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Offshore wind is one of the most fascinating industries in the renewable energy sector and it is experiencing a remarkable growth. Offshore wind energy generation offers an opportunity in the race to decrease the dependence on fossil fuels, reduce green house emissions, increase energy security and create employment opportunities. UK has proven success in offshore wind and has been enjoying the economic benefits of offshore wind since over a decade. Offshore wind energy is an emergent renewable energy industry in the United States. The United States is coping up with the challenges and heading up fast to catch up with the industry. India is still in its infancy stage where the policy frameworks are framed by MNRE government and getting ready with the tools to enter into the offshore market. This paper researches the current situation and trend of offshore wind industries in UK and US, from aspects of policy, grid connections, operation and maintenance and cost reduction and analyses the proper direction and pathways of the industry to India. Therefore this paper highlights the scenario as to how these three countries UK, USA and India, respectively, are enabling offshore wind, to make a vital and sizeable contribution to the low carbon economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To be successful in today's increasingly time-sensitive and competitive markets, businesses need manufacturing processes that are fast, flexible, and adapt quickly to change. By means of a survey conducted in the Indian manufacturing industries discusses the most important parameters of lean manufacturing and flexibility and the significant benefits that were accrued in flexible and lean manufacturing operations. The flexibility is recognized as an important feature in manufacturing. However, the extent of such technology applications varies from industry to industry and has met various degrees of success. The manufacturing companies that are changing processes towards hybrid flexible lean manufacturing (FLM), and focusing on company strategy for cost reduction through eliminating wastages are remain to sustain in this competitive world. This paper describes the development and comparison of characteristics framework by means of which organizations can effectively integrate and change processes towards FLM. The data for this survey were collected through interviews, questionnaire and archival sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the research results of surveys which were conducted in an Indian foundry cluster which are potential members of such sectors are presented. These results indicate that there is an enough potential improvement in the energy use. The use of energy efficient practices can result in their energy use effectively as well as cost reduction. The key findings about the energy pattern are a lack of energy efficient practices. The suggested recommendations can contribute to an increase in energy efficiency in such cluster. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Reducing healthcare costs is a constant endeavor of all healthcare organizations, governments, policy makers, and individuals. A comparative study of available healthcare policies from the patient's perspective is not available. Furthermore, an analysis of how the various components of these policies affect the healthcare cost of a patient is required., Methods: Data were collected from 150 hospitalized patients in India regarding their views on 7 healthcare cost categories covering 22 cost components. These are statistically analyzed under 4 commonly used health insurance policies (2 government insurance schemes: ex-servicemen contributory health scheme and employee state insurance; private insurance schemes; and self-financing-ie, no insurance) to assess which healthcare cost component is more important under which policy option., Results: Under 7 healthcare cost categories, 22 cost components were studied, and out of these 22, 16 were found statistically significant. Results revealed that the treatment of all 16 significant cost components under the 4 health insurance policy options was statistically different., Conclusions: Patients covered under government sector health insurance policies were found to be less concerned about healthcare costs, whereas those covered under private health insurance policies were found to be more cost-conscious. Access to healthcare or transportation costs to the healthcare facility is a key concern area for self-financed patients., (Copyright © 2021 ISPOR--The professional society for health economics and outcomes research. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The capital cost of concentrating solar power (CSP) plants is relatively higher amongst other renewable energy-based electricity generation options. To make CSP plants more competitive, different possibilities to reduce capital costs of CSP plants need to be explored while making use of the recent developments in the field. Two potential modalities for parabolic trough collector based CSP plants have been considered in the study – (i) use of large aperture area parabolic troughs and advanced heat transfer fluids so as to operate at higher temperatures (Case-I) and (ii) use of larger aperture area parabolic troughs along with the use of molten salt as both the heat transfer fluid and storage medium (Case-II). The cost reduction potential has been estimated by assessing the impact of proposed changes on the number of components required to be used and consequent reduction in the material requirements in various components of different subsystems of the CSP plant. The likely reduction in capital cost of the parabolic trough collector based CSP plants for a location in India is estimated at 12.3% for Case-I and 29.9% for Case-II. • A review of recent developments in PTC technology to identify cost reduction possibilities. • Estimation of capital cost using advance collectors and heat transfer fluid. • Cost reduction of up to 29.9% is expected using advanced PTC technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]