Casesamling 2017 UK 04

CASE STUDIES
Engineering
Economics
AAGE U. MICHELSEN
Case studies
ISBN 978-87-89359-34-2
Aage U. Michelsen:
Engineering Economics
28th edition 2017
Publisher: Bodano Publishing & Communication ApS
Copyright © Bodano 2017
Bodano Publishing & Communication ApS

Hovedgaden 47
DK 2970 Hørsholm
Phone: 2622 7478
www.bodanopub.dk
E-mail: [email protected]
2
CASE STUDIES
Engineering Economics
Case Studies
Foreword
This collection of case studies is designed to be used as educational material in the

teaching of business economics to engineering students.
Many engineering students are primarily interested in the technical disciplines and
perceive “economics” as uninteresting and more or less irrelevant to the solution of
technical problems. A main objective of this collection of case studies is to illustrate
that in business, the economic dimension is highly relevant in the resolution of the
vast majority of technical problems. By presenting the economic problems in a tech-
nical context, it is hoped that a greater number of engineering students will become
interested in economic studies and see the relevance of this.
An emphasis has been placed on making the cases realistic, in that they reflect
concrete problems faced by the companies. At the same time, it has been neces-
sary to simplify some of the problems to make them suitable for educational use. In
addition, some of the numerical values have been changed for reasons of confidenti-
ality. Most numerical values, however, have the proper order of magnitude.
Proposed solutions have been prepared for the numerical problems in the cases,
designed to complement textbook theories and models. Some cases also contain
discussion portions, which include keywords or keyword-like phrases. In addition,
because the case studies are based on concrete business situations, they can provide
the basis for broader discussions - for example, regarding the given assumptions
and the consequences of alternative assumptions.
The author extends a sincere thanks to the employees of the companies that have
contributed to the preparation of the case studies. Without their involvement, many
of the realistic aspects would have been missing.
With respect to the next edition, we welcome comments about the level of difficulty
of the problems and selection of topics. These comments should be directed to the
book’s author :
Master of Science in Engineering Aage U. Michelsen, [email protected]
4
Table of Contents
Case Solution
ALFA LAVAL IN DENMARK
Energy consumption by desalination of seawater 8 72
BANEDANMARK
Investment in electrification of the railroad network 12 74
BRAVIDA DENMARK
Investments in energy savings 15 77
DONG ENERGY A/S
Economic assessments of an offshore wind farm 20 80
ENERGINET.DK
Societal benefits of investment in an
electrical cable between Denmark and Holland 24 83
THE DANISH ENERGY AGENCY (ENERGISTYRELSEN)
Investing in a heat pump system 29 85
HALDOR TOPSOE A/S
Economic assessments about a new product 33 88
HOFOR A/S
Softer water for consumers 37 91
MT HØJGAARD A/S
Investment calculations for sustainable construction 42 93
NNIT A/S
Financial considerations in an IT company 46 96
SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC DANMARK A/S
Energy savings with KNX control 50 98
A/S STOREBÆLT
Annuities with Different Payment-Interval Lengths 54 101
THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC
Investment in a new production line 59 105
THE DANISH ROAD DIRECTORATE (VEJDIREKTORATET)
Financial considerations regarding the
Frederikssund Fjord Connection 62 108
VELUX A/S
Calculations with the Introduction of New Technology for Windows 66 111
Case Studies
CASES
7
CASE: ALFA LAVAL IN DANMARK
Energy consumption by
desalination of seawater
Alfa Laval is a worldwide international group, which employs approximately 17,000

employees. The Group develops, produces and markets a wide range of interesting
products for industry. The Group’s core areas are mainly equipment for the separa-
tion, transport and heat transmission of liquids. The mission is to optimize cus-
tomer processes over and over again.
Alfa Laval makes itself attractive with a number of design, project and production units
in several countries. In addition, they have segments and sales companies with their
own units in more than 55 countries. These units deliver solutions to many different
industries and collaborate with countless engineering and consulting companies.
The Marine & Diesel segment is an innovator in more than 17 different product
groups for the marine and power industry. Among these, Alfa Laval is a leader in
desalination plants for the production of freshwater. The freshwater produced must
cover the process and household needs of power plants and aboard ships. The tech-
nology is based on the utilization of waste heat, which mainly comes from the diesel
engine cooling circuit. The waste heat is used as a heat source for a distillation pro-
cess under vacuum. In some cases, steam is used as a supplement when the energy
requirement is not adequately covered from the engine cooling circuit. Specifically
for power plants and cruise ships, freshwater demand is typically between 500 and
2000 m3/day. In the case of waste heat treatment plants, two types of freshwater
generators are used, either the flash chamber type (MSF, Multi Stage Flash Units) or
the newer and more compact plate-based units (MEP, Multi-Effect Plate Units).
With increasing requirements for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, Alfa Laval
places great importance on optimizing the electricity consumption used for operat-
ing the plants. In addition to the environmental benefits, a reduction in electricity
consumption will also be a financial advantage for the user - especially on cruise
ships, where the cost of electricity production is relatively high. Within the marine
8
CASE: Alfa Laval IN Danmark
industry, there is a great focus on the purchase price itself, which means that in a
sales situation it is important to justify an additional price, thereby reducing operat-
ing costs. The plate-based types of plants are used in the following to illustrate this.
To cover the need for freshwater on a cruise ship under construction, the following
two types of plants are compared: A traditional type, MSF, and the new type, MEP,
that Alfa Laval has developed. The purchase price of an MSF plant is lower, but on
the other hand, an MEP plant has lower costs for electricity, chemicals and for other
operations. Table 1 lists data for the two types of plants.
Plant type MEP10-4-650 MSF-6-650

