scholarly journals Using Market Data of Technologies to Build a Dynamic Integrated Acceptance and Sustainability Assessment Model

2017 ◽  
Vol 104 ◽  
pp. 501-508 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dace Aizstrauta ◽  
Egils Ginters
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 2208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamie E. Filer ◽  
Justin D. Delorit ◽  
Andrew J. Hoisington ◽  
Steven J. Schuldt

Remote communities such as rural villages, post-disaster housing camps, and military forward operating bases are often located in remote and hostile areas with limited or no access to established infrastructure grids. Operating these communities with conventional assets requires constant resupply, which yields a significant logistical burden, creates negative environmental impacts, and increases costs. For example, a 2000-member isolated village in northern Canada relying on diesel generators required 8.6 million USD of fuel per year and emitted 8500 tons of carbon dioxide. Remote community planners can mitigate these negative impacts by selecting sustainable technologies that minimize resource consumption and emissions. However, the alternatives often come at a higher procurement cost and mobilization requirement. To assist planners with this challenging task, this paper presents the development of a novel infrastructure sustainability assessment model capable of generating optimal tradeoffs between minimizing environmental impacts and minimizing life-cycle costs over the community’s anticipated lifespan. Model performance was evaluated using a case study of a hypothetical 500-person remote military base with 864 feasible infrastructure portfolios and 48 procedural portfolios. The case study results demonstrated the model’s novel capability to assist planners in identifying optimal combinations of infrastructure alternatives that minimize negative sustainability impacts, leading to remote communities that are more self-sufficient with reduced emissions and costs.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abobakr Al-Sakkaf ◽  
Ashutosh Bagchi ◽  
Tarek Zayed ◽  
Sherif Mahmoud

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to focus on the evaluation of heritage buildings' sustainability. BIM modeling was necessary for the design of the sustainability assessment model for Heritage Buildings (SAHB). Using ArchiCAD®, energy simulations were performed for two case studies (Murabba Palace, Saudi Arabia, and Grey Nuns Building, Canada), and the developed model was validated through sensitivity analysis.Design/methodology/approachHeritage buildings (HBs) are unique and must be preserved for future generations. This article focuses on a sustainability assessment model and rating scale for heritage buildings in light of the need for their conservation. Regional variations were considered in the model development to identify critical attributes whose corresponding weights were then determined by fuzzy logic. Data was collected via questionnaires completed by Saudi Arabian and Canadian experts, and Fuzzy TOPSIS was also applied to eliminate the uncertainties present when human opinions are involved.FindingsResults showed that regional variations were sufficiently addressed through the multi-level weight consideration in the proposed model. Comparing the nine identified factors that affect the sustainability of HBs, energy and indoor environmental quality were of equal weight in both case studies.Originality/valueThis study will be helpful for the design of a globally applicable sustainability assessment model for HBs. It will also enable decision-makers to prepare maintenance plans for HBs.


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamie Filer ◽  
Steven Schuldt

Remote communities such as oil production sites, post-disaster housing camps, and military forwardoperating bases (FOB) are often detached from established infrastructure grids, requiring a constantresupply of resources. In one instance, a 600-person FOB required 22 trucks per day to delivernecessary fuel and water and remove generated wastes. This logistical burden produces negativeenvironmental impacts and increases operational costs. To minimize these consequences,construction planners can implement sustainability measures such as renewable energy systems,improved waste management practices, and energy-efficient equipment. However, integration ofsuch upgrades can increase construction costs, presenting the need for a tool that identifies tradeoffsamong conflicting criteria. To assist planners in these efforts, this paper presents the development ofa novel remote site sustainability assessment model capable of quantifying the environmental andeconomic performance of a set of infrastructure alternatives. Through field data and literatureestimates, a hypothetical FOB is designed and evaluated to demonstrate the model’s distinctivecapability to accurately and efficiently assess construction alternatives. The proposed model willenable construction planners to maximize the sustainability of remote communities, creating sitesthat are more self-sufficient with reduced environmental impacts.Keywords: Sustainability, infrastructure, remote communities


2010 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 618-644 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Bottero ◽  
Valentina Ferretti

PurposeThe paper, which is based on an integrated approach that is able to aid the comprehension of complex phenomena, aims to investigate innovative models and tools in the field of sustainability assessment of territorial transformations. The model has been applied to a real case study related to the choice of alternative projects for the requalification of a downgraded urban area in Turin (Italy).Design/methodology/approachThe work proposes the use of a comprehensive key environmental indicator framework and multi‐criteria analysis to evaluate the sustainability of different strategies. The evaluation has been performed through the application of the analytical network process (ANP) and by means of a set of indicators, which have been arranged according to the Driving Force‐Pressure‐State‐Impact‐Responses (DPSIR) framework. The assessment model provides priority lists of the importance of the considered indicators and alternatives. All the analysis elements are modelled with the ANP, taking into consideration the interconnections between the indicators and their respective cumulative importance.FindingsAccording to the aim of the paper, the most important element in the performed analysis refers to the variation of the well‐being of the population, followed by the changes in the accessibility and attractiveness of the area, then by the effects on the real estate market and the presence of new cycle tracks.Originality/valueThe work is the first study at a national level and one of the first applications at an international level in research concerning the use of the DPSIR framework integrated with an ANP analysis.


2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 95
Author(s):  
Marcello Angotti ◽  
Araceli Cristina De S. Ferreira ◽  
Ronaldo Marques Carvalho

<p>Na medida em que os impactos socioambientais de uma empresa não são submetidos a um processo de medição formal, esses aspectos não são susceptíveis às decisões de planejamento ou da avaliação de desempenho da empresa. Essa invisibilidade econômica é a principal razão da utilização inadequada dos serviços ecossistêmicos. O <em>Full Cost Accounting</em> (FCA) é uma ferramenta para a mensuração das externalidades provenientes de determinada atividade, com a finalidade de incorporá-las ao processo de tomada de decisão. A presente pesquisa tem por objetivo desenvolver uma análise das pesquisas sobre o FCA publicadas nas últimas duas décadas, procurando mapear e discutir a produção científica referente ao tema. Foi realizada uma caracterização dos trabalhos, identificando os autores mais prolíficos, as principais instituições e periódicos, além das produções mais relevantes. Discutiu-se as motivações para a aplicação e dificuldades do uso do FCA. Ainda pode-se verificar que o <em>Sustainability Assessment Model</em> é o método mais indicado pelos pesquisadores e fornece uma ampla visão do desempenho, cobrindo a valoração de aspectos econômicos, ambientais, sociais.</p>


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