The study was conducted to establish what effect life cycle cost forecasting accuracy has on project valuations with special reference to a global mining organisation’s coal business unit in South Africa. The research stemmed from the fact that the organisation identified through its own research in 2009 that its capital projects rarely met the originally budgeted life cycle cost forecasts estimated during the project development stages. These forecasts were generally found to be underestimated. Overrunning of cost budgets in project management terms results in project failure. The study employed two main empirical research sections. The first section took a case study approach where past implemented project results were collated and analysed. The main aim was to determine how close to reality the original life cycle cost estimates were, and secondly how any variances to the originally budgeted costs impacted on the anticipated project value post implementation. Secondly, the study employed in-depth interviews with seven project specialists within the organisation that were also involved in the development stages of the investigated projects. The study concluded that life cycle cost forecasts are very important project business case inputs and that the necessary time and effort should go into developing them so as to ensure that they are as comprehensive and accurate as possible. The sensitivity analysis that was conducted revealed that a coal mining project business case is the second most sensitive to variations in life cycle costs after variations in commodity price. The results indicated that a 20% increase in life cycle costs can destroy an equivalent project value of up to 100%. Accurate life cycle cost forecasting is therefore essential in order to estimate to a certain degree of accuracy the value of a project which in turn will be used to inform capital investment decision making. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The study was conducted to establish what effect life cycle cost forecasting accuracy has on project valuations with special reference to a global mining organisation’s coal business unit in South Africa. The research stemmed from the fact that the organisation identified through its own research in 2009 that its capital projects rarely met the originally budgeted life cycle cost forecasts estimated during the project development stages. These forecasts were generally found to be underestimated. Overrunning of cost budgets in project management terms results in project failure. The study employed two main empirical research sections. The first section took a case study approach where past implemented project results were collated and analysed. The main aim was to determine how close to reality the original life cycle cost estimates were, and secondly how any variances to the originally budgeted costs impacted on the anticipated project value post implementation. Secondly, the study employed in-depth interviews with seven project specialists within the organisation that were also involved in the development stages of the investigated projects. The study concluded that life cycle cost forecasts are very important project business case inputs and that the necessary time and effort should go into developing them so as to ensure that they are as comprehensive and accurate as possible. The sensitivity analysis that was conducted revealed that a coal mining project business case is the second most sensitive to variations in life cycle costs after variations in commodity price. The results indicated that a 20% increase in life cycle costs can destroy an equivalent project value of up to 100%. Accurate life cycle cost forecasting is therefore essential in order to estimate to a certain degree of accuracy the value of a project which in turn will be used to inform capital investment decision making. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Thesis (MScEng (Department of Electrical Engineering))--University of Cape Town, 2008. / Energy drives technological societies. Developing countries such as South Africa are caught between the desperate need for economic growth and the emerging obligations to the environment. Efficient technologies can be used to mitigate the impact of these seemingly conflicting requirements in urban and rural environments. In this thesis the commercially available white light-emitting diode (LED) with its inherent efficiency, longevity and mechanical strength, is used to show, that success in energy efficiency can be obtained. Two cases are used to illustrate the need for efficient demand-side technology: the electricity shortages of the Western Cape Province in South Africa and a white LED pilot project in Namulonge, Uganda. The Namulonge Solar-Home System (SHS) is analyzed with the intention of creating a more acceptable general lighting solution. The concept of appropriateness through self-determination is discussed within the context of location-specific information integrated into a design procedure. The major thrust and contribution of this thesis, however, is the design of an interior luminaire for Golden Arrow Bus Services (GABS). This is in part based on the hypothesis that application-specific information will lead to implementation and human-needs success, and is researched, designed, fabricated and then laboratory tested. The biggest challenge to be overcome was the spatial light distribution of the LED array. Thus non-imaging optical lens design became the main focus of this project as it held the key to utilizing available light while conserving the light-systems energy. Circular Fresnel and Linear Fresnel (an adaptation of the concentric design) lenses were designed. Electrical, mechanical and thermal aspects of design are also detailed. Far-field, horizontal plane detection over the specified area is used to best gain the uniformity of distribution. The four criteria namely luminance, illuminance, intensity and étendue (collection efficiency), against which each design and focal length iv configuration is compared to, are extensively explored and eventually lead to a final design. In the first designs, the area of the spatial distribution between 50% and 80% of its relative intensity is collimated. The Hybrid Circular Fresnel and Hybrid Linear Fresnel lenses now redirects the relative intensity in two areas, from 50% to 70% (creating parallel rays) and then from 70% to 100% (away from the central axis), renders a distinct difference is spatial uniformity and a reduction in the peak and offaxis located intensity. All four criteria are met, with a minor adjustment of configuration within the bus internal luminaire spacing, with the hybrid designs. It is proposed that GABS employ polished designs of the Hybrid Circular Fresnel, in any of the configurations, which have collection efficiencies ranging between 64.8% and 78.3%. / Sponsored by the Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies, Stellenbosch University