Energy consumption for heating 190 kWh/m 3
190 kWh/m3
Electricity consumption for water
2,7 kWh/m3 6,3 kWh/m3
circulation
Consumption of chemicals 0,010 kg/m3 0,038 kg/m3
Other operating expenses 0,24 USD/m3 0,57 USD/m3
Price per plant @ 650 m3 per day 600.000 USD
Table 1: Data for an MEP plant and an MSF plant.
The energy consumption for heating is assumed to be covered by heat from the
engine. In addition, it is assumed that the cost of electricity is 6 cents/kWh and that
the cost of chemicals is 6 USD/kg. The cruise ship is assumed to be in operation for
300 days/year and a discount rate of 10% per year is used.
The consumption of freshwater on the cruise ship will vary over the day. Simplified,
it is assumed that the fresh water system should only be operational for 14 hours a
day, and that the production at this time should be 75 m3/hour. The capacity of one
plant is 650 m3/day, for both an MSF plant and an MEP plant.
QUESTION 1
What will be the purchase price if the cruise ship’s needs for freshwater are to be
covered with MSF plants?
It is assumed that the cruise ship and the freshwater plants have a life span of at
least 25 years, so differences in the cost of day-to-day operation of the plants could
be of great importance when the costs are calculated over the entire lifetime. The
present value of the purchase price and the cost of electricity, chemicals and other
operations over the lifetime is termed LCC = Life Cycle Cost.
9
CASE: Alfa Laval IN Danmark
QUESTION 2
What is the LCC for 25 years for an MSF plant and what percentage of that amount
is the actual purchase price of the MSF plant?
Table 1 shows that an MEP plant has a smaller consumption of electricity and chem-
icals, as well as lower other operating costs. On the other hand, the cost of manu-
facturing an MEP plant is greater than the cost of manufacturing an MSF plant, so
the sales price of an MEP plant is higher than that of an MSF plant. Any advantage
of the greater investment in an MEP plant rather than in an MSF plant is thus based
on lower operating costs.
QUESTION 3
What should the additional investment in an MEP plant be if the static repayment
period for that investment is to be 3 years?
A MEP plant is typically built in 4 steps, which, in simplified terms, means that
the heating energy that is added will be recycled 4 times in the plant. Alfa Laval
is considering expanding it to 5 steps, so that the heating energy will be recycled
5 times. The energy consumption for heating is thus reduced and it is expected to
be reduced from 190 kWh/m3 to 150 kWh/m3. This is important when the cruise
ship does not sail at full speed, as the waste heat from the engines cannot cover the
energy requirement for heating.
In the following questions, it is assumed that the cruise ship will sail at such a low
speed for 50% of the time, during which time the 4-stage plant needs to be supple-
mented with 40 kWh/m3 in the form of steam energy. The cost of this is 4 cents/
kWh. Due to the better utilization of heating energy, the 5-stage plant will not
require additional steam energy.
If Alfa Laval is to develop the new plant with 5 steps, it will incur a number of
development costs. In addition, the cost of manufacturing a 5-stage plant will be
greater than the manufacturing cost of a 4-stage plant. Against this background,
Alfa Laval has estimated that the sales price of a 5-stage facility must be 250,000
USD greater than the sales price of the current 4-stage type.
QUESTION 4
If the 5-step plant had already been developed, would you argue that, for the cruise
ship’s operating conditions described above, you should invest in 5-stage plants
rather than in 4-stage plants?
Please find the solution on page 72.

10
www.alfalaval.dk
CASE: BANEDANMARK
Investment in electrification
of the railroad network
Banedanmark is responsible for the national railroad network in Denmark and is a

state-owned company under the Ministry of Transport, Building and Housing. By
2020, Banedanmark will create the railway of the future, which will make it pos-
sible to double passenger and freight transport in Denmark. While Banedanmark is
working full speed ahead on the future of the railroad network, it has 2,250 employ-
ees working year-round, around the clock on a well-maintained railway system. At
the same time, 40,000 arrivals and departures take place every day at Danish train
stations. Overall, 196 million passengers and 8 million tons of goods are transported
every year on Banedanmark’s rails.
Banedanmark not only sets high standards for its daily work, but also for the con-
stant expansion and improvement of the Danish railroad network. Right now, for
example, Banedanmark is replacing all signals with a state-of-the-art European
signal system that will help ensure more timely trains in the future. In addition, a
completely new track is under construction between Copenhagen and Ringsted,
which will reduce travel time. In addition, a number of routes have been electrified,
so that future trains can operate in a more environmentally friendly manner.
As part of the electrification process, Banedanmark plans to build rail transformers

