Privacy Policy for engineeringeconomicanalysis.blogspot.com
If you require any more information or have any questions about our privacy policy, please feel free to contact us by email at pasardinoyo@gmail.com.
At engineeringeconomicanalysis.blogspot.com, the privacy of our visitors is of extreme importance to us. This privacy policy document outlines the types of personal information is received and collected by engineeringeconomicanalysis.blogspot.com and how it is used.
Log Files
Like many other Web sites, engineeringeconomicanalysis.blogspot.com makes use of log files. The information inside the log files includes internet protocol ( IP ) addresses, type of browser, Internet Service Provider ( ISP ), date/time stamp, referring/exit pages, and number of clicks to analyze trends, administer the site, track user’s movement around the site, and gather demographic information. IP addresses, and other such information are not linked to any information that is personally identifiable.
Cookies and Web Beacons
engineeringeconomicanalysis.blogspot.com does use cookies to store information about visitors preferences, record user-specific information on which pages the user access or visit, customize Web page content based on visitors browser type or other information that the visitor sends via their browser.
DoubleClick DART Cookie
.:: Google, as a third party vendor, uses cookies to serve ads on engineeringeconomicanalysis.blogspot.com.
.:: Google's use of the DART cookie enables it to serve ads to users based on their visit to engineeringeconomicanalysis.blogspot.com and other sites on the Internet.
.:: Users may opt out of the use of the DART cookie by visiting the Google ad and content network privacy policy at the following URL - http://www.google.com/privacy_ads.html
Some of our advertising partners may use cookies and web beacons on our site. Our advertising partners include ....
Google Adsense
These third-party ad servers or ad networks use technology to the advertisements and links that appear on engineeringeconomicanalysis.blogspot.com send directly to your browsers. They automatically receive your IP address when this occurs. Other technologies ( such as cookies, JavaScript, or Web Beacons ) may also be used by the third-party ad networks to measure the effectiveness of their advertisements and / or to personalize the advertising content that you see.
engineeringeconomicanalysis.blogspot.com has no access to or control over these cookies that are used by third-party advertisers.
You should consult the respective privacy policies of these third-party ad servers for more detailed information on their practices as well as for instructions about how to opt-out of certain practices. engineeringeconomicanalysis.blogspot.com's privacy policy does not apply to, and we cannot control the activities of, such other advertisers or web sites.
If you wish to disable cookies, you may do so through your individual browser options. More detailed information about cookie management with specific web browsers can be found at the browsers' respective websites.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Economic Evaluation of Materials Technologies
Production cost is a vital performance metric for engineering and management analysis. Despite its obvious relevance throughout the product development cycle, cost analysis has not been a focus of the design engineer. In part, this is because of some key misunderstandings of what cost is—engineers have not been trained in the techniques that tie manufacturing cost to the technical and design parameters with which they are more comfortable and familiar.
While there have been many calls for a closer relationship between engineering and economic analysis, these key conceptual obstacles, in conjunction with the limits of the computational tools available, have limited the integration of cost analysis into product and process development.
This paper, reprinted here by permission of the Journal of Manufacturing, summarizes the conceptual limitations that need to be overcome and presents a basis for revising the notion of process cost analysis. Moreover, it presents a series of cost analysis cases that demonstrate the way in which the notion of “context” lies at the heart of effective use of engineering cost estimates.
Independent Engineering / Engineering Economics
Energy is a broad field for lenders, encompassing oil and gas projects, midstream pipelines and terminals, fertilizer and biofuels plants, downstream polymer and petrochemical facilities, and thermal power generating stations with private sector and state-owned company sponsors. Exponent provides expert engineering and other services on behalf of lenders during loan origination and, upon financial close, during the construction and operations phases of energy projects.
Exponent is highly qualified to assist during the origination phase of energy project financings, providing technical due diligence and market analysis services on behalf of lenders. Such services have included review of major equipment procurement contracts, supplier capabilities, the technical capacity of sponsors and their contractor(s) to effectively manage and perform, design plans, conformance of project specifications with local and international norms and standards, necessary permits and approvals from local authorities, EPC contracting strategy and structure, quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) plans, and project economic assumptions. We can validate the suitability of the sponsor’s projections for project construction costs and assess the probability of cost overruns (estimate contingencies). We evaluate the sponsor’s timetable for construction given the scope of an energy project and external factors such as resource limitations. Affected markets in need of analysis might include fuel supplies for a power project, or raw material and product markets for a project in the downstream segment. We are often called upon to provide risk assessments, audit borrower’s financial models or estimate project cash flows for analysis of key financial ratios. Exponent makes recommendations to complete or improve the project’s investment and operations plans, if appropriate.
To assist financial institutions in administrating projects in their portfolios, Exponent has experienced and knowledgeable personnel for construction and operations phase monitoring of energy or oil and gas projects. We work together with lenders to assure that the liquidated damages, cost controls, contingencies, and insurance policies proposed by the sponsors for both construction and operation are sufficient. Once loan agreements are executed, Exponent provides oversight services during the project construction phase including cost monitoring and reporting as well as monitoring for contract compliance; engineering design, procurement and construction progress; environmental damage mitigation efforts; and schedule impacts related to major equipment fabrication and delivery as well as cost monitoring and reporting. In addition, we inspect for the development of required infrastructure for a project and provide certifications to the lenders with regards to financing at closing, disbursements, technical completion, and final completion, as necessary.
