Economics technical potential

Fig. 6.4 European electricity consumption for wet appliances [6] according to two different scenarios (business as usual, and utilisation of the full economic and technical potential).

Realisable potential The realisable potential represents the maximum potential that can be exploited up to a certain year considering dynamic realisation restrictions, such as maximum market growth rates and planning constraints, as well as political and societal drivers and assuming that sufficient economic incentives exist. The technical potential is an upper limit of the realisable potential. 

Technical potential estimations Economic potential estimations Realisable mid-term potential until (no time-frame specification) (no time-frame specification) 2020-hydroelectricity... 

The remaining economically exploitable potential is about 5400 TWh/yr. An investment of at least US 1500 billion would be necessary to realize such a program. For a mean level of hydropower plants capacity in the range of 50 to 100 MW, some 20 000 plants would need to be built. In order to implement a plant constrac-tion program of this magnitude, a great deal of work (technical, financial and political) would need to be accomplished by all the investments involved, particularly in Asia, South America and Africa (Demirbas, 2006a). 

Wind can be used in Georgia by modem turbines to generate electricity. The technical potential of wind energy in the country is estimated at 530 MW, with an annual generation up to 1.5 TWh. On a short-to-medium term prospective the economic potential of wind power is 500 GWh with an installed capacity of 180 MW [31]. 

The Georgian geothermal resources are estimated to be up to 250 Mm3 whereof 100 Mm3 are proven reserves. The water temperature varies from 50 to 100 °C. The theoretical potential has been estimated to be 290 MWh [33], The technical potential is estimated at 150 MWh. Owing to the general economic situation in Georgia and with the poor state of the existing wells it is rather difficult to attract investments for new development projects. That is why the current economic potential is limited to the rehabilitation of existing wells and related infrastructure estimated at 50 MWh. 

Finally, some authors propose the use of enzyme mixtures for the biosynthesis of complex molecules. A cell free protein synthesis (CFPS) system is a novel approach that was successfully used for the production of complex mammalian proteins with multiple disulfide bonds (Bhatta-charya, 2004). However, even if the technical potential of this method is proved, its economical feasibility has still to be proven. 

Not only functional but also structural proteins from archaeal thermophiles are of economic interest. Thus, the S-layer proteins of thermophilic archaea possess some technical potential. As outlined by Sleytr and Sara [76], the S-layers of different members of bacteria are suitable as molecular sieves. The presumed robust S-layers of the hyperthermophilic archaea will certainly enlarge their applicability. 

At various places throughout the first five chapters in the book we have, when it appeared relevant to the discussion, referenced studies which addressed issues pertaining to the economic/technical feasibility of membrane reactor processes. In this chapter we specifically focus our attention on these issues. In the discussion in this chapter we have, by necessity, drawn our information from published studies and reports. Several proprietary studies reportedly exist, carried out by a number of industrial companies, particularly during the last decade, which have evaluated the potential of membrane reactors for application in large-scale catalytic processes. By all accounts the conclusions reached in these proprietary reports mirror those found in the published literature. In the discussion which follows, we will first discuss catalytic and electrochemical reactors. We will then conclude with a discussion on membrane bioreactors. 

The Project implemented will allow to reduce fossil fuel consumption fuel transportation costs reduce the negative impact upon the environment improve social and economic conditions in the Region develop the scientific and technical potential of the country retain the existing and create new jobs in the European part of Russia expand nuclear industry s importing and international cooperation in the field of nuclear energy use contribute to improvement of the positive image of nuclear energy for civilian plication. 

The demand for a sustainable economy includes economic, technical, social and ecological necessities, the aim being to ensure a balanced development that is indefinitely self-sufficient, i.e., sustainable. The basic idea is to maintain the development potential of coming generations at the present level. 

To complete an energy plan that adds up, we must rely on one or more forms of solar power, or use nuclear power or both. One scenario (out of many one may think of) of a sustainable non-nuclear energy plan is given in Table 5.1.19 (right-hand column). It was thereby assumed that 50% of the technically feasible potential of solar power from energy crops and of wind, hydro, tide, wave, and geothermal power will be used, which reflects the economically visible potential (footnotes Table 5.1.19). Thus, 75% of the energy demand is covered by concentrated solar power. 

Cardona, E. Piacentino, A. Cardona, E. Energy Saving in Airports by Trigeneration. Part I Assessing Economic and Technical Potential. Appl. Therm. Eng. 2006,26, 1427. 

A detailed study of the properties of the potential products is of prime technical and economic importance, because it allows the refiner to have a choice in selecting feedstocks for his different units for separation, transformation and conversion, to set their operating conditions, in order to satisfy the needs of the marketplace in the best ways possible. 

If an option proves to be technically ineffective or inappropriate, it is deleted from the list of potential alternatives. Either follo ving or concurrent with the technical evaluation, an economic study is performed, weighing standard measures of profitability such as payback period, investment returns, and net present value. Many of these costs (or, more appropriately, cost saving may be substantial yet are difficult to quantify. (Refer to Economic Considerations Associated with Pollution Prevention.)... 

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