Big Data Analytics in Cloud Computing

In this chapter, the authors consider different categories of data, which are processed by the big data analytics tools. The challenges with respect to the big data processing are identified and a solution with the help of cloud computing is highlighted. Since the emergence of cloud computing is highly advocated because of its pay-per-use concept, the data processing tools can be effectively deployed within cloud computing and certainly reduce the investment cost. In addition, this chapter talks about the big data platforms, tools, and applications with data visualization concept. Finally, the applications of data analytics are discussed for future research.

A comprehensive investigation into the performance of genetic algorithm for effective shipyard topological layout

Shipyards have large departments or facilities. It is essential to make an effective topological layout plan since the initial investment cost of these departments is high. Topological layout is an optimization problem and Genetic Algorithm (GA) is generally used in the literature. The selection of effective genetic algorithm approaches and operators are very important to improve the performance of the optimization. This study investigates an effective solution to the shipyard topological layout using a Quadratic Assignment Problem (QAP) model with classic and elitist GA approaches. Besides, genetic operators that have significant effects on exploitation and exploration capabilities are analyzed. Therefore, 126 experiments were run with 13 different operators. The results obtained from the classic and elitist GA approach were evaluated individually and compared with each other. It was observed that the elitist GA approach has a superior performance compared to the classic GA approach. This study is the most comprehensive and practical study on the performance of the GA for topological layout of the shipyard in the literature.

Advanced Exergy, Exergoeconomic, and Exergoenvironmental Analyses of Integrated Solar-Assisted Gasification Cycle for Producing Power and Steam from Heavy Refinery Fuels

Integrated solar-assisted gasification cycles (ISGC) have emerged as a more flexible and environmentally friendly solution for producing power, steam, and other high-valued by-products from low-cost opportunity fuels. In this light, this paper investigates a new ISGC system for converting heavy refineries fuels into power and steam utilities while enhancing energy efficiency and economic and environmental performance indicators. In this approach, a solar energy field and a two-pressure heat recovery steam generator were integrated into the ISGC system to improve overall economic and environmental plant viability. The ISGC system was modelled in MATLAB software, and the results were validated using Thermoflex software. Conventional and advanced energy, exergy, exergoeconomic, and exergoenvironmental (4E) analyses were implemented to assess the main performance parameters and identify potential system improvements. The ISGC system produced 319.92 MW of power by feeding on 15.5 kg/s of heavy refinery fuel, with a thermal efficiency of 50% and exergy efficiency of 54%. The results also revealed an investment cost of $466 million, evaluated at a system cost rate of 446 $/min and an environmental impact rate of 72,796 pts/min. The conventional and advanced 4E analyses unveiled the process economic and environmental feasibilities, particularly for oil-rich countries with high availability of solar resources.

Techno-economic Analysis of Rooftop Photovoltaic System (RPVS) using Thin-Frameless Solar Panels for Household Customers in Indonesia

The availability of thin-frameless solar panels on the market today makes the installation of rooftop Photovoltaic (RPVS) systems more attractive. The purpose of this research is to analyze financially the use of thinframeless solar panels for on-grid RPVS by household electricity customers in Indonesia. The investment cost, the maintenance costs, and the electricity cost savings were involved for the financial analysis, such as Internal Rate of Return (IRR), Net Present Value (NPV), and Pay Back Period (PBP). The calculation is carried out for ideal conditions, the direction of a non-ideal rooftop and the yearly increase of electricity prices is 15 %. The analysis results show that the minimum available rooftop area is still sufficient for the rooftop area needs for solar panel placement, the thin solar panels are safer than standard solar panels, and savings on electricity payments for the return on investment of the RPVS is to be attractive with the IRR > 12 %. The average investment cost of the non-ideal condition is 8 % higher than the ideal condition. This study provides an overview to the policymakers and developers in exploiting the potential of RPVS, especially in Indonesia. For future research directions, this study needs to analyze the technical and economic feasibility of using hybrid smart-grid technology with batteries.

Aspects Regarding the Optimal Insulation Thickness, the Cost and Energy Savings for Cold Storage in Romania

The paper presents a technical and economic analysis regarding the sandwich panels with polyurethane insulation layer (PUR) used in cold stores’ construction. The authors determine the optimal thickness of the insulating layer (OIT) corresponding to the 5 climatic zones in Romania. The operating and investment costs for cold and frozen storage in these 5 climatic zones have been assessed. The results obtained from the analysis show that regardless of the climatic zone, the OIT for cold storage is 150 mm and for frozen storage is 180 mm. The investment cost increases by 41% and the expenditure on operating energy decreases by 8.3% for 180 mm for cold storage in comparison to OIT. Moreover, this tendency is maintained as well in the other case of frozen storage, where, by increasing the thickness above OIT at 200 mm the investment cost is increased by 20% and the expenditure in operating energy is decreased by 6.7%. The SEC has an average value of 54.83 kWh·m3/yr for cold storage and 74.55 kWh·m3/yr for frozen storage respectively. The average values obtained in the paper were compared with those presented in the literature and resulted in deviations of about 1.58% for refrigeration, and hence 4.1% for freezing.

