334 research outputs found

    Creating shared value:An operations and supply chain management perspective

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    Focusing solely on short-term profits has caused social, environmental, and economic problems. Creating shared value integrates profitability with social and environmental objectives, offering a holistic solution. This dissertation examines two areas where this integration is crucial. The first topic explores servicizing business models for a transition to a more circular economy, emphasizing environmental benefits and firm profitability. Initially, we focus on pricing policies, comparing pricing schemes across consumer segments to identify win-win-win strategies that meet all people, planet, and profit objectives. Our research reveals that pay-per-use schemes outperform pay-per-period schemes for cost-inefficient or small-scale providers. A win-win (profit and planet) strategy can be achieved by offering a pay-per-use policy to high usage-valuation consumers, but a win-win-win strategy is unattainable. We then investigate consumer choices in servicizing models by conducting a conjoint experiment on payment scheme, price, minimum contract duration, and entry label attributes. The payment scheme emerges as the most influential attribute, with purchasing and pay-per-use schemes being popular options. The second topic focuses on drug shortages. Specifically, we examine the impact of tendering on shortages. Our findings demonstrate that tendering reduces prices but increases shortages, particularly at the beginning of contracts. However, shortages are less severe when alternative suppliers are available, and the market is less concentrated. To address this issue, we propose allowing multiple winners, regionalizing tenders, increasing the time between tender and contract initiation, and incorporating a reliability measure as a winning criterion to mitigate shortages

    Systemic Circular Economy Solutions for Fiber Reinforced Composites

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    This open access book provides an overview of the work undertaken within the FiberEUse project, which developed solutions enhancing the profitability of composite recycling and reuse in value-added products, with a cross-sectorial approach. Glass and carbon fiber reinforced polymers, or composites, are increasingly used as structural materials in many manufacturing sectors like transport, constructions and energy due to their better lightweight and corrosion resistance compared to metals. However, composite recycling is still a challenge since no significant added value in the recycling and reprocessing of composites is demonstrated. FiberEUse developed innovative solutions and business models towards sustainable Circular Economy solutions for post-use composite-made products. Three strategies are presented, namely mechanical recycling of short fibers, thermal recycling of long fibers and modular car parts design for sustainable disassembly and remanufacturing. The validation of the FiberEUse approach within eight industrial demonstrators shows the potentials towards new Circular Economy value-chains for composite materials

    Homegrown/Homespun; Scaling Up a Low-Carbon Textile System in Lancashire

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    With growing interest in ethically- and environmentally-sound fashion systems, regional economic resilience, and community climate action, this research aimed to investigate the feasibility to upscale a localised and low-carbon textile system. Using a case study approach of the ‘Homegrown/Homespun’ textile initiative in Blackburn, East Lancashire, the thesis highlights the opportunities and tensions involved in upscale, focusing on a proposed flax and natural indigo supply chain. Guided by the triple bottom line (TBL) framework for sustainability (Elkington, 1998), a mixed-methods approach drew conclusions from primary and secondary quantitative and qualitative data. Contributing to a growing interdisciplinary field of research, the thesis is situated between the fields of environmental research, sustainable supply chain management, transitions research, and environmental psychology. The research findings recommend a gradual re-localisation, recognising the short-term trade-offs between elements of sustainability within a long-term vision towards a UK-based sustainable textiles industry. Collaborative endeavours across the industry are suggested to support economic feasibility, considering the current economic and infrastructural challenges. The carbon life cycle assessment (LCA) proposes flax-based denim to be a low-carbon fibre alternative, potentially with less than half the associated carbon impact of a cotton pair of jeans. A participatory action approach supported holistic and community-centric research into social sustainability within TBL. Findings from a small sample imply the ‘Homegrown/Homespun’ project facilitates the behavioural and psychological capability of the volunteering community to engage in environmental action. This research has supported a greater understanding of upscaling sustainable business models and considering the prospects for re-shoring garment manufacturing to a high-cost economy, building on existing literature. The thesis contributes an indepth account of upscaling efforts from small-scale initiatives grounded in sustainability principles and innovative thinking