at a newly built station. The primary purpose of a transformer is to convert alter-
nating current with one voltage and current to alternating current with a differ-
ent voltage and current. This is achieved by having a differing number of turns in
primary and secondary coils, respectively.
In a transformer, there is an idle loss and an operating loss. The idle loss is inde-
pendent of the load and is primarily the idle magnetization of the transformer. The
operating loss in a transformer is directly dependent on the load and is mainly due
to electrical losses in the coils and dynamic losses in the magnetization.
12
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karrieremuligheder på
banedanmark.dk/job
Vi skaber
fremtidens jernbane!
Spændende opgaver og masser af ansvar Du vil kunne se det fingeraftryk,
Når du arbejder i Banedanmark, får du fagligt ud-
du sætter på opgaven
fordrende og spændende opgaver. Hvis du har mod på Lige nu er vi i gang med at elektrificere flere stræk-
det, giver vi dig også et stort selvstændigt ansvar. ninger, vi bygger en helt ny bane fra København til
Ringsted, og vi er ved at indføre et nyt, topmoderne
Med tiden udvikler du dig fagligt og får måske lyst til signalsystem på hele den danske jernbane. Det betyder,
at prøve kræfter med andre opgaver et andet sted i at vi har rigtig travlt med en masse opgaver, der har en
virksomheden. Det har du rig mulighed for via vores stor betydning for mange menneskers hverdag.
interne uddannelser og udviklingsprogrammer til dig,
der gerne vil udvikle dig igennem din karriere. Vil du være med til at skabe fremtidens jernbane?
Du får over 2.200 engagerede kolleger, der hver dag

arbejder på at sikre en attraktiv togrejse og mere
jernbane for pengene. Samtidig er vi i gang med at
realisere det, vi kalder fremtidens jernbane.
CASE: Banedanmark
Banedanmark must choose between two types of transformers, A and B. Data for
these are listed in Table 1.
Type A Type B
Price (million DKK) 2.5 3.1
Lifetime (years) 40 40
Scrap value (DKK) 0 0
Idle loss (MWh/year) 300 450
Operating loss (MWh/year) 1,400 1,100
Table 1: Data for the two types of transformers.
The price of electricity is set to 0.40 DKK/kWh, and the discount rate is set to 5%
per year.
QUESTION 1
Which of the two types would you recommend that Banedanmark acquire?
QUESTION 2
What value should the discount rate be for the two investments to be equally attrac-
tive?
QUESTION 3
Sketch graphs of the net present value, NPV, of the two investments as a function of
the discount rate, i. Can the answer to question 2 be found, based on the two graphs?
Assume that from the answer to question 1, Banedanmark proposes to choose type
B. It is possible for this type to add a short-circuit test for 0.6 million DKK, which
will increase the life by 10%, i.e. from 40 to 44 years.
QUESTION 4
Would you recommend that Banedanmark acquire the short-circuit test?
14
CASE: BRAVIDA DENMARK
Investments in energy savings
Bravida provides buildings and facilities with life - around the clock, year round.
This is done by thousands of employees, who install and maintain the systems that
provide electricity, heat, cooling, water, ventilation and safety.
Bravida’s main areas of operation are electricity, plumbing and ventilation, but
Bravida also operates in a number of other areas: safety, sprinklers, cooling, power,
track technology, elevators and Technical Facility Management.
For a number of years, Bravida has worked with Intelligent Building Installations
(IBI) and has built up a great deal of competence in this area. The systems are based,
for example, on KNX, which is a standard OSI-based network protocol for building
automation. This means that functions such as lighting, heating, ventilation and
cooling can be controlled and monitored through a common network in buildings,
such as office buildings. IBI is used for operational and energy-saving measures
where artificial light is combined with individual heat and ventilation control,
adapted to the individual user.
The following questions concern an office building that is being designed. In con-
nection with the project, the developer wishes to reduce energy consumption,
therefore Bravida has prepared a number of energy-saving proposals. The build-
ing is expected to accommodate 200 people, and is projected to be divided into 20
3-module rooms, 20 2-module rooms and 100 1-module rooms. A module is 30 m2.
When answering the questions in the assignment, the following assumptions are
used:
• The average life of all installation components is 15 years
• The discount rate is 5% per year
• The cost of electricity is 1.65 DKK per kWh
• The cost of district heating is 625 DKK per MWh
• Specified consumption and installation prices are excluding VAT
• Fixed prices are calculated
15
CASE: Bravida Denmark
The lighting is carried out with LED fixtures and the installed power effect is 5 W/m2.
It is expected that the lights will be turned on 12 hours per day for 260 days per year.
In order to reduce electricity consumption for lighting, Bravida recommends

installing one of the following three lighting management features:
1. Automatic on/off light switches based on human presence via a traditional PIR
sensor (Passive Infrared Sensor) that detects heat differences and thus whether
there are people in the room. It is assumed that electricity consumption can be
reduced by 25% and that the total investment amounts to 1.350 DKK per module.
2. Automatic lighting control relative to the incoming daylight, so the lighting

