Increase In Operating Costs Research Articles

Penentuan Kelayakan Pemberian Bantuan BBM pada Nelayan menggunakan Metode Vikor

Fishermen is a term for people whose daily work is catching fish or other biota that live on the bottom or surface of the water. Fishermen can also discuss and share experiences in overcoming problems in the fisheries and marine sector to meet the needs of fishermen. The government of the Fisheries and Marine Service is required to support the need for subsidized fuel for fishermen. The increase in fuel oil (BBM) has an impact on the operational costs of fishermen, because BBM is one of the main components in the daily activities of fishermen, with the high price of BBM, fishermen will face an increase in operational costs that they must spend to carry out fishing activities. This can reduce the income earned by fishermen, because higher costs will affect the profits that fishermen get from the sale of fish. So the Fisheries and Marine Service of Langkat Regency Provides Assistance for Fishermen in Langkat Regency, from the many assistance that have been distributed in this thesis I took a sample of the Fishermen of Secanggang Village. Based on the research conducted, the results obtained were that the first alternative that was a priority to receive subsidized fuel assistance for fishermen in Langkat Regency with a Q value = 0 and was entitled to be recommended. And the next priority was the second alternative with a Q value = 0.492.

Economic evaluation of the “Healthy Water for La Laguna” project

Objective: To identify the costs and benefits attributable to the “Healthy Water for La Laguna” project, quantifying and evaluating them throughout their useful life, with the aim of judging the convenience of conducting this project. Design/methodology/approach: An Economic-Financial Evaluation was conducted determining the main economic indicators: Internal Rate of Return (IRR), Net Present Value (NPV), and Cost-Benefit Rate (C/B R). Results: The project “Healthy Water for La Laguna” was profitable given the following indicators: Social Net Present Value of $26´819,451,175 in a horizon of evaluation of 34 years considering a discount rate of 10%, an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 35.29%, and a Benefit-Cost Rate of 2.8. In the sensitivity analysis, it was determined that the project shows a low sensitivity to the increase in investment and operation costs. However, it was seen that the variable that could have the most significant impact is that of benefits, since a reduction of more than 64.33% would make the Net Present Value (NPV) lower than zero. Limitations on study/implications: The one limitation found in the study was the lack of information, since some missing data had to be estimated. Findings/conclusions: It can be concluded that the execution of the project is essential and necessary to achieve an immediate increase in the consumption of drinking water in the locations covered by the project, in addition to serving as a departure point to improve the quality of the water used and to reduce the impacts of overexploitation.

Coffee Processing Business Feasibility In BUMDes Eka Giri Karya Utama Wanagiri Village, Buleleng Regency Bali Province

The potential for good coffee plantation yields needs to be developed and utilized to improve the village economy, which is the basis for establishing BUMDes Eka Giri Karya Utama. The development of this business unit is aimed at supporting an integrated coffee processing industry and being able to produce more efficiently and be able to produce products according to dynamic market demands. The research objectives were to describe governance, to analyze financial feasibility, and to analyze the level of sensitivity of the coffee processing unit in BUMDes Eka Giri Karya Utama. This research was made using descriptive analysis and business feasibility analysis with the investment criteria used being NPV (Net Present Value (NPV), IRR (Internal Rate of Return), Net Benefit-Cost Ratio (Net B/C), Payback Period, and sensitivity analysis. The type of data used is primary data collected by in-depth interviews, field observations, and literature study. There are two variables in this study, namely the benefits and costs variables. The results of the study show that the Village Owned Enterprises in their establishment are managed with the spirit of wanting to improve the village economy, making the village an independent village with all the potential that exists in the village. BUMDes management is carried out in a professional, transparent, participatory, and sustainable manner. sources of funds for this business unit come from the Ministry of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration, and the local village government. Based on the results of the financial analysis, the NPV value was IDR 679,311,964.218, IRR was 31,60%, Net B/C was 2,85 and PP was 4 years 7 months 2 days. Furthermore, the results of the sensitivity analysis with an increase in operational costs by 25.18% obtained an NPV of IDR 434,079,320.45, an IRR of 23.17%, and a net B/C of 2.12. Then for the assumption of a 14.28% decrease in revenue, an NPV of IDR 388,934,679.50, an IRR of 22.02%, and a Net B/C of 2.02 are obtained. This coffee processing business unit is feasible. After all, it can provide benefits for the manager because it meets the investment criteria. Based on the sensitivity analysis, the assumption of a decrease in revenue is more sensitive than an increase in operational costs. In the future, for business development, managers need to innovate so that products become more attractive and have competitiveness as well as invest in human resources and marketing.

