Search results

1 – 10 of over 25000
Article
Publication date: 18 November 2013

Sudhir Kumar Singh and Vijay Kumar Bajpai

The purpose of this study is to benchmark the performance of state-owned coal-fired power plants (CFPPs) and test whether plant-specific knowledge in terms of quality of coal…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to benchmark the performance of state-owned coal-fired power plants (CFPPs) and test whether plant-specific knowledge in terms of quality of coal, size, age and make of plant contribute to an improvement in plant efficiency.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology that is utilized in the study follows a nonparametric approach of data envelopment analysis (DEA) with sensitivity analysis and Tobit regression model. The input-oriented DEA models are applied to evaluate the overall, pure technical and scale efficiencies of the CFPPs. Further, slack analysis is conducted to identify modes to improve the efficiency of the inefficient plants. Sensitivity analysis based on peer count and the removal of variables is carried out to identify the benchmark power plant. Through Tobit and bootstrap-truncated regression model, the paper investigates whether a plant's specific knowledge influences its efficiency.

Findings

The DEA analysis demonstrates that nine plants are technically purely efficient.The slack analysis reveals that reducing the consumption of oil is the most effective way to improve the efficiency of inefficient plants. Mattur plant is the benchmark for most of the inefficient plants. Regression result suggests that quality of coal and size of plant significantly affect the inefficiency of the sample plants. Bharat Heavy Electrical Limited MAKE plant achieved higher efficiency in comparison to mixed MAKE.

Originality/value

This study is one of the few published studies that benchmark the performance of state-owned CFPPs. This research carried out taking some new uncontrollable parameters of power plant utilities of India. Research work also identifies the possible causes of inefficiency and provides measures to improve the efficiency of the inefficient power plant.

Details

International Journal of Energy Sector Management, vol. 7 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-6220

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 May 2018

Pankaj Kumar and J. Maiti

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the technical efficiency and productivity changes in the integrated steel plants in India over a period of five years.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the technical efficiency and productivity changes in the integrated steel plants in India over a period of five years.

Design/methodology/approach

Since this evaluation of integrated steel plants needs consideration of multiple input and output factors, data envelopment analysis (DEA) has been employed including bootstrapping (to account for statistical noise) to evaluate the relative efficiency of the steel manufacturing units. The efficiency and Malmquist productivity indices of a sample of ten integrated steel plants producing around 55 percent of the industry’s output were determined for the period 2008-2013. The results of these changes were further categorized according to the management control, route followed to produce crude steel, size and age of these steel plants, for gaining insights.

Findings

The study finds that private sector steel plants with larger capacity and which have adopted the latest and most modern technologies are more efficient and productive over the study period.

Practical implications

Public sector steel plants should therefore be provided with more autonomy and delegation of power and should be agiler in responding to market requirements as well as increasing their installed capacities to be competitive in technical efficiency and productivity as well as profitability in the long term to ensure sustainable achievements.

Originality/value

Productivity changes over time, both with respect to technological and efficiency changes, for the Indian integrated steel plants producing comparable products using DEA.

Details

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, vol. 35 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-671X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 February 2016

A. Azadeh, S. Motevali Haghighi, M. Hosseinabadi Farahani and R. Yazdanparast

Concern for health, safety and environment (HSE) is increasing in many developing countries, especially in energy industries. Improving power plants efficiencies in terms of HSE…

Abstract

Purpose

Concern for health, safety and environment (HSE) is increasing in many developing countries, especially in energy industries. Improving power plants efficiencies in terms of HSE issues requires considering these issues in performance assessment of power generation units. This study aims to discuss the use of data envelopment analysis methodology for the performance assessment of electrical power plants in Iran by considering HSE and conventional indicators.

Design/methodology/approach

Installed capacity, fuel consumption, labor cost, internal power, forced outage hours, operating hours and total power generation along with HSE indices are taken into consideration for determining the efficiency of 20 electric power plants or decision-making units (DMUs). Moreover, DMUs are ranked based on their relative efficiency scores.

Findings

Results show that HSE factors are significant in performance assessment of the power plants studied in this research, and among HSE factors, health has the most powerful impact on the efficiency of the power plants.

Originality/value

The approach of this study could be used for continuous improvement of combined HSE and conventional factors. It would also help managers to have better comprehension of key shaping factors in terms of HSE.

Details

World Journal of Engineering, vol. 13 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1708-5284

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 June 2019

Sushama Murty and Resham Nagpal

The purpose of this paper is to measure technical efficiency of Indian thermal power sector employing the recent by-production approach.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to measure technical efficiency of Indian thermal power sector employing the recent by-production approach.

