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Newsletter and Technical Publications
<Technical Workbook on Environmental Management Tools for
Decision Analysis>
Box 4: Investigation or evaluation of technology effectiveness
The objective of this exercise is to evaluate the various technology options
or alternatives against efficiency parameters or indicators. The identification
of technologies that are efficient and sustainable over the longer term depends
on the consideration of a number of interrelated sustainability parameters.
Analysis findings then need to be translated into policy.
- Efficiencies throughout the project execution cycle
Technology adoption, implementation and use, decision-making processes often
progress through a number of phases that define the project life cycle. In order
to be sustainable over the longer term, any analysis of a technology needs to
consider all the phases of the classical technology decision loop. Sustainable
policy directives should ideally precede the phases of the technology decision
loop, which then commences with pre-feasibility and feasibility assessments. It
then progresses to the various design phases, then through the commercial or
procurement sub-loop, through site selection processes and eventually through
construction, commissioning, use, maintenance and upgrades, culminating with
eventual dismantling and redevelopment of the site. See Figure 3.
Figure 3
The Technology Decision Loop
- Efficient material and energy consumption
This examines the efficiency of the technologies under review as far as material
and energy use are concerned. Energy and resource consumption efficiencies
throughout the life cycle of any technology are important sustainability
parameters.
- Toxicity of materials used
It is important to consider the toxicity and eco-toxicity of all materials used
and discharges made throughout the technology life cycle.
- Volume and types of solid waste or by-products generated
It is also important to identify expected solid waste streams and required waste
handling strategies. Waste also includes effluents and gaseous emissions.
Effluent discharges to surface and ground water
It asks the question: What are the volume and types of effluents that may be
expected and what are the treatment requirements of the effluent discharges?
Atmospheric emissions
It asks the question: What are the volume and types of atmospheric emissions
that may be expected and what are the treatment requirements of the gaseous
emissions?
- Efficiencies with respect to global environmental concerns
It examines how efficient the technologies are with respect to global
environmental issues such as:
- Ozone depletion;
- Greenhouse effects;
- Acidification;
- Salination;
- Eutrophication; and
- Impacts on biodiversity
- Efficiencies related to both occupational and community health and safety
It examines the occupational and community health hazards associated with the
technologies and related materials under review.
- Operational efficiencies
Operational efficiencies usually refer to cost
benefits as well as to the following parameters:
- How efficient is the technology when compared to others as far as benefits
and disadvantages are concerned, especially when compared to operational and
maintenance costs?
- How efficient is the technology as optimum operational time is concerned?
- What is the maintenance needs and costs associated with the technologies
under review?
- How available are spare parts and other support mechanisms?
- How appropriate is the technology as far as the financial, capacity and
societal profiles are concerned?
- What standards or criteria were used to design the technologies?
- How user friendly is the technology?
- Financial efficiencies
Financial efficiencies refer to more than just the
cost of the technology vs benefits throughout its life cycle. It should also
include parameters such as:
- Does the total economic benefit exceed the total economic cost?
- How many jobs are created during the various phases of the project?
- What skills are transferred.
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