system maintains a constant light level of 300 lux when there is presence in the
room. It is assumed that electricity consumption can be reduced by 45% and that
the total investment amounts to 1.950 DKK per module.
3. Automatic lighting control relative to the incoming daylight, so the lighting

system maintains a constant light level of 300 lux when there is presence in
the room. The control unit is built in 3 zones, defined in relation to the distance
from the windows and thus in relation to the amount of incoming daylight. It is
assumed that electricity consumption can be reduced by 55% and that the total
investment amounts to 2.475 DKK per module.
QUESTION 1
Which of the 3 solutions has the shortest static payback period?
QUESTION 2
Which of the 3 solutions gives the greatest economic gain in today’s DKK over its
expected life expectancy?
The comfort ventilation in the building is performed with a common ventilation

system with a rotary heat exchanger located on the roof of the building. Cooling
units will not be installed. The ventilation system is controlled via a traditional
timer program with 100% air exchange during daytime hours (12 hours a day for
260 days a year) and 20% air exchange at night. The estimated annual energy con-
sumption of this mode of operation is 96,000 kWh for electricity and 175,000 kWh
for heating.
To reduce energy consumption of the comfort ventilation system, Bravida recom-

mends the installation of one of the following two control systems:
16
1. Simple ventilation controls with ON/OFF dampers established in the indivi-

dual modules. The dampers are controlled by the PIR detectors from the lighting
system and are fully open if there is a presence, and reduce the air exchange to
20% if the room is empty. It is assumed that the electricity consumption for the
comfort ventilation can be reduced by 20% and that the heat consumption can be
reduced by 15%. The additional investment amounts to 3,200 DKK per module.
2. Advanced ventilation controls with Variable Air Volume (VAV) dampers for con-
trolling the airflow established in the individual modules, combined with tempe-
rature and CO2 sensors that detect the room’s occupancy level. The VAV dampers
adjust the amount of air supplied to the module between 20% and 100%, depen-
ding on the presence, room temperature and occupancy level. It is assumed that
electricity consumption for comfort ventilation can be reduced by 60% and that
district heating consumption for outdoor air heating can be reduced by 40%. The
additional investment amounts to DKK 6,000 per module.
QUESTION 3
Would it be profitable for the developer to choose control system 1?
QUESTION 4
What is the dynamic payback period for the investment in control system 2?
QUESTION 5
What is the internal rate of interest of the investment in control system 2?
The developer is considering investing in a comprehensive KNX solution for the

control of lighting, heating and ventilation in all rooms. The solution provides the
following functions in the building:
• Artificial lighting is controlled according to the desired level in 3 zones, controlled

by presence and the amount of natural daylight. In addition, the user is able to
adjust the lighting up and down between 0 and 400 lux.
• Demand-controlled ventilation is established with VAV damper, controlled by
presence, room temperature and CO2.
• KNX-controlled radiator valves that are regulated according to presence and
room temperature are established. In addition, the user is able to adjust the room
temperature up and down between 20 and 23 degrees.
• “Green outlets” are established at all workspaces. The power outlets are discon-
nected when the user is not present, thereby reducing idle usage for adjustable-
height desks, mobile chargers and other equipment.
17
• An automatic ordering system is established for the cleaning company, so clean-

ing is only done in those locations that have been used in the last 24 hours.
Bravida has stated that the total investment for a comprehensive KNX solution
amounts to 3,495,000 DKK and that the following savings can be achieved through
implementation:
• The total electricity consumption for the building for lighting, ventilation and idle
consumption is reduced by 115,000 kWh per year
• The total district heating consumption for ventilation and space heating is redu-
ced by 135,000 kWh per year
• The cost of the cleaning company is reduced by 200,000 DKK per year
• The additional cost of servicing the installation, including function check and
maintenance, amounts to 85,000 DKK per year
QUESTION 6
Would it be profitable for the developer to implement a comprehensive KNX solu-
tion?
QUESTION 7
If the KNX solution is not profitable, would there be arguments for implementing
the investment anyway?
18
BRAVIDA GIVER
BYGNINGER LIV
Bravida løser alle typer af installations-