Design/methodology/approach

The by-production approach is used in conjunction with data from the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) of India to compute the output-based Färe, Grosskopf, Lovell (FGL) efficiency index and its decomposition into productive and environmental efficiency indexes for the ITPPs

Findings

The authors show that given the aggregated nature of data on coal reported by CEA, CEA’s computation of CO2 emissions through a deterministic linear formula that does not distinguish between different coal types and the tiny share of oil in coal-based power plants, the computed output-based environmental efficiency indexes are no longer informative. Meaningful measurement of environmental efficiency using CEA data is possible only along the dimension of the coal input. Productive efficiency is positively associated with the engineering concept of thermodynamic/energy efficiency and is also high for power plants with high operating availabilities reflecting better management and O&M practices. Both these factors are high for private and centrally owned as opposed to state-owned power-generating companies. The example of Sipat demonstrates the importance of (ultra)supercritical technologies in increasing productive and thermodynamic efficiencies of the ITPPs, while also reducing CO2 emitted per unit of the net electricity generated.

Originality/value

This paper uses the by-production approach for the first time to measure technical efficiency of ITPPs and highlights how the nature of the Indian data impacts on efficiency measurement.

Article
Publication date: 13 June 2009

Anatoliy G. Goncharuk

The purpose of this paper is to find ways of improving the efficiency of the meatpacking business by achievement of a few sequential aims: an estimation of efficiency…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to find ways of improving the efficiency of the meatpacking business by achievement of a few sequential aims: an estimation of efficiency, determination of its key factors, revealing of the reserves of input reduction and potential growth of efficiency, and defining the ways of its improvement.

Design/methodology/approach

A few models of the data envelopment analysis (DEA), three‐factor production function and other tools of competitive and international benchmarking are used to analyse the efficiency of meatpacking companies. A two‐criteria analysis tool named the efficiency‐profitability matrix is used to determine the factors that influence efficiency. The results are based on the samples of 29 Ukrainian and 53 foreign meatpacking companies.

Findings

Significant reserves of inputs reduction by the domestic meatpacking companies are revealed. The offered ways of using the potential of efficiency growth for the Ukrainian meatpacking producers are connected with the use of both their internal ability (modernization of equipment, motivation of personnel) and successful experience and resources of domestic and foreign companies through the tools of co‐operation, exchange of experience, merger or friendly acquisition.

Research limitations/implications

The research is limited to a single industry that is explained by requirement of technology (product) homogeneity while using DEA tools.

Practical implications

The results contain the data and recommendations that can be practicable for meatpacking companies' management, present and potential investors and proprietors.

Originality/value

This is the first study that adopts various analysis and benchmarking tools for the versatile research of efficiency in the meatpacking industry and finding ways for its improvement.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 111 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 April 2013

Sudhir Kumar Singh, Vijay Kumar Bajpai and T.K. Garg

This paper aims to study the changes in productivity for 25 state‐owned coal‐fired power plants (CFPPs) over a period of seven years (2003‐2010).

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to study the changes in productivity for 25 state‐owned coal‐fired power plants (CFPPs) over a period of seven years (2003‐2010).

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology that is utilized in the study follows a non‐parametric approach of data envelopment analysis (DEA) and uses the Malmquist index to estimate the change in productivity of panel samples. In the calculations, the study considers installed capacity, fuel, labour, electricity used, and average operational time as inputs and considers net electricity produced as output.

Findings

The results indicate that the average total factor productivity regressed during the investigation period at an annual rate of 2 percent. The decrease in productivity is equally attributed to the technical efficiency change and technological change components, with an average decline in productivity of 1 percent per year. A plant‐wise analysis demonstrates that the Parichha plant recorded an average increase in productivity of 3.9 percent per year that was mainly driven by the technical efficiency change component (4.2 percent).There is little variation in the productivity of small‐size plants when compared with medium and large‐size plants. The productivity of multivaried plants is comparatively lower than BHEL (Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited) make plants.

Originality/value

The impact of size, make and region on change in productivity is examined. This study recommends specific policies that can be implemented to increase the productivity of power plants. The study also provides a contemporary overview of Indian CFPPs that can aid energy planners and plant operators in the monitoring and detection of changes in productivity.

Details

International Journal of Energy Sector Management, vol. 7 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-6220

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 November 2019

Gahana Gopal, Manikprabhu Dhanorkar, Sharad Kale and Yogesh B. Patil

It is well known that sustainability is the ideal driving path of the entire world and renewable energy is the backbone of the ongoing initiatives. The current topic of argument…

Abstract

Purpose

It is well known that sustainability is the ideal driving path of the entire world and renewable energy is the backbone of the ongoing initiatives. The current topic of argument among the sustainability research community is on the wise selection of processes that will maximize yield and minimize emissions. The purpose of this paper is to outline different parameters and processes that impact the performance of biogas production plants through an extensive literature review. These include: comparison of biogas plant efficiency based on the use of a diverse range of feedstock; comparison of environmental impacts and its reasons during biogas production based on different feedstock and the processes followed in the management of digestate; analysis of the root cause of inefficiencies in the process of biogas production; factors affecting the energy efficiency of biogas plants based on the processes followed; and the best practices and the future research directions based on the existing life cycle assessment (LCA) studies.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors adopted a systematic literature review of research articles pertaining to LCA to understand in depth the current research and gaps, and to suggest future research directions.

