Conceptualising the economics of plant health protection against invasive pests

Selostus: Tulokastuholaiset ja kasvinsuojelu : taloudellinen näkökulma

Economics of combined power plant and pyrolysis bio-oil production

There are reasons of necessity in bio-fuel use and bio-energy fast development. It includes the material about bio-energy technologies, applications and methods. There are basic thermodynamics and economic theories. The economic calculation presents the comparison between two combinations. There are boiler plant below 20 MW in combination with ablative pyrolysis plant for bio-oil production and CHP plant below 100 MW in combination with the RTP pyrolysis bio-oil production technology. It provides a material about wood chips and bio-oil characteristics and explains it nature, presents the situation around the bio-fuel market or bio-fuel trade. There is a description of pyrolysis technologies such as ablative and RTP. The liquid product of the pyrolysis processes is bio-oil. The bio-oil could be different even of the same production process, because of the raw material nature and characteristics. The calculation shows advantages and weaknesses of combinations and obtained a proof of suppositions. The next thing, proven by this work is the fact that to get more efficiency from energy project it is good possibility to built plants in combinations.

Economics of Power-to-Gas integration to wastewater treatment plant

Solar and wind power produce electricity irregularly. This irregular power production is problematic and therefore production can exceed the need. Thus sufficient energy storage solutions are needed. Currently there are some storages, such as flywheel, but they are quite short-term. Power-to-Gas (P2G) offers a solution to store energy as a synthetic natural gas. It also improves nation’s energy self-sufficiency. Power-to-Gas can be integrated to an industrial or a municipal facility to reduce production costs. In this master’s thesis the integration of Power-to-Gas technologies to wastewater treatment as a part of the VTT’s Neo-Carbon Energy project is studied. Power-to-Gas produces synthetic methane (SNG) from water and carbon dioxide with electricity. This SNG can be considered as stored energy. Basic wastewater treatment technologies and the production of biogas in the treatment plant are studied. The utilisation of biogas and SNG in heat and power production and in transportation is also studied. The integration of the P2G to wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) is examined mainly from economic view. First the mass flows of flowing materials are calculated and after that the economic impact based on the mass flows. The economic efficiency is evaluated with Net Present Value method. In this thesis it is also studied the overall profitability of the integration and the key economic factors.

Logistics of North-West Russia and Rail Baltica: Standpoints of Private Sector

The main aims of the present report are to describe the current state of railway transport in Russia, and to gather standpoints of Russian private transportation logistics sector towards the development of new railway connection called Rail Baltica Growth Corridor, connecting North-West Russia with Germany through the Baltic States and Poland. North-West Russia plays important role not only in Russian logistics, but also wider European markets as in container sea ports handling is approx. 2.5 mill. TEU p.a. and handling volume in all terminals is above 190 million tons p.a. The whole transportation logistics sector is shortly described as an operational environment for railways – this is done through technical and economic angles. Transportation development is always going in line with economics of the country, so the analysis on economical development is also presented. Logistics integration of the country is strongly influenced by its engagement in the international trade. Although, raw material handling at sea ports and container transports (imports) are blossoming, domestic transportation market is barely growing (in long-term perspective). Thus, recent entrance of Russia into World Trade Organization (WTO) is analyzed theme in this research, as the WTO is an important regulator of the foreign trade and enabler of volume growth in foreign trade related transportation logistics. However, WTO membership can influence negatively the development of Russia’s own industry and its volumes (these have been uncompetitive in global markets for decades). Data gathering in empirical part was accomplished by semi-structured case study interviews among North-West Russian logistics sector actors (private). These were conducted during years 2012-2013, and research compiles findings out of ten case company interviews. Although, there was no sea port involved in the study, most of the interviewed companies relied in European Logistics within significant parts in short sea shipping and truck combined transportation chains (in Russian part also using railways). As the results of the study, it could be concluded that Rail Baltica is seen as possible transport corridor in most of the interviewed companies, if there is enough cargo available. However, interviewees are a bit sceptical, because major and large-scale infrastructural improvements are needed. Delivery time, frequency and price level are three main factors influencing the attractiveness of Rail Baltica route. Price level is the most important feature, but if RB can offer other advantages such as higher frequency, shorter lead times or more developed set of value-added services, then some flexibility is possible for the price level. Environmental issues are not the main criteria of today, but are recognized and discussed among customers. Great uncertainty exists among respondents e.g. on forthcoming sulphur oxide ban on Baltic Sea shipping (whether or not it is going to be implemented in Russia). Rather surprisingly, transportation routes to Eastern Europe and Mediterranean area are having higher value and price space than those to Germany/Central Europe. Border crossing operations (traction monopoly at rails and customs), gauge widths as well as unclear decision-making processes (in Russia), are named as hindering factors. Performance standards for European connected logistics among Russian logistics sector representatives are less demanding as compared to neighbourhood countries belonging to EU.