    Alternative Water Supply Systems

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    This is the final version. Available on open access from IWA Publishing via the DOI in this recordOwing to climate change related uncertainties and anticipated population growth, different parts of the developing and the developed world (particularly urban areas) are experiencing water shortages or flooding and security of fit-for-purpose supplies is becoming a major issue. The emphasis on decentralized alternative water supply systems has increased considerably. Most of the information on such systems is either scattered or focuses on large scale reuse with little consideration given to decentralized small to medium scale systems. Alternative Water Supply Systems brings together recent research into the available and innovative options and additionally shares experiences from a wide range of contexts from both developed and developing countries. Alternative Water Supply Systems covers technical, social, financial and institutional aspects associated with decentralized alternative water supply systems. These include systems for greywater recycling, rainwater harvesting, recovery of water through condensation and sewer mining. A number of case studies from the UK, the USA, Australia and the developing world are presented to discuss associated environmental and health implications. The book provides insights into a range of aspects associated with alternative water supply systems and an evidence base (through case studies) on potential water savings and trade-offs. The information organized in the book is aimed at facilitating wider uptake of context specific alternatives at a decentralized scale mainly in urban areas. This book is a key reference for postgraduate level students and researchers interested in environmental engineering, water resources management, urban planning and resource efficiency, water demand management, building service engineering and sustainable architecture. It provides practical insights for water professionals such as systems designers, operators, and decision makers responsible for planning and delivering sustainable water management in urban areas through the implementation of decentralized water recycling

    Modelling of Maintenance ServiceWorkshop and Inventory Operations for a Short Cycle Operational Region.

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    The North Sea region sees a high operational cycle of tools that require frequent maintenance check-ups, repairs, and preparations for subsequent operations. Given the quick-paced nature of these operations, the availability of spare parts at the maintenance workshop is critical for maintaining minimal flowtime. Adding to the challenge is the practice of sourcing spare parts from best-cost countries, leading to a lead time of approximately one year, thus necessitating an optimal economic order quantity and reorder point. The balancing act between maintaining sufficient inventory at the workshop and managing operational expenses through batch ordering of spare parts is a complex one. Frequent supply requirements contribute to the environmental impacts through increased spare part scrap rates. With these challenges in mind, this thesis aims to develop a simulation model capable of quantifying the costs and benefits associated with reusing repaired spares, as compared to procuring newly built spares from best-cost countries. To achieve this, a case study focusing on a specific maintenance workshop within the North Sea region was carried out. The comprehensive tool repair and spare part supply operations were conceptualized and modeled using a simulation approach. Two operational scenarios were simulated: the first, where the maintenance workshop was completely dependent on newly built spares sourced from best-cost countries, with no inventory stock dedicated for spares re-usage. In the second scenario, the workshop primarily relied on repaired spares, with a safety level of new build stock maintained. The results, guided by the research question probing the impact of implementing a repair-path cycle process within the maintenance process, showed that the enhanced model significantly outperformed the baseline model across several key metrics over a model time run of three years. These include a 78% reduction in lead times, a 116% improvement in worker utilization, a 73% reduction in crowding levels, a 52% reduction in scrap rate, and a potential profit increase of roughly three million NOK (20%). This thesis provides evidence that the enhanced model, with its focus on repaired spares, presents a more sustainable, efficient, and profitable solution to the challenges of inventory management in highcycle operations. It is important to note, however, that the sensitivity of these results is closely tied to the high procurement lead times