Coffee Processing Business Feasibility In BUMDes Eka Giri Karya Utama Wanagiri Village, Buleleng Regency Bali Province

The potential for good coffee plantation yields needs to be developed and utilized to improve the village economy, which is the basis for establishing BUMDes Eka Giri Karya Utama. The development of this business unit is aimed at supporting an integrated coffee processing industry and being able to produce more efficiently and be able to produce products according to dynamic market demands. The research objectives were to describe governance, to analyze financial feasibility, and to analyze the level of sensitivity of the coffee processing unit in BUMDes Eka Giri Karya Utama. This research was made using descriptive analysis and business feasibility analysis with the investment criteria used being NPV (Net Present Value (NPV), IRR (Internal Rate of Return), Net Benefit-Cost Ratio (Net B/C), Payback Period, and sensitivity analysis. The type of data used is primary data collected by in-depth interviews, field observations, and literature study. There are two variables in this study, namely the benefits and costs variables. The results of the study show that the Village Owned Enterprises in their establishment are managed with the spirit of wanting to improve the village economy, making the village an independent village with all the potential that exists in the village. BUMDes management is carried out in a professional, transparent, participatory, and sustainable manner. sources of funds for this business unit come from the Ministry of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration, and the local village government. Based on the results of the financial analysis, the NPV value was IDR 679,311,964.218, IRR was 31,60%, Net B/C was 2,85 and PP was 4 years 7 months 2 days. Furthermore, the results of the sensitivity analysis with an increase in operational costs by 25.18% obtained an NPV of IDR 434,079,320.45, an IRR of 23.17%, and a net B/C of 2.12. Then for the assumption of a 14.28% decrease in revenue, an NPV of IDR 388,934,679.50, an IRR of 22.02%, and a Net B/C of 2.02 are obtained. This coffee processing business unit is feasible. After all, it can provide benefits for the manager because it meets the investment criteria. Based on the sensitivity analysis, the assumption of a decrease in revenue is more sensitive than an increase in operational costs. In the future, for business development, managers need to innovate so that products become more attractive and have competitiveness as well as invest in human resources and marketing.

The Net Zero policy and its impact on the air transport network: Considering the modal competition between airlines and high-speed rail

This study explores the relationship among carriers’ behavior, the increase of operational cost under the Net Zero policy, and the workability of greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction. We adopted the bi-level network optimization model with a modification on the passenger utility function to reflect the effect of carbon dioxide reduction preference. We considered a four-node network in which high-speed Rail is available for short-haul transport and aviation is used for long-haul transport. The results suggest that when the fuel price increases owing to the usage of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and environment-friendly aircraft, airlines lose their profits and the passenger flow decreases. However, when passengers become more sensitive to the environmental load of travel, airlines are incentivized to use SAF and environment-friendly aircraft to gain more passengers, provided fuel costs do not rise sharply. Our results suggest that the effectiveness of GHG reduction largely depends on the cost increase and therefore, when imposing more stringent regulations on all airlines, new problems may arise from the decline in international communication.

Centralized Health Coordination System for Managing Medical Records

Abstract: Problem Statement: Current healthcare systems often rely on paper-based reporting, leading to delayed access to critical test results for both patients and doctors. Additionally, fragmented health records pose challenges for healthcare professionals in making informed decisions due to scattered data. Moreover, demographic disparities limit access to essential health information. Inefficient workflows among pathologists further exacerbate the delay in delivering crucial data to doctors and patients. These issues collectively hinder efficient healthcare delivery, increase operational costs, and compromise patient outcomes. Criteria Used: Transitions from paper to digital reporting, ensuring immediate access to test results for patients and doctors. It consolidates scattered health records into a comprehensive digital system, empowering healthcare professionals. Using phone numbers as identifiers, it bridges demographic gaps, allowing universal access to health data. Real-time monitoring enables patient empowerment. It streamlines pathologists' workflow by inputting data directly into the digital system, easily accessible by doctors and patients. This transformation enhances healthcare delivery, cuts costs, and fosters better outcomes for all

A Comprehensive Overview of Network Slicing for Improving the Energy Efficiency of Fifth-Generation Networks.

