Browsing by Subject "Economic analysis"
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Item Analysis of a novel thermoelectric generator in the built environment(2011-08) Lozano, Adolfo; Webber, Michael E., 1971-; Schmidt, Philip S.This study centered on a novel thermoelectric generator (TEG) integrated into the built environment. Designed by Watts Thermoelectric LLC, the TEG is essentially a novel assembly of thermoelectric modules whose required temperature differential is supplied by hot and cold streams of water flowing through the TEG. Per its recommended operating conditions, the TEG nominally generates 83 Watts of electrical power. In its default configuration in the built environment, solar-thermal energy serves as the TEG’s hot stream source and geothermal energy serves as its cold stream source. Two systems-level, thermodynamic analyses were performed, which were based on the TEG’s upcoming characterization testing, scheduled to occur later in 2011 in Detroit, Michigan. The first analysis considered the TEG coupled with a solar collector system. A numerical model of the coupled system was constructed in order to estimate the system’s annual energetic performance. It was determined numerically that over the course of a sample year, the solar collector system could deliver 39.73 megawatt-hours (MWh) of thermal energy to the TEG. The TEG converted that thermal energy into a net of 266.5 kilowatt-hours of electricity in that year. The second analysis focused on the TEG itself during operation with the purpose of providing a preliminary thermodynamic characterization of the TEG. Using experimental data, this analysis found the TEG’s operating efficiency to be 1.72%. Next, the annual emissions that would be avoided by implementing the zero-emission TEG were considered. The emission factor of Michigan’s electric grid, RFCM, was calculated to be 0.830 tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent (CO2e) per MWh, and with the TEG’s annual energy output, it was concluded that 0.221 tons CO2e would be avoided each year with the TEG. It is important to note that the TEG can be linearly scaled up by including additional modules. Thus, these benefits can be multiplied through the incorporation of more TEG units. Finally, the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of the TEG integrated into the built environment with the solar-thermal hot source and passive ground-based cold source was considered. The LCOE of the system was estimated to be approximately $8,404/MWh, which is substantially greater than current generation technologies. Note that this calculation was based on one particular configuration with a particular and narrow set of assumptions, and is not intended to be a general conclusion about TEG systems overall. It was concluded that while solar-thermal energy systems can sustain the TEG, they are capital-intensive and therefore not economically suitable for the TEG given the assumptions of this analysis. In the end, because of the large costs associated with the solar-thermal system, waste heat recovery is proposed as a potentially more cost-effective provider of the TEG’s hot stream source.Item Comparison of glufosinate-tolerant, glyphosate-tolerant, and non-transgenic cotton weed control systems(2005-05) McCormick, Kenneth M.; Keeling, Wayne; Dotray, Peter A.; Boman, Randal K.; Segarra, Eduardo; Baughman, Todd A.Two irrigated and two dryland studies were conducted in 2003 and 2004 to compare net returns between glufosinate- and glyphosate-tolerant, and conventional cotton weed management systems. Herbicides within each weed control system were sprayed as needed based on recommended label rates and limitations, and were made independent of the weed control inputs within other systems. Weed control system costs were calculated using seed costs including technology fees, herbicide and application costs, and mechanical inputs, and lint yields were determined. The net returns above weed control system costs in 2003 with the glyphosate-tolerant system was $1,514/ha in the Lubbock irrigated study, while the glufosinate-tolerant system and conventional system were $1,131 and $889/ha, respectively. The net returns above weed control system costs were similar and ranged from $780 to $854/ha in 2004. Net returns above weed control system costs were similar for all three systems when averaged over years at the Lubbock dryland location and in 2003 at a second dryland location near Lockett. The glufosinate- and glyphosate-tolerant systems had similar net returns when averaged over years at an irrigated study near New Deal, and were greater than the conventional system. Unlike the other three trials, the conventional weed control system generated greater net returns above weed control system costs at Lockett in 2004 compared to the glyphosate-tolerant system. The glyphosate-tolerant system generally required less input to maintain effective weed control compared to the glufosinate-tolerant system, while the glufosinate-tolerant system required less input compared to the conventional system.Item Comparison of glufosinate-tolerant, glyphosate-tolerant, and non-transgenic cotton weed control systems.