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Ecuador, like every country in the world, urgently requires a conversion of transportation to electric power, both for economic and environmental reasons. This paper focuses on the technical and economic feasibility of a solar-powered electric charging station equipped with battery storage in Cuenca, Ecuador. By reviewing current literature, we assess the environmental impact of electric mobility and its potential to reduce fossil fuel dependence and generate energy savings. The analysis encompasses various factors, including EV energy consumption, solar energy system sizing, energy production, and battery storage capacity. Key findings indicate that integrating solar PV systems with EV charging stations efficiently supports a reliable and sustainable energy supply. Simulation results reveal seasonal variations in solar generation, highlighting the importance of proper system sizing to maintain charging supply reliability and manage surplus generation. The economic analysis of three scenarios underscores the financial viability of implementing PV systems without battery storage, yielding a positive Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and Net Present Value (NPV). However, scenarios with battery storage present negative NPV and long investment return periods, impacting economic viability negatively. These insights underscore the need for a balanced design to ensure sustainability and economic feasibility in the transition to electric mobility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High investments and low economic efficiency of agricultural biogas plants operating on farms are two of the main barriers to the development of the biogas plant sector. Identification of economic and financial problems related to the operation of such facilities allows for the reduction of entry barriers for private investors, especially farmers. The aim of this research was to analyze the economic efficiency of investing in an agricultural biogas plant operating at a dairy farm. For the analysis, the case study method was applied. The economic efficiency of investment in a biogas plant was assessed using six different cash flow options. The NPV (net present value) and IRR (internal rate of return) methods were applied to assess the economic efficiency of the investment. It was found that the investment project for an agricultural biogas plant with a capacity of 0.499 MW located at a dairy farm required a subsidy of approximately 40–60% of the value of to ensure satisfactory economic efficiency. It has been shown that a particularly important aspect in assessing the economic efficiency of an investment in an agricultural biogas plant is the use of an economic calculation that takes into account the valuation and quantification of all positive external effects of such projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solid oxide fuel cell power generation systems are devices that utilize solid electrolytes to transfer ions for electrochemical energy conversion. A wide range of gases can be used as fuel gas, including hydrogen, natural gas, and carbon monoxide. Considering the high cost of pure hydrogen, hydrogen production from natural gas reforming has become a hot research area. In this study, the 4F-LCA method was employed to construct an evaluation framework, with a particular emphasis on the cost analysis of solid oxide fuel cell power generation systems, and uses a bottom-up approach to build a system economic analysis model to visualize the major costs involved in the system. An economic benefit analysis and sensitivity analysis were carried out for the 2 kW natural gas solid oxide fuel cell as a case by taking the financial net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR) and payback period into account. In this study, the investment cost and payback period of a 2 kW solid oxide fuel cell system are obtained, which can provide a reference for the project construction and operation of solid oxide fuel cell systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of China's new power system, various regions have implemented policies mandating the integration of new energy sources with energy storage, while also introducing subsidies to alleviate project cost pressures. Currently, there is a lack of subsidy analysis for photovoltaic energy storage integration projects. In order to systematically assess the economic viability of photovoltaic energy storage integration projects after considering energy storage subsidies, this paper reviews relevant policies in the Chinese photovoltaic energy storage market. It analyzes the cost and revenue composition of photovoltaic energy storage integration projects, and constructs a system dynamics model for the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of such projects. Taking a specific photovoltaic energy storage project as an example, this paper measures the levelized cost of electricity and the investment return rate under different energy storage scenarios. Combining energy storage allocation ratios and internal rate of return indicators, this paper analyzes the net present value of photovoltaic energy storage integration projects under different subsidy standards. The results indicate that, while the current energy storage subsidy policies positively stimulate photovoltaic energy storage integration projects, they exhibit a limited capacity to cover energy storage investment costs, thereby failing to incentivize capital market participation in the construction of such projects. Rational allocation of energy storage capacity and optimization of corresponding subsidy policies are crucial prerequisites for enhancing the economic viability and widespread adoption of photovoltaic energy storage integration projects. This study not only aids in investment decision making for photovoltaic power stations but also contributes to the formulation of energy storage subsidy policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various combinations of ship propulsion systems have been developed with low-carbon-emission technologies to meet regulations and policies related to climate change, one of which is the combined gas turbine and steam turbine integrated electric drive system (COGES), which is claimed to be a promising ship propulsion system for the future. The objective of this paper is to perform a techno-economic and environmental assessment of the COGES propulsion system applied to liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers. A propulsion system design for a 7500 m3 LNG carrier was evaluated through the thermodynamics approach of the energy system. Subsequently, carbon emissions and environmental impact analyses were carried out through a life cycle assessment based on the power and fuel input of the system. Afterwards, a techno-economic analysis was carried out by considering the use of boil-off gas for fuel and additional income from carbon emission incentives. The proposed propulsion system design produces 1832 kilowatts of power for a service speed of 12 knots with the total efficiency of the system in the range of 30.1%. The results of the environmental evaluation resulted an overall environmental impact of 10.01 mPts/s. The results of the economic evaluation resulted in a positive net present value and a logical payback period for investment within 8 years of operation. The impact of this result shows that the COGES has a promising technological commercial application as an environmentally friendly propulsion system. Last, for the economy of the propulsion system, the COGES design has a positive net present value, an internal rate return in the range of 12–18%, and a payback period between 6 and 8 years, depending on the charter rate of the LNG carrier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a methodology to determine optimal financial parameters in shale-gas production, combining numerical simulation of decline curves and stochastic modeling of the gas price. The mathematical model of gas production considers free gas in the pore and the gas adsorbed in kerogen. The dependence of gas production on petrophysical parameters and stimulated permeability is quantified by solving the model equations in a 3D geometry representing a typical fractured shale well. We use Monte Carlo simulation to characterize the statistical properties of various common financial indicators of the investment in shale-gas. The analysis combines many realizations of the physical model, which explores the variability of porosity, induced permeability, and fracture geometry, with thousands of realizations of gas price trajectories. The evolution of gas prices is modeled using the bootstrapping statistical resampling technique to obtain a probability density function of the initial price, the drift, and the volatility of a geometric Brownian motion for the time evolution of gas price. We analyze the Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), and Discounted Payback Period (DPP) indicators. By computing the probability density function of each indicator, we characterize the statistical percentile of each value of the indicator. Alternatively, we can infer the value of the indicator for a given statistical percentile. By mapping these parametric combinations for different indicators, we can determine the parameters that maximize or minimize each of them. We show that, to achieve a profitable investment in shale-gas with high certainty, it is necessary to place the wells in extremely good locations in terms of geological parameters (porosity) and to have exceptional fracturing technology (geometry) and fracture permeability. These high demands in terms of petrophysical properties and hydrofracture engineering may explain the industry observation of "sweet spots", that is, specific areas within shale-gas plays that tend to yield more profitable wells and where many operators concentrate their production. We shed light on the rational origin of this phenomenon: while shale formations are abundant, areas prone to having a multi-parameter combination that renders the well profitable are less common. