thermal pathway and $0.97 million for the electrochemical pathway, with corresponding estimated annual operating expenditures (OPEX) of $0.47 million and $0.45 million, respectively. The discounted cash flow analysis (DCFROR) with an internal rate of return of 10% and a project life of 10 years was used to determine the minimum fuel selling price (MFSP) of the upgraded bio-oil, which were estimated to be $18.4 kg-1 and $16.1 kg-1 for the thermal and electrochemical pathways, respectively. The resulting fuel prices were higher than the current market rates, indicating the need to further refine the process via catalytic pyrolysis, heat integration, and/or upgrading unit operations, thus facilitating the scaling up of upgraded fuel production. These findings provide preliminary economic insights into bio-oil production from eastern redcedar for future research. Figure 1

This study presents a novel integrated system for electrochemical carbon capture (ECC) coupled with simultaneous energy storage capabilities, inspired by vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) chemistry [1]. The proposed process employs established vanadium (VO2 +/ VO2+) and ferricyanide (Fe(CN)6 3−/ Fe(CN)6 4−) redox couples to induce proton-driven modulation of solution pH, facilitating CO₂ capture and release via electrochemical pH-swing. The key advantage of this process is its potential dual functionality: it could capture CO2 and store energy when renewable electricity is abundant and regenerate the absorbent while releasing the stored energy to grid during periods of limited renewable generation. The initial phase of the study focused on the fundamental electrochemical principles and operational viability of the process through bench-scale experimentation. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was performed to isolate desired proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) reactions of vanadium while preventing parasitic or undesired redox reactions, particularly those involving lower oxidation states of vanadium. Using polarization curve analysis, an optimal practical potential of 0.5 V was determined to overcome kinetic and ohmic losses.Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was used to study the redox kinetics, highlighting significant performance improvements achieved through plasma treatment of graphite electrode surfaces. This treatment decreased the contact angle, increased hydrophilicity, and improved wettability, thereby enhancing electrochemical surface activity. Consequently, a 43% reduction in charge transfer resistance was achieved, enhancing current density and reaction kinetics. Additionally, comprehensive mass transfer studies established an optimized electrolyte composition consisting of a balanced 1:1 ratio of redox-active species to background electrolyte due to the trade-off between electrical conductivity and Faradaic efficiency. Bench-scale experiments demonstrated reversible system operation, achieving an energy consumption of approximately 54 kJ/mol CO2—comparable or superior to existing electrochemical capture methods reported in the literature. Additionally, the reversibility of the developed process was studied by its operation over multiple charge and discharge cycles.A detailed thermodynamic modeling effort was also carried out to support experimental observations and serve as the backbone of techno-economic analysis (TEA). The process modeling included four stages: 1-CO2 absorption using potassium carbonate (H2CO3) in the absorber, 2-electrochemical acidification during the charge cycle, 3-CO2 outgassing in the flash tank, and 4-electrochemical absorbent regeneration during the discharge cycle. Equilibrium speciation analysis of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) species, including bicarbonate (HCO3 −), carbonate (CO3 2−), and carbonic acid (H2CO3), was studied because of proton concentration modulation on the carbon capture process at different states of charge (SOC). The model revealed a substantial increase in CO2 partial pressure during proton-driven acidification, confirming the strong driving force for gas-phase CO2 desorption upon pH reduction. Furthermore, modeling outcomes guided the optimization of electrolyte concentrations and identified critical operational parameters influencing overall system performance, such as SOC, cell potential and redox speciation control within electrolytes.Complementing the experimental proof-of-concept studies, an extensive techno-economic analysis (TEA) was performed to evaluate the economic feasibility and potential commercial scalability of the technology. The TEA utilized detailed cost and performance metrics from commercially available VRFB literature, addressing a common limitation in ECC research due to the low technology readiness levels (TRL) and associated scarcity of accurate scaled-up cost data. This approach allowed for a more realistic TEA and reducing uncertainties typically associated with early-stage electrochemical systems. The economic analysis identified two primary capital expenditure drivers: (i) the electrode active surface area (ECSA)-to-geometric area (GA) ratio, critical for enabling three-dimensional scaling of electrochemical modules using porous electrodes, and (ii) membrane costs, particularly for proton exchange membranes such as Nafion. Meanwhile, operating expenses were mainly influenced by cell potential and Faradaic efficiency. A systematic sensitivity analysis conducted within the TEA framework evaluated the individual and combined impacts of these parameters, specifically examining the ECSA-to-GA ratio, membrane prices, current density, cell potential, and Faradaic efficiency. Additionally, the study introduced a novel "cost-target analysis," designed to assess the synergistic effects of simultaneous improvements across multiple performance metrics rather than evaluating them separately. This multi-variable approach identified operational regimes capable of achieving targeted capture costs of $100 and $75/tonneCO2 through incremental improvements in key parameters. Specifically, the analysis showed that reducing Nafion membrane prices to below $200/m2—or alternatively, adopting cost-effective membranes such as sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK)—is essential for meeting these economic targets. However, the performance and long-term durability of SPEEK membranes must be improved to ensure viability at scale. Additionally, increasing the ECSA-to-GA ratio above 10 was identified as another critical requirement.

