Project Lifespan Research Articles

Renewable energy-based cascade adsorption-compression refrigeration system: Energy, exergy, exergoeconomic and enviroeconomic perspectives

An assessment of the cascade adsorption-compression refrigeration system by adopting renewable energy for cold storage applications based on energy, exergy, exergoeconomic, and enviroeconomic perspectives is presented. The cascade cycle aims to dwindle the electric power of the compression subcycle with reduced condensation pressure. The thermodynamic modeling of the proposed system is developed at climatic conditions of Alexandria/Egypt for two scenarios of renewable systems, including (i) biomass-solar (Scenario-I) and (ii) biomass-solar-wind (Scenario-II). The results demonstrate that the COP of the cascade system is ameliorated by 41.6% compared to the conventional compression system; highlighting an energy saving of 42%. The proposed system has an annual average COP and exergetic efficiency of 0.122 and 1.78%, respectively for Scenario-I and 0.124 and 1.8%, respectively for Scenario-II. Scenario-I and Scenario-II deliver refrigeration at 0.235 $/kWh, and 0.237 $/kWh, respectively. Herein, the exergoeconomic parameter for Scenario-I and Scenario-II is 0.70 kWh/$ and 0.69 kWh/$, respectively. It is found that both scenarios alleviate about 32.75 and 5.35 tons of CO2 per annum based on environmental and exergoenvironmental standpoints, respectively. Besides, the enviroeconomic and exergoenvironmental parameters are about 474.90 $/kW and 77.60 $/kW respectively, over the project lifespan of 20 years for both scenarios.

Change must come: mixing methods, evidencing effects, measuring impact

ABSTRACT In recent years, impact has become an important evaluation metric for creative practice researchers. It is no longer enough to claim that creative practice has intrinsic rewards, the assumption is that it will also affect change in some form or another. Yet, the means for evidencing impact are poorly understood, while the relatively short lifespan of a creative project can mean that there is often little opportunity to evaluate the long-term effect (or impact) of creative practice. To explore this gap, a case study of DeClick, a participatory arts project in the Netherlands, was employed. This study shows that by adopting a ‘theory of change’ approach, not only does it set out clear intentions for the project, but an analysis of underlying assumptions that link activities to impact leads to effective activity design and provides evidential methodology for evaluating project success. Subsequently, a mixed-methods approach is shown to evaluate impact in a way that values participation in creative practice as a meaningful experience. The approach explored through the case study acknowledges the challenges of evidencing long term impact. But also shows it is possible to evidence ‘pathways to impact’ using a social return on investment model for impact evaluation.

Economic impact assessment indicators of circular economy in a decentralised circular water system — Case of eco-touristic facility

The transition from a linear make-use-dispose model to a Circular Economy (CE) model has gained momentum in recent years. To date, substantive efforts have been put by researchers and practitioners on environmental assessment of circular water systems (CWS). Yet, the economic aspect of CWS has not received the same attention. This research is an attempt to bridge this gap by evaluating the economic viability of a decentralised hybrid rainwater- wastewater-greywater (HRWG) system. For this purpose, a framework of Shadow Pricing- Life Cycle Cost-Benefit (SLCCB) to analyse a CWS is proposed. Shadow pricing could compliment the established Life Cycle Costing (LCC) methods. The main parameters (costs and benefits) of the proposed SLCCB framework are divided into two types: Internal and External. The Internal pricing covers the capital expenditure (CAPEX) and operational expenditure (OPEX), while the External pricing covers the environmental and social costs-benefits of implementing CWS. The proposed SLCCB added to the classical Net Present Value (NPV) and Payback Period (PP) calculations could provide a more realistic evaluation of the economic performance of CWS. To demonstrate the efficacy of the new CE model, a new CWS in Greece was studied.A sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the impact of the reclaimed water tariffs, internal costs, life span of the project, and the annual discount rate on the SLCCB. The results of the study reveal that the SLCCB of CWS is highly sensitive to these parameters. The economic feasibility of CWS boost with increasing discount rate and reclaimed water tariffs, as well as with decreasing project's life span and internal costs. The conclusion of this research demonstrates that investment in CWS is economically viable if External parameters are taken into consideration.