The introduction of fifth-generation (5G) mobile networks leads to an increase in energy consumption and higher operational costs for mobile network operators (MNOs). Consequently, the optimization of 5G networks' energy efficiency is crucial, both in terms of reducing MNO costs and in terms of the negative environmental impact. However, many aspects of the 5G mobile network technology itself have been standardized, including the 5G network slicing concept. This enables the creation of multiple independent logical 5G networks within the same physical infrastructure. Since the only necessary resources in 5G networks need to be used for the realization of a specific 5G network slice, the question of whether the implementation of 5G network slicing can contribute to the improvement of 5G and future sixth-generation networks' energy efficiency arises. To tackle this question, this review paper analyzes 5G network slicing and the energy demand of different network slicing use cases and mobile virtual network operator realizations based on network slicing. The paper also overviews standardized key performance indicators for the assessment of 5G network slices' energy efficiency and discusses energy efficiency in 5G network slicing lifecycle management. In particular, to show how efficient network slicing can optimize the energy consumption of 5G networks, versatile 5G network slicing use case scenarios, approaches, and resource allocation concepts in the space, time, and frequency domains have been discussed, including artificial intelligence-based implementations of network slicing. The results of the comprehensive discussion indicate that the different implementations and approaches to network slicing pave the way for possible further reductions in 5G MNO energy costs and carbon dioxide emissions in the future.

Hierarchically Distributed Charge Control of Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles in a Future Smart Grid

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are becoming increasingly widespread due to their environmental benefits. However, PHEV penetration can overload distribution systems and increase operational costs. It is a major challenge to find an economically optimal solution under the condition of flattening load demand for systems. To this end, we formulate this problem as a two-layer optimization problem, and propose a hierarchical algorithm to solve it. For the upper layer, we flatten the load demand curve by using the water-filling principle. For the lower layer, we minimize the total cost for all consumers through a consensus-like iterative method in a distributed manner. Technical constraints caused by consumer demand and power limitations are both taken into account. In addition, a moving horizon approach is used to handle the random arrival of PHEVs and the inaccuracy of the forecast base demand. This paper focuses on distributed solutions under a time-varying switching topology so that all PHEV chargers conduct local computation and merely communicate with their neighbors, which is substantially different from the existing works. The advantages of our algorithm include a reduction in computational burden and high adaptability, which clearly has its own significance for the future smart grid. Finally, we demonstrate the advantages of the proposed algorithm in both theory and simulation.

Stochastic fast charging scheduling of battery electric buses with energy storage systems design

Under the background of urban green and low-carbon economic development, battery electric buses (BEBs) together with fast charging technologies are considered as an effective way in promoting carbon emissions reduction and improving energy efficiency. However, challenges arise during daily peak periods, at which BEB charging activities cause increased operation costs and substantial stress on the power grid. To fill the gaps, this work introduces energy storage systems (ESSs) into the BEB fast-charging scheduling problem. A stochastic programming model considering uncertain discharge efficiencies of ESSs is established, aiming to minimize total operation costs of fast charging stations. It is then transformed into a deterministic one with a manageable scenario sample size, using an integrated sample average approximation (SAA) and K-means approach, as well as an integrated SAA and K-means++ approach. We also present a heuristic algorithm and an improved genetic algorithm to solve the transformed model. Numerical studies based on a real-life urban transit network in Shanghai, China, are conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methods. Sensitivity analysis further reveals the impact of charging power on total operation cost.

Novel design of a CCHP system to boost nearly zero-carbon building concept

The accumulation of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is responsible for global warming. To address this issue, this study develops and optimizes a novel and economically viable combined cooling, heating, and power (CCHP) system for an educational building with minimal CO2 emissions. The main components of the system include a gas turbine cycle, a molten carbonate fuel cell, a heating system, an electric chiller, and an absorption chiller. Optimization is conducted based on a 4E (energy, exergy, economic, and environmental) analysis using TRNSYS and MATLAB software. The optimized CCHP system has a unit product cost of $52.44/h with an overall exergy efficiency of 44.34 %, generating 0.39 kg of CO2/kWh. Furthermore, the objective of a nearly zero-carbon system is achieved by integrating carbon capture and storage (CCS) into the original CCHP system. A novel cryogenic carbon capture unit is implemented to capture CO2 from the flue gas. Integrating CCS reduces CO2 emissions by up to 91 %, presenting a cost-effective approach to carbon offset. Although there is a modest increase in operational costs ($53.46/h) and a slight decrease in exergy efficiency (43.3 %), these trade-offs are necessary to attain an environmentally responsible system. Overall, the optimized CCHP system with the integrated CCS shows potential as an energy-efficient solution for the selected educational building while reducing CO2 emissions.

