Den miljöpåverkan förbränning av fossila bränslen ger upphov till måste minskas och med fortsatt ökad e-handel blir behovet att lagerverksamheter, där de interna transporterna oftast utgörs av dieseltruckar, större. Konkurrenskraftiga alternativa bränslen behövs för att tillgodose det ökade behovet. Bränslecellstruckar drivna på vätgas producerad med elektricitet från förnyelsebara energikällor skulle kunna vara ett alternativ då emissionerna enbart består av vatten. För att undersöka om bränslecellstruckar orsakar mindre miljöpåverkan utfördes en jämförande livscykelanalys på en 5 tons diesel- respektive bränslecellstruck. Jämförelsen utfördes både för en bränslecellstruck där framställningen av vätgasen sker lokalt och för en där vätgasen köps in från en gasleverantör. Framställningen i de båda fallen sker genom alkalisk vattenelektrolys. Jämförelsen gjordes på ett fallspecifikt lager för Ramirent i Brunna där det idag finns 21 stycken truckar som drivs på diesel. Resultatet visar på att skillnaden i miljöpåverkan mellan bränslecellstruckarnas två olika fall är minimal, men att dieseltrucken bidrar till mer miljöpåverkan i 14 av 18 miljöpåverkanskategorier utifrån ett livscykelperspektiv. För dieseltrucken är det utvinningen och förbränningen av dieseln som har störst påverkan i de flesta miljöpåverkanskategorier. Vidare visar resultatet att bränslecellen, samt tillverkningen av den, är det som generellt bidrar till mest miljöpåverkan för de flesta påverkanskategorierna för bränslecellstrucken. För att möjliggöra en omställning krävs ofta inte bara att den är bättre ur miljösynpunkt, utan att omställningen dessutom är kostnadseffektiv. Därmed beräknades även kostnaderna för en omställning med hjälp av nuvärdesmetoden för de tre olika fallen. Detta gjordes genom att först låta de befintliga dieseltruckarna, med en antagen livslängd på 20 000 drifttimmar, bytas ut succesivt under en 10 års period mot nya dieseltruckar. För de båda andra fallen säljs dieseltruckarna med restvärden och nya bränslecellstruckar, samt en ny tankstation, köps in. För fallet med egenproducerad vätgas måste även en elektrolysanläggning införskaffas till skillnad från fallet med inköpt vätgas. Resultatet visar på att investeringen med bränslecellstruckar inte är kostnadseffektiv för varken egenproducerad eller inköpt vätgas. Kostnaderna ökar med 3,4% respektive 28,9% över en 10 års period, jämfört med att fortsätta använda dieseltruckar. Vidare visar en känslighetsanalys i studien att ett nystartat lager, i samma storlek som Ramirents i Brunna, är mer lönsamt om bränslecellstruckar köps in och en vätgasproduktion etableras än om dieseltruckar köps in. Kostnadsreduktionen för detta scenario är 1,4% över en 10 års period. Studiens känslighetsanalys visar att lönsamhet för inköpt vätgas uppnås för ett nystartat lager och Ramirents lager när vätgaspriset sjunkit med 59,5% respektive 71,6% från dagens pris 222 kr/kg. Ytterligare resultat från känslighetsanalysen visar att potential finns att öka de årliga intäkterna för fallet med egenproducerad vätgas genom att sälja den extra mängd vätgas som kan produceras med elektrolysanläggningen, men som inte används av truckarna. Avslutningsvis kan det konstateras att bränslecellstruckar har mindre total miljöpåverkan ur ett livscykelperspektiv. Det är i dagsläget inte lönsamt att övergå från diesel- till bränslecellstruckar på Ramirents lager i Brunna. För en 10 års period är dock de extra kostnaderna för fallet med egenproducerad vätgas relativt små. Känslighetsanalysen visar dessutom på potentiellt mindre kostnader för bränslecellstruckar med egenproducerad vätgas för nystartade lager. Priset på vätgas och dess utveckling är en betydande parameter för investeringens lönsamhet för fallet med inköpt vätgas. Rekommendationer för vidare studier är att undersöka möjligheten att sälja överskottsvätgas, samt biprodukten syrgas, från den egna elektrolysanläggningen för att öka de årliga intäkterna. / The environmental impact from fossil fuels must be reduced and with the continued