Findings

Findings include the impact of the type of feedstock used on the efficiency of the biogas plants and the level of environmental emissions. Based on the analysis of literature pertaining to LCA, diverse factors causing emissions from biogas plants are enlisted. Similarly, the root causes of inefficiencies of biogas plants were also analyzed, which will further help researchers/professionals resolve such issues. Findings also include the limitations of existing research body and factors affecting the energy efficiency of biogas plants.

Research limitations/implications

This review is focused on articles published from 2006 to 2019 and is limited to the performance of biogas plants using LCA methodology.

Originality/value

Literature review showed that a majority of articles focused mainly on the efficiency of biogas plants. The novel and the original aspect of this review paper is that the authors, alongside efficiency, have considered other critical parameters such as environmental emission, energy usage, processes followed during anaerobic digestion and the impact of co-digestion of feed as well. The authors also provide solid scientific reasoning to the emission and inefficiencies of the biogas plants, which were rarely analyzed in the past.

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. 31 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 August 2010

Reza Farzipoor Saen

The purpose of this paper is to suggest a model for evaluating the best power plants in the presence of weight restrictions.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to suggest a model for evaluating the best power plants in the presence of weight restrictions.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper introduces a model, which is based on slacks‐based model (SBM) (one of the data envelopment analysis (DEA) models).

Findings

The paper depicts the power plant evaluation process through a DEA model, while allowing for the incorporation of preferences of decision maker (DM). The chief advantage of the proposed model is that it does not demand exact weights from the DM.

Originality/value

To the best of the author's knowledge, there is not any reference that evaluates power plants by means of SBM in the presence of weight restrictions.

Details

Benchmarking: An International Journal, vol. 17 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-5771

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 April 2016

Sunday Olayinka Oyedepo, Richard Olayiwola Fagbenle, Samuel Sunday Adefila and Md Mahbub Alam

This study aims to use an environomics method to assess the environmental impacts of selected gas turbine power plants in Nigeria.

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to use an environomics method to assess the environmental impacts of selected gas turbine power plants in Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, exergoenvironomic analysis has been carried out to investigate the environmental impact of selected gas turbine power plants in Nigeria from an exergetic point of view.

Findings

The exergy analysis reveals that the combustion chamber is the most exergy destructive component compared to other cycle components. The exergy destruction of this component can be reduced by increasing gas turbine inlet temperature (GTIT). The results of the study show that thermodynamic inefficiency is responsible for the environmental impact associated with gas turbine components. The study further shows that CO2 emissions and cost of environmental impact decrease with increasing GTIT.

Originality/value

The exergo-environomic parameters computed in this study are CO2 emission in kg per MWh of electricity generated, depletion number, sustainability index, cost flow rate of environmental impacts (Ċenv) in $/h and total cost rates of products (ĊTot) in $/hr. For the period considered, the CO2 emissions for the selected plants vary from 100.18 to 408.78 kgCO2/MWhm, while cost flow rate of environmental impacts varies from $40.18 /h to $276.97 /h and the total cost rates of products vary from $2935.69/h to $12,232.84/h. The depletion number and sustainability index vary from 0.69 to 0.84 and 1.20 to 1.44, respectively.

Details

World Journal of Engineering, vol. 13 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1708-5284

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 January 2019

Khaled Amiri, Tarik Hartani and Aziez Zeddouri

The purpose of this paper is to assess the water quality parameters resulting on: First, the flow direction in biofilters (ascending or descending), second, constructed wetland…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the water quality parameters resulting on: First, the flow direction in biofilters (ascending or descending), second, constructed wetland (CW) with local plant species and third, the combined system for the removal of organic matter and nutrients pollutants from water in arid regions.

Design/methodology/approach

An integrated system is presented and tested in situ with a vertical up-flow and down-flow biofilters. Two configurations schemes are followed by a three separated horizontal subsurface CWs: two planted with Phragmites australis, Typha latifolia and the third unplanted. The methodology is based on a statistical analysis of the collected data.

Findings

The present experiment demonstrated that the wetlands planted with P. australis and T. latifolia showed the highest removal. Moreover, T. latifolia performed better than P. australis for most of the parameters, notably in the first system, whereas the wetland efficiency indicated that P. australis contributed greatly to the removal of TP in the first system and NO3-N in the second system. In general, for the highest removal efficiencies of the combined biofilters and wetlands system, the present study demonstrated that the first system performed better than the second for all the parameters.

Originality/value

The originality of the research is that it compares in situ two biofilter systems: vertical up-flow and down-flow biofilters. To avoid the effects of domestic wastewater that is discharged directly without treatment in the Oued Righ channel or in the lake, this integrated system can be one of the alternatives for wastewater treatment, as it reveals the need to protect aquatic ecosystems in arid regions, and can decrease the risks to human health and the environment.

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. 30 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

Keywords

1 – 10 of over 25000