    Circularity and Sustainability Roadmap for the urban context | Deliverable D2.1

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    The present report analyses a set of renewable technologies, fuels, and strategies to enhance the uptake of renewable and sustainable solutions in cities. 33 items are preliminarily scrutinized along six dimensions, namely technical feasibility, economic feasibility, circularity, environmental impact, social acceptance, and gender issues. Out of the 33 items, 11 are analysed in detail in order to understand the potential to be readily applied in urban context. Solar PV Panels. PV panels can now be considered as a standard technology with a substantial deployment in urban contexts. It can be said that the main driver for further development is the regulatory context which can evolve to further support the installations. From the economic point of view, PV panels reached grid parity in many cases and the Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) sharply decreases. The main challenge is linked to the circularity and in the organization of the end-of-life phase for the recycling and reutilization of the materials and components. Solar Thermal Collectors. Low temperature solar thermal collectors can be considered a mature technology diffused in many EU cities, especially where the solar radiation conditions are convenient (e.g., South Europe). They are mainly used to produce domestic hot water, but new applications are also developed for industrial processes (e.g., food processing). From the economic point of view the feasibility depends on the alternative fossil fuel supply, but with the rising natural gas prices their convenience is quite easy to achieve. CAPEX considerably decreased thus large-scale deployments can be achievable. Green Walls/Roofs. Green Walls/Roofs are not a renewable energy solution, but they are an impactful solution for increasing sustainability in cities by mitigating, among others, the heat island effect. The concept is very easy and consists in integrating vegetation in buildings. Despite its simplicity, it is only implemented in a few buildings and infrastructures, most of which became iconic. From the economic point of view the feasibility of the solution depends on the cooling and heating cost since it can contribute to reduce them substantially. Heat Pumps. Heat pump is a pivotal technology for supporting the energy transition. It is the fundamental technology for enabling the electrification of heat generation. Its role in cities is relevant because it allows to switch the building heating demand from the fossil fuels to the power market, thus it permits to exploit the increasing renewable power generation. Different options are available on the market and they are also cost-competitive. The main issue is linked to the environmental sustainability of the refrigerants. However, the environmental impact is only ascribed to refrigerant leakage, while there are no issues during the normal operation. More and more sustainable refrigerants are object of research worldwide. Thermal Energy Storage Technologies. Thermal storages serve to decouple the thermal energy consumption from its generation to ensure the continuity of supply. The scale of thermal storage systems can be different depending on the application. Large scale high temperature solar plants need large storages whereas individual thermal storage systems for domestic applications can be simple and very small (e.g., water-based storage in well insulated tanks). Small thermal storage systems are already feasible from the economic point of view. New systems with increased performances (e.g., in terms of improved insulation for longer storage) are continuously delivered to the market in combination with low temperature solar collectors, in order to provide plug and play solutions. Furthermore, the environmental impact of the domestic solutions is very limited because only standard materials are used. If they are properly recycled and reused (e.g., circulation pumps), a virtuous circle can be activated. Biofuels. Biofuels gained a relevant importance in the last years because they can be easily integrated with the distribution of traditional fossil fuels (e.g., petrol, gasoil, fuel oil, etc.). In fact, blended fuels appeared on the market. 100% biofuel products are also available. On the other hand, biofuel posed a relevant environmental issue in terms of reduction of biodiversity and reduction of land devoted to the production of food products. The most interesting aspect of biofuels is their production starting from waste treatment, in particular organic wastes, such as exhausted vegetables oils. In such a case, a good example of circularity and industrial symbiosis (e.g., food industry and energy industry) would be implemented. E-fuels. Electrofuels gained their popularity recently as possible substitute for conventional fossil fuels. They are produced by exploiting electricity from renewable sources in order to activate chemical reaction and make synthetic fuels (e.g., e-methanol, e-methane, e-ammonia, etc.). On the other hand, the combustion of such fuels determines the emissions of CO2, thus its success depends on the carbon capture storage to implement. Economic aspects are still uncertain since the technology is under development. However, there are economic advantages in the distribution of these fuels because the existing network can be largely exploited. Hydrogen. Hydrogen can be also considered an e-fuel, because through the electrolysis process it can be generated starting from water and electricity. The main advantage of the hydrogen is that a clean combustion can be achieved without pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions. Hydrogen would be a game changer in the transport sector, especially for heavy duty vehicles which have a relevant impact on city (e.g., in cities hosting large harbours for example or in large cities in general). On the other hand, there are still a lot of uncertainties on both technical (e.g., safety concerns, distribution network, storage, etc.) and economic side since the production cost via electrolysis is not yet competitive. Green Financing. To support the energy transition and decarbonization, financial resources are necessary, but public finance is not enough, thus it is necessary to attract private capital for these investments. To this aim innovative forms of financing are to be introduced on the market. On-bill mechanisms are innovative source of financing through the energy bill. The energy utility provides the upfront capital for making sustainable investment and then the users repay the investment on the bill in a number of years. On-tax financing is a mechanism of energy efficiency financing linked to local taxes (e.g., PACE mechanism). Local administrations, e.g., municipalities, provide upfront cost for energy/environmental retrofitting. Users repay the investment cost through local taxes in a fixed number of instalments as given by the specific mechanism. Both on-bill and on-tax mechanisms can be also transferred to next users (e.g., next owner or tenant). Finally, green mortgages are mortgages with lower interest rates with respect to standard ones because they are conditioned to investments in sustainable buildings. Sources of financing for green mortgages are available for commercial banks on the secondary markets and made available by financial institutions such as World Bank, European Investment Bank, etc. Roadmap for the Decarbonisation of Cities. Based on the analysed technologies, renewable fuels, and strategies a roadmap is defined. Main elements and motivation of the roadmap are highlighted, and it is concluded that buildings, transportation sector, and energy system integration are the main aspects to consider for cities decarbonisation

