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

Author(s):  
Serra Buchanan

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.

2008 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. B. Fernandes ◽  
M. C. Almeida ◽  
A. G. Henriques

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.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 125-139
Author(s):  
Mochammad Donny Anggoro ◽  
Diana Siregar ◽  
Regina Ninggar ◽  
Satriyo Wicaksono ◽  
Soo Hee Lee

The solar PV systems are semiconductor devices that precisely convert sunlight into electricity, through the transfer of electrons. They provide several advantages, such as high modularity, zero noise, and adequate availability of solar resources in Indonesia. Therefore, this study aims to determine the potency, policy perspective, and Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) of the solar energy implementation for electricity generation. A statistical analysis was used for measuring potency, as well as reviewing opportunistic policies and barriers. A review of some CBA-based journals was also carried out, to determine that the development of solar power electricity had more benefit than fossil fuels and LCOE (Levelized Cost Of Electricity). The results of the 10-days average value calculation in 2019 were 388-563 W/m2, with the maximum values at 1137-1604 W/m2. Meanwhile the analysis of the maximum hourly averages for Western, Central, and Eastern Indonesia were 570-719, 634-758, and 559-627 W/m2 at 11.00-12.00 WIB, 11.00-13.00 WITA, and 12.00-13.00 WIT, respectively. The potency of solar radiation intensity in Indonesia was averagely 150-750 W/m2, as the highest values were found in East Nusa Tenggara, Maluku, and Merauke.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2048 (1) ◽  
pp. 012001
Author(s):  
D S Wisnubroto ◽  
G R Sunaryo ◽  
Y S B Susilo ◽  
S Bahri ◽  
T Setiadipura

Abstract This paper shows the effort to implement the RDE and its challenges from 2013 to 2018. RDE was a program to introduce nuclear power plants by building non-commercial power reactors. The RDE program was also used to prove that Indonesian engineers can design a reactor that will later supply electricity and steam for industry. The technology used is a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor. This RDE program is a very strategic intermediate target for energy security and national sovereignty. The development of RDE-based nuclear power plants, in the long run, is expected to have implications for reducing reliance on fossil fuels, more self-sufficiency in energy supply increases national industrial capacity and competitiveness in the global economic order, as well as enhance energy and political diplomacy. Also, RDE can be a reference installation for PeLUIt (Power and Steam Generators for Industry) power plants for small and medium enterprises to meet the demand for electricity and industrial heat in an area’s needs. However, many challenges occurred to implement this program; among them were cost estimation and cost-benefit analysis. Although the program has not been realized, mainly for financial reasons, many positive things have been obtained from these activities.


Author(s):  
A. D. de Luna ◽  
C. E. B. Pascual ◽  
J. A. Principe ◽  
M. R. C. O. Ang

Abstract. The Philippines relies heavily on fossil fuels. With its high energy consumption, the country is at risk economically because of possible supply constraints by exporters, and price fluctuations of fossil fuels. One alternative to fossil fuels is solar. This study aims to explore the use of satellite data analytics and Geographic Information System (GIS) in making a granular site suitability assessment for solar photovoltaic (PV) projects in the province of Tarlac and perform a cost-benefit analysis for rice field conversion to solar farms. Remote sensing (RS) and GIS techniques were used to estimate values of factors and constraints to generate a suitability map of solar farm installation in Tarlac considering rice yield. Input data such as Sentinel 2A image tiles and statistical data from databases online were gathered and geospatial analyst processes were done, particularly in assigning weights to the said factors and constraints. For accuracy assessment of image classification, values of kappa coefficient (k) and overall accuracy (OA) were computed. A final suitability map is then applied together with the constraints. This is then compared with existing and upcoming solar farm projects to see if the suitability map can be considered or there is analysis on whether a prime rice field had been converted. Costs, on one hand, such as the forgone net profit from the agricultural land and rice yield loss was presented. The benefits, on the other hand, include the estimated net returns of the solar farm, the amount of energy generated, and the reduced carbon emissions. Different ranges for several of the variables were considered so a more thorough analysis could be presented. Values of k and OA were 62.2% and 71.27%, respectively, indicating a satisfactory accuracy of image classification. In all instances it was shown that in terms of the costs and benefits considered, agricultural land conversion into solar farms may be beneficial for the province of Tarlac. The study showed that this would match the estimated net profit of rice farm areas selected at around ₱123 M with ₱133 M, but at best estimated net profits could go as high as around ₱5 M. This study has also emphasized the environmental benefit of converting agricultural areas to solar farms by lowering the province’s dependence on non-renewable sources of energy, particularly coal in this case. The approximated reduction in emissions was 33.7% of the emissions of the whole province. It was also notable how much of the national rice supply could be affected as rice supply for more than 200,000 people for a year would have to be forgone.


2011 ◽  
pp. 57-78
Author(s):  
I. Pilipenko

The paper analyzes shortcomings of economic impact studies based mainly on input- output models that are often employed in Russia as well as abroad. Using studies about sport events in the USA and Olympic Games that took place during the last 30 years we reveal advantages of the cost-benefit analysis approach in obtaining unbiased assessments of public investments efficiency; the step-by-step method of cost-benefit analysis is presented in the paper as well. We employ the project of Sochi-2014 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Russia to evaluate its efficiency using cost-benefit analysis for five accounts (areas of impact), namely government, households, environment, economic development, and social development, and calculate the net present value of the project taking into account its possible alternatives. In conclusion we suggest several policy directions that would enhance public investment efficiency within the Sochi-2014 Olympics.


2007 ◽  
pp. 70-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Demidova

This article analyzes definitions and the role of hostile takeovers at the Russian and European markets for corporate control. It develops the methodology of assessing the efficiency of anti-takeover defenses adapted to the conditions of the Russian market. The paper uses the cost-benefit analysis, where the costs and benefits of the pre-bid and post-bid defenses are compared.


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