Innovatiivisen tietopalvelun markkinointi "case Liikekirjuri"

Tutkielman tavoitteena oli kehittää SuomenKirjurituotteen tuottaman sähköisessä muodossa olevan Liikekirjuri-tietopalvelun markkinointia. Käyttäjät ovat taloushallinnon ammattilaisia, pääasiassa tilitoimistoja. Tavoitteeseen pyrittiin selvitämällä asiakasyrityksille tärkeimpiä tuotteen ominaisuuksia sekä niitä tekijöitä, jotka ovat vaikuttaneet nykyisten asiakkaiden hankintapäätökseen. Lisäksi pyrittiin selvittämään, miten tehokkaana asiakkaat ovat kokeneet markkinointiviestinnän. On myös haluttu selvittää,kuinka tyytyväisiä asiakkaat ovat palveluun ja sen ominaisuuksiin. Tutkielma koostuu teoria- ja empiriaosuuksista. Teoriaosassa esitellään innovaation diffuusiota, informaatiopalveluiden taloustiedettä sekä yritysmarkkinointia. Empiirisen osuuden muodostaa kvantitatiivinen tutkimus, joka suoritettiin kirjekyselynä. Tutkimuksen perusteella päädyttiin seuraaviin tuloksiin ja suosituksiin: Myyntityön tulisi olla aktiivisempaa. Markkinoinnissa on hyväkorostaa suhteelliseen hyötyyn lukeutuvia ominaisuuksia. Referenssien käyttöä tulisi tehostaa. Havaittiin myös, että nykyiset asiakkaat ovat olleet erittäin tyytyväisiä ohjelmistoon.

Lämpökäsittelylaitosten energiatalouden parantaminen

Työn tavoitteena oli Imatra Steel Oy Ab:n jatkojalostusosaston lämpökäsittelylaitosten energiatalouden parantaminen. Työssä etsittiin lämpökäsittelylaitoksen energiatalouteen haitallisesti vaikuttavia tekijöitä ja pyrittiin löytämään ratkaisuja energiatalouden parantamiseksi.Työtä varten on kerätty tietoa kirjallisista lähteistä, Imatra Steel Oy Ab:n henkilökunnalta, insinööritoimistoilta, lämpökäsittelyuunien valmistajilta ja muilta asiantuntijoilta, jotka ovat olleet tekemisissä lämpökäsittelylaitosten, lämpökäsittelyuunien tai niihin läheisesti liittyvien energiataloudellisien tekijöiden parissa.Imatra Steel Oy Ab:n lämpökäsittelylaitosten suurimmat energiankuluttajat ovat lämpökäsittelyuunit, jotka ovat rakennettu pääosin vuosina 1965 ja 1971, jolloin energiankulutukseen ja sen aiheuttamiin kustannuksiin ei tarvinnut kiinnittää samalla tavoin huomiota kuin nykyisin. Työssä keskitytäänkin pääasiassa uunien energiatalouteen.Lämpökäsittelylaitosten energiatalouden parantamisessa on ensin keskityttävä primäärienergiana käytettävän maakaasun kulutuksen vähentämiseen, jonka jälkeen voidaan keskittyä uuneista syntyvän hukkalämmön hyödyntämiseen. Jotta lämpökäsittelyuunit saataisiin toimimaan energiataloudellisesti tehokkaasti ja nykyisessä markkinatilanteessa kilpailukykyisesti, pitäisi uuneille laatia oma kehitysohjelma. Uunien energiatalouden seuranta ja kehittäminen edellyttää nykyisten jatkuvatoimisesti mitattavien prosessitietojen ja erillisillä mittauksilla kerättävän tiedon nykyistä tehokkaampaa hyödyntämistä sekä uusien ennen mittaamattomien prosessiparametrien hyödyntämistä. Tulevaisuudessa toteutettava prosessitietojen keräysjärjestelmä antaakin aivan uusia mahdollisuuksia uunien kehittämiseen ja seurantaan.