Antifouling macrocyclic-engineered PVDF membrane for the low-pressure separation of surfactant-stabilized oily wastewater

Fouling is a common phenomenon which affects the long-term efficacy of membranes in the practical treatment of oily wastewater. It often results in a dramatic decline in flux, and a consequent increase in maintenance and operational cost. To address this, various substrates have been incorporated during membrane fabrication to enhance the fouling resistance, and improve the separation efficiency. Herein, we report the fabrication of a novel symmetrical ball-copper phthalocyanine incorporated PVDF membrane (CuPc@PVDF) for the effective separation of surfactant-stabilized oil-in-water emulsions. The symmetrical ball-Cu phthalocyanine with four non-peripheral substituents synthesized ab-initio and characterized using UV–vis, FT-IR, 1H NMR, and MALDI-TOF spectroscopies was added to the casting solution during membrane fabrication resulting in the formation of highly hydrophilic and anti-fouling CuPc@PVDF membrane. In contrast to the PVDF membrane, having a water contact angle of 82.3° ± 0.7°, the CuPc@PVDF membrane demonstrated high hydrophilicity with a contact angle of 55.5° ± 0.5°, and pure water permeance up to 768 LMH at 3 bar. It further achieved 99.9 % rejection of oil with size in the range of 50–450 nm at 1 bar, and demonstrated high stability and excellent anti-fouling property during 10 cycles of continuous demulsification, with a flux recovery ratio (FRR) of 98.5 %, and extremely low irreversible flux of 1.5 %. Similarly, the CuPc@PVDF membrane exhibited high resistance to accelerated organic fouling, maintaining a steady flux and an FRR of 93.0 % during 1 hour of continuous operation with 10 ppm sodium alginate and Ca2+ ions. This study reports a novel strategy to enhance the fouling resistance of demulsification membranes, and could be further explored in the design of next generation of advanced membranes for the purification of oily wastewater.

Trend in basic oral treatment needs in relation to taxation of sweets, ice cream, and sugar-sweetened beverages in Finland: a registry-based study.

The aims were to explore the trend in basic oral treatment needs and total operating cost of public dental services (PDS) in relation to total excise tax revenue generated from sugary products during 2011-2020 and to evaluate the impact of tax policy in excise tax revenue of sugary products and average sugar consumption. The study comprised longitudinal data retrieved from Finnish registries during the years 2011-2020. Basic oral treatment needs, and total operating cost of PDS, total excise tax revenue generated from sugary products and average sugar consumed (kg per capita) during the years 2011-2020 were obtained. Simplified panel analyses and sensitivity analyses were used to evaluate the effects of explanatory variables on outcomes. Results: An approximate one EUR 1,000,000 increase in total excise tax revenue generated from sugary products corresponds to a 0.4% increase in total operating cost of PDS. There was a significant positive trend in total operating cost of PDS in Finland over the study period. Similarly, an approximate one EUR 1,000,000 rise in total excise tax revenue corresponds to a 0.2% increase in basic oral treatment needs. Additionally, there was a statistically significant difference in the average excise tax revenue for sugary products between the periods before and after 2017. No change in average sugar consumption was observed despite implementing the new sugar policy. Therefore, it may be worthwhile to reconsider the excise tax on sweets and ice cream as it will significantly increase the total national revenues.

Zero Budget Natural Farming Impact on Tribal Rabi Rice Farming: Economic Analysis

This study examines the economic viability of implementing Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) interventions in rabi rice cultivation, focusing on cost-effectiveness and productivity outcomes. Data collected before (2014-15) and after (2018-19) ZBNF adoption in a selected tribal area of Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh, India were analysed. Results reveal a reduction in total variable costs by 10.20 per cent, primarily attributed to decreases in weeding and nutrient supply expenses. Despite a slight increase in operational costs, ZBNF led to a significant drop (51.30 per cent) in input expenditures. Yield experienced a notable 10.25 per cent increase, resulting in a decrease in production costs from ₹1161.23 to ₹934.34 per quintal. The calculated cost-to-benefit ratio of -1:1.17 demonstrates favourable economic outcomes, highlighting the potential of ZBNF to enhance economic viability and sustainability in rabi rice cultivation among tribal farmers.

