Currently several disparate and incomplete approaches are being used to analyse and make decisions on the complex methodology of carbon capture and storage (CCS). A literature review revealed that, as CCS is a new and complex technology, there is no agreed-upon thorough assessment method for high-level CCS decisions. Therefore, a risk model addressing these weaknesses was created for assessing complex CCS decisions using a multi-criteria decision analysis approach (MCDA). The model is aimed at transparently and comprehensively assessing a wide variety of heterogeneous CCS criteria to provide insights into and to aid decision makers in making CCS-specific decisions. The risk model includes a variety of tools to assess heterogeneous CCS criteria from the environmental, social, economic and engineering fields. The model uses decision trees, sensitivity analysis and Monte Carlo simulation in combination with utility curves and decision makers’ weights to assess decisions based on data and situational uncertainties. Elements in the model have been used elsewhere but are combined here in a novel way to address CCS decisions. Three case studies were developed to run the model in scenarios using expert opinion, project-specific data, literature reviews, and engineering reports from Alberta, Saskatchewan and Europe. In collaboration with Alberta Innovates Technology Futures, a pilot study was conducted with CCS experts in Alberta to assess how they would rank the importance of CCS criteria to a project selection decision. The MCDA model was run using experts’ criteria weights to determine how CCS projects were ranked by different experts. The model was well received by the CCS experts who believed that it could be adapted and commercialized to meet many CCS decision problems. The survey revealed a wide range in experts’ understanding of CCS criteria. Experts also placed more emphasis on criteria from within their field of expertise, although economic criteria dominated weights overall. The results highlight the benefit of a model that clearly demonstrates the trade-offs between projects under uncertain conditions. The survey results also revealed how simple decision analyses can be improved by including more transparent methods, interdisciplinary criteria and sensitivity analysis to produce more comprehensive assessments.

Neste trabalho é apresentado um breve estudo sobre o processo de descoberta de conhecimento em banco de dados, com enfoque na etapa de mineração de dados através de regras de associação. Propostas por Agrawal em 1993, num estudo chamado análise de cesta de mercado, as regras de associação representam que com um certo grau de suporte e confiança um conjunto de itens pode estar presente numa transação visto que outro conjunto está presente. A necessidade de análise semelhante às realizadas por Agrawal surgiu em outros campos e estas foram estendidas a outras aplicações. Neste, são apresentadas as principais variações sobre o tema regras de associação encontradas na literatura. É proposta a mineração de dados através de regras de associação sobre filtros de mensagens e canais de informação do software de catálogo, agenda e correio eletrônico Direto. Para as pesquisas são utilizadas três ferramentas: Intelligent Miner, CBA e Magnus Opus. Elas foram aplicadas sobre uma lista de discussão da Linguagem Java, pois o projeto Direto ainda não possui mensagens públicas. As ferramentas possuem características distintas: o Intelligent Miner permite a definição de hierarquias sobre os dados que serão minerados; o Magnus Opus trabalha com diversos filtros e com a definição de intervalos para o tratamento de campos numéricos; o CBA permite que sejam especificados suportes múltiplos para os itens. / This work presents a brief review about knowledge discovery in database having association rules as the data mining process. Association rules were proposed by Agrawal in 1993 in a basket data analysis. Association rules have been extended to other applications because there is a necessity for similar Agrawal’s analysis in different domains. Here are presented some variations proposed in the literature about association rules along with the main algorithms. This work proposes the use of association rules over message filters and information channels from the Direto, which is a catalog, schedule and e-mail software. Three data mining tools were used: Intelligent Miner, CBA and Magnus Opus. They were applied over a Java discussion list because Direto project does not have public messages. Each tool has distinct features: Intelligent Miner allows to define a hierarchy over the data that will be mined; Magnus Opus works with many filters over the data and permits to define ranges over numeric fields and CBA allows to specify multiple minimum support over the items.