Integrated TEEP approach to microgrid design and planning with small hydro/solar/diesel resources for standalone application

This study discusses microgrid (µgrd) planning using small hydro, solar and diesel resources for 100 offgrid houses in Nigeria. The work introduces the technical, environmental, economic and policy (TEEP) analysis approach. The technical aspect considers the component sizing, electricity generated, unmet demand (ud), loss of power probability (LOPP) and availability (Avb); the environmental part evaluates the emissions generated by the µgrd compared to when only a diesel-based µgrd is employed to service the load; the economic perspective of the study is based on the evaluation of the net present cost (NPC) and the cost of unit energy produced (CoE). The paper examines 4 different configuration scenarios such as: SHP only, SHP + PV, SHP + PV + diesel, and diesel only µgrds, which are determined based on standard sizing methodologies. The capacities of these generating systems are 50 kW SHP; 50 kW SHP and 50–150 kW PV; 50 kW SHP, 50 kW PV and 91 kW diesel generator (DGen); and 91 kW DGen, respectively. The energy generated by these configurations is 508,874, 572,409–699,480, 620,002, and 574,638 kWh/yr, respectively, against a baseline users’ demand of 574,638 kWh/yr. The corresponding LOPP/Avb values for the configurations are 14.2/85.8%; 6.28/93.72–0/100%; 0/100%, and 0/100%. The 1st and 2nd scenarios are 100% renewable energies but the 3rd and 4th scenarios emit CO2, CO, unburned hydrocarbon, particulates, SO2 and NOx of 35,294, 222, 9.71, 1.35, 86.4 and 209 kg; 444,841, 2,804, 122, 17, 1,089 and 2,634 kg, respectively. The NPC and COE of all scenarios range from 34,594 to $ 27,025,517, and from 0.0100 to $ 6.3135, respectively, while their fuel costs are $ 269,730 and $ 3,399,704 over a 25-year project lifespan. Results demonstrate that the 3rd scenario can achieve better reliability as it integrates a backup generator to enhance the complementary characteristics of supply with lower lifecycle and fuel costs, CoE, and emissions compared to the 4th scenario. The social-environmental-marketability-implementation (SEMI) framework is introduced to discuss the policy aspect; this provides a deeper insight into the prevailing situation, local conditions, and the sustainability factors associated with the proposed µgrd.

A Research Pathway Model for evaluating the implementation of practice-based research: The case of self-management health innovations

AbstractThis study explores the evaluation of research pathways of self-management health innovations from discovery to implementation in the context of practice-based research. The aim is to understand how a new process model for evaluating practice-based research provides insights into the implementation success of innovations. Data were collected from nine research projects in the Netherlands. Through document analysis and semi-structured interviews, we analysed how the projects start, evolve, and contribute to the healthcare practice. Building on previous research evaluation approaches to monitor knowledge utilization, we developed a Research Pathway Model. The model’s process character enables us to include and evaluate the incremental work required throughout the lifespan of an innovation project and it helps to foreground that innovation continues during implementation in real-life settings. We found that in each research project, pathways are followed that include activities to explore a new solution, deliver a prototype and contribute to theory. Only three projects explored the solution in real life and included activities to create the necessary changes for the solutions to be adopted. These three projects were associated with successful implementation. The exploration of the solution in a real-life environment in which users test a prototype in their own context seems to be a necessary research activity for the successful implementation of self-management health innovations.