increase in e-commerce, the need for warehouse operations becomes greater, where internal transports usually consists of diesel forklifts. Competitive alternative fuels are necessary to meet the increased need. Fuel cell forklifts powered by hydrogen produced from renewable energy sources could be an option, since the emissions consist solely of water. To investigate whether fuel cell forklifts cause less environmental impact, a comparative life cycle analysis was performed on a 5-tonne diesel and fuel cell forklift, respectively. The comparison was carried out both for a fuel cell forklift where the hydrogen is produced locally and for one where the hydrogen is purchased from a gas supplier. The production method is alkaline water electrolysis for both cases. The comparison was made on a case specific warehouse for Ramirent in Brunna, where there are currently 21 diesel forklifts. The result shows that the difference in environmental impact between the two different cases of fuel cell trucks is minimal, but that the diesel truck contributes to more impact in 14 of 18 environmental impact categories from a life cycle perspective. For the diesel forklift, it is the extraction and incineration of the diesel that has the greatest impact in most environmental impact categories. Furthermore, the result shows that the fuel cell, as well as the production of it, is generally contributing to the most impact categories for the fuel cell truck. To enable a transformation, it is often not only required that it is better from an environmental perspective, but also cost effective. Thus, calculations were carried out for the cost of a transformation, using the net present value method for the three different cases. This was first done by replacing the existing diesel trucks, with an assumed lifetime of 20,000 hours of operation, successively over a 10-year period for new diesel trucks. In the both other cases, the diesel trucks with residual values are sold and new fuel cell trucks, as well as a new hydrogen station, are purchased. For the scenario with locally produced hydrogen, an electrolysis plant must also be purchased as opposed to the scenario with purchased hydrogen. The result shows that the investment in fuel cell trucks is not cost effective for either locally produced or purchased hydrogen. Costs increase by 3.4% and 28.9%, respectively, over a 10- year period, as compared to a continued use of diesel trucks. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis in the study shows that a new warehouse, with the same size as Ramirents in Brunna, is more profitable if fuel cell trucks are purchased, and a hydrogen production is established, than if diesel trucks are purchased. The cost reduction for this scenario is 1.4% for a 10-year period. The sensitivity analysis of the study shows that profitability for purchased hydrogen is reached for a new warehouse and Ramirent's warehouse when the hydrogen price has been reduced by 59.5% and 71.6%, respectively, from today's price of 222 SEK/kg. Further results from the sensitivity analysis show that there is a potential to increase the annual revenues, for the scenario with hydrogen production, by selling excess hydrogen from the electrolysis plant. In conclusion, fuel cell trucks have less overall environmental impact from a life cycle perspective. At present, it is not profitable to switch from diesel to fuel cell trucks at Ramirent's warehouse in Brunna. However, for a 10-year period, the extra costs for the scenario with locally produced hydrogen are relatively small. In addition, the sensitivity analysis shows potentially lower costs for fuel cell trucks with local hydrogen production for newly started warehouses. The price of hydrogen and its development is a significant parameter for the investment's profitability for the scenario with purchased hydrogen. Recommendations for further studies are to examine the possibility of selling excess hydrogen, as well as the by-product oxygen, from the electrolysis to increase annual revenues.