Context: Exploratory Testing (ET) and Scripted Testing (ST) are two of the more commonly practiced manual testing approaches in industry. ST is a traditional testing approach in which testing is carried out by executing pre-designed test cases. While in ET, learning, test designing and test execution are carried out simultaneously. In many instances, ET and ST complement each other very well in projects; however, proponents of ET claim that ET is more cost-beneficial in comparison to ST. Moreover, a few studies have indicated that ET is more effective in defect detection. Nevertheless, to the best of our knowledge, no study has been conducted to compare the costs and benefits of these two approaches. Objectives: The aim of this study was to conduct a qualitative Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) of ET in comparison with ST. By comparing and analyzing these two testing approaches, this study attempts to aid in decision-making with respect to how resources should be allocated for ET and ST for certain projects. Methods: The factors of costs and benefits of ET and ST were identified by conducting six semi-structured interviews in industry. Based on the analysis of these factors, a CBA model is proposed. The academic and industrial evaluation of the proposed CBA model was performed by conducting five interviews with researchers and practitioners. In addition, a qualitative CBA of a process of ET, Session-Based Testing Management (SBTM), and a process of ST, Test-Case Based Testing (TCBT) is conducted by collecting data through questionnaires and interviews with industry practitioners. A total of 22 questionnaire responses and seven interviews were analyzed. Results: By analyzing the identified cost and benefit factors, a CBA model was developed based on the testing phases stated in the ISO/IEC 29119 standard. A qualitative CBA of the SBTM process in comparison with the TCBT process was conducted by applying the CBA model in a questionnaire. The following findings were gathered from the CBA: • The differences of the SBTM and TCBT processes are identified by an analysis of the activities performed in various organizations, which the respondents belonged to. • The results of the analysis and comparison, of the costs (in terms of effort) and benefits (quality of the testing activities) of these two testing processes, are presented with respect to each testing phase. • The factors that impact the costs and benefits of using SBTM and TCBT, are summarized and discussed in this report. • The scenarios, in which SBTM and TCBT can be more cost-beneficial, are identified based on practitioners’ opinions. Conclusions: According to the survey results, industry practitioners consider SBTM as more cost-beneficial in comparison with TCBT, particularly in the test design, implementation and test execution phases. However, industry practitioners also stressed that ET should not be considered as a replacement for ST. In some contexts, testing objectives are better achieved through a more scripted approach, while, in other contexts, testing objectives will benefit more from the ability to create and improve tests as they are being executed. Whether a testing approach is valuable or cost-beneficial also depends on the context of project and the required benefits.

The thesis is devoted to an evaluation of social and economic benefit, which is produced by major international sport event. Particular costs and benefits of the alpine skiing World Cup competitions held in Czech Republic are described and evaluated, using standard tools of investment project evaluation. Applied procedure arises from CBA (cost benefit analysis) methodology. All important effects of the analysed sport event are expressed as an amount in the form of money. Based on the values of selected indicators is then pronounced a concluding verdict, if the project is acceptable or not.

This paper tries to answer the question related to the implementation of one of Europe's most influential EU-directives, the Water Framework Directive. The Directive requires Member States to achieve good ecological potential and good surface water chemical status for bodies of water until year 2015. If the states cannot achieve those objectives within this period, then there may be grounds for exemptions from the requirement to prevent further deterioration of to achieve good status under specific conditions. One of those conditions could be that, the completing the improvements within the timescale would be disproportionately expensive. Question which is examined in this paper is, what criteria would be most appropriate for determining the disproportionate costs. Based on the review of most WFD-related studies and EU legislation are selected criteria, which should be used for the assessment of the disproportionate costs.

