YouGen is a web-based social enterprise being operated as a limited company. It was started in 2008 and aims at providing detail information about micro-generation technologies including their suppliers (YouGen 2010). The website assists individuals in finding and choosing the right renewable energy technologies for purchase. This is achieved by: • Providing compiled research information about a wide range of sources on renewable technologies; • Providing excerpts about photovoltaic systems from energy experts; • Information sharing and supplier recommendations; • Identifying individuals that have installed a particular technology, and its local suppliers; • Allowing companies to add information about their technologies customers. The Energy Saving Trust is a non-profit organisation that provides free and impartial advice about micro-generation technologies. Energy Saving Trust provides information about the latest emerging micro-generation technologies, the list of certified UK suppliers and installers. Furthermore it provides advice on how grants, funding and financing options can be obtained for the different micro-generation technological options. Building Research Establishment is an independent and impartial, research-based consultancy, testing and training organisation, offering expertise in every aspect of the built environment and associated industries. One of its services is the provision of a free online database, Green Book Live, designed to help specifiers and end-users identify products and services that can help to reduce their impact on the environment. Green Book Live brings together listings from a number of organisations and delivers comprehensive information on 'green' products and service... ... middle of paper ... ...ement scenario, the theory and steps are much the same. In this study, the models developed by Krajnc and Glavič (2005a) and Krajnc and Glavič (2005b) will be adopted and slightly modified to suit the purpose of this study. In the ensuing sections the mathematical formulations of the methodology is presented. 8.6.1 Mathematical model for computing the composite index In order to develop the mathematical models for computing the composite index, it is important to state the decision problem that the composite index will solve. In decision making processes a facilitator will sit down with decision makers to structure the problem which is often divided into three main parts: the goal(buy a photovoltaic system), criteria(cost, efficiency, pay-back period, warranty, etc.) and alternatives(PV1, PV2, etc). The framework for such a problem is presented in Figure 8.1.
After calculating the Net Present Value (NPV) and the Internal Rate of Return (IRR) for each project, I have determined that both the dishwasher and the trash compactor projects should be pursued. Both of them have shown positive NPVs at the new discount rate of 11.58% (WACC). Another indicator that told me that these two projects should be pursued by Star was that they both yielded IRRs greater than the given hurdle rate. The disposal did not meet these requirements and therefore should not be undertaken.
LEED, or Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, is a certification program for green buildings with stringent requirements for building energy efficient and environmentally responsible structures. Some requirements of this program include specific building materials, smart grid capable, gray water reclamation systems, green space minimums, high levels of insulation and low thermal transfer glass (US Green Building Council). Green buildings are a must if we are to sustain our current level of growth. Despite the higher initial cost of these buildings, the long term energy savings make these buildings a smarter choice for
Palmieri, Nancy. “Off the Grid or on, Solar and Wind Power Gain.” USA Today 12 April 2006. Print.
...tive sources. As seen by its thoroughness, and attention to detail and reliability by its specialized writers, this paper is the most useful location for information regarding the topic.
Making business decisions involves choosing between alternative courses of action. Many factors affect business decisions, yet analysis typically focuses on finding the alternative that offers the highest return on investment or the greatest reduction in costs. Some decisions are based on little more than an intuitive understanding of the situation because available information is too limited to allow a more systematic analysis. In other cases, intangible factors such as convenience, prestige, and environmental considerations are more important than strictly quantitative factors. In all situations, managers can reach a sounder decision if they identify the consequences of alternative choices in financial terms. This unit
3. Quantitative model ? This is needed to assess the impact of every alternative of the
Sustainable design seeks to reduce negative impacts on the environment, the health and comfort of building occupants, thereby improving building performance. The basic objects of sustainability are to reduce consumption of non-renewable resources, minimal waste, and create healthy, productive environments (“Sustainable Design”). Focusing primarily on the sustainable design principles, there are five, including: low-impact materials, energy efficiency, quality and durability, design for reuse and recycling, and renewability. As sustainability appears to become the necessary trend in architecture, the question concerning the cost versus outcome of “going green” really an investment or a waste of time and money comes to mind. With our research provided below, we believe the expenses may truly be with the investment in the end.
Green Building may be defined as the processes of planning, designing, constructing and operating a building, while taking into consideration: the quality of the indoor environment, selection of the materials used, the way of using energy and water and the effect of the building on the site.
This Sustainable Architecture began long ago with scientists brainstorming and designing a new design for an eco-home that’s liable on decreasing massive numbers of en...
Unites States Green Building Council. (2014). Leadership in energy and environmental design. Retrieved from http://www.usgbc.org/leed#why
This is a Green Building Rating System that accelerates and encourages worldwide adoption of green buildings in addition to...
The 'Standard'. Alternative Energy. Chicago. The. HillCrest Publishers Ltd. Demirbas, A. a.
Social entrepreneurs are individuals with innovative solutions to society’s most pressing social problems. Rather than leaving societal needs to the government or business sectors, social entrepreneurs find what is not working and solve the problem by changing the system, spreading the solution, and persuading entire societies to move in different directions. ust as entrepreneurs change the face of business, social entrepreneurs act as the change agents for society, seizing opportunities others miss to improve systems, invent new approaches, and create solutions to change society for the better. While a business entrepreneur might create entirely new industries, a social entrepreneur develops innovative solutions to social problems and then implements them on a large scale.
The use of green materials is better for the environment because they have a positive impact on the planet. Looking at our environment today we see a place that has been facing a massive climate change. Scientists have been concerned over global warming for decades. The ongoing increase of the earth’s temperature is believed to be caused by the greenhouse effect (“Global Warming” 27). Building with green materials produces significantly lower greenhouse gas emission. Specifically, wood as a material for building products, requires considerably less energy than other building products such as steel and concrete. Wood product manufacture results in fewer greenhouse gas and other air-polluting emissions (“Green Building Benefits”). Green building also results in waste reduction. In the United States, construction and demolition creates a huge amount of solid waste. Green building limits the waste prod...
From this case study the analyses are made on the following questions asked. The Questions that are asked are following: