[en] The development of high efficiency transformers is outlined and linked to the energy shortage of the late 1970s and the consequent upward revision of loss evaluation factors by electric utilities. The factors affecting power losses in transformers are briefly discussed. Core loss (no-load loss) depends on such factors as flux density, core weight, and materials, and is closely interrelated with load loss, which depends on the number of turns in the transformer coil, coil length, and current density. Some loss evaluation formulas in use are illustrated. Manufacturers have responded to these formulas by producing transformers with larger cores and lower flux densities, causing the no-load loss to be lower. The transformers are larger and more expensive to purchase. However, by considering the effects of evaluated losses plus the cost of the transformer, the total owning cost of these new designs is lower than that of previous low-cost, high-loss designs. The user who buys on price alone will get a transformer with the highest losses possible. 2 figs., 1 tab

[en] In order to improve the economic life and reduced life cycle cost of the power transformers, the power transformer life cycle calculation model was built which considered key factors in all sections of the life cycle. Then the economic life evaluation method was researched to get the least total cost in the life cycle. At last, Practical example was calculated to obtain the life cycle cost and verified the accurateness of the method. The research result could provide theoretical support for equipment LCC management. (paper)

[en] The underlying key to developing successful estimates, tracking project costs, and utilizing historical project cost information is the development of standardized and well-defined hierarchical listing of cost categories. Committees within the U.S. Federal agencies have pioneered efforts toward developing the Environmental Cost Element Structure (ECES), which is key in achieving these goals. The ECES was developed using an iterative process with input from federal agencies and industry. Experts from several disciplines participated including engineers, cost estimators, project/program managers, and contract personnel. The ECES benefits from an intense analytical effort, the knowledge gained from the maturation of the environmental industry, and incorporation of past user's experiences. Building upon this foundation, the E06 committee of the ASTM International has now fully developed and published a standard (ASTM 2150-04) that provides standardized cost categories with complete cost category definitions. This standard affords environmental and nuclear D and D project managers the opportunity to have a well defined hierarchical listing of their estimates and actual costs, readily adapted to performing summations and roll-ups, supported by a multi-level dictionary specifically defining the content of the cost elements as well as the summations. Owing to the dynamic nature of the environmental technologies, efforts need to be made to continue to update this standard by adding new technologies and methods as they are developed and employed in the field. Lastly, the Environmental Cost Element Structure that is embodied in this standard also presents opportunities to develop historical cost databases and comprehensive life cycle cost estimates and standardized cost estimating tools. (authors)

[en] When a unit is tested outside a technical system, it has normally been removed due to a fault. However, in some cases the external test may not discover any fault and a No Fault Found (NFF) event may occur. The NFF phenomenon is a major problem when dealing with complex technical systems, and its consequences may be manifested in decreased safety and dependability and increased life cycle costs. There are multiple interacting causes of NFF, demanding tough requirements for successful solutions. The purpose of this paper is to describe the phenomenon of NFF and to highlight possible improvements for the prevention of causes of NFF and the reduction of its consequences. The study was performed as an explorative literature study, and the analysis was based on a holistic system view. The identified causes and solutions are related to life cycle stages, availability performance factors, and system stakeholders

[en] Depending on the real applications, there are various approaches to calculate the fuel cycle costs. The selection of methodology may depend on the required accuracy, for example, or on the drequired input data, or on the period to be covered, extending for example either over the entire commercial life of a nuclear power plant, or only over one equilibrium cycle. The paper discusses some of the most frequently approaches, showing any given or plannable connections between the various approaches. (Orig./DG)

[en] EMWG: Mandate and Membership: • Mandate: To develop methodology for assessment of Gen IV systems against GIF Economic Goals: → Life cycle cost advantage over other systems (lower LUEC); → Comparable financial risks (total capital investment cost (TCIC)). Extended mandate: → Maintain cognizance of challenges and opportunities for integration of Gen IV systems with renewables on the grid; → Methodologies for economic impact of integration; → R&D challenges to meet flexibility requirements. Current membership: Canada, China, France, Japan, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, the USA, IAEA (observer).

[en] A cost estimation system is required to assist in designing a product family. The aim of this paper is to identify the requirements and the problems in estimating the life cycle cost of a product family. Then, this paper also presents the state-of-the-art and the research challenges in developing a life cycle cost estimation system for a product family design. As the conclusion, the life cycle cost estimation process for a product family still needs to face the challenges to determine the end of life strategy of each sub module of a product family, to integrate the end of life strategy to estimate the life cycle cost of a product family, to estimate the life cycle cost of each component level of a product family for design purposes and for different technologies and approaches, to reduce the required time and effort for updating process in estimating the life cycle cost for different structures of different product families, and to transform the available information into the required information in order to estimate the life cycle cost of a product family at the early stage of product development. (paper)

[en] In life-cycle costing analyses, optimal design is usually achieved by minimising the expected value of the discounted costs. As well as the expected value, the corresponding variance may be useful for estimating, for example, the uncertainty bounds of the calculated discounted costs. However, general explicit formulas for calculating the variance of the discounted costs over an unbounded time horizon are not yet available. In this paper, explicit formulas for this variance are presented. They can be easily implemented in software to optimise structural design and maintenance management. The use of the mathematical results is illustrated with some examples

[en] Short communication

[en] A study was sponsored by FEMP in 2001 - 2002 to develop methods to compare life-cycle costs of federal energy conservation projects carried out through energy savings performance contracts (ESPCs) and projects that are directly funded by appropriations. The study described in this report follows up on the original work, taking advantage of new pricing data on equipment and on $500 million worth of Super ESPC projects awarded since the end of FY 2001. The methods developed to compare life-cycle costs of ESPCs and directly funded energy projects are based on the following tasks: (1) Verify the parity of equipment prices in ESPC vs. directly funded projects; (2) Develop a representative energy conservation project; (3) Determine representative cycle times for both ESPCs and appropriations-funded projects; (4) Model the representative energy project implemented through an ESPC and through appropriations funding; and (5) Calculate the life-cycle costs for each project.