The goal of Master's Thesis is an identification of life cycle costs of vacuum cleaners. Next point is an analysis of these life cycle cost by using value analysis. The theoretical part is focused on definitions of Life Cycle Costing (LCC) and Value Analysis (VA). The practical part, which is fundamental, contains identification of life cycle cost of selected vacuum cleaners, life cycle costing of selected vacuum cleaners and their value analysis. Result of this Master's Thesis is an interpretation of the results and the suggestion of steps for consumers and producers of vacuum cleaners.

In a world with limited resources and serious environmental, social and economical impacts, a more sustainable life style is everyday more important. Therefore, the general objective of this work is to develop a methodological procedure for eco-efficiency and sustainability assessment of industrial processes with multi-scale technology at design level. The methodology developed follows the ISO 14040 series for environmental LCA standard. To integrate the three pillars of sustainability the analytical hierarchical process was used. The results are represented in a triple bottom line framework. The methodology was applied to the case study "production of perfume-containing microcapsules" and different scenarios were assessed and compared. Several sustainability indicators were chosen to analyze the impacts. The results showed that this methodology can be used as a decision making tool for sustainability reporting. It can be applied to any process choosing in each case the corresponding set of inventory data and sustainability impact indicators. / En un mundo con recursos limitados y graves impactos ambientales, sociales y económicos, un estilo de vida más sostenible es cada día más importante. Debido a esto, el objetivo general de este trabajo es desarrollar un procedimiento metodológico para evaluar eco-eficiencia y sostenibilidad de procesos industriales con tecnología multi-escala a nivel de diseño. La metodología desarrollada sigue la serie ISO 14040 para el medio ambiente. Se utilizó el proceso analítico jerárquico para integrar los tres pilares de sostenibilidad. Los resultados se presentan en un balance triple. La metodología se aplicó al caso de estudio "producción de micro-cápsulas que contienen perfume" y se analizaron y compararon diferentes escenarios. Se seleccionaron diversos indicadores de sostenibilidad para analizar los impactos. Los resultados demostraron que esta metodología puede ser utilizada como herramienta de toma de decisiones y que puede aplicarse a cualquier proceso seleccionando, en cada caso, los datos del inventario y los indicadores.

Purpose Life cycle costing (LCC) is a state-of-the-art method to analyze investment decisions in infrastructure projects. However, uncertainties inherent in long-term planning question the credibility of LCC results. Previous research has not systematically linked sources and methods to address this uncertainty. Part I of this series develops a framework to collect and categorize different sources of uncertainty and addressing methods. This systematization is a prerequisite to further analyze the suitability of methods and levels the playing field for part II. Methods Past reviews have dealt with selected issues of uncertainty in LCC. However, none has systematically collected uncertainties and linked methods to address them. No comprehensive categorization has been published to date. Part I addresses these two research gaps by conducting a systematic literature review. In a rigorous four-step approach, we first scrutinized major databases. Second, we performed a practical and methodological screening to identify in total 115 relevant publications, mostly case studies. Third, we applied content analysis using MAXQDA. Fourth, we illustrated results and concluded upon the research gaps. Results and discussion We identified 33 sources of uncertainty and 24 addressing methods. Sources of uncertainties were categorized according to (i) its origin, i.e., parameter, model, and scenario uncertainty and (ii) the nature of uncertainty, i.e., aleatoric or epistemic uncertainty. The methods to address uncertainties were classified into deterministic, probabilistic, possibilistic, and other methods. With regard to sources of uncertainties, lack of data and data quality was analyzed most often. Most uncertainties having been discussed were located in the use stage. With regard to methods, sensitivity analyses were applied most widely, while more complex methods such as Bayesian models were used less frequently. Data availability and the individual expertise of LCC practitioner foremost influence the selection of methods. Conclusions This article complements existing research by providing a thorough systematization of uncertainties in LCC. However, an unambiguous categorization of uncertainties is difficult and overlapping occurs. Such a systemizing approach is nevertheless necessary for further analyses and levels the playing field for readers not yet familiar with the topic. Part I concludes the following: First, an investigation about which methods are best suited to address a certain type of uncertainty is still outstanding. Second, an analysis of types of uncertainty that have been insufficiently addressed in previous LCC cases is still missing. Part II will focus on these research gaps.