In situ disinfection and green hydrogen production using carbon-based cathodes in seawater electrolysis

Electrolysis is an advanced oxidation process used to treat aquaculture effluents, commonly by employing precious-metal-based electrodes. However, such electrodes increase operation costs, prompting the need for novel electrodes. Low-cost carbon-based electrodes have been suggested as large-surface-area electrodes; however, their stability under long-term electrochemical operation, particularly in natural seawater, should be improved. Herein, carbon-based cathodes were applied in seawater electrolysis for in situ disinfection and green hydrogen production to recycle aquaculture effluents. Functionalized carbon black (CB) generated the highest hydrogen production of 46.6 ± 4 mL (purity ≥99.9 ± 0.05 %), which was 1.4 times higher than that for bare carbon cloth (CC). The production of sodium hypochlorous acid at >600 ± 50 mg/L was higher over functionalized CB/CC than that over bare CC. Within 1 min, the aquaculture effluent was disinfected with a high removal efficiency of 99.5 ± 0.05 %, which was similar to that for a platinum/titanium cathode. The cathodes exhibited higher potential stability (3.7 ± 0.5 V) than platinum/CB/CC under a constant current for 20 h owing to the control of inorganic fouling. Thus, these electrodes are efficient alternatives that can promote commercialization by reducing the costs and facilitate electrochemical and green production of hydrogen and oxidants.

Chance-Constrained optimal scheduling of power and hydrogen systems in power distribution network with significant photovoltaic and carbon offsetting strategies

The urgent need to address climate issues increases the significance of sustainable strategies in power networks. This study focuses on the optimal operation of a hydrogen-based microgrid incorporated with photovoltaics (PVs), time-of-use demand response (TOU-DR) program, distributed generation (DG) units, hydrogen fuel stations (HFSs), and battery storage units. Employing a multi-objective approach, the study aims to minimize emissions and system operation costs, being validated by implementing it on the IEEE 33-bus test network. To address the carbon emissions issue, the Power-to-gas (P-to-G) facility is utilized to capture and recycle CO2 pollutions. The implementation of a carbon trading market mechanism is also adopted to further enhance the generation capacity of the PV units and facilitate the achievement of sustainable development goals. Besides, the presence of uncertainties in renewable generation, demand, operational characteristics of hydrogen vehicles, and market prices pose challenges for the system operator, which is addressed by employing the chance constraint programming (CCP) method. Results show that using the P-to-G system has led to a 10 % emissions reduction. However, this is accompanied by a corresponding 25 % increase in operational costs. Additionally, when operating under the CCP constraints, the system's storage level has been increased by 10 % to ensure optimal performance.

Financial Challenges of Brick and Mortar Stalls with the Advent of E-commerce Businesses in and Around Bangalore

The explosive rise of e-commerce has led to a paradigm shift in the retail industry globally. This study looks at the specific economic difficulties faced by traditional brick and mortar shops in and around Bengaluru, India, as they discuss the changed market environment with the growth of e-commerce companies. This research provides complete knowledge about the economic challenges faced by the brick-and-mortar stalls by analysing key factors such as changing consumer behaviour, changing market trends and the generally increasing operating costs of the metropolitan setting of Bengaluru. The study examines the impact of low pedestrian traffic, changes in pricing strategies and rising maintenance costs, highlighting the complexity of these issues in the Bengaluru retail environment. The report examines various strategies and corrective measures that can help brick and mortar shops survive and compete in the face of the increasing dominance of e-commerce. The report provides robust guidance for traditional traders who want to thrive in this changing economic environment and provides comprehensive information about the regional market dynamics of Bengaluru. This research provides useful information for company owners, legislators and other stakeholders who want to maintain the life of traditional retail in the digital age. This will deepen our understanding of the complex interactions between brick-and-mortar shops and e-commerce in Bengaluru.

Significantly reducing energy consumption during nanolignin production via high-solid content grinding

The production of lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) has garnered significant attention in recent decades, particularly due to its emerging industrial applications. In the context of particle size reduction during ultrafine friction grinding (UFG), energy consumption refers to the amount of energy required to break down or reduce the size of particles to a desired level. This energy is an important parameter to consider in industrial processes, as it can have significant economic and environmental implications. High energy consumption can lead to increased operating costs and may also contribute to environmental concerns, especially if the energy source is non-renewable. However, traditional UFG, used for the production of nanolignin production, usually performs at low solid concentrations of 1–2 wt%, resulting in high energy consumption and water usage. Achieving such fine particle sizes often requires high-energy input, and the efficiency of the grinding process is closely related to the energy consumption. In this study, we investigated the energy efficiency and particle size reduction of lignin at four different concentrations (1, 20, 30 and 40 wt%) during UFG. Our results show that the 20 wt% solid loading has the best energy efficiency for achieving the same lignin particle size (∼150 nm) as the 1 wt% loading; total energy consumption was reduced from ∼30 kWh per kg LNPs at 1 wt% solid loading to 3.1 kWh per kg of LNPs at 20 wt% loading. Despite the increased number of grinding cycles, higher concentrations required lower amount of energy per kg of LNPs produced. The results suggest that when the concentration of lignin particles exceeded 20 wt%, they tended to overlap, resulting in less effective size reduction during UFG. This study's significance lies in discovering concentration limits for grinding, and improving water and energy use efficiency, such that UFG could emerge as a feasible mechanical treatment and an asset for the industrialization of LNPs.