Den miljöpåverkan förbränning av fossila bränslen ger upphov till måste minskas och med fortsatt ökad e-handel blir behovet att lagerverksamheter, där de interna transporterna oftast utgörs av dieseltruckar, större. Konkurrenskraftiga alternativa bränslen behövs för att tillgodose det ökade behovet. Bränslecellstruckar drivna på vätgas producerad med elektricitet från förnyelsebara energikällor skulle kunna vara ett alternativ då emissionerna enbart består av vatten. För att undersöka om bränslecellstruckar orsakar mindre miljöpåverkan utfördes en jämförande livscykelanalys på en 5 tons diesel- respektive bränslecellstruck. Jämförelsen utfördes både för en bränslecellstruck där framställningen av vätgasen sker lokalt och för en där vätgasen köps in från en gasleverantör. Framställningen i de båda fallen sker genom alkalisk vattenelektrolys. Jämförelsen gjordes på ett fallspecifikt lager för Ramirent i Brunna där det idag finns 21 stycken truckar som drivs på diesel. Resultatet visar på att skillnaden i miljöpåverkan mellan bränslecellstruckarnas två olika fall är minimal, men att dieseltrucken bidrar till mer miljöpåverkan i 14 av 18 miljöpåverkanskategorier utifrån ett livscykelperspektiv. För dieseltrucken är det utvinningen och förbränningen av dieseln som har störst påverkan i de flesta miljöpåverkanskategorier. Vidare visar resultatet att bränslecellen, samt tillverkningen av den, är det som generellt bidrar till mest miljöpåverkan för de flesta påverkanskategorierna för bränslecellstrucken. För att möjliggöra en omställning krävs ofta inte bara att den är bättre ur miljösynpunkt, utan att omställningen dessutom är kostnadseffektiv. Därmed beräknades även kostnaderna för en omställning med hjälp av nuvärdesmetoden för de tre olika fallen. Detta gjordes genom att först låta de befintliga dieseltruckarna, med en antagen livslängd på 20 000 drifttimmar, bytas ut succesivt under en 10 års period mot nya dieseltruckar. För de båda andra fallen säljs dieseltruckarna med restvärden och nya bränslecellstruckar, samt en ny tankstation, köps in. För fallet med egenproducerad vätgas måste även en elektrolysanläggning införskaffas till skillnad från fallet med inköpt vätgas. Resultatet visar på att investeringen med bränslecellstruckar inte är kostnadseffektiv för varken egenproducerad eller inköpt vätgas. Kostnaderna ökar med 3,4% respektive 28,9% över en 10 års period, jämfört med att fortsätta använda dieseltruckar. Vidare visar en känslighetsanalys i studien att ett nystartat lager, i samma storlek som Ramirents i Brunna, är mer lönsamt om bränslecellstruckar köps in och en vätgasproduktion etableras än om dieseltruckar köps in. Kostnadsreduktionen för detta scenario är 1,4% över en 10 års period. Studiens känslighetsanalys visar att lönsamhet för inköpt vätgas uppnås för ett nystartat lager och Ramirents lager när vätgaspriset sjunkit med 59,5% respektive 71,6% från dagens pris 222 kr/kg. Ytterligare resultat från känslighetsanalysen visar att potential finns att öka de årliga intäkterna för fallet med egenproducerad vätgas genom att sälja den extra mängd vätgas som kan produceras med elektrolysanläggningen, men som inte används av truckarna. Avslutningsvis kan det konstateras att bränslecellstruckar har mindre total miljöpåverkan ur ett livscykelperspektiv. Det är i dagsläget inte lönsamt att övergå från diesel- till bränslecellstruckar på Ramirents lager i Brunna. För en 10 års period är dock de extra kostnaderna för fallet med egenproducerad vätgas relativt små. Känslighetsanalysen visar dessutom på potentiellt mindre kostnader för bränslecellstruckar med egenproducerad vätgas för nystartade lager. Priset på vätgas och dess utveckling är en betydande parameter för investeringens lönsamhet för fallet med inköpt vätgas. Rekommendationer för vidare studier är att undersöka möjligheten att sälja överskottsvätgas, samt biprodukten syrgas, från den egna elektrolysanläggningen för att öka de årliga intäkterna. / The environmental impact from fossil fuels must be reduced and with the continued increase in e-commerce, the need for warehouse operations becomes greater, where internal transports usually consists of diesel forklifts. Competitive alternative fuels are necessary to meet the increased need. Fuel cell forklifts powered by hydrogen produced from renewable energy sources could be an option, since the emissions consist solely of water. To investigate whether fuel cell forklifts cause less environmental impact, a comparative life cycle analysis was performed on a 5-tonne diesel and fuel cell forklift, respectively. The comparison was carried out both for a fuel cell forklift where the hydrogen is produced locally and for one where the hydrogen is purchased from a gas supplier. The production method is alkaline water electrolysis for both cases. The comparison was made on a case specific warehouse for Ramirent in