Die vorliegende Arbeit untersucht Wesensmerkmale des Life Cycle Costing (LCC, dt. Lebenszykluskostenrechnung) und dessen Anwendung veröffentlicht in Fachzeitschriften. Aufgrund der langen Historie des LCC seit Beginn der 30er Jahre, gibt es zu dem Forschungsthema bereits eine Vielzahl theoretischer und empirischer Studien. Dennoch existiert bis heute keine einheitliche Definition oder ein standardisierter methodischer Rahmen. Das Ziel dieser Arbeit ist es, LCC zu charakterisieren und eine sinnvolle Methode für die Klassifizierung der vorhandenen Forschungsarbeiten zu identifizieren um methodische und inhaltliche Unterschiede darzustellen. Angewandt wird die Methodik des Literature Review, respektive einer Mischform explorativ-induktiver, qualitativer und quantitativer Inhaltsanalyse. Den Prozess der Charakterisierung und Systematisierung leiten folgende Fragestellungen: Was sind die Motivatoren der Anwendung von LCC in Firmen? Gibt es ein standardisiertes Konzept analog zur Ökobilanz (LCA)? Was sind die wesentlichen Vorteile von LCC? Was ist momentan unbefriedigend erforscht? Wo und in welcher Form wird LCC angewandt? Ergeben sich aus F-1 bis F-4 spezifische Anwendungsbereiche? Zu Beginn erfolgt im Sinne der Vision des Life Cycle Thinking eine Erörterung möglicher Motivationen einer Zuwendung zu LCC aus unternehmerischer Entscheidungsperspektive. Dem folgt eine umfangreiche Analyse und Diskussion der wesentlichen Charakterzüge. Ausgehend dieser Erkenntnis ist ein Analyseraster abgeleitet um die zu bewertenden Studien geeignet zu kategorisieren. Ein direktes Ergebnis stellt die Evaluierung von 34 Studien zu LCC dar. Als mittelbare Ergebnisse der Systematisierung gelten die Erkenntnisse zur Wahl einer optimierten Suchstrategie und die Schaffung eines Startpunkts für Forscher, die sich zukünftig mit Detailfragen des LCC beschäftigen.

IIn recent years, an investment bottleneck for public infrastructure has accumulated in many industrial countries. Life cycle costing (LCC) is an appropriate management instrument for long-term and sustainable investment. This article addresses the evaluation of high-performance materials (HPM) using LCC to reduce that investment bottleneck. Our research questions are, first, whether and how LCC can be applied to HPM, second, which drivers are primarily influencing the results of a LCC analysis for HPM, and finally, whether HPM are suitable for infrastructure investments, according to economic, social and environmental criteria. We use a comprehensive literature review to analyze existing case studies that apply LCC to HPM. Our review shows that LCC is applied to HPM for structural applications with different levels of detail and quality. The initial results indicate that total life cycle costs for HPM are on average 10% higher. We urge the optimization of the cost structure of HPM to achieve the same level of life cycle costs as conventional construction materials. Moreover, we argue for a more holistic approach that does not ignore sustainability criteria throughout the life cycle of HPM based on the identified drivers of life cycle costs: external costs, an extended life cycle, the discount rate and the expected service life. Indeed, a screened subsample of eight cases is very competitive, with average total life cycle costs for HPM that are 8.4% lower. We share the belief in a more eco-centric approach and, therefore, demand further research into a societal type of LCC that improves the mechanical properties while not ignoring sustainability criteria for new product systems such as HPM.

Im Rahmen einer Elektromobilitäts-Fallstudie kombinieren wir zwei lebenszyklusbasierte Methoden und veranschaulichen die Ergebnisse zur Kommunikations- und Entscheidungsunterstützung mittels der Methode des ökonomisch-ökologischen Nettoeffekts. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass Elektrofahrzeuge im Vergleich zur EURO6-Dieselfahrzeugen erst in langer Frist ökonomisch und ökologisch wettbewerbsfähig sind. / Building on a case study on electric mobility, we integrate two life cycle methods and visualize the results for communication and decision-support using the economic environmental trade-off. Results suggest that in comparison to EURO6 diesel vehicles electric vehicles are only in the long run economically and environmentally competitive.