og serviceopgaver over hele landet.
Fra supersygehuse til sportsarenaer.
Fra boligbyggeri til broer.
Vi er med til at give
bygninger og anlæg liv.
Læs mere på bravida.dk
El Ventilation Vvs
CASE: Dong Energy A/S
CASE: DONG ENERGY A/S
Economic assessments
of an offshore wind farm
DONG Energy creates value by giving each customer - and society as a whole - the
energy they need. We do this by transforming nature’s resources into products and
solutions that meet customer needs. Our goal is to provide reliable, energy efficient
and competitive solutions, so we are the customers’ preferred supplier.
The way we produce energy is undergoing rapid change. In less than a decade,
DONG Energy has gone from being one of the most coal-intensive supply companies
in Europe to being a global leader in renewable energy. Today, we are the world’s
leader in offshore wind power, helping to reduce CO2 emissions and exploiting
Europe’s own energy resources. We are also first when it comes to converting coal
and gas fired power plants into sustainable biomass plants, so heat and energy sup-
ply is becoming increasingly environmentally friendly and flexible.
Our mission is to develop and offer energy systems that are green, independent
and economically viable. Our continued progress depends on our ability to adapt to
changes in the energy sector.
Wind is an important part of Europe’s transformation into cleaner energy - and the
potential is great. DONG Energy has built more wind farms then any company in
the world. We have built more than a quarter of the total wind capacity from off-
shore wind turbines on the market and currently have more than 1,000 turbines
in operation. By 2020, our goal is to double our installed capacity compared with
2016 from 3.0 GW to 6.5 GW. The installed capacity in 2020 will be equivalent to the
annual electricity consumption of 16 million Europeans.
20
Wind turbines are increasingly being built offshore, as there are three major advan-
tages for offshore wind farms compared to onshore wind farms:
• It is windy more often on the sea, and the wind is stronger here than on land. This
gives more energy per turbine and less time where the mill does not produce.
• It is possible to build larger wind turbines offshore, which have longer wings. The
longer the wings a turbine has, the more energy that can be extracted from the
wind.
• A number of turbines can be placed together, and they can thus be managed as a
power plant, which is advantageous for DONG Energy as well as for Energinet,
which owns and operates the Danish electricity transmission network.
The following assignment deals with the construction of a 500 MW offshore wind
farm. Following the decision to construct the wind farm, it will take 4 years for the
design, construction, purchase, production and construction of the turbines until
they can go into operation. The time when the turbines begin operation is referred
to as time 0, and the costs for the previous 4 years have been:
year -4: 200 million DKK
year -3: 500 million DKK
year -2: 1,500 million DKK
year -1: 2,000 million DKK
After year 20, it is expected to no longer be profitable to operate the turbines,

therefore they must be removed at an expected cost of 500 million DKK. The cost of
operating and maintaining the turbines is estimated to be 800 million DKK/year for
years 1-20.
Energy production from the turbines, of course, depends on the wind speed, which
can always vary. Based on detailed measurements of wind velocity in that location,
it is estimated that the wind farm should produce 2,300,000 MWh annually. How-
ever, the uptime of the turbines is assumed to be only 95%, and it is further assumed
that there is a loss of electricity in the cables and substations, so net production is
only 2,000,000 MWh/year.
Investment amounts are attributable to the beginning of the years, while receipts
are attributable to the end of the years. A discount rate of 10% per year is used.
QUESTION 1
What is the capital value of the investments in the four years before the turbines
are put into operation, calculated at time 0?
21
QUESTION 2
If the electricity price is assumed to be constant over the 20 years, what should it
be, at a minimum, for the investment in the offshore wind farm to be profitable?
For onshore wind turbines, it is most likely - as above - that the life span is 20
years. However, evidence suggests that wind turbines have a longer life span at sea
due to lower turbulence in the wind over the ocean.
QUESTION 3
If life expectancy increases from 20 to 25 years, what should the minimum electric-
ity price be for the investment in the offshore wind farm to be profitable?
For the following question, life expectancy is assumed to be 20 years, but after 20
years, a major repair and technological upgrading of the turbines will be made,
extending the life span by 10 years. The assumptions for question 1 are assumed to
be valid, including the expectation of costing 500 million DKK for the turbines to be
removed after termination of operation. However, the price of electricity in years
21-30 is expected to be only 0.50 DKK/kWh.
QUESTION 4
If an investment of 1,000 million DKK after 20 years will make it possible to
increase the life of the turbines to 30 years, would such an investment be profitable?
22
LEADING THE ENERGY
TRANSITION
A MARKET LEADER IN OFFSHORE WIND POWER
dongenergy.com
CASE: ENERGINET.DK
Societal benefits of investment

in an electrical cable between
Denmark and Holland
Energinet must ensure the supply of electricity and natural gas in Denmark, while
the transition to green energy occurs in an economically sound and efficient man-
ner. Energinet owns the energy motorways and is responsible for ensuring fair
competition in the market for electricity and natural gas for the benefit of consum-
ers.
Energinet:
• ensures that there is always power in electrical outlets and gas in gas taps
• establishes the framework for well-functioning markets for electricity and natu-
ral gas, so both consumers and energy producers are ensured fair prices
• contributes to the green transformation of the energy system and helps ensure
that the transition will benefit Danish society
• subsidizes environmentally friendly energy
Energinet is an independent public enterprise owned by the Danish Ministry of