Rationaalinen yksilö byrokraattisessa organisaatiossa: vertailevia huomioita Downsn, Niskasen ja Tullockin hallinnollisen päätöksenteon taloustieteellisistä tulkinnoista

Abstract: Rational individual in the bureaucratic organization: comparative observations on Downs', Niskanen's and Tullock's economics of administrative decision making

Tietointensiivisten yrityspalveluiden tuotteistaminen Case: Lappeenrannan teknillisen yliopiston Tietohallinto

Työ käsittelee tietohallintoa tietointensiivisenä yrityspalveluna Lappeenrannan teknillisessä yliopistossa. Yliopiston tulee keskittyä omaan ydinosaamiseensa sekä erottaa sisäiset yrityspalvelut omiksi kokonaisuuksikseen. Tähän on käytetty tietohallinnon osalta tilaaja tuottajamallia. Mallin puitteissa tietohallintoyksikkö on kattavasti tunnistanut ja määritellyt oman toimintansa sekä asiakkaidensa perustarpeet. Tietohallinnon palvelut ovat tietointensiivisiä yrityspalveluita, joiden tarkoituksena on täydentää asiakkaiden osaamista ja kykyä tuottaa innovaatioita sekä välittää muualla tuotettua tietoa ja teknisiä ratkaisuja tähän tarpeeseen. Tietointensiivisen palveluntuottajan asiantuntijuus on kokemusperäistä ja hiljaista tietoa, jota on lähtökohtaisesti vaikea muuttaa organisatoriseksi tiedoksi eli lisäarvoksi organisaation toiminnalle. Tuotteistamista on hyödynnetty tietohallinnon prosessien muuttamiseksi eksplisiittisiksi. Tuotteistamalla standardoidaan prosesseihin liittyvät parhaat käytänteet, joka tarkoittaa kokemusperäisesti hyväksi havaittujen toimintatapojen rutinoimista. Tuotetut palvelut on tuotteistettu palvelupaketeiksi, joista on laadittu yksityiskohtainen palvelukuvaus sekä laskettu tuotekohtainen hinta. Palvelumallin soveltaminen takaa yksikkökustannusten, skaalaetujen, riskin jakaantumisen ja teknologisen kehityksen optimoinnin yliopistossa.

Sampling in chemical analysis

The uncertainty of any analytical determination depends on analysis and sampling. Uncertainty arising from sampling is usually not controlled and methods for its evaluation are still little known. Pierre Gy’s sampling theory is currently the most complete theory about samplingwhich also takes the design of the sampling equipment into account. Guides dealing with the practical issues of sampling also exist, published by international organizations such as EURACHEM, IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) and ISO (International Organization for Standardization). In this work Gy’s sampling theory was applied to several cases, including the analysis of chromite concentration estimated on SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) images and estimation of the total uncertainty of a drug dissolution procedure. The results clearly show that Gy’s sampling theory can be utilized in both of the above-mentioned cases and that the uncertainties achieved are reliable. Variographic experiments introduced in Gy’s sampling theory are beneficially applied in analyzing the uncertainty of auto-correlated data sets such as industrial process data and environmental discharges. The periodic behaviour of these kinds of processes can be observed by variographic analysis as well as with fast Fourier transformation and auto-correlation functions. With variographic analysis, the uncertainties are estimated as a function of the sampling interval. This is advantageous when environmental data or process data are analyzed as it can be easily estimated how the sampling interval is affecting the overall uncertainty. If the sampling frequency is too high, unnecessary resources will be used. On the other hand, if a frequency is too low, the uncertainty of the determination may be unacceptably high. Variographic methods can also be utilized to estimate the uncertainty of spectral data produced by modern instruments. Since spectral data are multivariate, methods such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA) are needed when the data are analyzed. Optimization of a sampling plan increases the reliability of the analytical process which might at the end have beneficial effects on the economics of chemical analysis,

Lightweight, liquid-cooled, direct-drive generator for highpower wind turbines: motivation, concept, and performance