The global installed capacity of renewable energy increased from 1,700 GW in 2014 to 3,869 GW in 2023. However, the variability and intermittency of renewable energy pose challenges to grid stability. Moreover, temporal and seasonal variability necessitates the use of energy storage systems. Water electrolysis has recently emerged as a Power-to-Gas (P2G) solution to address these issues by converting surplus power into hydrogen. However, when directly coupled with intermittent renewable energy sources, AWE systems suffer from performance degradation due to rapid load changes. To mitigate such issues, a battery can be used to enhance system stability. The AWE–battery hybrid system enables long-term energy storage through hydrogen and short-term balancing through batteries. Since the sizes of the AWE and battery capacity are affected by the electrolyzer control strategy, dynamic modeling is required to evaluate system performance under various operating conditions.In this study, a dynamic model of an AWE–battery hybrid system was developed using AMESim®. The system comprises a stack, pump, heat exchanger, gas–liquid separator, cooling system, condenser, oxygen catalytic combustor, dryer, and battery. To enhance prediction accuracy, the electrolyzer stack was implemented in C code to model the Nernst voltage, as well as activation and ohmic overvoltage. Additionally, the model considers the effect of changes in KOH concentration in the gas-liquid separator due to operation on cell performance and gas crossover. Two operating scenarios are proposed: a Constant case, where the battery receives energy from renewable energy and supplies a constant load to the AWE; and a Ramp case, where the AWE follows the renewable power profile within a ramp rate constraint, with the battery compensating for power mismatch. These scenarios are simulated over a one-year period and analyzed in terms of cost optimization, system efficiency, and operational stability. Cost optimization is assessed through the levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH), reflecting the impact of capital expenditures and degradation-induced operational costs under different control strategies. System efficiency is evaluated based on the operating range of the electrolyzer, particularly its deviation from the optimal efficiency region. Operational stability is analyzed by examining gas crossover behavior as influenced by varying operating conditions. Figure 1

The study focuses on the problem of maintaining Russia’s forward position in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The study is devoted to the development of scientific and practical recommendations for improving the financial support for the modernization of fixed capital of Russian enterprises. A review of all-Russian statistics of Rosstat for 2017-2022 is conducted and processed using trend and regression analysis methods. Capital expenditures on R D act as an indicator of financial support, and the involvement of enterprises in technological innovations, depreciation of their fixed capital and the intensity of its renewal act as an indicator of the results of technological upgrading of fixed capital. The financial perspective of technological modernization of Russian enterprises is revealed. A conclusion is made about the need to strengthen the technological sovereignty of business entities; a significant increase in financial support for their activities to modernize fixed capital is required. The study systematizes trends in the modernization of fixed capital of enterprises in Russia in 2017-2022, the imposition of which on future periods revealed the threat of Russia losing its global technological leadership. A model has been compiled that quantitatively characterized the technological response to scaling up the financing of modernization activities in Russia. Taking this into account, a financial strategy for the renovation of the fixed assets of Russian enterprises has been developed to strengthen their technological sovereignty in the period up to 2027. The strategy includes a target for increasing capital expenditures of organizations on RD and the expected return on it in the field of modernization of the fixed capital of firms in Russia in the period up to 2027. The developed strategy supports the implementation of the Concept of Technological Development of Russia until 2030, allowing to improve its financial support.

