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1 – 10 of 187Deepak Kumar and Tavishi Tewary
Earlier most of the research groups have designed and developed hybrid renewable energy system models with technological, scientific and industrial advancement for the energy…
Abstract
Purpose
Earlier most of the research groups have designed and developed hybrid renewable energy system models with technological, scientific and industrial advancement for the energy systems, but slight attention has been paid towards the grid-connected sustainable urban residential energy systems (SUReS) for metropolitan cities. The current research wishes to design, model and analyze grid-connected energy system for residential applications for sustainable urban residential energy system. The works aims to explore the potential of the augmented energy system for grid-connected energy system.
Design/methodology/approach
The proposed grid-connected SUReS are validated for a sample location at New Delhi (India) with a hybrid optimization model for electric renewable (HOMER) software to define and understand the various load profile. It presents the sensitivity analysis approach to validate the design of the proposed energy system.
Findings
The obtained results reports the key barriers, proposed model and scenarios for sustainable urban energy system development.
Research limitations/implications
Similar approaches can be replicated to design and develop an independent, self-sustainable cleaner and environmental-friendly energy system in the future scenario for the extension of complex grid infrastructures.
Practical implications
It will assist the stakeholder in solving the complex urban sustainability issues raised due to the shortage of energy.
Social implications
It will offer a clean and environment friendly sustainable energy resources with reduced carbon emissions. It will benefit sustainable energy resources with a mix of challenges and opportunities, to suggest an approach for implementation of efficient energy policies to optimize the existing and forthcoming energy systems.
Originality/value
The current research offers a design and model to analyze grid-connected energy system sustainable urban residential applications. It explores the potential of the augmented energy system. The proposed model are validated for a sample location with HOMER simulation software to define and understand various scenarios of the multiple load profile. The work presents the sensitivity analysis approach to validate the proposed energy system.
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Lachlan McDonald-Kerr and Gordon Boyce
The purpose of this paper is to investigate public disclosures and accountability for government decision-making in the case of a major prison project delivered through a…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate public disclosures and accountability for government decision-making in the case of a major prison project delivered through a Public–Private Partnership (PPP) in the State of Victoria (Australia).
Design/methodology/approach
The study explores a unique case to provide insights into public disclosures for PPPs in a jurisdiction that is a recognised leader in PPP policy and practice. The analysis is theoretically framed by an understanding of neoliberalism and New Public Management, and draws on data from case-specific reporting, media reporting and public policy, to examine interconnections between accounting, public discourse and accountability.
Findings
The analysis shows how publicly available information relating to key government decisions routinely lacked supporting evidence or explanation, even though areas of subjectivity were recognised in public policy. Accounting was deployed numerically and discursively to present potentially contestable decisions as being based on common-sense “facts”. The implied “truth” status of government reporting is problematised by media disclosure of key issues absent from government disclosures.
Social implications
Under neoliberalism, accountingisation can help depoliticise the public sphere and limit discourse by constructing ostensible “facts” in an inherently contestable arena. By contrast, democratic accountability requires public disclosures that infuse a critical dialogical public sphere.
Originality/value
The paper shows how neoliberalism can be embedded in public policies and institutional practices, and buttressed by the use of accounting. The analysis illuminates the persistence and “failing forward” character of neoliberalism, whereby crises are addressed through further neoliberalisation.
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Concerns the real estate holdings of a recently privatized utilities business. The holdings consist of two leasehold business office premises and 13 freehold line depots. The…
Abstract
Concerns the real estate holdings of a recently privatized utilities business. The holdings consist of two leasehold business office premises and 13 freehold line depots. The proposed strategy is to rationalize these with regard to the forecast future growth of new services in the district. The strategy comprises an office scenario and three service depot scenarios. Options are tested using a form of cost‐benefit analysis. The disposal of surplus properties is to assist in realizing the strategy. Uses a case study of the office scenario to describe the financial analysis. The options include do nothing (i.e. continue to use the existing depots in several locations ‐ the status quo); lease single premises; buy premises (i.e. an existing building) and build new premises (i.e. buy a site and construct purpose‐built accommodation). The lease option and the buy option are illustrated. Employs after‐tax discounted cash flows to model initial costs, recurring costs (rentals where relevant, energy costs and other operating costs) and annual savings (reduced payroll due to operating efficiencies). Net present costs are calculated in order to rank the options and these results cleary show that the lease option is preferable to the buy option.