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing combined heat and power plants usually operate on part-load conditions during low heating demand seasons. Similarly, there are boilers designated for winter use that remain inactive for much of the year. This brings a concern about the inefficiency of resource utilization. Retrofitting existing CHP plants (especially for those with spare boilers) for biofuel production could increase revenue and enhance resource efficiency. This study introduces a novel approach that combines biomass gasification and pyrolysis in a polygeneration process that is based on utilizing existing CHP facilities to produce biomethane, bio-oil, and hydrogen. In this work, a detailed analysis was undertaken of retrofitting an existing biomass combined heat and power plant for biofuel production. The biofuel production plant is designed to explore the polygeneration of hydrogen, biomethane, and bio-oil via the integration of gasification, pyrolysis, and renewable-powered electrolysis. An Aspen Plus model of the proposed biofuel production plant is established followed by a performance investigation of the biofuel production plant under various design conditions. An economic analysis is carried out to examine the profitability of the proposed polygeneration system. Results show that the proposed polygeneration system can achieve 40% carbon efficiency with a payback period of 9 years and an internal rate of return of 17.5%, without the integration of renewable hydrogen. When integrated with renewable-power electrolysis, the carbon efficiency could be significantly improved to approximately 90%; however, the high investment cost associated with the electrolyzer system makes this integration economically unfavorable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study is to analyze the economic viability of municipal household solid waste (organic matter + paper) for the production of gas, coke and biofuel through the pyrolysis and distillation process. The waste was collected in the city of Belém do Pará-Brazil and pretreated at the Federal University of Pará. The analyzed fraction (organic matter + paper) was subjected to the pretreatment of drying, crushing, and sieving and was subsequently subjected to proximate characterization and, finally, pyrolysis of the organic fraction (organic matter + paper) in a fixed bed reactor. Initially, it was necessary to review the literature, and with the yields obtained by pyrolysis of the fraction, economic feasibility analyses were carried out. The economic indicators for evaluating the most viable pyrolysis process were basic payback, discounted payback, net present value, internal rate of return, and profitability index, which are all financial metrics commonly used in investment analysis and decision making. These metrics provide valuable insights into the financial viability and attractiveness of investment projects. They are essential tools for assessing the feasibility and profitability of various ventures, helping decision-makers make informed choices in allocating resources. The analysis of the indicators showed the economic viability considering an analysis horizon of 10 years of materials based on organic material and paper. The breakeven point obtained was USD 0.96/dm3 and the minimum biofuel sales price found in this project was USD 1.30/dm3. The sensitivity research found that material costs (organic matter + paper), bio-oil yield, total project investment and electricity, respectively, are the variables that most affect the minimum biofuel sales price. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the case of new investment in RES technology, there are two issues related to efficiency assessment. The first one is how to join technical, financial and economic efficiency assessments in one. An investment feasibility study is usually conducted through a financial analysis to obtain the internal rate of return and the net present value. However, a new RES investment is typically financially unprofitable unless the environmental and social aspects are included. The second one is a lack of required financial data. The new RES investment is often innovative and neither the owner nor other entities have financial data on the operating costs and expenditure for the last periods. Therefore, in this paper, we proposed two methods of efficiency assessment. The first one is based on the avoided costs theory. Furthermore, the second one belongs to heuristic methods and is based on the experts' assessment of different kinds of parameters. The purpose of this study is to assess the efficiency of the pilot project of VPPs using two recommended methods. This paper emphasizes the advantages and disadvantages of each method. The actual technical and financial data for the period of six months from the pilot study were calculated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lignocellulosic biomass has demonstrated great potential as feedstock for pellet production, notwithstanding the fact that the industrial production of pellets is faced with some economic challenges. This study presents a technoeconomic analysis of six scenarios to develop a process model for pellet production from sawdust and oat straw that employs torrefaction and steam explosion pretreatment prior to pelletization. SuperPro Designer was used to carry out this evaluation. The pellet plants were designed to have a capacity of 9.09 t/h of sawdust and oat straw each. The pellet yield ranged from 59 kt to 72 kt/year. The scenarios analyzed included variations of steam explosion and torrefaction. In some scenarios, materials were lost in the form of liquid and gas due to the pretreatment process. The breakdown of equipment purchase cost showed that the torrefaction reactor is the most expensive unit with approximately 51% of the purchase cost. Facility-dependent and feedstock costs were the major significant contributors to the pellet production cost. The minimum selling prices of the pellets obtained from Scenarios 1–6 were $113.4/t, $118.7/t, $283.4/t, $298.7/t, $200.5/t, and $208.4/t, respectively. The profitability of pellet production as determined by the net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR), and payback period was found to be sensitive to variations in feedstock cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Installations of decentralised renewable energy systems (RES) are becoming increasing popular as governments introduce ambitious energy policies to curb emissions and slow surging energy costs. This work presents a novel model for optimal sizing for a decentralised renewable generation and hybrid storage system to create a renewable energy community (REC), developed in Python. The model implements photovoltaic (PV) solar and wind turbines combined with a hybrid battery and regenerative hydrogen fuel cell (RHFC). The electrical service demand was derived using real usage data from a rural island case study location. Cost remuneration was managed with an REC virtual trading layer, ensuring fair distribution among actors in accordance with the European RED(III) policy. A multi-objective genetic algorithm (GA) stochastically determines the system capacities such that the inherent trade-off relationship between project cost and decarbonisation can be observed. The optimal design resulted in a levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of 0.15 EUR/kWh, reducing costs by over 50% compared with typical EU grid power, with a project internal rate of return (IRR) of 10.8%, simple return of 9.6%/year, and return on investment (ROI) of 9 years. The emissions output from grid-only use was reduced by 72% to 69 gCO2e/kWh. Further research of lifetime economics and additional revenue streams in combination with this work could provide a useful tool for users to quickly design and prototype future decentralised REC systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conservation of the environment and the use of clean energy is one of the main concerns of international governments. In this sense, encouraging the use of clean energy, both locally, nationally, and internationally, contributes to the development of countries. In this order of ideas, this work was motivated with the purpose of contributing to the scope of the SDGs at the national level, specifically, in the city of Barranquilla (Colombia). The thermal sensation inside the public transport in Barranquilla limits the quality of the service and, consequently, the satisfaction of the users due to the high temperatures (T > 30 °C). To address this problem, it is necessary to implement air conditioning systems that improve comfort conditions and are friendly to the environment. In this study, the feasibility of implementing photovoltaic panels as an alternative energy source for air conditioning units in public transport was examined. The study began with the dimensioning of the photovoltaic system and the accumulation of energy. A stress analysis was then performed on the chassis and bodywork of a selected bus. Finally, the work was evaluated based on the results obtained from the dimensioning of the mentioned systems. The results confirmed that a photovoltaic generator with a power of 35.88 kW and an energy storage capacity of 481,204 Ah is required. Additionally, the results also confirmed that the chassis and bodywork are structurally sound. The economic analysis carried out confirmed a Net Present Value and an Internal Rate of Return of 22,936 USD and 11.05%, respectively. The energy alternative proposed for the transport sector, based on the application of photovoltaic energy, constitutes an advance to meet international objectives in relation to the use of clean energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of renewable energy sources has become strategic in the production of electricity worldwide due to global efforts to increase energy efficiency and achieve a net zero carbon footprint. Hybrid systems can maximize stability and reduce costs by combining multiple energy sources. A conventional metric, such