Energy, Utilities and Climate, with 1,000 dedicated and highly skilled employees.
Based on the values of business orientation, development, responsibility and com-
mitment, they constantly emphasize organizational and personal development.
The company is headquartered in Fredericia and has offices in Ballerup, Stenlille,
Egtved, Esbjerg, Lille Torup, Tjele and Vester Hassing. The company has a turnover
of approximately 13 billion DKK annually. The company works with many different
interest organizations both within and outside of Denmark.
The following exercise is based on the fact that Energinet and its Dutch counterpart,
TenneT, are in the process of establishing a 325 km long electrical cable between
Endrup at Esbjerg and Eemshaven in Holland. The connection is known as the
24
CASE: Energinet.dk
COBRAcable. In October 2016, Energinet began construction of the new electricity

connection, and the facility is expected to be operational at the beginning of 2019.
The purpose of the COBRAcable is to tie the European electricity markets closer
together so that the countries can better utilize the production facilities, reduce the
overall cost of producing electricity and, moreover, increase the security of the sup-
ply of electricity.
The COBRA connection consists of two parallel sea cables with a diameter of 13
centimeters. The cables are designed to transmit a voltage of 320 kV with a trans-
mission capacity of 700 MW, and can supply approximately 700,000 households
with electricity.
Both the Danish and Dutch electricity networks are based on alternating current
(AC). However, transmission of large amounts of current over long distances works
best with direct current (DC). Since the cables will therefore be DC cables, large
transformer substations must be built at both Endrup and Eemshaven. The Endrup
substation is to be 125 meters long, 36 meters wide and 21 meters high.
The connection is based on a new rectifier technology called Voltage Source Con-
verter (VSC) that provides the opportunity to connect new oceanic wind farms to
the cable. The COBRAcable can thus be the first step towards establishing a North
Sea transmission network that can support wind power expansion and strengthen
the European transmission network.
The project has a total budget of approximately 4.8 billion DKK, of which Energinet’s
share amounts to 2.4 billion DKK. The EU Commission has provided a grant of 720
million DKK, which will be shared equally between Energinet and TenneT.
In the following, it is assumed that Energinet’s costs (payments) for establishing the
connection are:
2016: 300 million DKK
2018: 1,400 million DKK
The grant from the EU Commission is to be allocated proportionately over the three
years based on Energinet’s costs.
The following questions 1 and 2 are intended to illustrate the thinking behind the
evaluation of the societal benefits from public investment.
25
CASE: Energinet.dk
When the COBRAcable is completed, it will become possible to trade electricity

between Denmark and Holland. When electricity prices are lower in Denmark than
in Holland, Energinet and TenneT will buy electricity in Denmark at the lower price
and sell it in Holland at the higher price (and vice versa). The resulting profit (called
bottleneck revenue) will be shared equally between the two companies.
QUESTION 1
If it is assumed that the average price difference between Denmark and the Nether-
lands is 30 DKK/MWh and that 5 TWh of electricity is traded between Denmark and
the Netherlands at this price difference, how much bottleneck revenue does Energi-
net obtain by establishing the COBRAcable?
It is estimated that Energinet’s costs for operation and maintenance of the connec-
tion will be 4 million DKK per year. The electrical loss in the transmission network
due to the COBRAcable is estimated to be 20 million DKK per year.
It is assumed that Denmark can realize the following benefits from the COBRAcable:
Trade benefits: 160 million DKK/year: The total benefit for consumers, producers
and Energinet for electricity trading over the COBRAcable.
PS: The benefit for Energinet is calculated in question 1.
System-bearing properties: 14 million DKK/year: Savings due to the positive effect

of the connection on the dynamic stability in Denmark.
Efficiency: 14 million DKK/year: The value of the possibility of importing electricity

when consumption in Denmark would otherwise not be covered by other imports
and Danish electricity production, so that Danish consumption could more often be
covered.
Regulatory power: 4 million DKK/year: Savings due to better possibilities for bal-
ancing electricity consumption and electricity generation in Denmark.
Investment amounts are attributable to the year start, while all other costs, savings,
gains and utility values are attributable to the year end. A discount rate of 4% per
year is used. It is assumed that the cable’s lifespan is 30 years, starting in 2019.
26
VÆR MED TIL AT
BYGGE HØJSPÆNDINGS-
FORBINDELSER TIL UDLANDET
– så danskerne har strøm
i stikkontakten både
kl. 20.50 og i 2050
Energinets eltransmissionsnet er forbundet til nabolandene Norge, Sverige og Tyskland, og

nye forbindelser er på vej. Udlandsforbindelserne fungerer bl.a. som handelsforbindelser
mellem landene. Dermed er det muligt at handle overskydende strøm fra fx vindmøller i
situationer, hvor Danmark ikke selv kan forbruge strømmen. Derudover er udlandsforbin-
delserne en vigtig del af den daglige drift, hvor balancen mellem produktion og forbrug
konstant skal opretholdes.
Viking Link skal forbinde Danmark og Storbritannien

650 KM 1,4 MIO.
SØKABEL HUSSTANDE
Viking Link er en 740 km lang Forbindelsen er på 1400 MW og Læs mere om vores
jævnstrømsforbindelse (HVDC) kan transportere elektricitet til komplekse projekter og
med ca. 650 km søkabel og to 1,4 mio. husstande. Vi forventer, dine karrieremuligheder
konverterstationer. at forbindelsen går i drift i 2022. på www.energijob.dk
CASE: Energinet.dk
QUESTION 2
What is the total Danish societal surplus or deficit resulting from the COBRAcable,
calculated at the beginning of 2019?
QUESTION 3
If the life of the COBRAcable connection is 40 years, rather than 30 years, what will
then be the total Danish societal surplus or deficit?
It is often discussed what requirements should be made for return on public