Servitization and Sustainable Value Creation Strategy for China’s Manufacturing Industry: A Multiple Case Study in the Belt and Road Initiative

Manufacturers are adding service offerings to satisfy customers’ needs in various markets. Effective strategies for servitization can improve the competitiveness of manufacturers during cooperation. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) established by China offers opportunities for economic cooperation and regional integration for the involved countries. Now, many manufacturing firms are expanding their businesses into Belt and Road countries, most firms are facing the “how to do” problems in improving sustainability during their cooperation. They urgently require methodical assistance on both improving competitiveness through servitization and addressing sustainability challenges. This necessitates the firms to develop successful service models for their industrial initiatives and investigate ways to produce long-term sustainable value through services. In addition to the firm’s economic worth, it also entails lowering the project’s negative environmental impact. The results provided effective strategies for manufacturers from two perspectives. The first perspective is the study discovered innovative service models at both the product and project levels. Project-service systems are critical, and manufacturing firms should use innovative service models to deliver projects. The operation method of holistic solution and localization integration project service was addressed in particular in this study. In the second perspective, there are suggestions for achieving sustainability through innovative service models. The methods for preserving sustainable value on the industrial project level were the subject of our study, which included significant criteria and detailed descriptions. The effective project service system should bring sustainable value to the lifespan of an industrial project. This study has determined four major paths to improving sustainable value creation through servitization: improving resource allocation capabilities, reduce carbon emissions through energy project service, technological outputs, and standards exportation. Useful recommendations are provided for manufacturing firms planning to develop their business overseas, especially in BRI countries.

Techno‐economic analysis of the production of acetic acid via thermochemical processing of residual woody biomass in Ecuador

AbstractEcuador imports most of its chemicals for industrial use. Ecuador underutilizes its 19 million t year–1 of waste biomass, so there is potential to produce chemicals from it using biochemical or thermochemical pathways. This study performs a techno‐economic analysis with ASPEN Hysys to quantify the feasibility of a dedicated acetic acid production facility from biomass in Pichincha, Ecuador. Using sensitivity analysis and considering financial metrics such as the internal rate of return, minimum selling price, and net present value, it determines that the project is not feasible if the size of the plant targets only 10% of the Ecuadorian market. On the other hand, the project becomes feasible when the capacity factor of the plant increases to 360 t year–1 of acetic acid with a project lifespan of 10 years or more, as is expected when economies of scale reduce production costs. Minimum selling prices for acetic acid of 1.98 and 0.22 USD kg–1 were obtained considering a project lifespan of 10 and 20 years, respectively. The price for a product with the same characteristics in the local market is 23.50 USD kg–1. These values allow a price for acetic acid to be defined between 1.98 and 23.50 USD kg–1 for a 10‐year lifespan, and between 0.22 and 23.50 USD kg–1 for a 20‐year lifespan. The key factors affecting the project's outcome, identified from the sensitivity analysis, are plant service factors, production yields, and co‐product prices. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Optimal planning of solar photovoltaic and battery storage for electric vehicle owner households with time‐of‐use tariff

This paper presents a practical optimal planning of solar photovoltaic (SPV) and battery storage system (BSS) for electric vehicle (EV) owner households with time of use (TOU) electricity pricing. The main aim of the optimisation problem is to minimize the Cost of Electricity (COE) while satisfying the design constraints over 20-year project lifespan. Novel rule-based home energy management systems are created to investigate the optimal sizing of two system configurations: (1) SPV-EV, and (2) SPV-BSS-EV. The arrival and departure times of the EV's availability, as well as its initial state-of-charge are incorporated into the energy management system via stochastic functions. Sensitivity analyses of the feed in tariff, grid constraint, electricity demand, and available rooftop area are provided to investigate the variations of cost of electricity and capacities of SPV and BSS. From the study results, practical guidelines for grid-connected households, based on TOU energy pricing, are provided to select the optimal capacity of SPV and BSS to accommodate the existing EV. The optimisation method is general and applicable to any household owning EV; however, in this study realistic data of solar insolation and temperature as well as household electricity demand and electricity prices are implemented for South Australia. Uncertainty analysis is investigated based on 10-year real and stochastic data to prove the optimal results. It is found that the optimal configuration for a typical SA household utilising TOU pricing with an EV requires a 10-kW SPV with a 10-kWh capacity of BSS.