as the levelized cost of energy (LCOE), that is appropriate for assessing the cost-effectiveness of an option may not be appropriate when evaluating the economic feasibility of hybrid systems. This study proposes a stochastic discounted cash flow model (DCF) to assess the economic viability of a hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) in Brazil. The objective is to determine the combinations that will provide the highest 50th percentile internal rate of return (IRR) and the lowest coefficient of variation (CV). Model variables include capital expenditures (CAPEX), operation and maintenance (O&M) costs, sectoral charges, taxes, and long-term energy production metrics. The results demonstrate that the synergies modeled contributed to the higher economic outcomes for the HRES obtained by combining both energy sources rather than opting for a stand-alone configuration. A wind-dominant combination of 60% wind was able to increase the 50th percentile of the IRR, while a solar-dominant combination of 65% solar minimized the CV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supermarkets in Port Harcourt (PH) city, Nigeria, predominantly rely on diesel electricity generation due to grid instability, leading to high electricity prices. Although solar photovoltaic (PV) systems have been proposed as an alternative, these supermarkets have yet to adopt them, mainly due to high investment costs and a lack of awareness of the long-term financial and environmental benefits. This paper examines the technical and economic practicality of a PV system for these supermarkets using the PVsyst software and a spreadsheet model. Solar resources showed that PH has a daily average solar radiation and temperature of 4.21 kWh/m2/day and 25.73 °C, respectively. Market Square, the supermarket with the highest peak power demand of 59.8 kW and a 561 kWh/day load profile, was chosen as a case study. A proposed PV system with a power capacity of 232 kW, battery storage capacity of 34,021 Ah, a charge controller size of 100 A/560 V, and an inverter with a power rating of 60 V/75 kW has been designed to meet the load demand. The economic analysis showed a $266,936 life cycle cost, $0.14 per kWh levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), a 4-year simple payback time, and a 20.5% internal rate of return (IRR). The PV system is feasible due to its positive net present value (NPV) of $165,322 and carbon savings of 582 tCO2/year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a parametric procedure to size a hybrid system consisting of renewable generation (wind turbines and photovoltaic panels) and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). To cope with the increasing installation of grid-scale BESS, an innovative, fast and flexible procedure for evaluating an efficient size for this asset has been developed. The tool exploits a high-fidelity empirical model to assess stand-alone BESS or hybrid power plants under different service stacking configurations. The economic performance has been evaluated considering the revenue stacking that occurs when participating in up to four distinct energy markets and the degradation of the BESS performances due to both cycle- and calendar-aging. The parametric nature of the tool enables the investigation of a wide range of system parameters, including novel BESS control logic, market prices, and energy production. The presented outcomes detail the techno-economic performances of a hybrid system over a 20-year scenario, proposing a sensitivity analysis of both technical and economic parameters. The case study results highlight the necessity of steering BESS investment towards the coupling of RES and accurate planning of the service stacking. Indeed, the implementation of a storage system in an energy district improves the internal rate of return of the project by up to 10% in the best-case scenario. Moreover, accurate service stacking has shown a boost in revenues by up to 44% with the same degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study investigates economic expectations and socio-psychological factors influencing individuals' residential photovoltaic (RPV) adoption intentions in Thailand. The theory of planned behavior (TPB) and the diffusion of innovation theory provide a framework for our predictor selection. We obtained the data from a nationwide survey on electricity prosumer infrastructure. RPV non-users (N = 760) were asked to rate their RPV knowledge, attitudes, perceived behavioral controls (PBCs), norms, and innovativeness. They then read scenarios describing the current RPV installation cost and payback rate. They rated their adoption intention and specified their intended system capacity, affordable installation cost, and desirable payback period. The gaps between the actual and desired installation costs and the internal rate of return were calculated. These economic expectation gaps, attitudes based on financial benefits, PBC based on perceived financial barriers, social norms, and innovativeness significantly predicted the adoption intention. On the other hand, perceived knowledge, attitudes based on environmental and image benefits, and PBC based on anticipated troubles and inconveniences failed to predict intention. The implications of the TPB model for RPV adoption were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current global context, marked by crises such as climate change, the pandemic, and the depletion of fossil fuel resources, underscores the urgent need to minimize waste. Cogeneration technology, which enables simultaneous production of electricity and thermal energy from electricity generation waste, offers a promising solution to enhance energy efficiency. Its widespread adoption, particularly in the European Union, where several cogeneration systems are in place, demonstrates its growing popularity. Italy alone has 1865 high-efficiency cogeneration units, contributing significantly to total cogeneration energy generation. Micro-cogeneration, specifically, has attracted attention for its potential to reduce energy waste and environmental impact. This study focuses on assessing the technical and financial feasibility of a micro-cogeneration plant using natural gas-fuelled internal combustion engines, considering different scenarios of plant operating strategies in order to optimize energy production, minimize waste, and mitigate environmental footprints associated with conventional methods. Additionally, it provides valuable guidance for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and decision-makers invested in sustainable energy solutions. By advancing micro-cogeneration technology, this study aims to promote a more sustainable and environmentally conscious approach to energy production. The methodology applied is based on the development of a numerical model via RETScreen Expert 8 and it was calibrated with one-year energy bills. The study was performed by focusing on the analysis of the annual energy savings, greenhouse gas emission savings, tonnes of oil equivalents savings, and financial parameters such as Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), Profitability Index (PI) and Payback time (PBT). The results show, using a micro-cogeneration system in a big complex of buildings, that the financial parameters can continually increase with the plant's capacity with the electrical load following, but with a loss of the recovered heat from the cogenerator because it may reach values that are not necessary for the users. When the thermal load variation is much more significant than the electrical load variation, it will be useful to design the plant to follow the thermal load variation which allows the full utilization of the thermal and energy production from the plant without any waste energy and choosing a system capacity that can optimize the energy, emissions and financial aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global trade and transportation sectors heavily rely on the maritime industry. Still, its dependence on fossil energy sources poses significant environmental challenges and leads to unstable fuel prices that affect the cost of goods transported by sea. This paper aims to evaluate the viability of seaports as energy-intensive entities and explore the feasibility of implementing a Nuclear-Renewable Hybrid Energy System (NRHES). The study presents a case study of the Tanjung Priok Port in Indonesia, focusing on estimating energy consumption, emissions, and the potential impact of carbon taxation on seaport operations. By quantifying these factors, the research provides insights into the energy requirements, environmental effects, and potential costs associated with seaport carbon taxation. A comprehensive analysis of the technical and economic feasibility of implementing an NRHES in the seaport case study is conducted, determining the optimal sizing and composition of components, considering the proportion of nuclear and renewable energy sources. Furthermore, the economic analysis takes into account energy expenses, net present value, cash flow, return on investment, and internal rate of return. The objective of these findings is to provide decision-makers with insights into the advantages and obstacles associated with implementing an NRHES, ultimately contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable future for the maritime sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 24 billion pieces of surgical mask waste (WM) were generated in the EU region, with an acute shortage of their management and recycling. Pyrolysis and gasification are among the most promising treatments that were proposed to dispose of WMs and convert them into pyrolysis oil and hydrogen-rich syngas. This work aimed to investigate the techno-economic analysis (TEA) of both treatments in order to assess the feasibility of scaling up. The TEA was carried out using a discounted cash flow model and its data were collected from practical experiments conducted using a fluidised bed pyrolysis reactor and bubbling fluidised bed gasifier system with a capacity of 0.2 kg/h and 1 