Cost estimation, bid/no bid decision, estimating accuracy, and cost overrun are the four main cost estimating issues (MCEI) investigated by many previous researchers from different parts of the world for decades. Factors relating to client characteristics, consultant and design parameters, contractor attributes, project characteristics, contract procedures and procurement methods, and external market conditions [1] are examined for their influences on those four MCEI separately. However, very little attention is paid on the comparison of factors rankings across those four MCEI. Results from comparing those factors rankings improve the understandings on cost estimating issues. Thus, this study aims to compare the factors rankings across the four MCEI and evaluate the degree of agreement between the four sets of ranks for their influential factors. Four previous studies, each examining factors affecting each of the four MCEI are selected through literature survey for analysis. Influential factors from each previous study are assigned to their related categories: client, consultant, contractor, project, contract, and environment. Kendall's coefficient of concordance is used to assess interjudge reliability. The computed correlation indicates a moderate degree of association between the four sets of ranks. It is found that the four MCEI are influenced by different factors with different ranks and hence should be treated as different MCEI and be managed differently.
Abstract Oil and gas production from a cluster of wells is conventionally relatively difficult to manage, at least partly due to field conditions, subsurface uncertainty and the multiphase nature of the well effluents. This can lead to late diagnosis of production problems, slow and conservative handling of production constraints and restricted understanding of subsurface potential. FieldWare Production Universe (FW PU) is a software application developed by Shell International Exploration & Production and Shell Global Solutions International that allows data driven well models to be constructed and updated from real time production data, and thereafter applied to track well-by-well production in real time. This paper updates on extensions of FW PU data driven techniques and also on the experience so far on the wide scale field implementation, roll out and support of the technology. The successful embedding of a real time technology that such as FieldWare PU, which allows a step changes in the level of surveillance of well-by-well production, and the realization of maximum value from its use is a non-trivial exercise. In an ideal implementation, the software application needs to match the dynamic physical production elements (reservoir inflow, well performance, production processing and testing facilities) and the capabilities of the production staff as well as their production management processes. Key elements of the FW PU roll out in field operations include evaluation of actual production surveillance challenges vis-à-vis the value of the tool to be introduced, hardware and software readiness checks, clear setting of goals and expectations, post implementation evaluations, training of users and super-users, adjustment of workflows, and embedding the use of the application into the relevant operational processes. This paper further discusses extensions of the data driven approach to a wide spectrum of applications, including real time operational optimization, the tracking of well productions in subsea and smart wells, and for specific types of production operations such as for beam pumped wells as well as wells which are intermittently operated. In particular the application of data driven techniques to beam pump pump-off controls, circumventing the need for load cells, is highlighted.
Ineffective design of a facilities is one of the factors that challenge the execution of activities supported by facilities management (FM). Designers and clients are not usually interested in FM service considerations during design stage because they think they are saving money. However, ineffective design has cause issues during the post-occupancy activities of a facilities. Without any denial, integration of FM considerations in design stage is a challenging task. Therefore, the objectives of this research are to identify the challenges of integrating FM consideration during building design stage and to suggest potential approaches to improve the integration of FM considerations in building design. The scope of this research is involves FM contractor in Selangor. Quantitative method was adopted by distributing a questionnaire survey to the FM contractor. In this research, data being collected was analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 22.0. The results show that the most significant challenges is related to FM challenges category namely FM is still immature in Malaysia and knowledge transfer from FM to the design are still poor. The most significant potential approaches suggested is designers and clients should get the FM on board early during design stage. In conclusion, this research is important as one of the steps to improve the integration of FM considerations in design stage of a construction project.
Abstract Solar energy is a critical component of the energy development strategy. The location of solar photovoltaic (PV) plants has a significant impact on the cost of power production. A favorable situation would result in significant cost savings and increased electricity generation efficiency. California is located in the United States of America's southwest region, a place blessed with an abundance of solar energy. In recent years, the state's economy and population have expanded quickly, resulting in increased need for power. The study examines south of California for an area that is well-suited for the building of large photovoltaic (PV) plants to meet local electricity needs. To begin, this article imposed some limits on the selection of three potential solar project locations (S1, S2, and S3). Then, a more systematic approach to solar plant site selection was presented, focusing on five major characteristics (economic, technological, social, geographical, and environmental). This is the first time that the Choosing by Advantages (CBA) approach has been used to determine the locations of photovoltaic (PV) plants, with possible locations ranked S2>S1>S3. It was compared to more classic methodologies such as Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM). The findings of this study suggest that the CBA strategy not only streamlines the solar plant selection process, but also more closely aligns with the objectives and desires of investors.