(Texas Tech University, 2005-05) McCormick, Kenneth M.; Keeling, Wayne; Dotray, Peter A.; Boman, Randal K.; Segarra, Eduardo; Baughman, Todd A.Two irrigated and two dryland studies were conducted in 2003 and 2004 to compare net returns between glufosinate- and glyphosate-tolerant, and conventional cotton weed management systems. Herbicides within each weed control system were sprayed as needed based on recommended label rates and limitations, and were made independent of the weed control inputs within other systems. Weed control system costs were calculated using seed costs including technology fees, herbicide and application costs, and mechanical inputs, and lint yields were determined. The net returns above weed control system costs in 2003 with the glyphosate-tolerant system was $1,514/ha in the Lubbock irrigated study, while the glufosinate-tolerant system and conventional system were $1,131 and $889/ha, respectively. The net returns above weed control system costs were similar and ranged from $780 to $854/ha in 2004. Net returns above weed control system costs were similar for all three systems when averaged over years at the Lubbock dryland location and in 2003 at a second dryland location near Lockett. The glufosinate- and glyphosate-tolerant systems had similar net returns when averaged over years at an irrigated study near New Deal, and were greater than the conventional system. Unlike the other three trials, the conventional weed control system generated greater net returns above weed control system costs at Lockett in 2004 compared to the glyphosate-tolerant system. The glyphosate-tolerant system generally required less input to maintain effective weed control compared to the glufosinate-tolerant system, while the glufosinate-tolerant system required less input compared to the conventional system.Item Economic analysis of the tornado impact upon two communities(Texas Tech University, 2009-05) Martinez, Maribel; Ewing, Bradley T.; Liang, Daan; Kruse, JaimeThe aftermath of hurricane landfalls like Katrina and Rita in 2005 and the tornadoes of Moore, Oklahoma (1999) and Greensburg, Kansas (2007), remind us of not only the power such systems can contain but of the great human loss, social and emotional effects, economic loss, substantial infrastructural damage, and political and environmental impacts such storms carry with them. Although the number of people killed by all disasters has been generally decreasing due to better warning dissemination, the number of people affected by disasters and costs incurred by them remains high and continues to increase. Tornado damage does produce a negative effect on some business operations; however, direct damage is only one of several factors that contribute to business loss. Damage and disruption of utilities, transportation, reduced traffic, and reduced employee productivity can all additionally incur loss that may be as large as physical losses. Research on the short-term and long-term economic effects after a tornadic event is sparse, especially for small to mid-size communities. These communities often lack the political and economic influence of larger cities when it comes to preparing and recovering from an event. Although large metropolitans may have more population at risk, large urban areas often have the resources, training, and funds to deal with hazards and disasters. This study fills a void in the literature by focusing on the impact placed on two relatively small communities of Clovis, New Mexico and Tulia, Texas after tornadoes hit on March 23, 2007 and April 21, 2007 respectively. Over 450 residential structures and 33 businesses were damaged in Clovis. In Tulia, the business district took the brunt of the storm, completely destroying 24 businesses in the town with a population of 5100. This study sets a framework for future study and focuses on the collection, compilation and documentation of engineering, atmospheric, and economic data with implications for a rapid response economic impact analysis using primary data directly from impacted businesses, higher reliability data than traditional regional studies. Such analysis provides for more accurate economic estimates that would be available to federal and state officials who decide whether to issue a Presidential Declaration and the amount of funds to disperse to a community suffering from a disastrous event based on numbers reported to the state. It is important that these smaller jurisdictions properly account for all impacts since economic impacts may be larger than direct damage impacts and may be the difference in obtaining declaration status. Additionally, local officials will be able to determine where to exert these funds in a way that would be more economically feasible and towards effective mitigation planning, paving the way towards a faster recovery and leading towards greater local sustainability. Results of the study indicated that infrastructure such as power or water services did not play a role in business disruption as power was restored quickly in both cases. The people in the community came together along with many others from surrounding communities to help in the cleanup process. Debris was cleared within the week. Those businesses that sustained major damage not only to the structure but inventory as well, took longer to recover, between two to nine