This study aims to examine the effect of local income, general allocation funds, and regional size on capital expenditure, with economic growth as a moderating variable, in local governments in Sumatra during the 2021–2023 period. This research uses a quantitative approach. Samples were selected using a purposive sampling technique with a total of 246 local governments in Sumatra during the 2021–2023 period. Data were analyzed using Moderated Regression Analysis (MRA) with EViews 13. Based on the analysis result, it was concluded that local income, general allocation funds, and regional size had a positive and significant effect on capital expenditure. This means that higher local income, increased general allocation funds, and larger regional size increase both the need for and the capacity to allocate capital expenditure. However, economic growth was unable to moderate the relationship between local income, general allocation funds, and regional size on capital expenditure.

The inappropriate use of antibiotics is a key driver of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and can lead to various adverse side effects. C-reactive protein (CRP) point-of-care testing (POCT) in primary care has shown potential as an effective strategy to reduce inappropriate antibiotic prescribing. This study evaluates the budget impact of introducing CRP POCT in Belgian primary care over a 5-year time horizon. A decision tree model was developed to compare the budget impact of implementing CRP POCT in primary care versus usual care (without CRP POCT) based on 712,102 acute cough patients annually. Cost and probability parameters were derived through literature review and primary data collection. The robustness of the findings was assessed using univariate and probabilistic sensitivity analyses. Additionally, alternative scenarios were explored by modifying key assumptions in the base-case scenario to evaluate the effect on the results. Over a 5-year period, implementing CRP POCT in Belgian primary care for the management of 712,102 acute cough patients annually is estimated to result in an incremental cost of approximately €12.8million (95% credible interval: 12,699,459to 12,924,898), primarily driven by capital expenditures for analysers and CRP test expenses. Scenario analyses showed substantial variation in budget impact depending on implementation choices, ranging from €13.6million to €39.6million, with the highest costs when general practitioners' (GPs') compensation was included. Reduced inappropriate antibiotic use, adverse side effects, and AMR rates would decrease costs, with these savings expected to grow over time as CRP POCT becomes more widely adopted. However, the proportion of these savings relative to total expenditure is limited. The implementation of CRP POCT entails a significant financial investment. Our scenario analyses indicate a substantial increase in budget impact when GPs' compensation was included. However, a well-designed implementation strategy with an appropriate GP compensation structure may be crucial to avoid inefficiencies from over- or underuse of CRP testing and achieve the anticipated health benefits.

This study assessed the influence of government financial activities on Ghana's economic performance from 2000 to 2024. Four interrelated fiscal aspects, namely, the dynamics of public debt, tax revenue mobilization, government expenditure, and government employment, were used. The study employed an autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model, Error Correction Models (ECM), and threshold regressions to determine the short-term variations and long-run equilibrium associations. This finding shows that all the short-run effects of public debt, tax effort, capital expenditure, wage bill, inflation, and rate on GDP growth are generally weak and statistically insignificant, implying that fiscal policy shocks in the study context do not generate immediate growth effects in Ghana. Nevertheless, the error-correction calculations across all the specifications do tend to be large, negative, and statistically significant, namely between -77-0.82, suggesting that the error is very quickly corrected, with this correction taking place on average between 77-82 percent a year. This highlights the idea that the fiscal sustainability, macro-fiscal credibility accolade, and quality of spending is what binds growth in the long term. Also, persistent and effective capital investment has constructive long-term development impacts, whereas continued growth of the wage bill in absence of concomitant productivity advances dissipates fiscal room and pushes away development-energetic investments. These results suggest that the year-to-year variations of the fiscal policy become less relevant and there should be anchoring of debt within sound limits, improved domestic revenue mobilization via tax base broadening and taxing digitization, and guarding high quality capital investments against recurrent expenditure shoves, connecting wage bill control to productivity, and improving the systems of public investment to minimize implementation delays.