Highway infrastructure development typically requires major capital input. Unless planned properly, such requirements can cause serious financial constraints for investors. The push for sustainability adds a new dimension to the complexity of evaluating highway projects. Finding environmentally and socially responsible solutions for highway construction will improve its potential for acceptance by the society and in many instances the infrastructure's life span. Even so, the prediction and determination of a project's long-term financial viability can be a precarious exercise. Existing studies in this area have not indicated details of how to identify and deal with costs incurred in pursuing sustainability measures in highway infrastructure. This paper provides insights into the major challenges of implementing sustainability in highway project development in terms of financial concerns and obligations. It discusses the results from recent research through a literature study and a questionnaire survey of key industry stakeholders involved in highway infrastructure development. The research identified critical cost components relating to sustainability measures based on perspectives of industry stakeholders. All stakeholders believe sustainability related costs are an integral part of the decision making. However, the importance rating of these costs is relative to each stakeholder's core business objectives. This will influence the way these cost components are dealt with during the evaluation of highway investment alternatives and financial implications. This research encourages positive thinking among the highway infrastructure practitioners about sustainability. It calls for the construction industry to maximise sustainability deliverables while ensuring financial viability over the life cycle of highway infrastructure projects.
In order to manage electric vehicles (EVs) connected to charging grids, this paper presents an orderly charging approach based on the EVs’ optimal time-of-use pricing (OTOUP) demand response. Firstly, the Monte Carlo approach is employed to anticipate charging power by developing a probability distribution model of the charging behavior of EVs. Secondly, a scientific classification of the load period is performed using the fuzzy clustering approach. Then, a matrix of demand price elasticity is developed to measure the link between EV charging demand and charging price. Finally, the charging scheme is optimized by an adaptive genetic algorithm from the distribution network and EV user viewpoints. This paper describes how to implement the method presented in this paper in an IEEE-33-bus distribution network. The simulation results reveal that, when compared to fixed price and common time-of-use pricing (CTOUP), the OTOUP charging strategy bears a stronger impact on reducing peak–valley disparities, boosting operating voltage, and decreasing charging cost. Additionally, this paper studies the effect of varied degrees of responsiveness on charging strategies for EVs. The data imply that increased responsiveness enhances the likelihood of new load peak, and that additional countermeasures are required.
Southeast Asia country are mostly classified as developing country. One of the aspects that ASEAN concern is the energy poverty problem. Based on the statistics known, around 127 million people in the SEA facing lack of access of electricity. Besides that, 228 million people highly depending traditional biomass to fulfil their daily needs. Myanmar is one of the sixth poorest country in the SEA. The access of electricity in Myanmar are low and experience slow improvement over a decade. Energy policy had been drafted and implemented by Myanmar government. However, the result is no significant. This paper aims to analyze the social economic impact on the energy consumption of Myanmar. The aspect of analyze include energy use, foreign direct investment, population growth, industry value added, GDP per capita growth and trade. Multivariate analysis method adopts which includes descriptive statistics analysis, unit root test, Johannsen cointegration analysis, vector error correction model and Granger causality test. The result shows unidirectional Granger causality for energy consumption with all the aspects. Analyzed data play important role in the future policy planning. Policies such as renewable energy policy, reducing energy prices, taxes and subsidies can help in increasing energy consumption which will bring up other social economic.
This paper deals with controlling a grid-connected dual-active bridge multilevel inverter for renewable energy integration. The concept of direct power control is integrated with model predictive control algorithm, which is termed as predictive direct power control, to control the real and reactive power injected into the power grid. The proposed multilevel inverter allows more options of feasible voltage vectors for switching vector selections in order to generate multilevel outputs, and thereby obtaining high power quality in the power grid. By using the predictive direct power control, simulation results show that the proposed multilevel inverter produces lower power ripple and manage to achieve currents with low total harmonic distortion which are well within the IEEE standard. The modeling and simulation of the system are implemented and validated by MATLAB Simulink software.
<p>Synchronous generators require certain protection against loss of excitation because it can lead to harmful effect to a generator and main grid. Systems of powers are evolving with applications of new techniques to increase reliability and security, at the meantime techniques upgradation is being existed to save financial cost of a different component of power system, which affect protection ways this report discuss the way of loss of excitation protection scheme for an increase in a synchronous generator. It is obvious that when direct axis synchronous reactance has a high value, the coordination among loss of excitation protection and excitation control is not effective. This lead to restricting absorption capability of the reactive power generator. This report also reviews the suitable philosophy for setting the limiters of excitation and discusses its effect on loss of excitation protection and system performance. A protection scheme is developed to allow for utilization of machine capability and power swing blocking is developed to increase the reliability when power swing is stable.</p><p><em> </em></p>
Over the past decade in particular, sustainable development has become an important aspect of the construction industries. There are many ways in which sustainability issues can be incorporated in to the design, construction, operation and deconstruction of buildings. Importantly sustainability represents the link between society and built environment professionals. In relation to that, this study involves a look at the human outlook and interaction with sustainability. In this study, the focus will be aimed on the role of the Local Governments and how they play their roles and affect the industry. Therefore, this study intend to look into the sustainable development. Another intended study is to provide an in-depth and better understanding the strength and weaknesses and other relevant factors that promote or hinder the Sustainable Development. This study is to contribute to the enrichment of knowledge on the role of Local Governments in Sustainable Development. Therefore, this research seeks to find out whether sustainable development is being practiced and seeks to find out what is happening with respect to issues of what, how and why things are being done with the development of Sustainable Development in building globally and in Malaysia in general.
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