months. Additionally, permanent job loss impacts estimated by the economic impact analysis show significant immediate impact to Swisher County, spiking unemployment by nearly 36% and a loss of 22 jobs. Swisher County had an estimated $1,000,000 in output impact due to the decision of Alco not to rebuild. Additionally, research showed that when businesses are hit by a tornado, some experienced demand surge. This included auto repair shops and service firms such as insurance agents. Others continued to operate or recovered quickly by changing locations or operating out of their homes. However, establishments in sectors such as manufacturing/dairy/retail sustained longer lasting periods of business interruption.Item Economic analysis of wind and solar energy sources of Turkey(2011-05) Erturk, Mehmet; Groat, Charles G.; Jablonowski, Christopher J.Renewable energy sources have become very popular in the last years in electricity generation thanks to the technological developments, the increase in the price of fossil fuels and the environmental concerns. These factors have also prompted Turkey to utilize her very rich renewable energy sources to meet the demand increasing around 7% annually. In this study, solar and wind energy potential of Turkey is analyzed in terms of its economics to find out whether these sources are real alternatives to fossil fuels in electricity generation. Before this analysis, wind and solar energy technologies and costs and wind and solar energy potential of Turkey are discussed. Then, models are set up for five technologies which are onshore wind, offshore wind, solar PV, solar trough and solar tower technologies models to calculate cash flows which are used to calculate payback, NPV, IRR, LCE and shut-down price to conduct economic analysis. In addition to base case scenario, uncertainty analysis is done for the most promising technologies which are onshore wind and solar tower technologies by evaluating NPV and LCE under uncertain environment. The main finding of these analyses is that only onshore wind projects are attractive in Turkey; none of other technologies is attractive. However, with a minor increase in the regulated price for solar thermal electricity, tower plant projects will also be attractive.Item Expanded newborn screening in Texas : a cost-effectiveness analysis using Markov modeling(2009-05) Tiwana, Simrandeep Kaur; Rascati, Karen L.Texas House Bill 790 resulted in the expansion of the newborn screening panel from 7 to 27 disorders. The long-term economic implications of this expansion have not been studied. The objective of this study was to estimate the incremental cost-effectiveness of the expanded newborn screening program compared to the previous standard screening in Texas. A Markov model (for a hypothetical cohort of Texas births in 2007) was constructed to compare life-time costs and QALYs between the expanded newborn screening and pre-expansion newborn screening. Estimates of costs, probabilities of sequelae, and utilities for disorder categories were obtained from Texas statistics, the literature, and expert opinion. A baseline discount rate of 3% was used for both costs and QALYs, with a range of 0% to 5%. Analyses were conducted from a payer's perspective, so only direct medical cost estimates were included. The life-time incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) for expanded versus pre-expansion screening was about $12,000/QALY. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis using key variables showed that results ranged from about $9,500 to $13,000 /QALY. This range is well below the commonly cited willingness to pay threshold of $50,000/QALY. Therefore, expanded newborn screening results in additional expense to the payer but also improves patient outcomes by preventing avoidable morbidity and mortality. The screened population benefits from greater QALYs as compared to the unscreened population. Overall, expanded newborn screening in Texas was estimated to be a cost-effective option as compared to unexpanded newborn screening.Item Mass transfer coefficients and effective area of packing(2015-05) Wang, Chao; Rochelle, Gary T.; Seibert, Frank; Bonnecaze, Roger; Maynard, Jennifer; Eldridge, Bruce; Corsi, RichardThe effective mass transfer area (a [subscript e]), liquid film mass transfer coefficient (k [subscript L]), and gas film mass transfer coefficient (k [subscript G]) of eleven structured packings and three random packings were measured consistently in a 0.428 m packed column. Absorption of CO₂ with 0.1 gmol/L NaOH with 3.05 m packing was used to measure a [subscript e], while air stripping of toluene from water with 1.83 m packing was used to measure k [subscript L], and absorption of SO₂ with 0.1 gmol/L NaOH with 0.51 m packing was used to measure k [subscript G]. The experiments were conducted with liquid load changing from 2.5 to 75 m³/(m²*h) and gas flow rate from 0.6 to 2.3 m/s. Packings with surface area from 125 to 500 m²/m³ and corrugation angle from 45 to 70 degree were tested to explore the effect of packing geometries on mass transfer. The effective area increases with packing surface area and liquid flow rate, and is independent of gas velocity. The packing corrugation angle has an insignificant effect on mass