TECHNICAL PAPERS
Apr 1, 1990

Economic Analysis of Energy Projects with Uncertainty

Publication: Journal of Energy Engineering
Volume 116, Issue 1

Abstract

The lack of precision in an economic analysis of an energy production facility is expressed quantitatively with an uncertainty to the 68% confidence level. The sensitivities of various parameters to imperfect projections is propagated through a fairly simple technique into an overall uncertainty for the feasibility indicator, such as benefit‐cost (BC) ratio. The technique assumes that each of the variable parameters is unrelated, from a Gaussian population, and that the individual sensitivities have a normal probability distribution. The effects of these assumptions on applications of the uncertainty technique are described. The technique is illustrated through a case study involving the economic analyses of hydropower feasibility.

Get full access to this article

View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.

References

1.
Ang, A. H. S., and Tang, W. H. (1984). Probability concepts in engineering planning and design: Decision, risk, and reliability. Vol. 2, John Wiley and Sons, New York, N.Y.
2.
Benjamin, J. R., and Cornell, C. A. (1970). Probability, statistics, and decision for civil engineers. McGraw‐Hill, New York, N.Y.
3.
Buchanan, J. (1982). Discrete and dynamic decision analysis. John Wiley and Son, London, England.
4.
Ford, A., and McKay, M. D. (1985). “Quantifying uncertainty in energy model forecasts.” Energy Systems and Policy, 9(3), 217–247.
5.
Goidechea, A., Krouse, M. R., and Antle, L. G. (1982). “An approach to risk and uncertainty in benefit‐cost analysis of water resource project.” Water Resour. Res., 18(4), 791–799.
6.
Goodman, A. S. (1984). Principles of water resources planning, Prentice‐Hall, Englewood Cliffs, N.J.
7.
Kline, S. J. (1985). “The purpose of uncertainty analysis.” J. Fluids Engrg., 107(2), 153–160.
8.
Kunreuther, H. C., and Linneroth, J. (1982). Risk analysis and decision processes. Springer‐Verlag, New York, N.Y.
9.
Moffat, R. J. (1985). “Using uncertainty analysis in the planning of experiment.” J. Fluids Engrg., 107, Jun.
10.
Moody's Municipal & Government Manual. (1988). Moody's Investors Service, New York, N.Y.
11.
Risk. (1989). Palisade Corp., Newfield, N.Y.
12.
Tversky, A., and Kahnemann (1974). “Judgment under uncertainty: Heuristics and biases.” Sci., 185, 1124–1131.
13.
Yen, B. C. (1987). “Reliability of hydraulic structures possessing random loading and resistance.” Reliability and risk in water resources engineering, Martinus Nijhoff, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Information & Authors

Information

Published In

Go to Journal of Energy Engineering
Journal of Energy Engineering
Volume 116Issue 1April 1990
Pages: 1 - 16

History

Published online: Apr 1, 1990
Published in print: Apr 1990

Permissions

Request permissions for this article.

Authors

Affiliations

Judson Woods
Planning Engr., Harza Engrg. Co., 150 S. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606
John S. Gulliver, Member, ASCE
Assoc. Prof., St. Anthony Falls Hydr. Lab., Dept. of Civ. and Mineral Engrg., Univ. of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55454

Metrics & Citations

Metrics

Citations

Download citation

If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.

Cited by

View Options

Get Access

Access content

Please select your options to get access

Log in/Register Log in via your institution (Shibboleth)
ASCE Members: Please log in to see member pricing

Purchase

Save for later Information on ASCE Library Cards
ASCE Library Cards let you download journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters across the entire ASCE Library platform. ASCE Library Cards remain active for 24 months or until all downloads are used. Note: This content will be debited as one download at time of checkout.

Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
ASCE Library Card (5 downloads)
$105.00
Add to cart
ASCE Library Card (20 downloads)
$280.00
Add to cart
Buy Single Article
$35.00
Add to cart

Get Access

Access content

Please select your options to get access

Log in/Register Log in via your institution (Shibboleth)
ASCE Members: Please log in to see member pricing

Purchase

Save for later Information on ASCE Library Cards
ASCE Library Cards let you download journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters across the entire ASCE Library platform. ASCE Library Cards remain active for 24 months or until all downloads are used. Note: This content will be debited as one download at time of checkout.

Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
ASCE Library Card (5 downloads)
$105.00
Add to cart
ASCE Library Card (20 downloads)
$280.00
Add to cart
Buy Single Article
$35.00
Add to cart

Media

Figures

Other

Tables

Share

Share

Copy the content Link

Share with email

Email a colleague

Share