Neste trabalho é apresentado um breve estudo sobre o processo de descoberta de conhecimento em banco de dados, com enfoque na etapa de mineração de dados através de regras de associação. Propostas por Agrawal em 1993, num estudo chamado análise de cesta de mercado, as regras de associação representam que com um certo grau de suporte e confiança um conjunto de itens pode estar presente numa transação visto que outro conjunto está presente. A necessidade de análise semelhante às realizadas por Agrawal surgiu em outros campos e estas foram estendidas a outras aplicações. Neste, são apresentadas as principais variações sobre o tema regras de associação encontradas na literatura. É proposta a mineração de dados através de regras de associação sobre filtros de mensagens e canais de informação do software de catálogo, agenda e correio eletrônico Direto. Para as pesquisas são utilizadas três ferramentas: Intelligent Miner, CBA e Magnus Opus. Elas foram aplicadas sobre uma lista de discussão da Linguagem Java, pois o projeto Direto ainda não possui mensagens públicas. As ferramentas possuem características distintas: o Intelligent Miner permite a definição de hierarquias sobre os dados que serão minerados; o Magnus Opus trabalha com diversos filtros e com a definição de intervalos para o tratamento de campos numéricos; o CBA permite que sejam especificados suportes múltiplos para os itens. / This work presents a brief review about knowledge discovery in database having association rules as the data mining process. Association rules were proposed by Agrawal in 1993 in a basket data analysis. Association rules have been extended to other applications because there is a necessity for similar Agrawal’s analysis in different domains. Here are presented some variations proposed in the literature about association rules along with the main algorithms. This work proposes the use of association rules over message filters and information channels from the Direto, which is a catalog, schedule and e-mail software. Three data mining tools were used: Intelligent Miner, CBA and Magnus Opus. They were applied over a Java discussion list because Direto project does not have public messages. Each tool has distinct features: Intelligent Miner allows to define a hierarchy over the data that will be mined; Magnus Opus works with many filters over the data and permits to define ranges over numeric fields and CBA allows to specify multiple minimum support over the items.

Diploma thesis deals with analysis of completion of plaza in the city centre, determination of it´s cash-flow and economic efficiency and afterwards the work determinate the costs and benefits of the investment for city district of Nitra and for it´s inhabitans in comparison to currently approved variant. Theorethical part of work descripe the basic terms, methods and theory that will be used in the practical part of work Practical part of work look to potentionally real project, specify its cashflow and efficiency and also relative externalities, costs and benefits for city district.

The diploma thesis is focused on evaluation of the economic efficiency of investment projects of transport infrastructure in the Czech Republic. These projekcts are evaluated according to the methodological documents of the Ministry of Transport of the Czech Republic, the State Fund for Transport Infrastructure and thr Directorate of Roads and Motorways of the Czech Republic. The diploma thesis also deals with the comparison od individual methodological procedures and their influence on the resulting indicators of economic efficiency of transport infrastructure condtructions.

No description available.