Brunna, where there are currently 21 diesel forklifts. The result shows that the difference in environmental impact between the two different cases of fuel cell trucks is minimal, but that the diesel truck contributes to more impact in 14 of 18 environmental impact categories from a life cycle perspective. For the diesel forklift, it is the extraction and incineration of the diesel that has the greatest impact in most environmental impact categories. Furthermore, the result shows that the fuel cell, as well as the production of it, is generally contributing to the most impact categories for the fuel cell truck. To enable a transformation, it is often not only required that it is better from an environmental perspective, but also cost effective. Thus, calculations were carried out for the cost of a transformation, using the net present value method for the three different cases. This was first done by replacing the existing diesel trucks, with an assumed lifetime of 20,000 hours of operation, successively over a 10-year period for new diesel trucks. In the both other cases, the diesel trucks with residual values are sold and new fuel cell trucks, as well as a new hydrogen station, are purchased. For the scenario with locally produced hydrogen, an electrolysis plant must also be purchased as opposed to the scenario with purchased hydrogen. The result shows that the investment in fuel cell trucks is not cost effective for either locally produced or purchased hydrogen. Costs increase by 3.4% and 28.9%, respectively, over a 10- year period, as compared to a continued use of diesel trucks. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis in the study shows that a new warehouse, with the same size as Ramirents in Brunna, is more profitable if fuel cell trucks are purchased, and a hydrogen production is established, than if diesel trucks are purchased. The cost reduction for this scenario is 1.4% for a 10-year period. The sensitivity analysis of the study shows that profitability for purchased hydrogen is reached for a new warehouse and Ramirent's warehouse when the hydrogen price has been reduced by 59.5% and 71.6%, respectively, from today's price of 222 SEK/kg. Further results from the sensitivity analysis show that there is a potential to increase the annual revenues, for the scenario with hydrogen production, by selling excess hydrogen from the electrolysis plant. In conclusion, fuel cell trucks have less overall environmental impact from a life cycle perspective. At present, it is not profitable to switch from diesel to fuel cell trucks at Ramirent's warehouse in Brunna. However, for a 10-year period, the extra costs for the scenario with locally produced hydrogen are relatively small. In addition, the sensitivity analysis shows potentially lower costs for fuel cell trucks with local hydrogen production for newly started warehouses. The price of hydrogen and its development is a significant parameter for the investment's profitability for the scenario with purchased hydrogen. Recommendations for further studies are to examine the possibility of selling excess hydrogen, as well as the by-product oxygen, from the electrolysis to increase annual revenues.

A modeling framework to evaluate the costs and benefits of implementation of Controller Pilot Data Link Communication (CPDLC), and Air Traffic Management (ATM) decision support tools is proposed in this paper. The benefit/cost evaluation is carried out for four key alternatives namely alternative A: Do nothing scenario (only voice channel), alternative B: Voice channel supplemented with CPDLC, alternative C: Alternative B with ATM tools in a non-integrated scenario and finally alternative D: Alternative B with ATM tools in an integrated scenario. It is a bi-level model that captures the linkages between various technologies at a lower microscopic level using a daily microscopic model (DATSIM) and transfers the measures of effectives to a higher macroscopic level. DATSIM stands for Data Link and Air Traffic Technologies SIMulation and it simulates air traffic in the enroute sector and terminal airspace for a single day and captures the measures of effectiveness at a microscopic level and feeds its output to the macroscopic annual model which then runs over the entire life cycle of the system. Airspace dwell time benefit data from the microscopic model is regressed into three dimensional benefit surfaces as a function of the equipage level of aircraft and aircraft density and embedded into the macroscopic model. The main function of the annual model is to ascertain economic viability of any deployment schedule or alternative over the entire life cycle of the system. The life cycle cost model is composed of four modules namely: Operational benefits module, Safety benefit module,Technology cost module and Training cost module. Analysis using the model showed that an enroute sector gets congested at aircraft densities greater 630 per day. This is mainly because the controller workload gets saturated at that traffic volume per day. Benefits realized in alternatives B, C and D as compared to alternative A increased exponentially at traffic densities greater than 630 i.e. when controller workload for alternative A becomes saturated. / Master of Science