The study examined the effect of air pollution control investments on financial performance of small scale agricultural firms in Nigeria. The specific objective was to ascertain the extent to which investment in air pollution control equipment and investment in air pollution control practices affect profit return on selected agriculture firms in Nigeria. Survey research design was adopted in the study. The population comprised owners/managers of 8,687,966 small-scale agricultural enterprises in Nigeria from which a sample size of 400 was selected. The study collected primary data from the respondents using structured questionnaire. The research questions were analysed using mean and frequency distribution. The hypotheses were tested using multiple regression analysis. The findings are: investment in air pollution control equipment has a significant and positive effect on the profit return of selected small scale agricultural firms in Nigeria (b = 0.560; p-value = 0.000); investment in air pollution control practices has a significant and positive effect on the profit return of selected small scale agricultural firms in Nigeria (b = 0.423; p-value = 0.000). In conclusion, integrating pollution control into operational strategies is not merely a compliance measure but a viable contributor to firm profitability. The study recommends that managers of small-scale agricultural firm should allocate a dedicated portion of the firms’ annual capital expenditure toward the acquisition and maintenance of air pollution control equipment such as emission capture systems, exhaust treatment units, or air filtration devices.

The current evolution of the energy context and progress in sustainable energy technologies are enabling the development of new energy supply systems for the residential sector. However, the techno-economic assessment of such energy systems is not straightforward and depends, among others, on the building type, its thermal insulation rate, and user patterns, as well as on the climatic conditions or energy and technology prices. This study therefore aims to develop an investment model for a typical UK household energy system that is applied to a diversity of scenarios to highlight the sensibility of the output results over stochastic input data such as electricity and heat demands, ambient temperature, and global solar irradiation. This dwelling diversity dataset is generated using a thermal–electrical demand model that uses stochastic techniques to model uncertainty. This contribution concludes with a discussion on how end-users can effectively take part in the energy transition while minimizing their energy bill and potentially generate long-term revenues. The main results show stable economic performance, with capital expenditure (CAPEX) ranging from GBP 15,400 to GBP 17,000 and NPV from GBP 21,000 to GBP 26,000 over 2000 individual scenarios. This study also confirms the leveraging effect of policy instruments, such as subsidies, in shifting the optimal system design towards higher shares of renewable and storage technologies, further reducing the reliance on fossil fuels and the impact on distribution systems.

Abstract The global push for climate neutrality and circularity has intensified interest in converting plastic waste into valuable chemical feedstocks. This study examines the techno‐economic feasibility of producing syngas from post‐consumer plastic waste (PCPW) via chemical looping partial oxidation (CLPO) and compares it to more established syngas production techniques, namely dry reforming of methane (DRM) and gasification of PCPW. Process simulations are conducted in Aspen Plus, targeting a syngas stoichiometric number (SN) of 2.0, which is ideal for downstream Fischer–Tropsch synthesis. The CLPO process, conceptualized in a dual fluidized bed reactor setup, is modeled using literature data and compared to DRM and gasification in terms of capital and operational expenditures (CAPEX and OPEX). A detailed separation train is designed to meet severe syngas purity requirements, accounting for typical impurities present in process feedstocks. Results show that, although CLPO offers flexibility and avoids direct air separation, it suffers from high CAPEX and OPEX, leading to a significantly higher levelized cost of syngas (LCOS) of 616 € t −1 , compared to 503 and 494 € t −1 for the DRM and gasification benchmarks, respectively. Sensitivity analyses highlight syngas selling price and reactor CAPEX as key economic drivers.