Sweden is a geographically large and sparsely populated country, with a need for road transport for individuals as well as for logistics. Domestic road transport largely contributes to air pollutions, where passenger cars account for the largest share. Looking ahead, the present rate of reduction of emissions is not enough to reach the climate targets of a fossil free transport sector.  Electric road system (ERS) has emerged to deal with drawbacks of electric vehicles. Several solutions are being evaluated at demonstration projects. Until now, ERS is mainly associated with heavy vehicles and the relation to passenger cars is not as clear, where this study explores the social advantages of ERS and passenger cars.  A case study is conducted, where an ERS implementation between Helsingborg and Malmö as part of the European route E6 in Sweden is modelled. The NPV with an economic lifespan of 20 years and an interest rate of 3.5 percent amounts to 350 MSEK, considered as high profitable. The CO2 emissions of the studied system would be reduced by 102 000 tonnes CO2, corresponding to a decrease of about 60 percent. Looking at the studied system, heavy trucks are contributing to the most impact. Nevertheless, there is great potential for passenger cars utilising ERS to decrease their emissions and fuel costs.  Several semi-structured interviews have been conducted to highlight the prevailing views of ERS and passenger cars and the impact of cost-benefit analysis (CBA) for decision-making of transport investments. Several diverse views of ERS and passenger cars exist. ERS is a large investment, where the main need is among heavy vehicles. However, the profitability would increase as the amount of vehicles utilising ERS increases. In a future road transport system, it is possible that several technologies such as ERS, fast chargers and autonomous vehicles could be utilised simultaneous, and complete each other rather than being substitutes. It is conceivable that ERS is planned out of the needs of heavy vehicles, where passenger cars might benefit of the system as well. More passenger cars would likely utilise ERS as it is implemented to a greater extent.  Further, CBA could provide a perception of the investment. However, it does not ensure that the projects are performed or chosen out of highest NPV, since several aspects besides the profitability are considered. Available information of ERS for CBA is yet limited and more data, such as effect relations is needed to facilitate well-founded decisions. In the future, it is likely that CBA of transport investments would become more complex, where several technologies would be considered. The transport sector will most likely alter, and existing assessment methods will presumably be adjusted in line with this. / Sverige är ett geografiskt stort och glesbefolkat land med ett stort behov av vägtransporter för såväl privatpersoner som för logistik. Inrikes vägtransport bidrar i stor utsträckning till luftföroreningar, där personbilar står för den största andelen av utsläppen. Den nuvarande minskningstakten av utsläpp är inte tillräcklig för att nå klimatmålen om en fossilfri transportsektor.  Elvägar (ERS) har utvecklats för att hantera utmaningar med elfordon. Flera lösningar av teknologin testas vid demonstrationsprojekt och hittills är ERS främst förknippat med tunga fordon. Dock är relationen till personbilar inte lika tydlig, där denna studie undersöker de samhälleliga fördelarna med ERS relaterat till personbilar.  En fallstudie har genomförts, där en installation av ERS mellan Helsingborg och Malmö som en del av E6 i Sverige modelleras. Nettonuvärdet med en ekonomisk livslängd på 20 år och en internränta om 3,5 procent uppgår till 350 MSEK, vilket betraktas som hög lönsam. Koldioxidutsläppen från det studerade systemet skulle minskas med 102 000 ton CO2, vilket motsvarar en minskning med drygt 60 procent. Utifrån det studerade systemet bidrar tunga lastbilar till den största inverkan. Likväl finns stor potential för personbilar att nyttja den installerade elvägen för att minska sina utsläpp och bränslekostnader.  Flera semistrukturerade intervjuer har genomförts för att lyfta fram de rådande synsätten på ERS och personbilar och effekterna av samhällsekonomiska analyser (CBA) vid beslutsfattande av transportinvesteringar. Det finns flera olika synsätt på ERS relaterat till personbilar. ERS är en stor investering, där det största behovet finns bland tunga fordon. Emellertid ökar lönsamheten med antalet fordon som använder systemet. I ett framtida vägtransportsystem är det möjligt att flera teknologier såsom ERS, snabbladdning av elbilar och autonoma fordon utnyttjas samtidigt och används som komplement istället för att ersätta varandra. Det är tänkbart att ERS planeras och installeras utifrån behoven hos tunga fordon, där även personbilar kan dra fördel av systemet. Dessutom är det sannolikt att fler personbilar skulle utnyttja ERS allteftersom det installeras i större utsträckning.  Vidare kan CBA ge en uppfattning om investeringen. Det säkerställer dock inte att projekten genomförs eller väljs utifrån högsta nettonuvärde, eftersom flera aspekter utöver lönsamheten beaktas. Tillgänglig information om ERS för CBA är ännu begränsad och mer data såsom effektsamband behövs för att säkerställa välgrundade beslut. I framtiden är det troligt att CBA av transportinvesteringar blir mer komplexa, där flera tekniker behöver beaktas. Transportsektorn kommer sannolikt att förändras, och befintliga bedömningsmetoder kommer förmodligen att anpassas i linje med detta.