Assessing desalination as a sustainable alternative using a multiple criteria decision support model

2008 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. B. Fernandes ◽  
M. C. Almeida ◽  
A. G. Henriques
Keyword(s):  
Decision Support ◽  
Energy Production ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Cost Benefit Analysis ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Multiple Criteria ◽  
Water Production ◽  
Decision Support Model

Desalination technologies provide an alternative for potable water production, having significant potential for application where fresh water scarcity exists. Potential benefits have to be balanced with other factors, such as high costs, high energy consumption, and significant environmental impacts, for the understanding of real risks and gains of desalination within the context of integrated water resources management. Multiple factors can be considered when analysing the viability of a desalination project but often a limited approach is used. The complexity in the analysis lies in finding the alternatives that obey to multiple objectives (e.g. reduced environmental impact, social acceptance, less cost associated). In this paper, development of a methodology based on multiple criteria decision support system for the evaluation and ranking the potential of desalination technologies is described and applied to a Portuguese case study. Relevant factors to the selection of desalination technologies were identified using SWOT analysis and the MACBETH (Measuring Attractiveness by a Categorical Based Evaluation Technique) approach was applied. Technical alternatives considered include reverse osmosis and multi-effect desalination (MED), together with energy production by fossil fuels or solar energy. Production of water by conventional approaches was also considered. Results, for non-economic benefits, show higher score for MED solar but, in the cost-benefit analysis, conventional methods of water production have higher ranking since costs of renewable energies are not yet competitive. However, even if not preferred in economic terms, desalination is ranked significantly above the conventional approaches for non-economic criteria.

scholarly journals A Framework for Risk-Based Cost–Benefit Analysis for Decision Support on Hydrogeological Risks in Underground Construction

Geosciences ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 82
Author(s):  
Johanna Merisalu ◽  
Jonas Sundell ◽  
Lars Rosén
Keyword(s):  
Decision Support ◽  
Cost Benefit Analysis ◽  
Risk Mitigation ◽  
Ground Surface ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Expert Elicitation ◽  
Benefit Analysis ◽  
Underground Construction ◽  
Groundwater Leakage ◽  
Risk Reducing

Construction below the ground surface and underneath the groundwater table is often associated with groundwater leakage and drawdowns in the surroundings which subsequently can result in a wide variety of risks. To avoid groundwater drawdown-associated damages, risk-reducing measures must often be implemented. Due to the hydrogeological system’s inherent variability and our incomplete knowledge of its conditions, the effects of risk-reducing measures cannot be fully known in advance and decisions must inevitably be made under uncertainty. When implementing risk-reducing measures there is always a trade-off between the measures’ benefits (reduced risk) and investment costs which needs to be balanced. In this paper, we present a framework for decision support on measures to mitigate hydrogeological risks in underground construction. The framework is developed in accordance with the guidelines from the International Standardization Organization (ISO) and comprises a full risk-management framework with focus on risk analysis and risk evaluation. Cost–benefit analysis (CBA) facilitates monetization of consequences and economic evaluation of risk mitigation. The framework includes probabilistic risk estimation of the entire cause–effect chain from groundwater leakage to the consequences of damage where expert elicitation is combined with data-driven and process-based methods, allowing for continuous updating when new knowledge is obtained.

The Violence Prevention Program in South Australia: A Recidivism and Cost–Benefit Analysis Pilot Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 009385482110383
Author(s):  
Gene Mercer ◽  
Emma Ziersch ◽  
Shawn Sowerbutts ◽  
Andrew Day ◽  
Henry Pharo
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Violence Prevention ◽  
Prevention Program ◽  
Cost Benefit Analysis ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Violent Recidivism ◽  
Correctional Systems ◽  
Violence Prevention Program

Rehabilitation of incarcerated men is a primary focus of correctional systems across the world. The present pilot study examined the effect of participation in the South Australian Violence Prevention Program (VPP) on recidivism trajectories. Individuals who participated in the VPP were significantly less likely to engage in violent recidivism, with the greatest effect observed between Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders relative to similarly matched comparators. In addition, the types of violent crimes committed were less severe for those who engaged in treatment relative to the comparison group. No differences were observed between groups in overall rates of reoffending, or the length of time following release before reoffending. The study also quantified the economic impacts of treatment and found it was associated with a positive cost–benefit ratio of Aus$1.13. The results provide evidence that the VPP does reduce the rate of violent recidivism, and that these results translate into economic benefits for society.