investment.
QUESTION 4
What would be the answer to Question 2, if an annual discount rate of 5% is applied
instead of 4%?
28
CASE: THE DANISH ENERGY AGENCY (ENERGISTYRELSEN)
Investing in a heat pump system
The Danish Energy Agency (DEA) is a major contributor to Denmark’s role as a

pioneer in the cost-effective transformation of the energy sector – for the benefit
of both the climate and the Danish economy. The DEA undertakes assignments
related to energy production, supply and consumption and efforts to reduce CO2
emissions. The DEA also participates in international collaboration on energy
transition in countries such as China, Mexico, Ukraine, Indonesia and South
Africa, among others.
The DEA is responsible for supporting the economic efficiency of the supply sector,
which in addition to energy, comprises societally vital areas such as water, waste
and telecommunications. The DEA sets a solid professional fingerprint on the poli-
cies pursued in this area and ensures the best possible conditions for the Danes to
have delivery of a stable supply.
The DEA has existed since 1976 and is part of a group jointly organized under the
Danish Ministry of Energy, Utilities and Climate. The DEA emphasizes a high level
of professionalism and knowledge sharing among many disciplines and prides itself
on having good colleagues and being a flexible workplace where there is room for
individual needs. There are nearly 400 employees in the DEA, divided into offices in
Esbjerg and Copenhagen.
In connection with the implementation of the energy reserves for the 2016 budget,
funds have been set aside for initiatives over a three-year period 2016-2018 that
will help to propagate large heat pumps. The funds are earmarked for a traveling
team that will advise district heating plants and other stakeholders on concrete
options for the establishment of large heat pumps.
The DEA’s traveling team aims to help district heating plants and other stakeholders,
such as processing companies, with the implementation of heat pump solutions. The
29
CASE: The Danish Energy Agency (Energistyrelsen)
team advises on specific opportunities for the establishment of large heat pumps.
The advice is based on available energy resources and other technical conditions
that determine the possibilities in the individual surrounding areas.
The following assignment is based on the premise that the DEA has carried out a
technical and economic evaluation of utilizing excess heat in the cooling towers of
a company that produces industrial gases. Instead of cooling the industrial process
by using electricity and water, cooling is proposed to be done by using a heat pump
system that draws heat out of the cooling towers and uses it to heat the district
heating plant network. It is expected that the company will reduce the cost of elec-
tricity and water for cooling by 2 million DKK per year.
The proposed heat pump system is powered by electricity and produces 5½ MW of

thermal power. The facility’s COP (Coefficient Of Performance), which is an expres-
sion of the relationship between the energy of the heat pump’s output and input, is
4, which means that if the input to the heat pump is 1 kWh of electricity, the output
will be 4 kWh of heat. A COP of 4 is a relatively high value for a heat pump, and can
be achieved here because in this case, 3-4 heat pumps are linked together. The price
of the heat supplied to the district heating network is 337 DKK/MWh. The price of
the electricity that drives the heat pump is 1.10 DKK/kWh.
The company works in three shifts, seven days a week, year round, but the heat
pump system is only expected to be in operation for 360 days a year.
The investment in the heat pump itself is 12 million DKK. In addition, connection to
pipelines, a transformer, a building for the transformer and design work cost 3 mil-
lion DKK. The lifetime of the investment is assumed to be 15 years and a discount
rate is 8% per annum is used.
The largest expense in the operating costs is the cost of electricity to operate the
heat pump. In addition, maintenance, etc. will cost 2 million DKK per year.
QUESTION 1
Calculate the annual operating expenses.
Most often, the capital value method is used for assessing the profitability of
investments, but in the solution of Question 2, the annuity method should be used.
30
En del af
fremtidens
løsninger
CASE: The Danish Energy Agency (Energistyrelsen)
QUESTION 2
Transcribe all deposits and withdrawals to a constant annuity over the life of the
investment.
QUESTION 3
Calculate the investment’s present value, based on your answer to Question 2.
QUESTION 4
Calculate the investment’s dynamic payback period.
The government has adopted a gradual phasing-out of the PSO tax in the period 2017-
2021, which will lead to lower electricity prices. When the PSO tax is fully phased out
in 2022, the company’s electricity price will be reduced to 0.85 DKK per kWh.
QUESTION 5
How much will the profitability of the heat pump system improve, once the PSO
tax is completely phased out in 2022 and the company’s electricity price is not
increased by new taxes?
In 2016, the Ministries of Energy, Supply and Climate entered into an energy-
saving agreement with the Energy companies, which obliges energy companies
to implement energy savings. Therefore, a company that carries out energy sav-
ings can sell the first year’s energy savings to an energy company, as this helps the
energy company to meet the agreed-upon energy saving goals. The Energy Saving
Agreement applies for a 4-year period beginning January 1, 2017, and the selling
price is often expected to be between 0.2 and 0.4 DKK per saved kWh. It is assumed
here that the energy savings can be sold to an energy company for 300 DKK/MWh.
Furthermore, it is assumed that the contribution from this is attributable to the end
of the first year.
QUESTION 6
If the price of electricity - as given in Question 2 - is 1.10 DKK/kWh, how much will
the sale of energy savings then increase the amount of deposit annuity calculated
during the solution of Question 2?
32
CASE: HALDOR TOPSOE A/S
about a new product
Haldor Topsoe A/S (Topsoe) is the leader in heterogeneous catalysis and supplies
catalysts and process design to oil refineries, power plant exhaust-gas treatment
systems and clean energy processes. The environment plays a significant role in the
company’s research and production, and through the introduction of new technolo-
gies, Topsoe supports a more sustainable use of the world’s resources. Approxi-
mately 2,600 employees work at the company’s headquarters in Lyngby and sub-
sidiaries in the USA, Russia, India, China, Bahrain, Iran, Argentina, Brazil, Malaysia
and Canada, as well as manufacturing facilities in Frederikssund, Houston, USA and
Tianjin, China. The annual turnover in 2016 amounted to 860 million US Dollars.
Over the past decade, Topsoe’s sale of process technology and catalysts for oil refin-
eries has increased sharply. One reason for this was a strategic focus on the devel-
opment of catalysts for the production of fuel with ultra-low sulfur content (ULSD –
Ultra-Low Sulphur Diesel) and a global trend toward environmental legislation that
tightens requirements for allowable sulfur content.
Topsoe has developed and delivered catalysts for oil refineries worldwide. Catalysts,
called ”TK series”, are used for cleaning oil and for the production of refinery prod-
ucts - mainly gasoline, kerosene, diesel, fuel oil and asphalt. In addition, raw mate-
rials for a variety of other products were also produced. More than 2,000 different
products can be produced from crude oil.
To refine products that meet environmental regulations, products such as gasoline