Design of a Combined Offshore Renewable Energy System for Bonny Nigeria based on Comparative Feasibility Analysis

The design and feasibility analysis of a combined offshore renewable energy system for Bonny coastal area in Nigeria have been conducted. Statistical parameters obtained from resource assessments of ocean tidal current/range, offshore wind and wave energy sources were used to determine the configuration of the conversion technologies adopted. Then, the combined system integrated with pumped hydro storage was designed using the result of the obtainable resource for the location. Simulations were carried out using MATLAB codes to optimize the system. Results identified tidal energy as the most economical offshore renewable energy source at the location. Offshore wind velocities were higher than land wind velocities when compared with other research findings for the region. The average wind velocities at the offshore location were 3.9 m/s and 5.1 m/s at elevations of 10 m and 100 m above sea levels. The offshore renewable energy climate at Bonny compared well with locations in other countries where pilot or full-scale power generating systems already exist. The present designed system can provide a stable 187 [MW] mean daily power at a unit cost of 0.226 [$/kWh] using a project life span of 25 [years]. The system configuration utilizes 10% wind, 10% wave, 25% tidal range and 55% tidal current energy sources. Lower interest rates and little or no inflation made the system more feasible. These findings contribute to preliminary database of offshore renewable energy resource assessments intended to attract government funding, incentives and subsidies to drive research and development in offshore renewable energy utilization in Nigeria.

The Study of Subsurface Land Drainage Optimal Design Model

This paper focused on choosing the best design of subsurface land drainage systems in semiarid areas. The study presented three different soil layers with different hydraulic conductivity and permeability, all layers are below the drain level, and the permeability is increasing with depth. A mathematical model was formulated for the horizontal and vertical drainage optimal design. The result was a nonlinear optimization problem with nonlinear constraints, which required numerical methods for its solution. The purpose of the mathematical model is to find the best values of pipes and tubewells spacing, groundwater table drawdown, and pumps operating hours which leads to a minimum total cost of the subsurface drainage design. A computer code was developed in MATLAB environment and applied to the case study. Results show that the vertical drainage was economically better for the case study drainage network design. And the main factor affecting the mathematical model for both pipe and well drainage was the distance between pipes and tubewells. In addition, considering the lifespan of vertical drainage project, the optimal design involves the minimum possible duration of pumping stations. It is hoped that the proposed optimal mathematical model will present a design methodology by which the costs of all alternative designs can be compared so that the least-cost design is selected.

A multi-objective optimization model for sizing decisions of a grid-connected photovoltaic system

Greenhouse gasses are by-products of using fossil fuels to generate energy. It is known that climate change is caused by an increase in greenhouse gasses in the Earth's atmosphere. Solar energy is a renewable energy source that is an environmentally friendly resource for generating power. The photovoltaic (PV) system is a well-established technology for transforming solar energy into electric power. Sizing-decisions of a PV system is a strategic decision-making process that has a long-term impact on the project. This work proposes a multi-objective optimization (MOO) model for sizing-decisions of a grid-connected PV system. The objectives consider the economic aspect in terms of minimizing the project lifespan costs and non-economic aspects, including maximizing system reliability and reducing CO2 emissions. The sizing decisions are the number of PV panels, the amount of energy purchased from the main grid, and the amount of energy supplied to the main grid. In addition to a binary variable for an either-or decision, either purchase or supply from the grid. The model generates Pareto-optima to assist the decision-maker in assessing trade-offs between alternatives. A case study based on monthly demand for the residential area at King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM) is provided to clarify the practicality of the model. It is found that 1713 PV modules are required to meet annual demand at an annual cost of M$1.61 over 25 years.