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Pamela Edwards and Jean Shaoul
Partnerships are the British government’s preferred method of procuring public sector services, and the policy is usually justified in terms of delivering value for money. Ex ante…
Abstract
Partnerships are the British government’s preferred method of procuring public sector services, and the policy is usually justified in terms of delivering value for money. Ex ante financial methodologies are prescribed to ensure that decision making is based on a sound appraisal of alternatives and the government has called for an evaluation of implemented projects. This paper seeks to contribute to that evaluative process by exploring ex post facto some of the issues and problems that arose in practice. Using a case study approach, the paper considers two failures of information technology partnerships to examine how risk transfer, which is at the heart of the partnership policy, works in practice. The cases show that the contracts failed to transfer risk in the way that had been expected. The public agencies, not the commercial partner, bore the management risk and costs fell on the public at large and/or other public agencies.
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The purpose of this paper is to identify key similarities and differences between the approach to employing public‐private partnerships (PPPs) for provision of infrastructure in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify key similarities and differences between the approach to employing public‐private partnerships (PPPs) for provision of infrastructure in the UK and Australia.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper provides a comparison of published studies together with semi‐structured interviews with academics and state government representatives.
Findings
There are a number of issues on which similar debates are taking place in both countries and which are summarised in the paper. Such issues include the use of the public sector comparators, the process of initiating PPPs, choice of discount rate and differences in costs of capital between conventional procurement and PPPs. There are, however, also significant differences in that there tends to be fewer social projects in Australia which has a strong emphasis on transportation projects. Importantly there is much more discretion about whether to use PPPs in Australia than in the UK.
Research limitations/implications
There are considerably fewer schemes in Australia.
Practical implications
The main practical implications are that both countries need to at least reconsider their policies in a number of areas, but particularly the issue of the higher cost of borrowing in PPPs. UK government should consider the advantages of the more flexible approach towards adopting PPPs shown in Australia. This should also mean that the evaluation process will be taken more seriously.
Originality/value
There are a significant number of articles about PPPs in both the UK and Australia. The author has never come across a report of a comparative study. There are important insights that can be gained from such a comparative study.
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N.N. Wijeratne and F.C. Harris
A prime concern of successful general management is knowing when cash is going to be needed and where to find it on the most favourable terms.
The purpose of this paper are twofold. First, it aims to investigate the factors that enhance the VFM achieved from PPP projects in Malaysia. Second, it aims to examine the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper are twofold. First, it aims to investigate the factors that enhance the VFM achieved from PPP projects in Malaysia. Second, it aims to examine the differences in the perceptions of public and private sectors pertaining to the VFM factors of PPP implementation in Malaysia.
Design/methodology/approach
A questionnaire survey was used to elicit the perceptions of the public and private sectors concerning the VFM drivers for PPP projects in Malaysia; 122 usable responses were obtained and analysed using SPSS to rank the importance of the factors and to examine the differences in the perceptions between the government and private sectors.
Findings
The results reveal that two factors are perceived as “most important” to enhance the achievement of VFM for PPP implementation in Malaysia – “private sector technical innovation” and “competitive tender”. In terms of the differences in the perceptions of the public and private sectors concerning the level of importance of the VFM drivers, the results reveal that there are significant differences for half of the VFM factors.
Originality/value
The exclusive contribution of this paper is that it highlights not only the factors that enhancing the VFM achievement for PPP projects in Malaysia, but also offers evidence concerning the differences in the perceptions of public and private sectors pertaining to the importance of the VFM factors.
