Potential cost savings from discharge allowance trading: A case study and implications for water quality trading

This paper attempts to provide an optimum loading schedule of power generating units with the least cost by solving a unit commitment (UC) problem and to present good estimates of cost differences when UC problem is not applied. UC is a fundamental optimization problem of power generation systems which determines the optimum schedule of generating units which minimizes generation costs. However, for small power generation firms which are situated in developing countries, UC-based problems are poorly understood if not implemented and the scheduling of generating units is based on some methodologies which may provide results that are not optimal. Thus, a case study in a small power generation firm in central Philippines is carried out to elucidate these objectives. The case requires a solution of the mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) problem. Results show that the proposed UC-based problem yields optimal costs and the cost disparity from the current scheduling scheme is approximately at 27% which may be considered as potential cost savings. This shows that UC-based problem provides a reliable platform in achieving minimal generation costs. These results are significant to decision-makers particularly in small power generation firms and to engineering practitioners in the Philippines and in some developing countries as these provide an overview of the disparity of cost figures of not implementing UC.

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Potential cost savings from school district consolidation: A case study of New York

Economics of Education Review ◽

10.1016/0272-7757(94)00011-t ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 14 (3) ◽

pp. 265-284 ◽

Cited By ~ 50

Author(s):

William Duncombe ◽

Jerry Miner ◽

John Ruggiero

Keyword(s):

New York ◽

School District ◽

Cost Savings ◽

Potential Cost ◽

School District Consolidation ◽

District Consolidation

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Simple vs. Complex: Implications of Lags in Pollution Delivery for Efficient Load Allocation and Design of Water-quality Trading Programs

Agricultural and Resource Economics Review ◽

10.1017/age.2016.18 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 45 (2) ◽

pp. 367-393 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

James Shortle ◽

David Abler ◽

Zach Kaufman ◽

Katherine Y. Zipp

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Chesapeake Bay ◽

Dynamic Optimization ◽

Best Management Practices ◽

Management Practices ◽

Cost Savings ◽

Nitrogen Emissions ◽

Water Quality Trading ◽

Best Management ◽

Static Allocation

Water-quality markets that allow point-nonpoint trades assume that nonpoint best management practices (BMPs) achieve the targeted reductions as soon as they are implemented. However, changes in water quality in response to BMPs occur over time—from a few months to decades. We simulate emission allocations using static and dynamic-optimization models to determine whether a simple static allocation can produce results comparable economically and environmentally to complex multi-period designs for nitrogen emissions to Chesapeake Bay. We find that static rules provide relatively large cost savings compared to dynamic rules but result in a delay in achievement of water-quality targets.

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Overcompliance in Water Quality Trading Programs: Findings from a Qualitative Case Study in North Carolina

Environment and Planning C Government and Policy ◽

10.1068/c0887j ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 28 (1) ◽

pp. 1-17 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Zoé A Hamstead ◽

Todd K BenDor

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

North Carolina ◽

Qualitative Case Study ◽

Water Quality Trading

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An economic inquisition of water quality trading programs, with a case study of Jordan Lake, NC

Journal of Environmental Management ◽

10.1016/j.jenvman.2017.02.039 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 193 ◽

pp. 483-490 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Marzieh Motallebi ◽

Dana L. Hoag ◽

Ali Tasdighi ◽

Mazdak Arabi ◽

Deanna L. Osmond

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Water Quality Trading

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Implementation of subsurface utility engineering in Ontario: cases and a cost model

Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering ◽

10.1139/l07-066 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 34 (12) ◽

pp. 1529-1541 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Hesham Osman ◽

Tamer El-Diraby

Keyword(s):

Cost Model ◽

Cost Savings ◽

The United States ◽

Valuable Insight ◽

Potential Cost ◽

Case Study Analysis ◽

Underground Utilities ◽

Utility Information ◽

One Year

This paper investigates a relatively new engineering service that is being introduced in Ontario: subsurface utility engineering (SUE). This service combines civil engineering, surveying, geophysics, and nondestructive excavation for the accurate mapping of underground utilities. This paper presents the results of a one-year study that investigated the use of SUE on large infrastructure projects in Ontario. The study involved performing a detailed cost analysis of nine successful SUE projects, four of which are presented in this paper. Potential cost savings were estimated for each case study and all indicated that SUE has a positive return on investment. In addition, two industry-wide surveys were conducted to investigate the effects of inaccurate utility information on projects. Results indicate that inaccurate utility information has a significant impact on project cost, schedule, and damage to existing utilities. Using the results of the case study analysis and the survey, a generic cost model for SUE was developed that relates project specific characteristics to costs that could be incurred because of inaccurate utility information. This investigation provides valuable insight to the application of a relatively new process in Canada following successful results in the United States.

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