Age 21 Cost-Benefit Analysis of the Title I Chicago Child-Parent Centers

2002 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 267-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arthur J. Reynolds ◽  
Judy A. Temple ◽  
Dylan L. Robertson ◽  
Emily A. Mann
Keyword(s):  
Title I ◽  
Remedial Education ◽  
Program Effectiveness ◽  
Cost Benefit Analysis ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
School Age ◽  
Program Participation ◽  
Benefit Analysis

We conducted the first cost-benefit analysis of a federally financed, comprehensive early childhood program. The Title I Chicago Child-Parent Centers are located in public schools and provide educational and family support services to low-income children from ages 3 to 9. Using data from a cohort of 1,539 program and comparison-group children born in 1980 who participate in the Chicago Longitudinal Study, measures of program participation were significantly associated with greater school achievement, higher rates of high school completion, and with significantly lower rates of remedial education services, juvenile delinquency, and child maltreatment. Economic analyses indicated that the measured and projected economic benefits of preschool participation, school-age participation, and extended program participation exceeded costs. In present-value 1998 dollars, the preschool program provided a return to society of $7.14 per dollar invested by increasing economic well-being and tax revenues, and by reducing public expenditures for remedial education, criminal justice treatment, and crime victims. The extended intervention program (4 to 6 years of participation) provided a return to society of $6.11 per dollar invested while the school-age program yielded a return of $1.66 per dollar invested. Findings demonstrate that an established public program can provide benefits that far exceed costs. Key elements of CPC program effectiveness include an instructional focus on literacy, opportunities for intensive parent involvement, and implementation by well-trained staff within a single administrative system.

Effects of Nitrogen Fertilizer on Switchgrass Productivity and Soil Trace Gas Production

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Serra Buchanan
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Fertilizer ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Cost Benefit Analysis ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Nitrogen Fertilizers ◽  
Bioenergy Crops ◽  
N2o Production ◽  
Switch Grass ◽  
Ch4 Production

Atmospheric greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations continue to increase and one of the major culprits is the continued elevation and use of fossil fuels for energy. Using bioenergy, a renewable and sustainable source of natural energy, could help to reduce the effect that fossil fuels are having on the planet by slowing the rate of input of atmospheric GHG’s. Perennial crops such as switch grass can be grown and used as a bioenergy crop. In some cases, nitrogen fertilizers are used to increase the growth of bioenergy crops with potential negative environmental consequences. For example, nitrogen fertilizer can impact soil chemical processes and lead to an increase in the production of greenhouse gases, mainly N2O and CH4. Production of these gases would negate some of the benefits achieved by substituting bioenergy crops for fossil fuels. When I examined the amount of gas flux being produced by switchgrass fields, with 0 lbs/acre, 50 lbs/acre and 150lbs/acre fertilizer treatments we observed, as predicted, an increase in N2O production with more fertilization. In some cases the increase in N2O production in the 150lbs/acre treatment was as extreme as being over 200% larger compared with no fertilization. I also observed some very interesting results with methane production, which has been showing production of methane, along with after around 30 minutes of gas collection in a chamber. Based on the results of my research, I have created a cost benefit analysis of using nitrogen fertilizer on switchgrass crops.

scholarly journals The Application of Economic Value Added on Green Facilities of Urban Agriculture

2018 ◽  
Vol 57 ◽  
pp. 05001
Author(s):  
Kuo Wei Hsu ◽  
Shang Zhen Liao
Keyword(s):  
Urban Agriculture ◽  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Cost Benefit Analysis ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Economic Value Added ◽  
Psychological Benefits ◽  
Production And Consumption

Green facilities of urban agriculture offer a fertile ground for green innovation, such as rooftop gardens, green curtains, and indoor plant growing, which create a new forms of urban farming economy. The previous studies for cost-benefit analysis of urban agriculture indicated that green facilities could contribute both quantitative and qualitative benefits. The value of green facility strategies of urban agriculture may often be underestimated without transforming qualitative benefits to quantitative benefits. This study examined the effects of green facilities of urban agriculture development in Taiwan. The market reaction was explored by adopting economic value added (EVA) technique for the measurement of both quantitative and qualitative value contributed by green facilities. The results from this study support that there exists interaction between qualitative factors such as indirect economic benefits and social psychological benefits and quantitative factors, agricultural production and energy saving impacted by green facilities. The study concluded that consumers of urban agricultural crops are willing to pay more for eco-friendly products. The establishment of relationship between urban agricultural production and consumption can contribute to sustainability while generating economic opportunities.