Exponent is highly qualified to assist during the origination phase of energy project financings, providing technical due diligence and market analysis services on behalf of lenders. Such services have included review of major equipment procurement contracts, supplier capabilities, the technical capacity of sponsors and their contractor(s) to effectively manage and perform, design plans, conformance of project specifications with local and international norms and standards, necessary permits and approvals from local authorities, EPC contracting strategy and structure, quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) plans, and project economic assumptions. We can validate the suitability of the sponsor’s projections for project construction costs and assess the probability of cost overruns (estimate contingencies). We evaluate the sponsor’s timetable for construction given the scope of an energy project and external factors such as resource limitations. Affected markets in need of analysis might include fuel supplies for a power project, or raw material and product markets for a project in the downstream segment. We are often called upon to provide risk assessments, audit borrower’s financial models or estimate project cash flows for analysis of key financial ratios. Exponent makes recommendations to complete or improve the project’s investment and operations plans, if appropriate.
To assist financial institutions in administrating projects in their portfolios, Exponent has experienced and knowledgeable personnel for construction and operations phase monitoring of energy or oil and gas projects. We work together with lenders to assure that the liquidated damages, cost controls, contingencies, and insurance policies proposed by the sponsors for both construction and operation are sufficient. Once loan agreements are executed, Exponent provides oversight services during the project construction phase including cost monitoring and reporting as well as monitoring for contract compliance; engineering design, procurement and construction progress; environmental damage mitigation efforts; and schedule impacts related to major equipment fabrication and delivery as well as cost monitoring and reporting. In addition, we inspect for the development of required infrastructure for a project and provide certifications to the lenders with regards to financing at closing, disbursements, technical completion, and final completion, as necessary.
During operations, we review the annual budgets for projects, including operating and maintenance expenses and sustaining capital expenditures, and assess (when applicable) project expansion plans. Exponent can evaluate the operating management plan and technical aspects of all contractual material related to performance guarantees and operations, and compliance with applicable provisions and requirements. We have been asked to assess trends in raw material and products markets, including furnishing updated estimates of supply and demand in markets affecting project profitability and margins, and to provide review and comment on the borrower’s forecasts and projections. As part of the review of operating and maintenance cost projections, we provide annual (or more frequent) monitoring reports during the operations phase.
Exponent’s energy consultants, business analysts, and discipline engineers provide support to lenders throughout the design and construction process. Our capabilities extend to analyzing or supporting claims during project construction. Moreover, we can address complex engineering problems on energy projects either in construction or operations.
This technical, market analysis and project economics support is not just for lenders – we also provide support to project companies, and as needed/requested, the attorneys whom support the transactions.
Exponent has helped energy and alternative fuels project developers with site selection studies, marketing plans and strategies, feasibility studies, process technology assessments, preliminary capital and conversion cost estimates, analysis of supply chain logistics, and development of project economics/financing models and project memoranda.
Exponent’s energy consultants, business analysts, and discipline engineers provide support to lenders throughout the design and construction process. Our capabilities extend to analyzing or supporting claims during project construction. Moreover, we can address complex engineering problems on energy projects either in construction or operations.
This technical, market analysis and project economics support is not just for lenders – we also provide support to project companies, and as needed/requested, the attorneys whom support the transactions.
Exponent has helped energy and alternative fuels project developers with site selection studies, marketing plans and strategies, feasibility studies, process technology assessments, preliminary capital and conversion cost estimates, analysis of supply chain logistics, and development of project economics/financing models and project memoranda.
Energy Economics
Technology comparisons frequently come down to a need to make decisions involving engineering economics. Companies developing energy projects or considering investments in alternative or renewable energy technologies need reliable and considered views of competing technology options and their comparative economics. Exponent’s experienced staff provides clients with expert advice on energy-industry economics and the key drivers for oil, gas, and chemical projects.
Grounded in a thorough knowledge of the underlying engineering principles, our specialists are highly qualified to analyze technical and economic aspects at each step in the value chain, from wellhead or mine mouth to burner tip. We have experience in evaluating hydrocarbon processing and power project revenues and costs. Exponent analysts understand energy markets, and plant and pipeline operations, and this broad expertise allows us to assist clients in acquiring a fundamental grasp of conversion costs, transportation costs, and supply-chain logistics. We can assist in determining upstream, midstream, and downstream oil and gas project feasibility. If you have issues that involve exploration and development costs, reserves growth, overall plant production costs, returns on capital employed, debt service coverage ratios, assessment of risk, or the economics of capacity expansions, Exponent provides the technical and business consultants to support your analysis.