kg/h, respectively, then upscaling to one tonne/h. The technological evaluation was made based on the optimal conditions that could produce the maximum amount of pyrolysis oil (42.3%) and hydrogen-rich syngas (89.7%). These treatments were also compared to the incineration of WMs as a commercial solution. The discounted payback, simple payback, net present value (NPV), production cost, and internal rate of return (IRR) were the main indicators used in the economic feasibility analysis. Sensitivity analysis was performed using SimLab software with the help of Monte Carlo simulations. The results showed that the production cost of the main variables was estimated at 45.4 EUR/t (gate fee), 71.7 EUR/MWh (electricity), 30.5 EUR/MWh (heat), 356 EUR/t (oil), 221 EUR/t (gaseous), 237 EUR/t (char), and 257 EUR/t (syngas). Meanwhile, the IRR results showed that gasification (12.51%) and incineration (7.56%) have better economic performance, while pyrolysis can produce less revenue (1.73%). Based on the TEA results, it is highly recommended to use the gasification process to treat WMs, yielding higher revenue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Cost–Benefit Analysis (CBA), we assess the economic–environmental performance of an anaerobic digestion (AD) plant, fed by cultured crops (i.e., maize and wheat), in Italy. The biogas generated by the AD plant is used for the production of electricity, imputed into the Italian energy grid. The LCA evaluated potential greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, measured via Carbon Footprint (CF), while the CBA analysed the financial and economic profiles via the Net Present Value (NPV) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR) indicators. The strength of combining these methodologies is the joint examination of the financial and social–environmental performance of the plant. The results of the CBA are complemented with the GHG emissions avoided by producing electricity from biogas. The CF of 0.28 kg CO2eq·kWh−1 of electricity produced is mainly due to the nitrogen fertilizers involved in the production of the additional feedstock matrix (i.e., maize flour). In the CBA, the negative financial NPV and the financial IRR, which is lower than the discount rate applied, highlight the inability of the net revenue to repay the initial investment. Regarding the social desirability, the economic analysis, enriched by the LCA outcomes, shows a positive economic performance, demonstrating that the combination of information from different methodologies enables wider consideration for the anaerobic digestion plant. In line with the Italian Recovery and Resilience Plan's aim to strongly increase the exploitation of renewable resources, an AD plant fed by dedicated crops could valorise the marginal uncultivated land, obtaining energy without consuming land for food production. Moreover, this AD plant could contribute to the creation of repeatable small-scale energy production systems able to sustain the demand of local communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to compare, from a technical and financial perspective, the application of biological (methane-capture) and thermal (incineration) treatments of waste in Mexico City in order to generate clean energy. For each alternative, pessimist (50%), realistic (80%), and optimistic (100%) scenarios were considered in terms of the efficiency collection rates of methane and the efficiency of the capacity conversion factor for incineration. For the methane project, the LandGEM model was used to evaluate the potential generation of methane. In order to calculate the electricity output that could be generated through incineration, we relied on two key factors: the total amount of heat that could be generated by burning the waste and the average level of moisture in the waste material. The evaluation resulted in an annual energy generation of 206.09 GWh for methane and 4183.39 GWh for incineration, both in the realistic scenario. Both projects reported positive financial indicators with a discount rate of 12%. Incineration resulted in a net present value of USD 706,377,303 and an internal rate of return of 23% versus USD 4,975,369 and 24% for the methane project. However, the incineration project only became feasible by omitting financing. Incineration resulted in a payback period that was lower by a ratio of 2:1 compared to methane, but the levelized cost of energy resulted in higher figures (USD 216.92). The aim of these findings is to support the decision-making process for the creation and implementation of sustainable energy strategies based on circular economy principles in Mexico and other similar regions across the globe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar photovoltaic self-consumption is an attractive approach to increase autarky and reduce emissions in the building sector. However, a successful deployment in urban rooftops requires both accurate and low-computational-cost methods to estimate the self-consumption potential and economic feasibility, which is especially scarce in the literature on net billing schemes. In the first part of this study, a bottom-up GIS-based techno-economic model has helped compare the self-consumption potential with net metering and net billing in a Mediterranean municipality of Spain, with 3734 buildings in total. The capacity was optimized according to load profiles obtained from aggregated real measurements. Multiple load profile scenarios were assessed, revealing that the potential self-sufficiency of the municipality ranges between 21.9% and 42.5%. In the second part of the study, simplified regression-based models were developed to estimate the self-sufficiency, self-consumption, economic payback and internal rate of return at a building scale, providing nRMSE values of 3.9%, 3.1%, 10.0% and 1.5%, respectively. One of the predictors with a high correlation in the regressions is a novel coefficient that measures the alignment between the load and the hours with higher irradiance. The developed correlations can be employed for any other economic or demand scenario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an economic assessment of three drying systems (DS) with different configurations: diesel-powered (DDS), grid-powered (GDS), and photovoltaic-powered (PVDS). The third configuration, PVDS, presents important technological innovations regarding the electric configuration (stand-alone PV, without batteries or grid support) and the heat pump technology used (optimized for drying the recirculated air, which permits a reduction in the electricity consumption by more than 45% if compared to a diesel air-heater or an electric resistance). The profitability of the investment required for the installation of the three systems is proven by calculating the profitability index (PI), the internal rate of return (IRR), the payback period (PBP), and the levelized cost of energy (LCOE). All the indicators show good profitabilities for the three technologies (the PI values range from 6.78 to 10.11, the IRR values range from 24% to 37%, and the PBPs are between 3 and 4 years), but the PVDS clearly offers important economic advantages: its PI and IRR are more than 40% higher, the PBP is 25% shorter, and the LCOE is between 40 and 47% lower than for the two other systems. The results of this analysis correspond to a particular base case but are obviously sensitive to geopolitical and economic changes: the ultimate strength of the PVDS configuration is its resilience against a possible rise in electricity and diesel prices, reducing the uncertainty for investors and policymakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most effective strategies to mitigate water shortages worldwide is to reuse treated wastewater for freshwater production employing reverse osmosis (RO) technology. This strategy is appropriate in urban areas of arid or semi-arid regions as it can provide a sustainable and reliable water source close to the consumers. One of the drawbacks of RO is the high variability of production costs due to the electricity intensity. In addition, depending on the electricity source, it can also result in substantial environmental costs. This study showed that upgrading pumping and RO membrane systems of a wastewater reuse plant in Cyprus can significantly alleviate these drawbacks in terms cost, water recovery rate, and air pollution. The water-recovery rate of the upgraded RO plant increased from 43.2 to 75 percent, which resulted in a substantial net financial benefit due to the reduction in the quantity of wastewater purchased and the increase in potable water produced. The upgraded system also reduced the electricity requirement from 3.63 kWh/m3 to 1.92 kWh/m3. Pollution emissions decreased substantially because of the reduction in electricity requirements. The beneficiaries of these lower emission costs are the residents of Cyprus and global society. Overall, the benefit of upgrading the plant is highly attractive with more than 65 percent annual real internal rates of return in financial and economic terms. Positive net present values are realized for all the scenarios considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Succinic acid (SA) is a valuable platform chemical that can be converted into biodegradable plastics, resins, solvents, etc. The emerging biological routes for SA production are gaining more attention because they exploit the natural abilities of bacteria to fixate carbon dioxide (CO2). On the other hand, an inexpensive organic carbon source that can fulfill the energetic requirements of the microbial strain is also a significant challenge for industrial SA production. The current work presents a holistic techno-economic analysis of SA production using sugar-rich residual streams and biogas as raw materials. Simulation results showed that by establishing an integrated process, high SA production can be simultaneously achieved with biogas upgrading. The CO2 provided from biogas and carbohydrates, which are provided from organic by-products is converted into two products: biomethane (CH4 > 95%, a clean