Environmental Protection Plans (EPPs) are vital for mitigating the socio-ecological impacts of quarry operations, especially in emerging economies like Thailand, where rapid industrialization often intensifies air, water, noise, and land degradation. This study applies the social return on investment (SROI) framework to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of multi-domain EPPs implemented in a quarry. By applying compliance-based assessment and monetization of environmental and health co-benefits, annual economic outcomes were quantified for particulate matter (PM10), total dissolved solids (TDS), noise reduction, and carbon sequestration. The analysis revealed a high SROI ratio of 59.55:1, primarily driven by substantial health benefits from PM10 and noise abatement. This ratio also reflects consideration of investment from an annual operational cost, with a sensitivity analysis of incorporating an estimated capital expenditure, reducing the ratio to moderate value ranges of 5–10:1. A number of limitations, such as exclusion of capital costs, reliance on fixed proxies, and single-year scope, may overstate short-term returns, suggesting the application of stochastic methods for enhanced robustness. Overall, the findings demonstrate that EPPs deliver substantial economic and public health benefits, supporting their role in fostering community resilience and advancing sustainable operations in quarry sectors.

Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) is Vietnam’s economic powerhouse, and public sector investment is viewed as a critical lever to sustain and accelerate its growth. This study examines the impact of public investment across different economic sectors on HCMC’s Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) growth. Utilizing official data from the General Statistics Office (GSO) and HCMC Statistical Office (e.g. public capital expenditures and sectoral GRDP), we apply quantitative frameworks including an augmented Solow model and panel regression analysis across major sectors, complemented by input–output (I-O) analysis to capture spillover effects. The findings indicate that public development spending has a significant positive effect on economic growth in HCMC, particularly when directed toward infrastructure and industrial sectors, albeit with diminishing returns at higher investment levels. Investment in infrastructure and construction shows the largest immediate growth multipliers, contributing to robust industrial output and productivity gains. Public spending on social sectors such as education and health, while yielding smaller short-term output impacts, is crucial for long-run growth through human capital improvement. The results align with the hypothesis of an optimal range of public investment – beyond which efficiency declines – consistent with Barro’s public expenditure-growth model. Our sectoral panel estimates find evidence of an inverted-U relationship between public investment and growth, suggesting that HCMC’s recent surge in public spending can bolster growth up to a point before potential crowding-out effects emerge. The input–output analysis further reveals significant inter-sectoral spillovers: for example, public infrastructure projects stimulate output in manufacturing and services through strong backward and forward linkages. Policy implications highlight the need for efficient allocation and management of public funds, prioritization of high-impact projects (e.g. transport and urban infrastructure), and reforms to enhance public investment efficiency. Overall, this research provides an in-depth, data-driven assessment of how sector-specific public capital formation drives HCMC’s economic growth, contributing to the literature on sub-national growth dynamics in emerging economies.

Cloud computing has transformed the way organizations approach IT infrastructure and service delivery by enabling on-demand access to computing resources over the internet. Rather than investing heavily in physical servers, storage and networking up front, businesses can adopt a pay-as-you-go model that shifts the major expense from capital expenditure (CapEx) to operational expenditure (OpEx). This change not only reduces upfront cost and financial risk, but also enables more flexible budgeting and allocation of resources. One of the most important benefits is scalability and elasticity: organizations can rapidly scale resources up or down in response to demand fluctuations such as seasonal peaks, sudden project-bursts or variable workload patterns without having to over-provision infrastructure in advance. This sensitivity to demand leads to more efficient resource utilization and better cost management. At the same time, cloud platforms enhance agility: new services or applications can be deployed quickly because the underlying infrastructure is already available, allowing businesses to test ideas, iterate faster and accelerate time-to-market. Cloud computing also opens the door to advanced technologies that might otherwise be out of reach such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), predictive analytics and large-scale data processing. Because cloud providers offer powerful compute, storage and analytics platforms, organizations can leverage these capabilities without large upfront hardware investments. This contributes to innovation and strategic differentiation. Accessibility and collaboration are further improved: cloud-based tools and services make it easier for users and teams to access applications and data anytime, anywhere, and from multiple devices, which supports remote work, cross-location projects and flexible operations. Security, disaster recovery and business continuity are additional advantages. Many cloud providers offer robust infrastructure with redundancy, backup, and disaster-recovery solutions built-in. This means that organizations can improve their resilience to hardware failures, site outages or data loss without bearing all the costs themselves. Moreover, cloud providers typically maintain dedicated security expertise and compliance capabilities, which can strengthen an organization’s security posture although responsibility for configuration and governance remains shared. Finally, cloud computing also contributes to sustainability efforts: by leveraging shared infrastructure, optimizing energy usage and reducing the footprint of individual data centers, organizations can align their IT operations with environmental goals and corporate social responsibility.

Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are among the most widely used renewable energy sources, with the global capacity expected to grow by 4000 GW by 2030 – mostly from utility‐scale projects. While many strategies to improve PV plant performance and efficiency exist, enhancements through optimal cable design and plant layout are often overlooked. Focusing on central inverter architectures, this study aims to investigate the impact of minor design changes on direct current (DC) string and sub‐array cables in PV systems, and the resulting impact on yield, power loss, and capital expenditure. A base case scenario PV plant is defined, and nine design variations are assessed, incorporating modifications to equipment selection and placement, inter‐tracker corridor widths, and cable sizes. For each scenario, DC cable layouts are developed, and the associated cable costs, losses, and yield impacts are calculated. Results show that equipment selection and placement have the most significant influence on cable cost and electrical performance. While increasing cable size reduces power losses, the associated capital cost potentially outweighs the energy yield benefits. This study highlights the importance of an iterative design during early project stages to balance financial return and technical performance, providing a practical framework for evaluating trade‐offs in PV plant design.

This study explored the effect of public debts on capital project financing in Nigeria using data ranging from 1981 to 2023. The study adopted the unit root test as a preliminary test, while the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) was used for the estimation proper. With the mixed integration of the variables under the unit root testing, the ARDL was deemed appropriate for the estimation. While public debt was measured by domestic debt, external debt, and debt servicing, capital project financing was measured by government capital expenditure. From the findings, the ARDL bounds test, which was applied to test for cointegration, revealed a long-run relationship among the variables under consideration. The long-run estimates of the model hold that both external and domestic debt had a favorable and noteworthy long-term effect on Nigeria's capital project financing, implying that an increase in external debt and domestic debt significantly enhanced capital project financing in Nigeria. However, the study discovered that debt servicing had a negative and substantial effect on funding of capital projects, meaning that the higher the cost of debt servicing, and more capital project financing was diminishing in Nigeria. The significance of the ARDL model demonstrated that the long-term components of the capital project finance model are interconnected. According to the estimates, changes in the amount of domestic debt had a greater impact on financing capital projects than did changes in the amount of external debt and debt servicing. This finding revealed that Nigeria's capital projects are being funded in part by its external and domestic debt. Hence, policymakers should ensure that debt is contracted for capital creation-based economic development rather than for selfish or political reasons, and that the government uses borrowed funds to fund economically beneficial projects that will increase output and reduce the debt load.

This study aims to determine the factors influencing the level of transparency required in local government financial reports on Sumatra Island until 2023. The following are the research factors: the amount of required LKPD disclosure, PAD, capital expenditure, total assets, and regional financial independence. Saturated sampling was used in this quantitative research design to select ten provinces. Data were sourced from local government financial documents. The results show that the level of required LKPD disclosure is substantially influenced by total assets, negatively and significantly by capital expenditure, and positively and significantly influenced by regional financial independence, but partially unaffected by the independent variable, PAD. However, the amount of required LKPD disclosure is also influenced by independent factors. The impact of independent factors in previous studies is shown in the literature review, which supports this.