The Carbon Economy
One of my goals in my peak oil studies is to understand the whole system of planet+economy as best I can. I want to develop an informed opinion on what humanity's options are as it faces these interlocking crises-in-the-making. That's obviously an enormous task. The relevant disciplines include at least geology, petroleum engineering, economics, sociology, urban planning, international development, climatology, demography, political science, mining engineering, military strategy, archaeology, history, chemistry and chemical engineering, physics, statistics, biology, ecology, agricultural science, and electrical engineering. No-one can hope to master all these subjects to the point a specialist in them would know them.
And yet it seems to me that, while accepting this limitation, it's worthwhile for a few generalists such as myself to attempt to try to understand the situation as deeply as possible in all aspects; it may be that new ideas and insights can only come from deeply integrating a number of the important perspectives. Only time will tell.
In that spirit, I'm trying to understand the carbon cycle and in particular the current carbon flows in the economy. I have two goals - one is to better understand the debate over the viability of biofuels. The other is to better understand whether we have any real options over climate change other than just suffering the consequences of our collective fecklessness. Either way, I can never make any sense out of any debate like this until I start to understand the relative sizes of the flows involved, and the trends in them.
And yet it seems to me that, while accepting this limitation, it's worthwhile for a few generalists such as myself to attempt to try to understand the situation as deeply as possible in all aspects; it may be that new ideas and insights can only come from deeply integrating a number of the important perspectives. Only time will tell.
In that spirit, I'm trying to understand the carbon cycle and in particular the current carbon flows in the economy. I have two goals - one is to better understand the debate over the viability of biofuels. The other is to better understand whether we have any real options over climate change other than just suffering the consequences of our collective fecklessness. Either way, I can never make any sense out of any debate like this until I start to understand the relative sizes of the flows involved, and the trends in them.
Civil Engineering Services
Reece & Associates provides civil consulting and design services to the commercial and residential construction industry in areas such as:
- Project Definition
- Feasibility and economic analysis
- System Planning
- Civil engineering design
- Project scheduling
- Construction quality assurance
- Storm water and wetland analysis
- Grading and erosion control plans
- Utility coordination
- Extensive GIS capabilities
River Engineering / Restoration & Sustainable Design
Client, Architect & Other Organisations
Powys County Council
The Welsh Assembly Government
The Welsh Assembly Government
Description
Approximately 50 properties, are at risk of flooding from the River Teme and Wylcwm Brook in Knighton. The mechanism for flooding from the Teme is primarily associated with high flows in the river. However, there are a number of features in Knighton which could be exacerbating the effects of flooding. These include a reduction of the flood plain width at the Mill, encroachment on flood storage areas and the limiting cross section of the Teme Bridges.
Flooding in the town is also affected by the Wylcwm Brook which is a small ordinary watercourse which joins the Teme upstream of the Teme Bridge. During heavy rainfall the Brook overtops a bridge at Bowling Green Lane flooding three properties adjacent to the bridge. Overland flow also exacerbates flooding to commercial properties at Teme Bridge
Scope of Work
In 2002 Edenvale Young Associates completed a pre-feasibility study which recommended that a full project appraisal study should be undertaken to evaluate options to mitigate flooding in the town. Powys County Council asked Edenvale Young (then JYA Ltd) to prepare a full project appraisal. In summer 2004 a baseline ecological survey was completed and a topographic survey was commissioned to provide data for the hydraulic modelling. Following the completion of the field work, a hydrological analysis using FEH was undertaken to evaluate extreme flood flows.
In October 2004 ISIS model of the Teme and Wylcwm Brook was also developed and calibrated against the 2000 event using EA gauge data from Teme Bridge and information obtained from interviews with residents. This model has been used to evaluate a number of engineering options and to develop the economic assessment for the Project Appraisal Report.
Approximately 50 properties, are at risk of flooding from the River Teme and Wylcwm Brook in Knighton. The mechanism for flooding from the Teme is primarily associated with high flows in the river. However, there are a number of features in Knighton which could be exacerbating the effects of flooding. These include a reduction of the flood plain width at the Mill, encroachment on flood storage areas and the limiting cross section of the Teme Bridges.
Flooding in the town is also affected by the Wylcwm Brook which is a small ordinary watercourse which joins the Teme upstream of the Teme Bridge. During heavy rainfall the Brook overtops a bridge at Bowling Green Lane flooding three properties adjacent to the bridge. Overland flow also exacerbates flooding to commercial properties at Teme Bridge
Scope of Work
In 2002 Edenvale Young Associates completed a pre-feasibility study which recommended that a full project appraisal study should be undertaken to evaluate options to mitigate flooding in the town. Powys County Council asked Edenvale Young (then JYA Ltd) to prepare a full project appraisal. In summer 2004 a baseline ecological survey was completed and a topographic survey was commissioned to provide data for the hydraulic modelling. Following the completion of the field work, a hydrological analysis using FEH was undertaken to evaluate extreme flood flows.
In October 2004 ISIS model of the Teme and Wylcwm Brook was also developed and calibrated against the 2000 event using EA gauge data from Teme Bridge and information obtained from interviews with residents. This model has been used to evaluate a number of engineering options and to develop the economic assessment for the Project Appraisal Report.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)