Determining a reasonable concession period for risky transportation BOT projects with government subsidies based on cumulative prospect theory

PurposeThis paper explores the impact of both government subsidies and decision makers' loss-averse behavior on the determination of transportation build-operate-transfer (BOT) concession periods based on cumulative prospect theory (CPT). The prospect value of a transportation project under traffic risk can be formulated according to the value function for gains and losses and the decision weight for gains and losses. As an extra income for investors, government subsidy is designed for highly risky aspects of BOT transportation projects: uncertain initial traffic volumes and fluctuating growth rates.Design/methodology/approachA decision-making model determining the concession period of a transportation BOT project is proposed by using the Monte-Carlo simulation method based on CPT, and the effects of risky behaviors of private investors on concession period decision making are analyzed. A subsidy method related to the internal rate-of-return (IRR) corresponding to a specific initial traffic volume and growth rate is proposed. The case of an actual BOT highway project is examined to illustrate how the method proposed can be used to determine the concession period of a transportation BOT project considering decision makers' loss-averse behavior and government subsidy. Contingency analysis is discussed to cope with possible misestimating of key factors such as initial traffic volume and cost coefficients. Sensitivity analysis is employed to investigate the impact of CPT parameters on the concession period decisions. An actual BOT case which failed to attract private capital is introduced to show the practical application. The results are then interpreted to conclude this paper.FindingsBased on comparisons drawn between a concession period decision-making model considering the psychological behaviors of decision makers and a model not considering them, the authors conclude that the concession period based on CPT is distinctly different from that of the loss-neutral model. The concession period based on CPT is longer than the loss-neutral concession period. That is, loss-averse private investors tend to ask for long concession periods to make up for losses they will face in the future. Government subsidies serve as extra income for investors, allowing appointed profits to be secured sooner. For the benefit side of contingency variables, the normal state of initial traffic volume, average annual traffic growth rate and bias degree and the government subsidy need to be paid close attention during the project life span. For the cost side of contingency variables, the annual operating cost variable has a significant impact on the length of predicted concession period, while the large-scale cost variable has minor impact.Originality/valueWith an actual BOT highway project, the determination of transportation BOT concession periods based on the psychological behaviors of decision makers is analyzed in this paper. As the psychological behaviors of decision makers heavily impact the decision-making process, the authors analyze their impacts on concession period decision making. Government subsidy is specifically designed for various states of initial traffic volume and fluctuating growth rates to cope with corresponding high risks and mitigate private investors' loss-averse behaviors. Contingency analysis and sensitivity analysis are discussed as the estimated values of parameters may not be authentic in actual situations.

At the temporary-permanent interface: Overcoming knowledge boundaries with boundary objects

There is no shortage of literature on managing complex projects. However, we lack an understanding of projects in which the complexity goes beyond technical, financial and time-related challenges. We report on two Nordic business school accreditation projects, where the major management challenge is the knowledge boundaries institutionalized deep into the ethos of the schools. We focus on the project team’s use of boundary objects – a communication device across social groups – to expose and overcome knowledge boundaries materializing at temporary-permanent interface. We identify three progressively more challenging boundary object uses: informative, interactive and integrative. Consequently, we suggest a dynamic approach to boundary objects wherein their use evolves throughout the project life span as a consequence of the lived “in situ” experiences.

A Narrative Review of Design-Based Research in Engineering Education: Opportunities and Challenges

Background: Active engagement across a range of methodological frameworks is one hallmark of thriving scholarly disciplines. Design-based research is one newer approach to education research that holds promise for developing effective interventions that are iteratively theorized, designed, and tested within local engineering education contexts. Purpose: To promote engagement with diverse research frameworks, the purpose of this narrative literature review was to identify, describe, and critically examine emerging use of design-based research in engineering education. We addressed research questions focused on characterizing the use of design-based research in engineering education in terms of the a) problems studied, b) interventions designed, c) participant populations and learning contexts, d) research methods employed, e) form(s) of the research findings, and f) limitations of the literature. Furthermore, this work identified current opportunities and challenges of design-based research for the field of engineering education through analysis of review findings in light of the authors’ experiences conducting design-based research in engineering education. Scope/Method: Using established review procedures that included specified database search terms and inclusion criteria, we identified 24 empirical design-based research studies in engineering education. We used qualitative content analysis to code study characteristics including nationality, participant population, research methods, and learning context. We then synthesized and critiqued findings across studies. Conclusions: In synthesizing key aspects of empirical design-based research studies in engineering education, this review provides insights into the ways design-based research is being implemented to advance engineering education imperatives and provides a foundation for expanding and strengthening use of design-based research in future work in engineering education. Opportunities of design-based research for engineering education include developing local improvements to the field’s most persistent and vexing issues (i.e., “wicked” problems) and realizing the full potential of technology for 21st century engineering education. Challenges include developing interdisciplinary teams, the need for expertise across multiple research approaches and methods, funding emergent DBR projects, and disseminating DBR results across the project lifespan.