transfer area. The ratio of effective area to surface area decreases as surface area increases due to the limit of packing wettability. A correlation has been developed to predict the mass transfer area with an average deviation of 11%. [Mathematical equation]. The liquid film mass transfer coefficient is only a function of liquid velocity with a power of 0.74, while the gas film mass transfer coefficient is only a function of gas velocity with a power of 0.58. Both k [subscript L] and k [subscript G] increase with packing surface area, and decrease with corrugation angle. A new concept, Mixing Point Density, was introduced to account for effect of the packing geometry on k[subscript L] and k [subscript G]. Mixing Point Density represents the frequency at which liquid film is refreshed and gas is mixed. The mixing point density can be calculated by either packing characteristic length or by surface area and corrugation angle: [mathematical equation]. The dimensionless k [subscript L] and k [subscript G] models can then be developed based on the effects of liquid/gas velocity, mixing point density, packing surface area: [mathematical equation] [mathematical equation]. Mi is the dimensionless form of Mixing Point Density (M), which is M divided by a [subscript P]³. Because Mi is only a function of corrugation angle (θ), it is a convenient transformation to represent the effect of θ on mass transfer parameters. An economic analysis of the absorber was conducted for a 250 MW coal-fired power plant. The optimum operating condition is between 50 to 80 % of flooding, and the optimum design is to use packing with 200 to 250 m²/m³ surface area and high corrugation angle (60 to 70 degree). The minimum total cost ranges from $4.04 to $5.83 per tonne CO₂ removed with 8 m PZ.Item Model-based cost analysis for pressure and geochemical-based monitoring methods in CO2-EOR fields: application to field A(2016-05) Bolhassani, Behnaz; Young, Michael H.; Hovorka, Susan D.; Sun, Alexander Y.Decision making using monitoring data from CO2 geological storage (GS) projects can be multifaceted and complex because of geological, environmental, political, and economic factors. This study primarily focuses on economic and technical aspects of monitoring projects for CO2. The focus of this research is to compare the economic effectiveness of pressure-based monitoring (PBM) and geochemical-based monitoring (GBM) on CO2 leakage detection in CO2-EOR sites where risk for leakage assumed to be plugged and abandoned (P&A) wells, however methodology can be easily applied to CO2 storage in saline aquifers as well. PBM can detect leakage from pressure anomalies, while GBM method detects leakage from alteration in fluid chemistry. In this paper, analytical and semi-analytical models for PBM and GBM techniques were applied to calculate the number of monitoring wells required for monitoring anomalies, which could be due to leakage of CO2. In this study, we assumed that leakage through P&A wells represents the main risk factor. The goals of this study are to determine the cost effectiveness of PBM and GBM as a means to maximize the spatial coverage of the monitoring network in the vicinity of P&A wells. We used different analytical models for PBM and GBM, and overlaid the spatial coverage of each well onto a typical Texas Gulf Coast field site (known as Field A), thus identifying the intersection of each monitoring well and potentially leaking P&A well. Then, based on the available cost data, the costs of each PBM and GBM well were estimated and the two monitoring techniques were compared economically, assuming a pre-determined budget is available to invest on monitoring. The results showed that the spatial coverage of each PBM well was much higher than each GBM wells, and that the total capital and operational cost per PBM well was lower than each GBM well. For theoretical site used in this work, only 29 PBM wells were needed for full coverage of the field site, while 169 GBM wells were required. Therefore, we concluded that PBM technique is a more cost effective option, considering the parameters and assumption in this case study.Item A review of the methods of economic analysis of nuclear power plants(2011-05) Cavender, Brittainy Anne; Popova, Elmira; Hess, StephenNuclear power plants across the United States are reaching the end of their current operating licenses, forcing decision makers to think about the way forward. As they consider the best alternatives for dealing with aging nuclear plants, it is becoming increasingly important to have an accurate method for calculating the long-term costs of nuclear power plants. This report begins by investigating the methodologies currently used in these calculations. They focus on the uncertainty associated with deregulated electricity markets and can be broken down into two main categories: discounted cash flow and real options analysis. Next the report discusses the limitations of the current methodologies, focusing specifically on those aspects of evaluation that are currently eclipsed by electricity market uncertainty. Finally the report offers recommendations for addressing these limitations and creating a stronger analytical framework for calculating the lifetime cost of nuclear power plants.