Benefit-transfer valuation of a cultural heritage site: the Petroglyph National Monument

2009 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
CARLOS A. ULIBARRI ◽  
VICTOR C. ULIBARRI
Keyword(s):  
Willingness To Pay ◽  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Cost Benefit Analysis ◽  
Rock Art ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Benefit Transfer ◽  
National Monument ◽  
Heritage Site

ABSTRACTThis paper applies a household production framework (Becker, 1971) to infer the economic value of a cultural heritage site, namely, the Petroglyph National Monument, situated in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. The empirical analysis uses benefit-transfer techniques from three source studies: those of Bergstrom and Cordell (1991) and Boxall et al. (2003), which concern willingness-to-pay to hike and view rock art sites; and those of Rolfe and Windle (2003, 2006), which concern willingness-to-pay by Aboriginal and general populations to preserve a cultural heritage site containing rock art. The benefit-transfer analysis estimates recreational values between 3.75 million and 7 million dollars per year (depending on perceptions of the cultural attribute quality) and a nonuse value of approximately 12.5 million dollars per year. By comparison the annualized costs of developing/operating the study site are 8.5 million dollars per year. Thus a partial cost-benefit analysis suggests the study site yields net economic benefits upwards of 7.8 million dollars per year.

scholarly journals What Is the Best Practice Method for Quantifying the Health and Economic Benefits of Active Transport?

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (17) ◽  
pp. 6186
Author(s):  
Holger Möller ◽  
Fiona Haigh ◽  
Rema Hayek ◽  
Lennert Veerman
Keyword(s):  
Active Transport ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Evaluation Method ◽  
Cost Benefit Analysis ◽  
Health Benefits ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Road Transport ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Practice Method

The aim of this study was to identify a best practice method to cost the health benefits of active transport for use in infrastructure planning in New South Wales, Australia. We systematically reviewed the international literature covering the concept areas of active transport and cost and health benefits. Original publications describing a method to cost the health benefits of active transport, published in 2000–2019 were included. Studies meeting the inclusion criteria were assessed against criteria identified in interviews with key government stakeholders. A total of 2993 studies were identified, 53 were assessed for eligibility, and 19 were included in the review. The most commonly studied active transport modes were cycling (n = 8) and walking and cycling (n = 6). Exposures considered were physical activity, road transport related injuries and air pollution. The most often applied economic evaluation method was cost benefit analysis (n = 8), and costs were commonly calculated by monetising health outcomes. Based on evaluation of models against the criteria, a Multistate Life Table model was recommended as the best method currently available. There is strong and increasing interest in quantifying and costing the health benefits of active transport internationally. Incorporating health-related economic benefits into existing regulatory processes such as cost benefit analyses could provide an effective way to encourage the non-health sector to include health impacts in infrastructure measures.

scholarly journals Application and importance of cost-benefit analysis in energy efficiency projects implemented in public buildings: The case of Serbia

2012 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 915-929 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marko Mihic ◽  
Dejan Petrovic ◽  
Aleksandar Vuckovic ◽  
Vladimir Obradovic ◽  
Dejan Djurovic
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Cost Benefit Analysis ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Financial Resources ◽  
Benefit Analysis ◽  
Public Buildings ◽  
Practical Test ◽  
Effectiveness And Efficiency

The main objective of this paper is to present the advantages of using Cost-Benefit analysis in energy efficiency projects implemented in public buildings, and to prove the hypothesis that Cost-Benefit analysis boosts the effectiveness and efficiency of the said type of projects. The paper offers theoretical and practical explanation of the implementation of Cost-Benefit analysis in the relevant area. Since energy efficiency projects in public buildings usually represent a part of a broader portfolio of similar projects and their implementation demands allocation of substantial financial resources, communities are often be interested in achieving maximal economic and non-economic benefits. This paper aims to demonstrate that Cost-Benefit analysis can represent an excellent contribution when attempting to select the projects for implementation within a broader portfolio of energy efficiency projects in public buildings. This hypothesis was demonstrated by putting a greater emphasis on non-economic benefits and the costs arising from implementation of the aforementioned types of projects. In addition, a practical test of this hypothesis was performed through the implementation of an energy efficiency portfolio in public buildings, worth several tens of millions of dollars - the Serbian Energy Efficiency Project. The paper concludes that the use of Cost-Benefit analysis can help us to effectively evaluate and manage projects of this type aimed at achieving maximum benefits for the community in question.

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