This mixed methods thesis provides a cumulative study of bamboo as a natural material and building product through the lenses of architectural and product design, engineering, manufacturing, agriculture, material science, environmental science, history, and culture. All case study work is based in the context of coastal Ecuador. The main goal of the thesis is to explore an identified need for a bamboo relief housing system that has the attributes of longevity and quality, but is also rapidly deployable via pre-fabrication. This exploration is performed with the methodology of an in-country applied product and process design, physical prototyping of elements and joints, mechanical performance testing, a case study house design, and a comparative cost analysis with an alternative bamboo relief home. Results of these methods include a successful on-site fabrication process for cross-laminated floor panels installed into culm-frame structure, adequate floor system bending data for design incorporation, and a cost-effective design proposal compared to bamboo disaster-relief precedence. This thesis has the potential to be built upon to the result of real-world environmental, economic, and social impact. / Master of Science / This thesis addresses the use of bamboo in coastal Ecuador from the perspectives of architectural and product design, engineering, manufacturing, agriculture, material science, environmental science, history, and culture. Specifically focused on is the need for post-disaster bamboo housing that is factory-built, and therefore quickly deployable when needed, but also designed for durability and longevity, providing people with safe and dignified living conditions in times of severe need. It is concluded that the proposed system has merit, but will require further research and testing to prove its exact role in Ecuador and/or elsewhere. Ultimately, this work is important to solving greater global environmental issues such as increasing atmospheric CO2, increasing natural disaster frequency and intensity, and increasing human population and the accompanying housing demand.

Due to the serious impact wind damage has on homes in the Gulf Coast region, policy makers, community developers, and homeowners are seeking ways to lessen impacts. One potential tool to increase properties’ resiliency in the event of a periodic and catastrophic event is wind mitigation, the process of adding features to a building, i.e. a house, to increase the strength of the structure amid a storm such as a hurricane. In this research, I evaluate the tiers of FORTIFIED homes as the mitigation strategies. I use Zillow ZTRAX and Institute of Business and Home Safety data to estimate how each level of FORTIFIED home designation affects property value. The results show FORTIFIED Gold designation on a new home has a 0%-8.4% increase on property value. I place my finding into a BCA of FORTIFIED designation to evaluate how this one benefit fits into the greater picture.

This thesis discusses a methodology for probabilistic design optimization of aircraft structures subject to a multidisciplinary set of requirements originating from the desire to minimize structural weight while fulfilling the demands for quality, safety, producibility, and affordability. With this design methodology as the framework, a software is developed, which is capable of performing design optimization of metallic built-up beam structures where the material properties, external load, as well as the structural dimensions are treated as probabilistic random variables. The structural and failure analyses are based on analytical and semi-empirical methods whereas the component reliability analysis is based on advanced first-order second moment method. Metrics-based analytical models are used for the manufacturability analysis of individual parts with the total manufacturing cost estimated using models derived from the manufacturing cost / design guide developed by the Battelle¡¯s Columbus Laboratories. The resulting optimization problem is solved using the method of sequential quadratic programming. A wing spar design optimization problem is used as a demonstrative example including a comparison between non-buckling and buckling web design concepts. A sensitivity analysis is performed and the optimization results are used to highlight the tradeoffs among weight, reliability, and manufacturing cost.

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No description available.