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Irfan Khan Niazi, Muhammad Bilal Khan and Rashid Wazir
This paper aims to focus on technical and economical analysis of small scale wind/solar hybrid system for domestic consumers. The analysis is carried out on HOMER II simulation…
Abstract
This paper aims to focus on technical and economical analysis of small scale wind/solar hybrid system for domestic consumers. The analysis is carried out on HOMER II simulation software. Pakistan is one of those developing countries which are encountered with severe energy crises. The purpose of this paper is to introduce a technically and economically feasible system to meet the domestic consumer’s demand, as well as contribute to the central grid. HOMER Energy software is used to analyze different systems and to obtain the most reliable and feasible system for the customer. Simulation was carried out to find an economically and technically feasible system. Sensitivity analysis was carried out with hub height, PV De-rating factor, PV life, Wind turbine life. Change in hub height drastically affected energy production and economic prospect as the main factors of the system. Implementing such type of small hybrid systems on domestic level can be truly helpful to overcome energy shortage.
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Investigates how large, experienced clients of the UK construction industry arrive at their decision to build. Explores the pre‐project stage, which begins within the…
Abstract
Investigates how large, experienced clients of the UK construction industry arrive at their decision to build. Explores the pre‐project stage, which begins within the organisation’s strategic planning process and concludes once a proposal has either been abandoned or has become a fully‐funded project. This complex process is shown with the aid of three decision models, shown as figures, that add layers of detail and shows other options such as rent, buy, lease and no‐go decisions in the context of the decision to build. Provides an overview of the decision‐making process and its structure, before explaining what typically happens within the various stages. Explains how clients arrive at their decision to build before the construction industry becomes involved and how client organisations divide the decision‐making process among managerial roles; decision‐approvers, decision‐takers, decision‐shapers. Also explores how paradigms and perspectives set the priorities by which those responsible for developing and approving proposals are influenced.
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This paper aims to propose that the socio-technical perspective is under-represented when appraising the adoption potential of renewable energy technologies (RETs) in…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to propose that the socio-technical perspective is under-represented when appraising the adoption potential of renewable energy technologies (RETs) in late-industrialising countries and that this results in under-adoption. It also aims to identify a methodological approach that allows the socio-technical perspective to be integrated into management decision-making, alongside the more typical economic appraisal methodology.
Design/methodology/approach
A case study and novel mixed-methodology approach is used, which applies the diffusion of innovations framework, innovation system (IS) framework and system dynamics modelling (SDM) alongside traditional economic modelling and appraisal techniques. This approach is used to assess the adoption potential of solar photovoltaic (PV) and diesel water pumping systems in the wildlife conservation sector and surrounding rural communities in Kenya. The case study approach tests the merits of the mixed-methodology approach.
Findings
The life-cycle costs of solar PV water pumping systems are lower in nearly all financing and utilisation scenarios; offer additional social, technical and environmental benefits; and the conditions exist for greater adoption. The use of an integrated diffusion of innovations and IS framework generates significant qualitative data that can support management decision-making. The use of SDM techniques aid conceptualisation of the community economic, water and institutional systems into which water pumps may be diffused and provide a starting point for formal SDM simulation. The results suggest that these techniques capture the socio-technical perspective well and, when used alongside traditional project appraisal approaches, produce more complete information with which to support management decision-making.
Originality/value
This mixed-methodology approach could be used by practitioners to increase the diffusion and adoption of RETs in more complex contexts in late-industrialising countries. The emergent theory built through the case-study approach should be tested further to assess the merits of applying these techniques to support RET management decision-making in other contexts and more broadly.
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Keywords
- Innovation
- Dynamics
- Decision-making
- Environmental management
- Modelling
- Renewable energy
- Diffusion of innovations
- Renewable energy technologies (RETs)
- Solar photovoltaic (PV) water pumps
- System dynamics modelling (SDM)
- Sub-system diagramming (SSD)
- Causal-loop diagramming (CLD)
- Financial modelling
- Project finance
- Climate change mitigation
- Climate change adaptation