Life Cycle Assessment and Life Cycle Energy

Question: Discuss about the Life Cycle Assessment and Life Cycle Energy. Answer: Introduction Sustainable development refers the availability of the resources for accomplishing the current needs of the future generations without compromising their own needs (Schlr, Fischer and Hake 2013). It is always desirable for the society to bring energy efficiency supplies for the development of the subsistence agricultural economies to modern industrial and service-driven society (Dale et al. 2013). This sustainability culture is the core driving force of the sipping arm of ADNOC and its group of companies and National Gas Shipping Company Ltd (ADNATCO and NGSCO). It delivers UAEs energy to the global field and meets the intensifying and diversified marine transportation requirements of ADNOC Group of Companies. Energy is central for developing economic and social well-being and is indispensable to most of the energy development projects (Hk, Moldan and Dahl 2012). However, much of the current energy supply and use based, as it is, on restricted of fossil fuels is deemed to be environmentally unsustainable. Risk and waste- two aspects are integrally associated with the energy production or conversion technologies. Emerging costs in generation of energy is another degradation factor for sustainable development of the energy sector. Thus the provision of sufficient and reliable energy services at an affordable cost in a secure and environmentally benign manner along with the conformation of economic and social needs is an essential assessment consideration for the development of energy sustainability. By the assessment of the performance of ADNATCO and NGSCO, the detail energy efficiency process will be evaluated along with corresponding challenges. To benchmark with the industry best practice and their fellow peers, the researcher will discuss the fuel cost saving initiatives and other improvement opportunities for ADNATCO and NGSCO. Thus the main purpose of the research project is to identify the key assessment indicator for sustainability development of ADNATCO and NGSCO. Business Overview ADNATCO and NGSCO is an ISM, ISO 9001 and 14001 certified company. Previously both the company operated independently. In the year of 2009, two companies were merged to form ADNATCO and NGSCO and at the same time ADNATCO involved in major fleet expansion. During the years the company operates a combined fleet of thirty vessels and recognised as one of the largest fleet in the Arabian Gulf. ADNATCO is involved in the global transportation of petroleum products and bulk cargo of sulphur along with the production of the polyethylene products supplied from petrochemicals subsidiary of ADNOC from its plant in Ruwais. The company has already recognised challenges facing the world today, specifically in the gas and oil industry. It has already evident that ADNATCO makes imperative efforts in creating suitable solutions to overcome these challenges, in accordance with the principle of sustainability. The primary focus of the business is to recognise the principle as a comprehensive approach to achieving progress across all fronts. Currently, the company continued with their existing initiatives towards establishing cost effective commitments. These commitments include energy saving by achieving costs effectiveness as well as reducing the environmental footprints. In the year of 2015, the company has appreciated for their sustainable contribution in reduction of CO2 emission of 189,540 Tons in LNG Fleet, 11,034 Tons in Tanker Fleet, and 4921 Tons in Dry Bulk Fleet (ADNATCO and NGSCO 2016). Secondly, ADNATCO and NGSCO have achieved a remarkable contribution in ship-office connectivity through the system of the performance management solution in their Al Ruban ERP project. In addition, the mission of the company is also included safe, efficient and environmentally responsive transportation of cargo by sea during the transportation of LNG from ADGAS liquefaction plant to Das Island in the Arabian Gulf to the customers of NGSCO in Japan (ADNATCO and NGSCO 2016). Therefore, it can be said that the merged efforts have been given towards the sustainability in term of reduction of the environmental footprints in the energy generation process and reduction of positive effect on emissions. As illustrated in the overview, ADNATCO and NGSCO have gone through a rapid growth in case of the fleet expansion over the last few years and now the company is trying to settle down for more stable conditions (ADNATCO and NGSCO 2016). Apart from the companys external sustainability performances, the company has shown their commitment to provide a safe and protected environment for their employees (Singh et al. 2012). To prevent pollution in all forms, the fleet receives high standard of board and also endorsed ballast water management. Along with that this fleet also give high level of security assurance in line with ADNOC. Thus the key assessment indicators of sustainability of ADNATCO and NGSCO are many. However, the research identified that ADNATCO and NGSCO have made efforts in reduction of cost consumptions, and environmental blueprints in a most cost effective manner. The sustainable performance is also judged by assessing the commitments of the management to provide protected working environment for their employees. Problem Statement Since the year of 2009, the effective energy operations have been carried out by the joint efforts of ADNATCO and NGSCO. There are several market analysts said that it wont be unfair to say that the focus of ADNATCO and NGSCO over the past few years has been firmly on integrating the two companies and expanding operations. Through this process of this research, it was evident that due to