Assessing of renewable energy for electrical household ancillary based on photovoltaics and wind turbines

The importance of renewable energy provides a great opportunity to meet the demand for household electricity located in Baqubaha, Diyala, Iraq. Intentionally, there are to renewable energy components have been selected wind turbine (1 kW) and photovoltaic array (1.65 kW) for assessing the sources of renewable energy to serve household desired load. The current work analysis is executed by using experimental data for the load demand, solar irradiance, ambient temperature and wind speed for the selected site. The work targeted to shed light on the technical and economic feasibility of integrating renewable sources to feed the desired load by renewable energy. The results show that the renewable energy system based on grid connection can feed the desired electrical load by about 90% as well as a support grid system by renewable energy by about 3114 kWh/year. The system economic aspects show the initial capital cost, net present cost and cost of energy are $2615; $53449; $0.25 respectively, for 25 years project lifespan. The results are very encouraging to use renewable energy resources in the selected site.

Split-slice training and hyperparameter tuning of RAKI networks for simultaneous multi-slice reconstruction.

Simultaneous multi-slice acquisitions are essential for modern neuroimaging research, enabling high temporal resolution functional and high-resolution q-space sampling diffusion acquisitions. Recently, deep learning reconstruction techniques have been introduced for unaliasing these accelerated acquisitions, and robust artificial-neural-networks for k-space interpolation (RAKI) have shown promising capabilities. This study systematically examines the impacts of hyperparameter selections for RAKI networks, and introduces a novel technique for training data generation which is analogous to the split-slice formalism used in slice-GRAPPA. RAKI networks were developed with variable hyperparameters and with and without split-slice training data generation. Each network was trained and applied to five different datasets including acquisitions harmonized with Human Connectome Project lifespan protocol. Unaliasing performance was assessed through L1 errors computed between unaliased and calibration frequency-space data. Split-slice training significantly improved network performance in nearly all hyperparameter configurations. Best unaliasing results were achieved with three layer RAKI networks using at least 64 convolutional filters with receptive fields of 7 voxels, 128 single-voxel filters in the penultimate RAKI layer, batch normalization, and no training dropout with the split-slice augmented training dataset. Networks trained without the split-slice technique showed symptoms of network over-fitting. Split-slice training for simultaneous multi-slice RAKI networks positively impacts network performance. Hyperparameter tuning of such reconstruction networks can lead to further improvements in unaliasing performance.

Optimal Hybrid Renewable Energy System: A Comparative Study of Wind/Hydrogen/Fuel-Cell and Wind/Battery Storage

This paper performs a technoeconomic comparison of two hybrid renewable energy supplies (HRES) for a specific location in Ghana and suggests the optimal solution in terms of cost, energy generation capacity, and emissions. The two HRES considered in this paper were wind/hydrogen/fuel-cell and wind/battery storage, respectively. The necessity of this study was derived from the rise and expansion of hybrid renewable energy supply in a decentralised network. The readiness to embrace these new technologies is apparently high, but the best combination for a selected location that brings optimum benefits is not obvious and demands serious technical knowledge of their technical and economic models. In the methodology, an analytical model of energy generation by the various RE sources was first established, and data were collected about a rural-urban community in Doderkope, Ghana, to test the models. HOMER software was used to design the two hybrid systems based on the same load profiles, and results were compared. It turns out that the HRES 1 (wind/hydrogen/fuel-cell) had the lowest net present cost (NPC) and levelized cost of electricity (COE) over the project life span of 25 years. The energy reserve with the HRES 2 (wind/battery storage) was huge compared to that with the HRES 1, about 270% bigger. Furthermore, with respect to the emissions, the HRES 2 was environmentally friendlier than the HRES 1. Even though the battery storage seems to be more cost-effective than the hydrogen fuel-cell technology, the latter presents some merits regarding system capacity and emission that deserve greater attention as the world looks into more sustainable energy storage systems.

