Cost Study

Part of each feasibility study of a food production plant is to make an estimation of the “future” investment  costs in such a plant. In this document, the investment cost estimation method of Zevnik-Buchanan is explained, in 10 consecutive steps. The method, requiring a detailed plant flowsheet, can be executed manually by using graphs. However, calculation is more rapid and much simpler by using the Zevnik-Buchanan Excel worksheet, included in this document. For this worksheet, the Z-B graphs had to be converted into mathematical equations. These equations can be found in the corresponding graphs.
2 worked examples explain the basics of Zevnik-Buchanan's estimation method of plant cost investments: one about a 10 000 tons/year mozzarella factory, the other on a 1150 tons/year whole egg powder plant.
Calculations using the Zevnik-Buchanan graphs and equations are valid for the year 1996. To convert these 1996 figures to future estimated plant costs, the Chemical Engineering Plant Cost Indices (CE Plant Cost Index), from 1980 onward, have been included in Annex 2: both as a graph for easy extrapolation, and as a table.
For reference purposes, the 1986 Bartholomai investment costs of some 40 different food factories are listed in Annex 3.

""Part of each feasibility study of a food production plant is to make an estimation of the “future” investment costs in such a plant. In this document, three rapid investment cost estimation methods are explained: 1) the indexed 0.6 exponent method, in case your plant is “similar” to one of the 40 food plants, listed by Bartholomai; 2) the adapted Marouli method for complete food plants, if you only know the total production capacity of your plant, and 3) the adapted Marouli method for separate plant production sections, to be used if you have a plant flowsheet and you know the capacity of each of the main production sections of the food plant. Each of these 3 estimation methods can be executed manually, but calculation is rapid and simpler by using the 3 Excel worksheets, included in this document. Several worked examples explain the mathematics behind each of the 3 cost estimation methods; these examples should help to understand the basics of the calculations.
Usually, investment cost estimations are made for plants to be build in the near future. but are based on investment cost figures from the past, often with different production capacities. To convert past plant investment costs to future estimated plant costs, the Chemical Engineering Plant Cost Indices, from 1980 onward, are available, both as a table and as a graph. To convert plant production capacity from past to future capacity, the well-known 0.6 exponent rule is used.
Annex 1 discusses similar investment cost estimation methods for non-food plants, based on Perry’s (1985 and 1999) tables with past plant investment costs of many non-food factories.
""

This is a discussion of research findings on the interaction of the Japanese firms with Australia’s locational factors that affect their investment decisions in Australia.  The paper argues that there is a convergence as well as divergence among the sixty-five companies from three industrial sectors on ten different factors affecting satisfaction that is reported by the management and the other variables that characterise the firms.


この論文は、オーストラリアにおける日本企業と、オーストラリアにおける投資決定に作用するオーストラリアの立地要因と日本企業の交流について論じられています。調査結果において、要因は次の通りです。

― 日本の親会社からの支援
― オーストラリア国内及び海外への輸送サービス
― オーストラリアの労使関係
― オーストラリアと外国（日本を除く）との経済・貿易関係
― 会社における組合と経営の関係
― オーストラリアの市場規模
― 会社の操業・輸出活動に対する連邦政府の支援
― GST (GOODS AND SERVICES TAX)
― 製品に対する関税保護
― 会社の輸出市場とオーストラリアの地理的距離


日本の多国籍企業とそのグローバル活動は重要であり続けています。

オーストラリアにおいて、日本企業は第３位の巨大投資家です。

この論文は、これらの要因がオーストラリアの日本企業の投資決定にいかに影響を及ぼすか論じています。

尚、この論文は、以下の３つのタイプの企業について論じている。

1) 製造業 組立工場 2) マーケティング及び販売 3) サービス業

また当論文は、このトピックの他の研究を要約し、調査結果と比較しています。

Photovoltaic (PV) technology is gathering momentum around the word. Global PV energy harvest has been more than doubled since 2010. Grid connected PV (GCPV) systems can be found in different scales classified into three categories of small scale, medium scale and utility scale. Considering size of the system various configurations are suggested for the GCPV systems while each configuration might be assessed by factors such as efficiency, reliability, expandability and cost. Moreover, high integration of GCPV systems into the power system network creates several technical problems mostly coming from the intermittent nature of solar energy. In addition, to achieve a higher degree of power system reliability, GCPV systems are required to support the grid in abnormal condition such a faults and deviation from standard frequency. This paper provides a comprehensive review on GCPV systems. Various configuration proposed by the literature will be discussed. Cost study and impact of technical and environmental factors on the total expense and revenue of GCPV installation will be investigated. Different aspects of PV integration into the power network will be discussed. Problem and solutions will be studied as well. Finally grid requirements and active and reactive power support will be reviewed. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Link to Full-Text Articles :
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1364032115003342 
http://ac.els-cdn.com/S1364032115003342/1-s2.0-S1364032115003342-main.pdf?_tid=83672e64-4010-11e5-8c50-00000aab0f27&acdnat=1439287717_a061c21f1e8b808d63f7f73976f789cb