biofuel), and SA. The mass and energy balances and techno-economic indicators were simulated and calculated using SuperPro Designer®. The total capital investment and the total production cost for a facility producing 1000 tSA/year were estimated to be EUR 5,211,000 and EUR 2,339,000 per year, respectively. The total revenue was calculated to be EUR 2,811,000 per year, while the revenue due to biomethane produced, namely, 198,150 Nm3 corresponded to EUR 205,284 per year. The return on investment, payback period, and internal rate of return of the project were found to be 11.68%, 8.56 years, and 11.11%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Virtual power plants (VPPs) are an effective platform for attracting private investment and customer engagement to speed up the integration of green renewable resources. In this paper, a robust bidding strategy to participate in both energy and ancillary service markets in the wholesale electricity market is proposed for a realistic VPP in Western Australia. The strategy is accurate and fast, so the VPP can bid in a very short time period. To engage customers in the demand management schemes of the VPP, the gamified approach is utilized to make the exercise enjoyable while not compromising their comfort levels. The modelling of revenue, expenses, and profit for the load-following ancillary service (LFAS) is provided, and the effective bidding strategy is developed. The simulation results show a significant improvement in the financial indicators of the VPP when participating in both the LFAS and energy markets. The payback period can be improved by 3 years to the payback period of 6 years and the internal rate of return (IRR) by 7.5% to the IRR of 18% by participating in both markets. The accuracy and speed of the proposed bidding strategy method is evident when compared with a mathematical method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to examine the profitability of investment in a photovoltaic microinstallation, to analyze the impact of legal changes on its profitability, and to perform a sensitivity analysis of the investment profitability to energy price changes. The novelty of the research applies to the financial analysis of two legal systems of discount called net-metering and net-billing. The two systems and the change in energy prices present legal and macroeconomic risks. Climate neutrality strategy implementation is the analysis background. The authors formulate the hypothesis that, firstly, the solar panel installations in Poland are aimed at reducing the operating costs of the building; secondly, the investment motivation is environmental. The main research conclusion is that taking into consideration the solar panel 'boom' in Poland, the 'regulator' has achieved its intended goal connected with progress toward climate neutrality. This research used the method of logical design, experiment, and comparative analysis. The tools applied to calculate project profitability included the internal rate of return (IRR) and net present value (NPV). The case study method has been applied. The analysis uses real-world assumptions and is conducted for weather conditions in Gdańsk, Poland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present day, it is crucial for individuals and companies to reduce their carbon footprints in a society more self-conscious about climate change and other environmental issues. In this sense, public and private institutions are investing in photovoltaic (PV) systems to produce clean energy for self-consumption. Nevertheless, an essential part of this energy is wasted due to lower consumption during non-business periods. This work proposes a novel framework that uses solar-generated energy surplus to charge external electric vehicles (EVs), creating new business opportunities. Furthermore, this paper introduces a novel marketplace platform based on blockchain technology to allow energy trading between institutions and EV owners. Since the energy provided to charge the EV comes from distributed PV generation, the energy's selling price can be more attractive than the one offered by the retailers—meaning economic gains for the institutions and savings for the users. A case study was carried out to evaluate the feasibility of the proposed solution and its economic advantages. Given the assumptions considered in the study, 3213 EVs could be fully charged by one institution in one year, resulting in over EUR 45,000 in yearly profits. Further, the economic analysis depicts a payback of approximately two years, a net present value of EUR 33,485, and an internal rate of return of 61%. These results indicate that implementing the proposed framework could enable synergy between institutions and EV owners, providing clean and affordable energy to charge vehicles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the technoeconomic feasibility of bioenergy production from sawdust under four different case scenarios is simulated and compared. These scenarios include: (1) heat and electricity generation from raw sawdust; (2) pellet production from sawdust; (3) and (4) integrated biorefinery approach for the simultaneous manufacturing of multiple products (steam-exploded and torrefied pellets) and co-products (furfural, hydroxy methyl furfural (HMF), acetic acid), along with heat and electricity generation. Economic assessments such as cost analysis, payback time (PBT), net present value (NPV) and internal rate of return (IRR) were determined for these scenarios. The results showed that the approach of producing torrefied pellets, furfural, and acetic acid, along with co-generated heat and electricity, in terms of multiproducts and profitability (NPV (at 7%): USD 38.29 M) was preferable over other alternatives. In terms of simplified technology and other economic indices (PBT: 2.49 year, IRR: 51.33%, and return on investment (ROI): 40.1%), the scenario for producing pellets from wood sawdust was more promising than others. If plant capacity was not a limiting factor, the optimal size for the combined heat and power (CHP) plant was between 250–300 kt for the main product. Additionally, untreated and treated pellet plants equipped with CHP had an optimal size of 150–200 kt of wood pellets per year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Being one of the major energy consumers, cooking is a necessary part of daily life. Non renewable cooking fuel sources, such as wood or cow dung cause hazardous pollution and a poor ecosystem worldwide. Over the past few decades, solar-powered cooking has undergone numerous improvements. Solar cooking has been predominantly used as a substitute for reducing oil and gas dependence, increasing environmental sustainability, and reducing global warming threats. This paper talks about the recent development of the box-type solar cooker. The paper discusses the principles and classifications of various parameters that affect the performance, energy, and exergy related to the solar cooking system. In line with the sustainable development goals of the UN agenda 2030 and especially the heed to the accomplishment of SDG 7 and SDG 13, various economic factors, such as the payback period (PP), net present value (NPV), benefit–cost (B–C) ratios, internal rate of return (IRR), levelized cost of heat (LCOH), and levelized cost of cooking a meal (LCCM) have been discussed. The environmental analysis has also been presented to show the overall benefit of solar cooking. The review also focuses on the current development of a box-type solar cooker, its components, and its heat transfer characteristic. Various geometrical modifications, the use of reflectors, and transparent insulating materials that improve cooking have been discussed. The concept of energy storage in the form of Phase change material (Latent heat storage) with the latest studied designs improvements of solar cookers has been obtained to be efficient, which also help in late-evening cooking. It can be said that with better policy implications, the social and economic acceptability of the solar cooker can be achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The field of solar photovoltaic (PV) plants has seen significant growth in recent years, with an increasing number of installations being developed worldwide. However, despite advancements in technology and design, the impact of shading on the performance of PV plants remains an area of concern. Accurate 3D models produced using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photogrammetry can provide aid to evaluate shading from nearby surroundings and to determine the potential of a site for electricity production via solar PV plants. The main objective of this paper is to address the problem of shadows significantly reducing energy yield in solar PV plants by proposing a methodology that aims at assessing the shading effects on PV systems and determining the optimal configuration for a PV module array using an accurate digital environment 3D model built using UAV photogrammetry. A high-level-of-detail 3D model allows us to evaluate possible obstacles for PV module array construction and accurately recreate the proximities that can cast shadows. The methodology was applied to grid-connected PV systems in Kaunas, Lithuania. The results of the case study show that electricity production in PV modules is highest at a 15° tilt angle when the distance between PV rows is 1.25 m. The proposed methodology gives an 11% difference in PV yield due to shading compared with other tools that do not include shading. This study also highlights that at least 30% financing support is necessary for solar PV plants to be economically attractive, resulting in a payback of 9 years and an internal rate of return of 8%. Additionally, this study can help optimize the design and layout of PV systems, making them more efficient and cost-effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based upon the thermodynamic simulation of a biogas-SOFC integrated process and the costing of its elements, the present work examines the economic feasibility of biogas-SOFCs for combined heat and power (CHP) generation, by the comparison of their economic performance against the conventional biogas-CHP with internal combustion engines (ICEs), under the same assumptions. As well as the issues of process scale and an SOFC's cost, examined in the literature, the study brings up the determinative effects of: (i) the employed SOFC size, with respect to its operational point, as well as (ii) the feasibility criterion, on the feasibility assessment. Two plant capacities were examined (250 m3·h−1 and 750 m3·h−1 biogas production), and their feasibilities were assessed by the Internal Rate of Return (IRR), the Net Present Value (NPV) and the Pay Back Time (PBT) criteria. For SOFC costs at 1100 and 2000 EUR·kWel−1, foreseen in 2035 and 2030, respectively, SOFCs were found to increase investment (by 2.5–4.5 times, depending upon a plant's capacity and the SOFC's size) and power generation (by 13–57%, depending upon the SOFC's size), the latter increasing revenues. SOFC-CHP exhibits considerably lower IRRs (5.3–13.4% for the small and 16.8–25.3% for the larger plant), compared to ICE-CHP (34.4%). Nonetheless, according to NPV that does not evaluate profitability as a return on investment, small scale biogas-SOFCs (NPVmax: EUR 3.07 M) can compete with biogas-ICE (NPV: EUR 3.42 M), for SOFCs sized to operate at 70% of the maximum power density (MPD) and with a SOFC cost of 1100 EUR·kWel−1, whereas for larger plants, SOFC-CHP can lead to considerably higher NPVs (EUR 12.5–21.0 M) compared to biogas-ICE (EUR 9.3 M). Nonetheless, PBTs are higher for SOFC-CHP (7.7–11.1 yr and 4.2–5.7 yr for the small and the large plant, respectively, compared to 2.3 yr and 3.1 yr for biogas-ICE) because the criterion suppresses the effect of SOFC-CHP-increased revenues to a time period shorter than the plant's lifetime. Finally, the economics of SOFC-CHP are optimized for SOFCs sized to operate at 70–82.5% of their MPD, depending upon the SOFC cost and the feasibility criterion. Overall, the choice of the feasibility criterion and the size of the employed SOFC can drastically affect the economic evaluation of SOFC-CHP, whereas the feasibility criterion also determines the economically optimum size of the employed SOFC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clean electricity is generated by the anaerobic digestion of biomass waste. The environmental impacts of various biomass waste feedstocks vary, while co-digestion has been reported to improve anaerobic digestion performance. A consequential life-cycle assessment (LCA) and techno-economic analysis (TEA) are carried out for cow manure waste management for a cow farm. Three scenarios are considered in this study: (S1) mono-digestion of cow manure, (S2) co-digestion of cow manure and maize silage, and (S3) co-digestion of cow manure with cow feed waste, sewage sludge, and returned dairy products. The LCA aims to quantify the environmental impact of each MWh of electricity generated, assuming the plant is located in Malaysia, using OpenLCA software. The TEA economic parameters are quantified and compared between the three scenarios. Net present value (NPV), Internal Return Rate (IRR), and Return of Investment (ROI) are examined. Among the three scenarios, S2 with maize cultivation has a higher environmental impact due to its higher energy requirements. With the integration of closed digestate storage and renewable energy-powered electricity, S3 has the best environmental performance in global warming, eutrophication and acidification. S3 is found to be most economically viable, with MYR 1.28 million NPV, 14% IRR, and 15% ROI, and a Payback Period of 6.56 years with an OPEX of MYR 3491.82/MWh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cooperation between supply chain partners in the oil industry is essential, especially when oil prices suffer from fluctuations that affect the profitability of each party. An essential task in oil field development projects is to create an optimum agreement between the national oil company and the international oil company to guarantee agreement optimization. In this paper, the national oil company is the first party (FP) and the international oil company is the second party (SP). The paper's purpose is to investigate the use of game theory to obtain the best agreement between the FP and SP in order to enhance the cooperation and reduce conflict. In this paper, Nash and Maxi-min solutions have been applied for the first time in a special type of petroleum agreement, called exploration and production sharing agreements (EPSA). This is conducted for a case study in Libya. The study considers nine negotiation factors (issues) in the EPSA, which are the share percent, the four "A" factors, and the four "B" factors, which are usually affected by the fluctuations of oil prices; and the study investigates their effect on the total payoff function, the net present value (NPV), and internal rate of return (IRR) for both parties. The Maxi-min solution has shown an improvement in the NPV and IRR of the SP, where NPV increased from USD 148 million to USD 195 million, and IRR from 15.65% to 17.01%. The Nash solution has shown a little more improvement than the Maxi-min solution in the NPV and IRR for the SP, where the NPV and IRR have increased from USD 148 million to USD 222 million and from 15.65% to 17.94%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a techno-economic assessment of the production of bio-oil, coke and gas, via thermo-catalytic pyrolysis followed by distillation, is accomplished. The raw materials were two solid wastes: lipid-based material (residual fat/scum from a fat retention box from the University Restaurant at the Federal University of Pará—UFPA) and a lignin-cellulosic material of açaí seed (Euterpe oleracea Mart.). From the literature, a review is made of the physicochemical analysis of the raw materials, of the bio-oil, and of the chemical composition of the biofuels produced (kerosene, light diesel, and heavy diesel). The bio-oil yields for each experiment of pyrolysis and distillation are also presented and compared with the literature. The economic indicators for the evaluation of the most viable cracking (pyrolysis) and distillation process of bio-oils were: (a) the simple payback criterion, (b) discounted payback, (c) net present value (NPV), (d) internal rate of return (IRR), and (e) index of profitability (IP). The analysis of the indicators showed the economic viability of the lipid-based material and unfeasibility for the açai seed (Euterpe oleracea Mart.). The breakeven point obtained was 1.28 USD/L and the minimum fuel selling price (MFSP) obtained in this work for the biofuels was 1.34 USD/L). The sensibility analysis demonstrated that the pyrolysis and distillation yields are the most important variables to affect the minimum fuel selling price (MFSP). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a model for finding the most suitable locations for setting up micro-biogas plants (<50 kW), which represent an efficient way of processing organic waste in small local communities. The input parameters of the model, which was made with GIS tools, were the number of farms and heads of large livestock with their locations, the number of food establishments and their collected food waste and waste fat. We tested the case study model in the Gorenjska region in Slovenia. The result of processing the input data in the model are four locations in three municipalities Naklo 1, Naklo 2, Kranj and Cerklje. We evaluated the locations with economic indicators net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR) and discounted payback period (DPP). With sensitivity analysis, we investigated the impact of increasing investment costs, decreasing energy prices and different scenarios with adding corn silage to the anaerobic process. Location Naklo 1 has NPV 31,410.26 €, IRR 10.53% and DPP 22 years, Naklo 2 has NPV −58,808.91 € and DPP of more than 25 years, location Kranj has NPV 140,313.00 €, IRR 13.07% and DPP 16 years, location Cerklje has NPV −43,026.82 € and DPP of more than 25 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the transportation industry develops new forms of energy and electrification, expressway dynamic wireless charging has become an attractive technology that has the potential to completely solve a range of anxieties associated with electric vehicles. The main objective of this paper was to analyze the economic feasibility of dynamic wireless charging projects on highways. First, the roadside cost of dynamic wireless charging was estimated in terms of equipment, construction, and maintenance costs. Then, various indicators of the national economy of expressway dynamic wireless charging were analyzed. Finally, using the GM (1,1) model, a prediction model for evaluating the associated economic benefits is proposed in this study. As a case study, a national economic evaluation of retrofitting a dynamic wireless charging infrastructure on the Guiyang to Xinzhai Expressway was calculated with the following results: the economic internal rate of return (EIRR) is 11.27% to 29.11%, the economic net present value (ENPV) is 321.59 million RMB to 733.51 million RMB, the economic benefit to cost ratio (EBCR) is 1.02 to 1.32, and the payback period is 3.15 years to 6.35 years. All indicators are higher than the benchmark value for the national economic evaluation, and the sensitivity analysis results are also higher than the benchmark. The results of this paper show that the project is economically feasible and has certain economic benefits. From the perspective of economic benefits, it is necessary to provide more effective information for investors and decision-makers to build dynamic wireless charging highway projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper assesses the profitability of battery storage systems (BSS) by focusing on the internal rate of return (IRR) as a profitability measure which offers advantages over other frequently used measures, most notably the net present value (NPV). Furthermore, this study proposes a multi-objective optimisation (MOO) approach to IRR estimation instead of relying on the simple linear optimisation and compares the results to the popular linear optimisation with battery cycle-cost penalty. The analysis is conducted under perfect foresight conditions by considering multiple revenue streams: arbitrage trading in the day-ahead and intraday markets, peak shaving, participating in the primary reserves market, and from photovoltaic (PV) power-generation unit. Data are collected for the German power market for 2017 and 2021. The results show that MOO approach yields similar IRR estimates to the cycle-cost model in 2017. However, higher market volatility and increased electricity prices in 2021 resulted in tangible differences. The analysis shows that, if such conditions are coupled with a low battery capacity price, the MOO method significantly outperforms the cycle-cost model. The effects of battery calendar lifetime and state of charge which decrease profitability are also considered. Nevertheless, a noticeable rise in profitability in 2021 relative to 2017 could provide enough compensation to address the issue of relatively poor viability track record. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Brazilian semi-arid region is marked by a variable spatial-temporal rainfall distribution, concentrated over a 3 to 4 month season. Limited water availability is the main obstacle to the production of forage plants of C3 metabolism (such as corn and soybeans) and C4 metabolism (such as sugarcane), as well as livestock. To mitigate this forage supply, the spineless cactus (SC) has been cultivated in the region, producing high biomass amounts in this harsh environment. Recently, this remarkable capacity to produce biomass has drawn the attention of the renewable energy sector, supported by recent studies demonstrating the feasibility of its biomass as a raw material for bioenergy production. However, before moving to commercial scale, it is necessary to demonstrate that large-scale production has energy and economic viability for clean energy investors. Thus, the objective of this article was to analyze the energetic and economic viability of forage cactus cultivation systems in the Brazilian semi-arid region. The data used were extracted from the literature, based on forage production. For the energy evaluation, the energy balance was performed and the energy efficiency, energy productivity, specific energy, and net energy metrics were applied. The financial feasibility analysis used the Net Present Value (NPV) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR). The energy balance revealed that the SC cultivation is viable for biomass commercial-scale production, with an energy efficiency of 3.36, an energy productivity of 0.25 kg MJ−1, a specific energy of 13.5 MJ kg−1, and an energy balance of 127,348 MJ ha−1. For the economic aspect, considering an attractive minimum rate of return of 8%, production also proved to be viable, in a time horizon of three years. The Net Present Value and IRR metrics were USD 2196 and the IRR was 46%, respectively. The results found are important to encourage new investments in rural properties in the semi-arid region, and cultivation in new areas proved to be an efficient alternative from an energy and economic point of view, in addition to collaborating for the energy transition to sustainable sources and in the mitigation of regional environmental impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to the stringent regulations on pollutant emissions that are imposed by the International Maritime Organization and increasing fuel prices, there has been significant research on developing cleaner fuels and novel propulsion systems. This study presents a techno-economical and risk assessment method for evaluating alternative propulsion technologies and cleaner fuels as substitutes for heavy fuel oil and two-stroke diesel engines in marine transportation. This analysis was carried out for two different journeys. Accordingly, we evaluated the economic benefits of using an enhanced intercooler/reheat combined gas and steam cycle or simple and intercooler/reheat combined gas and steam cycles that were fueled by marine diesel oil or liquified natural gas instead of a two-stroke diesel engine that was fueled by MDO as the propulsion system in a large container ship, considering different shipping routes. The results highlighted the advantages of implementing the simple, intercooler/reheat, and enhanced combined gas and steam cycles as propulsion systems. A sensitivity analysis was performed to investigate the effects of the fuel cost, capital cost, and hull fouling resistance on the economic analysis. For the routes that were considered herein, compared to a two-stroke diesel engine that was fueled by MDO, the simple, intercooler/reheat, and enhanced gas and steam combined cycles that were fueled by LNG increased the net present value by 78.3%, 78.5%, and 76.4%, respectively, and reduced the payback period by 38.8%, 38.9%, and 35%, respectively. Furthermore, the fuel and capital costs had a significant influence on the overall economic profit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The urgent need to meet climate goals provides unique opportunities to promote small-scale farm anaerobic digesters that valorize on-site wastes for producing renewable electricity and heat, thereby cushioning agribusinesses against energy perturbations. This study explored the economic viability of mono-digestion of cow manure (CWM) and piglet manure (PM) in small manured-based 99 kWel plants using three treatment schemes (TS): (1) typical agricultural biogas plant, (2) a single-stage expanded granular sludge bed (EGSB) reactor, and (3) a multistage EGSB with a continuous stirred tank reactor. The economic evaluation attempted to take advantage of the financial incentives provided by The Renewable Energy Sources Act in Germany. To evaluate these systems, batch tests on raw and solid substrate fractions were conducted. For the liquid fraction, data of continuous tests obtained in a laboratory was employed. The economical evaluation was based on the dynamic indicators of net present value and internal return rate (IRR). Sensitivity analyses of the electricity and heat selling prices and hydraulic retention time were also performed. Furthermore, an incremental analysis of IRR was conducted to determine the most profitable alternative. The most influential variable was electricity selling price, and the most profitable alternatives were TS1 (CWM) > TS1 (PM) > TS3 (CWM). However, further studies on co-digestion using TS3 are recommended because this scheme potentially provides the greatest technical flexibility and highest environmental sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heliothermic technologies are affected by their low density, intermittence and low economic competitiveness. Hybrid solar–waste heat power systems can increase plant conversion efficiency and power generation while reducing intermittence. This study focused on the development of software (AERES) to economically optimize hybrid solar–waste heat power systems in terms of technology selection, sizing, operating conditions and power block characteristics. The technologies considered for algorithm selection were (i) heat exchangers that recover a wide range of waste heat sources, (ii) non-concentrating and concentrating solar collectors (a flat plate, an evacuated tube, a linear Fresnel and a parabolic trough), (iii) organic Rankine cycle power blocks and (iv) storage tanks (direct thermal storage systems). The last two technologies were represented by surrogate models so that a large number of decision variables could be optimized simultaneously. The optimization considered local climate conditions hourly to provide irradiation, local temperature and wind speed. The case studies indicated that optimized ORCs for waste heat recovery are economically competitive, reaching internal rates of return (IRRs) of 44%, 39% and 34% for a waste heat of 50 MWt at 350 °C, 300 °C and 250 °C, respectively. On the other hand, heliothermic technologies were not selected by the algorithm and provided non-competitive results for the analyzed cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is regarded as the cleanest among fossil fuels due to its lower environmental impact. In power plants, it emits 50–60% less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere compared to regular oil or coal-fired plants. As the demand for a lower environmental footprint is increasing, fuel cells powered by LNG are starting to appear as a promising technology, especially suitable for off-grid applications, since they can supply both electricity and heating. This article presents a techno-economic assessment for an integrated system consisting of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stack and a micro gas turbine (MGT) fueled by LNG, that feeds the waste heat to a multi-effect desalination system (MED) on the Greek island of Patmos. The partial or total replacement of the diesel engines on the non-interconnected island of Patmos with SOFC systems is investigated. The optimal system implementation is analyzed through a multi-stage approach that includes dynamic computational analysis, techno-economic evaluation of different scenarios using financial analysis and literature data, and analysis of the environmental and social impact on the island. Specific economic indicators such as payback, net present value, and internal rate of return were used to verify the economic feasibility of this system. Early results indicate that the most sensitive and important design parameter in the system is fuel cell capital cost, which has a significant effect on the balance between investment cost and repayment years. The results of this study also indicate that energy production with an LNG-fueled SOFC system is a promising solution for non-interconnected Greek islands, as an intermediate carrier prior to the long-term target of a CO₂-free economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large educational facilities hold great potential for the implementation