Assessing Blockchain Investments through the Learning Option: An Application to the Automotive and Aerospace Industry

Blockchain technology has demonstrated huge potential in providing simplicity and efficiency for different industries. However, its implementation in the automotive and aerospace industry is quite slow because of its difficulty to show value creation. Real option methodology, specifically the learning option, is an assessment tool which fits the conditions under which investment in blockchain technology is carried out. Thus, its application can help managers to wisely invest in this technology despite the complexity of this industry. This study offers a suitable tool to assess the strategic value of an investment in blockchain technology from a conservative position by using the real option approach, particularly the learning option. Specifically, this paper provides the mathematical expression to obtain the value of a project which includes the learning option for n periods. Likewise, it tries to raise awareness among managers of the importance to gather relevant information before making irreversible decisions. The results show that, despite the high profitability of the analyzed sector and the strategic value added by the learning option to the investment, the value of this option remains constant over the project lifespan. This indicates that the blockchain investment has to be implemented as soon as possible given that it is a highly profitable project whose value increases very slowly by waiting to get more new information. In this way, the immediate investment in blockchain technology in the automotive and aerospace industry is recommended to reap the competitive advantages offered by digital technologies.

Economic feasibility analysis of Gintung Dam

Gintung Dam is a dam resulting from the post-disaster reconstruction and rehabilitation in 2009. In this study, economic feasibility analysis post reconstruction and rehabilitation is carried out. The feasibility analysis is reviewed based on economic value of the benefits of Gintung Dam and investment cost as well as Operational and Maintenance (O&M) costs. Economic valuation, which is an attempt to provide quantitative value to the goods and services produced by natural resources and the environment, is carried out for the benefits of dam. The method used is the investment criteria method which uses NPV, BCR, PBP, and IRR as parameters in determining the feasibility of project. Based on the results, for Gintung Dam with its function as a flood control was obtained NPV = Rp.14,023,230,130.29, BCR = 1.88, PBP = 27 years, and IRR = 12% and as groundwater conservation was obtained, NPV = Rp. 87,704,518,835.06, BCR = 6.51, PBP = 2.7 years, and IRR = 46.25%. The results of the analysis shows that the Gintung Dam reconstruction and rehabilitation project is economically feasible with the value results NPV > 0, BCR > 1, PBP < project life span (100 years), and IRR > interest rate used (10%).

The Role of Single End-Users and Producers on GHG Mitigation in Pakistan—A Case Study

End energy user is dependent on fossil fuel-based main-grid and contributes toward greenhouse gasses (GHG) emissions. Changing its energy source will change the dynamics of the power plant, contribution towards GHG production. This case study aims to highlight the minute but positive role of a single end energy user, invisible to the main grid in GHG mitigations through photovoltaic energy source, selected among Pakistan’s top 10 most populous cities as per census 2017. Quetta is a selected city in Pakistan as the best fit location based on annual average daily solar radiations (AADSR) data retrieved from National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) meteorological data. Helioscope software is used to select −15° tilt and 180° azimuthal angles, which further increased Quetta’s AADSR value from 5.54 kWh/m2/d to 5.93 kWh/m2/d. For research significance, a realistic approach is undertaken by proper selection of solar panel type based on Quetta’s annual average temperature, load categorization, user selection and inputs from a solar energy expert. Finally, initial cost, investment and GHG mitigation analysis are carried out in RETScreen Expert software, which validates the minute but the prominent role of a single, end energy user by mitigating 122 tons of CO2 in 25-year project life span. Further, the proposed project favors end-user financially by recovering its $4501 initial cost in less than four years by effectively meeting its energy demand and saving $1195 per annum.