Road user costs (RUCs) quantify the inconveniences to road users resulting from ongoing construction projects. Although the concept of RUC has traditionally been associated with the life cycle cost analysis, its importance has increased in alternative contracting methods in recent years. Despite its importance, the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) currently lacks a systematic methodology to compute RUCs. With the increased use of alternative contracting such as A+B, TDOT can benefit significantly if a systematic methodology and a tool are developed to compute RUCs in-house. The main goal of this study is to develop a framework and accompanying tool to compute RUCs, which balances the ease of computing and accuracy of results. To achieve this goal, the study reviewed existing literature on the topic, conducted a nationwide survey, and identified the current best practices of calculating and utilizing RUCs. The study found that more than half of the state Departments of Transportation (DOTs) that responded to the questionnaire have developed their state-specific methodologies to compute RUCs. The delay costs and the vehicle operating costs are the two most common components computed by a majority of state DOTs. Based on the findings of the study, a framework to compute RUCs is developed to enable TDOT to quickly compute RUCs more efficiently. Subsequently, a spreadsheet based TDOT RUC Calculation Tool (TRCT) is developed to implement the framework. The tool can compute four components of the RUC: a) delay cost, b) vehicle operating cost, c) crash cost, and d) emission cost. Relevant standard datasets such as median household income and emission rates were collected and/or produced for the tool. The tool automatically accounts for the spatiotemporal variation in the RUCs using Consumer Price Index (CPI) and county-specific data. The computed RUCs can be used for A+B contracting, benefit-cost analysis, liquidated damage computation, and early-completion-incentive computation.

Buildings account for up to a third of total world greenhouse gas GHG emissions, and this pattern is expected to persist. By 2050, cities will be home to 70 % of the world's population, demanding a significant number of buildings to be constructed. Efforts to reduce these emissions in the past had varied performance. However, several examples indicate that well thought and adequately executed mix of building technology coupled with environmental policies may reduce emissions. Therefore, cities worldwide are joining the race to decarbonize their buildings to become net-zero carbon and support green economies through a diversified bundle of policies. However, designing and selecting the appropriate mix of building technology and environmental policies is challenging to generate the most outlast net-zero carbon impacts. This research aims to uncover the intersection between science and policy's role in achieving a global net-zero energy building sector. First, an urban comparative analysis for ten environment-leading cities has been made to understand the latest progress in the building sector and draw on future recommendations. The findings are thematically grouped into five themes a) Building's energy efficiency (energy demand sector). (b) Electrified renewable grids (energy supply sector). (c) Green fiscal incentives (d) Education and capacity building. (e) Governance and collaboration. Second, the University of Ottawa has been utilized as a part of the campus as a living lab initiative to examine installing photovoltaic panels over the campus buildings as part of the university expansion program to achieve net-zero operations by 2040. The following parameters have been considered to address the PV systems viability, 1) the expected electricity output. 2) the initial and operational costs. 3) the GHG reductions in operational energy. 4) the PV system embodied carbons. RETScreen Expert software has been used to perform the Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) to assess PV system output and financial viability. One Click-LCA software to carry-out Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to assess embodied carbons. The results indicate from analyzing 31 buildings that 20% - 107% of electricity can be offset depending on each building's energy use and solar collector area. Additionally, the 31 buildings analyzed for electricity generation collectively have the potential to save around 23% of the total campus electricity consumption with a production capacity of 18 million units (kWh) annually, including 21,108 solar panels. Also, the project shows financial viability only if the PV systems are installed as part of the whole campus with a Net Present Value (NPV) of $4,985,89 and an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 11.4%. The analysis shows 24% and 18% maximum sensitivity to increased initial cost and decreased electricity generation/rate. Finally, the GHG estimated reductions over 25 years from generated electricity are 14,445 tCO2, and the estimated increased embodied carbons from the Life Cycle Assessment are set to be 1,023 tCO2. Additionally, drawing upon urban analysis and the case study, the research highlights the dynamic nature of the building sector emissions reduction and city initiatives. Thirdly, a detailed analysis was carried out in the System Advisor Model (SAM) software to integrate the solar system with energy storage in the Advanced Research Complex (ARC) Building at the University of Ottawa. The study assesses the system viability and helps the university to reduce its monthly electricity bill and help Ontario to maintain its grid reliability by keeping the electricity demand low at peak times. The findings show that using an integrated solar system with an energy storage system by mitigating 100%, 90%, 75%, and 50% of the building electricity demand during the Ontario gird peak could lead to a Net Present Value of $2,01, $1.70, $1.30, and $0.864 million over 25 years the lifetime of the project through the Ontario Global Adjustment Program. The study also shows that with the absence of the Ontario Global Adjustment Program as a fiscal reform tool and relying only on the time of use electricity rates, the solar panels with an energy storage system could lead to a negative Net Present Value of $-550 thousand.