Thesis: A liquid-cooled, direct-drive, permanent-magnet, synchronous generator with helical, double-layer, non-overlapping windings formed from a copper conductor with a coaxial internal coolant conduit offers an excellent combination of attributes to reliably provide economic wind power for the coming generation of wind turbines with power ratings between 5 and 20MW. A generator based on the liquid-cooled architecture proposed here will be reliable and cost effective. Its smaller size and mass will reduce build, transport, and installation costs. Summary: Converting wind energy into electricity and transmitting it to an electrical power grid to supply consumers is a relatively new and rapidly developing method of electricity generation. In the most recent decade, the increase in wind energy’s share of overall energy production has been remarkable. Thousands of land-based and offshore wind turbines have been commissioned around the globe, and thousands more are being planned. The technologies have evolved rapidly and are continuing to evolve, and wind turbine sizes and power ratings are continually increasing. Many of the newer wind turbine designs feature drivetrains based on Direct-Drive, Permanent-Magnet, Synchronous Generators (DD-PMSGs). Being low-speed high-torque machines, the diameters of air-cooled DD-PMSGs become very large to generate higher levels of power. The largest direct-drive wind turbine generator in operation today, rated just below 8MW, is 12m in diameter and approximately 220 tonne. To generate higher powers, traditional DD-PMSGs would need to become extraordinarily large. A 15MW air-cooled direct-drive generator would be of colossal size and tremendous mass and no longer economically viable. One alternative to increasing diameter is instead to increase torque density. In a permanent magnet machine, this is best done by increasing the linear current density of the stator windings. However, greater linear current density results in more Joule heating, and the additional heat cannot be removed practically using a traditional air-cooling approach. Direct liquid cooling is more effective, and when applied directly to the stator windings, higher linear current densities can be sustained leading to substantial increases in torque density. The higher torque density, in turn, makes possible significant reductions in DD-PMSG size. Over the past five years, a multidisciplinary team of researchers has applied a holistic approach to explore the application of liquid cooling to permanent-magnet wind turbine generator design. The approach has considered wind energy markets and the economics of wind power, system reliability, electromagnetic behaviors and design, thermal design and performance, mechanical architecture and behaviors, and the performance modeling of installed wind turbines. This dissertation is based on seven publications that chronicle the work. The primary outcomes are the proposal of a novel generator architecture, a multidisciplinary set of analyses to predict the behaviors, and experimentation to demonstrate some of the key principles and validate the analyses. The proposed generator concept is a direct-drive, surface-magnet, synchronous generator with fractional-slot, duplex-helical, double-layer, non-overlapping windings formed from a copper conductor with a coaxial internal coolant conduit to accommodate liquid coolant flow. The novel liquid-cooling architecture is referred to as LC DD-PMSG. The first of the seven publications summarized in this dissertation discusses the technological and economic benefits and limitations of DD-PMSGs as applied to wind energy. The second publication addresses the long-term reliability of the proposed LC DD-PMSG design. Publication 3 examines the machine’s electromagnetic design, and Publication 4 introduces an optimization tool developed to quickly define basic machine parameters. The static and harmonic behaviors of the stator and rotor wheel structures are the subject of Publication 5. And finally, Publications 6 and 7 examine steady-state and transient thermal behaviors. There have been a number of ancillary concrete outcomes associated with the work including the following. X Intellectual Property (IP) for direct liquid cooling of stator windings via an embedded coaxial coolant conduit, IP for a lightweight wheel structure for lowspeed, high-torque electrical machinery, and IP for numerous other details of the LC DD-PMSG design X Analytical demonstrations of the equivalent reliability of the LC DD-PMSG; validated electromagnetic, thermal, structural, and dynamic prediction models; and an analytical demonstration of the superior partial load efficiency and annual energy output of an LC DD-PMSG design X A set of LC DD-PMSG design guidelines and an analytical tool to establish optimal geometries quickly and early on X Proposed 8 MW LC DD-PMSG concepts for both inner and outer rotor configurations Furthermore, three technologies introduced could be relevant across a broader spectrum of applications. 1) The cost optimization methodology developed as part of this work could be further improved to produce a simple tool to establish base geometries for various electromagnetic machine types. 2) The layered sheet-steel element construction technology used for the LC DD-PMSG stator and rotor wheel structures has potential for a wide range of applications. And finally, 3) the direct liquid-cooling technology could be beneficial in higher speed electromotive applications such as vehicular electric drives.

Paljonko luonto maksaa?

Kirjallisuusarvostelu

The Middle East in the American quest for world order : ideas of power, economics, and social development in United States foreign policy, 1953-1961

Doctoral dissertation, University of Tampere

The Boundaries of a Firm in the Pulp and Paper Industry: Complementarities of the Resource-Based View and Transaction Cost Economics

Tämän tutkimuksen tarkoituksena on tutkia sellu- ja paperiteollisuuden toimintojen luonnetta sekä miten yrityksen rajapinnat ovat muodostuneet ko. teollisuudenalalla. Tutkimus on eksploratiivinen ja luonteeltaan kvalitatiivinen. Tutkimuksen aineisto kerättiin yrityksissä tehdyillä teemahaastatteluilla. Sellu- ja paperitehtaan toimintojen analysoinnissa käytetään resurssiperusteista näkemystä ja transaktiokustannusteoriaa. Tutkimuksen yritysten rakennetta voidaan pitää varsin konservatiivisena. Teoreettinen kehys pystyi selittämään varsinaisen tuotannon järjestämistä varsin hyvin. Tukitoiminnoissa löytyi ristiriitoja teorian ja todellisuuden välillä. Tuotantotoiminnot kannattaa pitää yrityksen sisällä, koska ne täyttävät VRIN-attribuutit ja niihin liittyy korkeita transaktiokustannuksia. Suurin osa tukitoiminnoista voidaan luokitella triviaaleiksi. Joitain tukitoimintoja voidaan kuitenkin luokitella strategisesti tärkeiksi, ja voidaan päätellä, että ne pitäisi pitää yrityksen sisällä. Tässä suhteessa tulokset olivat kuitenkin ristiriitaisia, ja lisätutkimuksia tarvittaisiin lopullisten johtopäätösten tekemiseen.