these intense last few years, there has been a limited focus and priority given to energy efficiency. Although they have participated in several sustainable activities as a part of the ADNOC sustainability program later years, but later while the industry facing challenges to improve fuel efficiency and gradually reduction of the harmful emissions to air and enhance environmental profile as well. The problem was evident that whilst a lot of efforts have been given towards the improvement of the companys environmental footprint, however, they did not appear to be company-driven policies. For this reas on, the strategic focus or plan on energy efficiency has been missing. In other words, a less effort has been given towards the reduction of the energy consumption on ships. Furthermore, single energy efficiency initiatives of ADNATCO and NGSCO such as polishing of propeller an optimization of time, are not being practiced and thus, the company will not be able to take out its full potential without addressing the organisation as a whole (ADNATCO and NGSCO 2016). It means that there are some scarce resources have not been utilized by the company which can ensure more economic, social and environmental benefits and ensure the sustainable energy development. Research aim and objectives The aim of the research is to identify the real time management and operational efficiencies in line with the industry best practice by developing the sustainability culture (social, economical and environmental) of ADNATCO and NGSCO which includes balancing economic success, environmental protection and social responsibility. To achieve the optimum sustainability, the objective of this research project is as follows: To identify the key performance indicators of ADNATCO and NGSCOs energy efficiency performances To identify the current industry challenges to plan for cost saving initiatives To evaluate the ADNOC sustainability program and assess the contribution in reduction of energy consumption To prioritise improvement opportunities Research Questions How does the company contribute in reduction of energy consumption? What are the KPIs of energy efficiency performances of ADNATCO and NGSCO? How do the company prioritise their energy enhancement capabilities? What are the strategies need to be developed for sustainable energy supply? Literature Review Indicator of sustainable development of energy sectors: The energy indicators for sustainable energy development sector can be discussed according to dimensions, themes and sub-themes. Table 1.1 lists several indicators which are classified into three dimensions: social economic and environmental. Theme Sub-theme Energy Indicator Components Equity Affordability, accessibility and disparities Income spent by share of household on fuel and electricity or share of house who are largely dependent on non-commercial energy i) Household Heavily dependent on non-commercial energy, commercial energy and population who are without electricity ii) Those households who spent their income on electricity and fuel iii)Energy users according to each income group Health Safety Accident fatalities per energy generated by fuel chain i) Annual production of energy ii) Annual fatalities per fuel chain Table 1.1 (a) Social Indicators (Source: Wood and Hertwich 2013) Theme Sub-theme Energy Indicator Components Patten of production and use Total use, Efficiency of supply, overall productively Use energy per GDP unit, per capital and so on Total energy consumption, Total population and so on Table 1.1 (b) Economic Indicators (Source: Wood and Hertwich 2013) Theme Sub-theme Energy Indicator Components Water Quality of water GHG emissions from total production of energy GDP and population Atmosphere Climate change, Quality of air Discharges of Contaminant in the section of oil discharges Discharges of contaminant in liquid effluents Table 1.1 (c) Environmental Indicators (Source: Wood and Hertwich 2013) Sustainable development dimensions It is indispensable fact that sustainability development is all about improving quality of life both the perspectives of economic and environment (Cabeza, et al. 2014). This is the reason why sustainable development covers three dimensions: economical, social and environmental. However, sound institutional structure is required for a reliable and efficient energy system. Social dimensions: Availability of energy has direct impacts on society in terms of opportunities of employment, education, poverty and health and many others (Santoyo-Castelazo and Azapagic 2014). Social equity is one of the core values for the sustainable development in case of the social dimension. It is obvious that energy should be available for all at the fair price. However, there are several social disparity in access of limited and non limited resources. Such disparities within the nation or between the nations may result inadequate energy transport, highly uneven distribution of income and many others. Economic dimensions: This dimension measure how the production or the use patterns of energy affect progress in economic development, or nations trend and consumption patterns which directly impacts on the income structure of the users (Evans, Strezov and Evans 2016). According to modern economies are depend on reliable and sustainable energy supply for the growth of the industrialization. Demand of residential, commercial, agriculture and transport is the main driving force for the growth of the energy sectors. Electricity is the most dominant form of energy for communication, manufacturing, IT and services (Diaz-Maurin 2016). Different sectors are evaluated the energy consumptions with different economic indicators, having two distinct themes: Security and pattern of production and use. Environment dimensions: The production, distribution and use of energy create huge impacts on environment (Martens and Carvalho 2016). This dimension is greatly influenced on how energy is produced and used, the structure of the energy systems, the structure of pricing, the fuel mix and many others. Indicators of the environment are divided into three dimensions: water, land and atmosphere. However, inferior water management system or climate changes are negatively impacts on environment. The global energy sector is considered to be responsible for increased global environmental footprints and high Co2 emission and many other environmental challenges (Tongsopit et al. 2016) Therefore, the sustainable development needs top face all such challenged for the growth of the global entities. Accommodating suitability at the national level and development priorities: Sustainable development of energy sector needs to be structured to accommodate a broad range of factors and associated indicators must be evaluated simultaneously (Andri et al. 2016). However, it is challenging when sustainable development stuck by the depletion of resources both at the national and international level. Thus priorities must be given towards the generation of renewable sources of energy or imported fuels. By this strategy, the sustainable development can be achieved. Research Methodologies and Techniques: The methodology section is the vital part of the research because it gives the systematic framework to the researcher for the collection of data and relevant information to better understand the research theme and as is situation (Pickard 2012). To identify the key assessment indicator of the ADNATCO and NGSCO, the researcher will follow certain research design and techniques in this methodology section. Generally there are several options are available for gathering the research information such as surveys, interviews, publication and other research techniques. In this research, the researcher will conduct the qualitative research as well as quantitative research. Under the qualitative research method the researcher will be chose thematic analysis. It is a flexible approach of to analysing the qualitative data (O'Leary 2013). By searching different themes and patterns, the researcher will identify different dimensions of sustainability development of ADNATCO and NGSCO. On the other hand, the research process will conduct interviews and workshops under the quantitative method of the research. The interviews will be carried out with those who are closely associated with ADNATCO and NGSCO. All those responses will be collected which will help to assess the current working situations within ADNATCO and NGSCO. People attached with the program of ADNOC sustainability will be participated in the interview to discuss the companys efforts to in order to improve fuel efficiency and the environmental footprint. The selected sample size of the participants would be 20 and all the associated members of the energy efficient program of ADNATCO and NGSCO will be chosen by Simple Random Technique. In this way, the researcher will collect different viewpoints related to the operational deficiencies of ADNOC and NGSCO which will help to assess energy efficiency opportunity of the company. In other words, the research will explore quantitative data for high level verification and quantification of improvement opportunities. In this mixed approach of methodology, the researcher will analyses the data related to the sustainability with the help of qualitative and/or quantitative benchmark of performance vs. leading practices. The will help to develop the foundation for an energy efficiency program. At the same time, the data analysis will help to design single energy efficiency initiatives of ADNATCO and NGSCO. With the progression of data analysis, the researcher will realise the identified opportunities for the effective implementation of the research program and future priorities. Te gathered data from ADNATCO and NGSCO will be analysed with regard to their structure of the organisation, fleet information, captured data of vessel performance, noon reports and so on. The most valuable part of these data analysis is the researchers related to the research topic. Research outcomes After the detailed observations of the key resources of ADNATCO and NGSCO and hypothesis determination, the researcher will develop a sense of observation. After the collection of information related to the on-going initiatives of the company, the research will provide guidance to increase more focus on energy consumption and understands the reduced effects of the emission. This research will help the company to take initiative towards improvement of the overall environmental profile. Thus the outcome of the research will help the company to engage more diversified sustainability program of ADNATCO and NGSCO. After prioritise improvement opportunities, the company will definitely take single energy efficiency initiatives of ADNATCO and NGSCO. Time Scale Particulars 1-2 weeks 3-5 weeks 5-8 weeks 8-10 weeks Understanding of research topic and develop framework Develop research aim and objectives Understanding of relevant literature Methodology design Data Analysis Derive research outcome and accomplish the project (Source: Created by author) References: ADNATCO and NGSCO. (2016). Home. [online] Available at: https://www.adnatcongsco.ae [Accessed 2 Sep. 2016]. AndriĆ¡, I., Gomes, N., Pina, A., Ferro, P., Fournier, J., Lacarrire, B. and Le Corre, O., 2016. Modeling the long-term effect of climate change on building heat demand: case study on a district level. Energy and Buildings. Blumberga, A., Blumberga, D., Bazbauers, G., Zogla, G. and Laicane, I., 2014. 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