GO potato aeroponic seed production in Indonesia, producers’ perception toward the benefits and challenges

The high-quality potato seed availability in Indonesia always to be attempted continuously by Indonesian governments to encourage national potato production optimization. One of the efforts is through aeroponic potato seed production. The G0 (zero generation seed) aeroponic potato produces a better yield and healthier tuber compare to G0 conventional potato production. IVegRI has undertaken studies related to G0 potato aeroponic. The results have been disseminated and some of them have been adopted by the potato producers in various regions in Indonesia. The study aimed to investigate the potato aeroponic seed production in Indonesia based on the producers’ perception of the benefits and challenges. The study was conducted from April to December 2017, in 8 districts from 6 provinces, engaging 18 G0 aeroponic potato producers. Data were analyzed descriptively. The resulting study showed that G0 aeroponic producers perceived the production of G0 aeroponic potato as more profitable compared to G0 conventional. The advantages covered: the production was higher, the yield tuber was healthier and sterile, and also it could be produced anytime. Meanwhile, challenges faced were: initially investment cost was quite expensive, electricity installation frequently was unstable and, the challenge concocted a suitable potato aeroponic nutrition.

Evaluate the financial efficiency of semi-intensive prawn farming: A case study in My Xuyen district, Soc Trang province

Semi-intensive prawn farming is currently facing difficulties in both the production and consumption processes. Climate change and an unstable output market are the main causes affecting the investment efficiency of semi-intensive prawn farming. The authors carry out the study to evaluate the financial efficiency of semi-intensive prawn farming in My Xuyen District, Soc Trang Province. Research data are collected from 100 households raising prawns. The research results show that, with an average investment cost of 19.8 million VND/1000m2/crop, farmers may earn a profit of 6.5 million VND/1000m2/crop, and the profit margin achieved reaches 0.25 times. Therefore, the model of semi-intensive prawns achieves high financial efficiency and brings a great income for prawn farmers.

An Algorithm for the Pricing and Timing of the Option to make a Two-Stage Investment with Credit Guarantees

We develop a jump-diffusion model for a guarantee-investment combination financing mode (G-I mode) that is recently popular in financial practice. We assume that a borrower has exclusively an option to invest in a project in two stages. The project’s cash flow follows a double exponential jump-diffusion process and it is increased by a growth factor once the second-stage investment is exercised. The first-stage investment cost is financed by a bank loan with the guarantee provided by an insurer, who promises to provide the second-stage investment cost as well as take the lender’s all default losses. In return for the guarantee and investment, the borrower pays a guarantee fee upon first investment and grants a fraction of equity upon second investment to the insurer. In sharp contrast to prior papers on guarantee, the guarantee costs are contracted prior to investment. We provide closed-form solutions and produce a numerical algorithm for the timing and pricing of the two investment options.

A Novel Fully Controllable Rotary Switch for Electrical Installation in Buildings

In an electrical installation in buildings, electromechanical switches are mostly used to turn on and off a load. However, sometimes there are two or more switches in the same circuit intended to control the same load. Thus, a conflict can happen between multi-users who are trying to overtake the control of the load (such as turning it on or off). To solve the problem, this paper proposes a novel switch called “Fully Controllable Rotary Switch” (FCRS) in which it can fully control not only the load but also other switches by blocking them or giving them limited or full access over the electrical circuit and the loads. For validation purposes, the utilization of FCRS in buildings is compared to the traditional switches under the same functionality and conditions. Results show that FCRS has the ability to control many electrical loads simultaneously, control other switches in the circuit, increase the satisfaction, security, and privacy of the users. Finally, it reduces the conflict between multi-users and the investment cost by avoiding installing additional switches and protection devices.

Design of Sustainable Renewable-Based Utility Plants in the Face of Uncertainty

This work presents the formulation of a two-stage stochastic mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) model to include uncertainty in the design of renewable-based utility plants. The model is based on a superstructure that integrates technologies to process biomass, waste, solar radiation, and wind and considers uncertainty in availability of the renewable resources and on the utility demands. The uncertain parameter space is calculated based on a monthly probability density function for each uncertain parameter and discretized into different levels. It is shown that as uncertainty is considered in the model formulation, design flexibility improves with respect to the deterministic-based designs, although the flexibility is achieved at the expense of higher underused facilities and therefore unused investment cost.