Decision Analysis to Find Best Solution of Operation and Maintenance Management System in Central Processing Plant (CPP) Gundih Using The SMART Method at PT. Pertamina EP

Central Processing Plant (CPP) Gundih is a gas field owned by PT. Pertamina EP Cepu Field area which is located in Blora Regency, Central Java. The gas produced by the CPP Gundih is channelled to the Tambak Lorok Gas and Steam Power Plant (PLTGU) with a capacity of 1,469MW in the Semarang City area, Central Java. Therefore, the CPP Gundih is a vital national object that supports national energy security, especially for the Central Java area. CPP Gundih first operated in 2013 with the operation and maintenance management system being fully handled by a third party with a contract term of one decade. In the coming year, the contract system will approach the end of the collaboration so that PT. Pertamina EP needs more efficient management schemes and strategies and more agile business processes. In the past decade, there have been several evaluations that have become a concern for companies in implementing contract systems with third parties. These obstacles mean that several aspects are not managed well and result in problems that reduce the level of customer satisfaction, decrease profits, and increase operational and maintenance costs. So that PT. Pertamina EP is considering several options for better management of the CPP Gundih in the future, namely the option of detailing third party contracts in the future, the option of transferring management by PT. Pertamina EP partially, full management transfer option by PT. Pertamina EP without any third-party involvement. From several proposed options, the author will use the Simple Multi Attribute Rating Technique (SMART) method to select the best option by considering aspects of Cost, Durability and Plant Availability, Manpower Competency Management, Remuneration, Communication Flow, and Integrated Work Procedure. The research results obtained from this method will become a reference for the PT management team. Pertamina EP for decision making related to the operation and maintenance implementation system at the Central Processing Plant (CPP) Gundih gas field.

Oil price uncertainty, oil pricing reform, and corporate profitability: The case of China.

This study investigates the impact of oil price uncertainty (OPU) on corporate profitability in China, the world's largest crude oil consumer. Most importantly, we examine how the Chinese government's oil price reform affects this relationship. Using the yearly data of Chinese-listed companies, we find that the uncertainty of oil prices negatively affects corporate profitability but positively impacts operating expenses from 2007 to 2020. This finding holds after robust tests, including alternative profitability metrics and endogeneity model. Most interestingly, implementing the 2013 market-oriented oil pricing reform amplifies the adverse impact of OPU on corporate profitability owing to increased operating costs in the post-2013 period. Moreover, the detrimental effect of uncertain oil prices on corporate profitability is less prominent for large-capitalized companies. This research adds to the body of knowledge on the factors affecting corporate profitability by highlighting the volatility effect of oil prices and government pricing mechanisms. The results offer grounds for legislators and corporate managers to consider how to control the uncertainty surrounding oil price matters to ensure stable corporate profitability.

Flexible Synthetic Inertia Optimization in Modern Power Systems

Increasing the replacement of conventional synchronous machines by non-synchronous renewable machines reduces the conventional synchronous generator (SG) inertia in the modern network. Synthetic inertia (SI) control topologies to provide frequency support are becoming a new frequency control tactic in new networks. However, the participation of SI in the market of RES-rich networks to provide instant frequency support when required proposes an increase in the overall marginal operation cost of contemporary networks. Consequently, depreciation of operation costs by optimizing the required SI in the network is inevitable. Therefore, this paper proposes a flexible SI optimization method. The algorithm developed in the proposed method minimizes the operation cost of the network by giving flexible SI at a given SG inertia and different sizes of contingency events. The proposed method uses Box’s evolutionary optimizer with a self-tuning capability of the SI control parameters. The proposed method is validated using the modified New England 39-bus network. The results show that provided SIs support the available SG inertia to reduce the RoCoF values and maintain them within acceptable limits to increase the network’s resilience.