of solar-based distributed energy systems. The aim of this paper is to present a prototype and an assessment of a solar-based bus shelter photovoltaic system intended to be implemented at a campus scale that serves as an energy-distributed system. The National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), a campus with an area of 7.3 km2 and bus stops' roof area availability of around 1100 m2 was selected as a case study. The proposed system, apart from considering on-site generation, also considers an increase in end-use services such as the installation of television screens for information, charging docks, surveillance cameras, internet service, and lighting. For the assessment, a load facility survey and an estimation of the baseline energy use was conducted based on two demand use conditions, corresponding to 12 and 24 h for different archetypical stations. It was found that the baseline annual energy consumption for all the bus stops represents from 55–111 MWh. In this paper, an initial prototype of a solar-based bus shelter PV system is presented, and an assessment is carried out to understand its potential application at a large scale. The analysis shows that energy use in the retrofitted stations would rise to 167 MWh/year; however, apart from covering on-site demand, the system has the capacity to generate an additional 175 MWh, feeding nearby university buildings. It is calculated that the system could save around 130 t CO2e annually. The economic analysis shows that the project has a discounted payback (DPB) of almost 9 years and an internal rate of return (IRR) of 5.9%; however, in scenarios where renewable generation and carbon incentives are applied, this improves the project's DPB to 6 years and the IRR to 13%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wood industry is an essential part of the economy of some regions in Brazil. Although the excess of wood residue is an environmental concern, it is also an alternative source for electricity generation. This allows for compliance with current legislation to minimize environmental impacts such as strategies to control the emission of pollutants and the decarbonization in the wood exploration activity. Despite this, the thermoelectric plants based on wood residues face problems associated with the low efficiency in generation due to the high moisture content of the residues, and challenges related to transport and storage. In this sense, this work is to evaluate the application of a self-sustainable briquetting plant as an alternative for solving the problems associated with the high moisture content, transport, and storage of wood residues. The aspects related to the construction of the briquetting plant and economic indicators associated with the economic feasibility, such as, the estimation of the net present value over the project lifecycle, internal rate of return and pay-back period, are also presented and discussed. The results demonstrated the feasibility of the plant mainly due to the better energy/volume ratio of the briquette (drying and compaction) and the transportation cost savings associated to the density of the compacted material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study deals with wind energy analysis and the selection of an optimum type of wind turbine in terms of the feasibility of installing wind power system at three locations in South Korea: Deokjeok-do, Baengnyeong-do and Seo-San. The wind data measurements were conducted during 2005-2015 at Deokjeok-do, 2001-2016 at Baengnyeong-do and 1997-2016 at Seo-San. In the first part of this paper wind conditions, like mean wind speed, wind rose diagrams andWeibull shape and scale parameters are presented, so that the wind potential of all the locations could be assessed. It was found that the prevailing wind directions at all locations was either southeast or southwest in which the latter one being more dominant. After analyzing the wind conditions, 50-year and 1-year extreme wind speeds (EWS) were estimated using the graphical method of Gumbel distribution. Finally, according to the wind conditions at each site and international electro-technical commission (IEC) guidelines, a set of five different wind turbines best suited for each location were shortlisted. Each wind turbine was evaluated on the basis of technical parameters like monthly energy production, annual energy production (AEP) and capacity factors (CF). Similarly, economical parameters including net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR), payback period (PBP) and levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) were considered. The analysis shows that a Doosan model WinDS134/3000 wind turbine is the most suitable for Deokjeok-do and Baengnyeong-do, whereas a Hanjin model HJWT 87/2000 is the most suitable wind turbine for Seo-San. Economic sensitivity analysis is also included and discussed in detail to analyze the impact on economics of wind power by varying turbine's hub height. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to identify the financial impact imposed by cost containment measures and especially by the feed in tariff (FiT) reduction upon the profitability of different photovoltaic (PV) investments and the electricity charge faced by consumers. A fully parametric analysis is carried out by varying the following parameters: total installation costs based on their activation date, interest rate for a bank loan, use of a construction subsidy, tax imposition levels, the solidarity surcharge differentiated by the activation and the purchase agreement date and the issuance of credit invoice. During the simulations the simple payback period, the internal rate of return and the profitability index were calculated for the most common investment cases. These were identified through empirical observations on the deployment of PV stations. The profitability of PV stations connected to the medium voltage network were by far affected the most by the cutback while farmers' PV stations and PV rooftop systems were comparatively less affected. Parameters such as the size of the station and the PV activation date were crucial for the assessment of the viability of PV stations. From a social perspective, the FiT cutback prevented an additional 40% increase in the electricity charge paid by electricity consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thanks to national energy policies, over recent years the Italian photovoltaic (PV) sector has undergone an extraordinary growth, also affecting the primary sector. In this context, Mediterranean greenhouses are well-adapted to photovoltaic systems because they represent one of the most energy-intensive sectors in agriculture. The Italian feed-in scheme ended at the beginning of 2013, making it necessary to investigate the feasibility of photovoltaic systems devoid of any electricity production-related incentives. In this paper, production cost and profitability analyses of photovoltaic electricity have been conducted, considering Mediterranean solar greenhouses in which, thanks to net metering, all the electricity produced by photovoltaic panels is self-consumed. Our results showed that grid parity is already reached for Sicilian PV systems with a capacity greater than 50 kW. Moreover, net present value, internal rate of return and discounted payback time all demonstrate the high economic convenience of all the photovoltaic investments analyzed, due to the huge savings on energy expenditures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The heat recovery of hot exhaust air in petroleum refining for energy cogeneration is a circular strategy to reduce costs and environmental impact. Despite several articles on this subject, there is a lack of study on the assessment of the economic and environmental advantages of energy cogeneration in petroleum refining. The objective of this research was to evaluate the economic and environmental gains obtained by energy cogeneration from the heat dissipated in the calcination of green petroleum coke. The research method was a case study in a petrochemical industry in Brazil. From an economic point of view, the cogeneration unit project has shown positive results: a discounted payback period of eight years and nine months, net present value (NPV) over a span of a twenty-year period of US$43,825,592, a return on investment (ROI) estimated to be 14%, and an internal rate of return (IRR) of 12%. From an ecological perspective, the produced energy in the cogeneration process reduced 163,992 ton CO2eq per year of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. This study has increased the knowledge of heat recovery in energy cogeneration in petroleum refining. This work contributes by providing some advantages of heat recovery as a circular economy strategy for business development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we present a model for the implementation of agro-energy chains based on the actual availability of forest biomass and the real demand for energy (heat) in the area of the Basilicata region, Italy. The demand for energy has been estimated by drawing on the database of the Ministry of Economic Development or by calculating the Annual Energy Requirement (AER) index, while for the estimate of the available forest biomass, reference was made to the public forest lands managed according to forestry management plans. The collected data were cross-checked with a view to detecting the technical and economic feasibility of district heating systems. The technical evaluation has mainly focused on the energetic and plant aspects, while the economic assessment was directed to defining the cost effectiveness criteria [Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), Payback Period] that can measure the profitability of the investment. In the economic evaluation we also included the national public incentives, designed to encourage the production of energy from renewable sources in compliance with the international agreements signed by Italy for the reduction of greenhouse gases (GHGs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]