    VERIFICATION AND VALIDATION OF NAVAL AIR WARFARE CENTER AIR DIVISION (NAWCAD) F/A-18 SUSTAINMENT MODEL

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    This thesis addresses Verification and Validation (V&V) efforts for the Naval Air Warfare Center Air Division (NAWCAD) FA-18 sustainment model to ensure the model can make predictions regarding Tier One mission needs of the Air Division. For the development of the model, the Institute for Defense Analytics (IDA) used SIMLOX as the software tool and developed a data pre-processing pipeline using historical supply data as the inputs for the pipeline. Once the data is pre-processed, the data is used as inputs to the model. This thesis verified the model for correctness using a structured walkthrough. Model validation was performed to ensure the model can predict the number of expenditures using a t-test and percent error between historical and projected expenditures. Using a t-test, the model failed to produce a confidence level of 0.95 to use the model for sustainment decisions in the future. Additionally, the model under-predicted the total number of expenditures required by 66 percent and 70 percent for all depot-level repairable items. These findings will be used to improve the model for the purpose of receiving accreditation as a performance and pricing model.Lieutenant, United States NavyApproved for public release. Distribution is unlimited

    Research on the System Safety Management in Urban Railway

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    Nowadays, rail transport has become one of the most widely utilised forms of transport thanks to its high safety level, large capacity, and cost-effectiveness. With the railway network's continuous development, including urban rail transit, one of the major areas of increasing attention and demand is ensuring safety or risk management in operation long-term remains for the whole life cycle by scientific tools, management of railway operation (Martani 2017), specifically in developed and developing countries like Vietnam. The situation in Vietnam demonstrates that the national mainline railway network has been built and operated entirely in a single narrow gauge (1000mm) since the previous century, with very few updates of manual operating technology. This significantly highlights that up to now, the conventional technique for managing the safety operation in general, and collision in particular, of the current Vietnamese railway system, including its subsystems, is only accident statistics which is not a scientific-based tool as the others like risk identify and analyse methods, risk mitigation…, that are already available in many countries. Accident management of Vietnam Railways is limited and responsible for accident statistics analysis to avoid and minimise the harm caused by phenomena that occur only after an accident. Statistical analysis of train accident case studies in Vietnam railway demonstrates that, because hazards and failures that could result in serious system occurrences (accidents and incidents) have not been identified, recorded, and evaluated to conduct safety-driven risk analysis using a well-suited assessment methodology, risk prevention and control cannot be achieved. Not only is it hard to forecast and avoid events, but it may also raise the chance and amount of danger, as well as the severity of the later effects. As a result, Vietnam's railway system has a high number of accidents and failure rates. For example, Vietnam Rail-ways' mainline network accounted for approximately 200 railway accidents in 2018, a 3% increase over the previous year, including 163 collisions between trains and road vehicles/persons, resulting in more than 100 fatalities and more than 150 casualties; 16 accidents, including almost derailments, the signal passed at danger… without fatality or casual-ty, but significant damage to rolling stock and track infrastructure (VR 2021). Focusing and developing a new standardised framework for safety management and availability of railway operation in Vietnam is required in view of the rapid development of rail urban transport in the country in recent years (VmoT 2016; VmoT 2018). UMRT Line HN2A in southwest Hanoi is the country's first elevated light rail transit line, which was completed and officially put into revenue service in November 2021. This greatly highlights that up to the current date, the UMRT Line HN2A is the first and only railway line in Vietnam with operational safety assessment launched for the first time and long-term remains for the whole life cycle. The fact that the UMRT Hanoi has a large capacity, more complicated rolling stock and infrastructure equipment, as well as a modern communica-tion-based train control (CBTC) signalling system and automatic train driving without the need for operator intervention (Lindqvist 2006), are all advantages. Developing a compatible and integrated safety management system (SMS) for adaption to the safety operating requirements of this UMRT is an important major point of concern, and this should be proven. In actuality, the system acceptance and safety certification phase for Metro Line HN2A prolonged up to 2.5 years owing to the identification of difficulties with noncompliance to safety requirements resulting from inadequate SMS documents and risk assessment. These faults and hazards have developed during the manufacturing and execution of the project; it is impossible to go back in time to correct them, and it is also impossible to ignore the project without assuming responsibility for its management. At the time of completion, the HN2A metro line will have required an expenditure of up to $868 million, thus it is vital to create measures to prevent system failure and assure passenger safety. This dissertation has reviewed the methods to solve the aforementioned challenges and presented a solution blueprint to attain the European standard level of system safety in three-phase as in the following: • Phase 1: applicable for lines that are currently in operation, such as Metro Line HN2A. Focused on operational and maintenance procedures, as well as a training plan for railway personnel, in order to enhance human performance. Complete and update the risk assessment framework for Metro Line HN2A. The dissertation's findings are described in these applications. • Phase 2: applicable for lines that are currently in construction and manufacturing, such as Metro Line HN3, Line HN2, HCMC Line 1 and Line 2. Continue refining and enhancing engineering management methods introduced during Phase 1. On the basis of the risk assessment by manufacturers (Line HN3, HCMC Line 2 with European manufacturers) and the risk assessment framework described in Chapter 4, a risk management plan for each line will be developed. Building Accident database for risk assessment research and development. • Phase 3: applicable for lines that are currently in planning. Enhance safety requirements and life-cycle management. Building a proactive Safety Culture step by step for the railway industry. This material is implemented gradually throughout all three phases, beginning with the creation of the concept and concluding with an improvement in the attitude of railway personnel on the HN2A line. In addition to this overview, Chapters 4 through Chapter 9 of the dissertation include particular solutions for Risk assessment, Vehicle and Infrastructure Maintenance methods, Inci-dent Management procedures, and Safety Culture installation. This document focuses on constructing a system safety concept for railway personnel, providing stringent and scientific management practises to assure proper engineering conditions, to manage effectively the metro line system, and ensuring passenger safety in Hanoi's metro operatio
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