and diesel must first be cleansed of contaminants such as sulfur compounds and
nitrogen. This is done by mixing the products with hydrogen and then directing
them through the vessels containing the TK catalysts. The catalysts induce the vari-
ous compounds in the oil to react with the hydrogen to produce the desired product.
33
CASE: haldor Topsoe A/S
After several years of research work, Topsoe was able to develop a new catalyst, TK-
new, which is even more efficient than the previous catalyst, TK. During the part of
the refining process where the catalyst is employed, a semi-processed product, LCO
(Light Cycle Oil), is recovered. LCO is important in the production of ULSD. By using
the TK-new, the amount of recovered LCO increased from 25.0% to 29.2% of the
amount of oil flowing into the catalyst. This added value in the production of LCO is
set to be 60 DKK per barrel.
The basis of the following calculations is a refinery that processes 30,000 barrels of
oil a day and produces 365 days a year. For a refinery of this size, 110 tons of cata-
lyst must be used. After 2.5 years, the catalyst must be replaced.
Before Topsoe can attempt to sell the TK-new to refiners, they must first establish a
selling price. A common method is to use a specific margin for the variable manu-
facturing costs. In a research-intensive company such as Topsoe, this method is not
suitable, because the variable manufacturing costs are relatively small in compari-
son to the considerable development costs. To determine the selling price based on
the development costs is also not economically rational, as already incurred costs
(sunk cost) should never influence future decisions.
A sense of what will be an upper limit for the selling price can be obtained from an
assessment of the product’s usefulness to the customer: EVC (Economic Value for
the Customer).
QUESTION 1
If the refinery has previously used TK, what is the absolute highest additional cost
for TK-new the refinery should be expected to accept?
The development of TK-new has taken 3 years and the development cost is calcu-
lated to be 3.5 million DKK per year.
The price of TK-new has now been established, and on that basis, sales of TK-new
in the next 5 years will be:
34
Topsoe careers
Global challenges
solved by you
At Topsoe, we encourage the engineers of tomorrow
to not only develop next generation products, but
also solve global challenges. Working in areas from
atsmospheric pollution to renewable energy production,
we help our customers get more out of their raw
materials while at the same time using less energy
– we call this optimal performance.
With multiple opportunities to work in different

industries and regions of the world within one
company, there are no limits to where your
abilities could take you.
See our available vacancies

at www.topsoe.com
www.topsoe.com
CASE: haldor Topsoe A/S
Year 1: 400 tons

Year 2: 700 tons
Year 3: 2,400 tons
Year 4: 3,800 tons
Year 5: 4,200 tons
For the next 5 years, the marketing costs for TK-new are planned to be 200,000
DKK per year. Assume that the gross margin on TK-new at the established selling
price is 30,000 DKK per ton. Further, assume that Topsoe uses an interest rate of
20% per annum.
One problem in assessing profitability in developing a new technology (here TK-

new) that replaces an existing technology (here TK), is that the assessment should be
based on assumptions about what would have happened if the new technology had
not been developed.
QUESTION 2
What is the payback period for the development of TK-new, if it is assumed that it
would not have been possible to sell TK in years 1-5?
When marketing TK-new, it is likely that Topsoe will acquire new customers
who previously used competing products. In this case, TK-new will contribute to
increased sales of catalysts. However, when TK-new replaces TK, it is expected that
existing customers will switch over from TK to TK-new, with reference to Question
1. In this case, the contribution of TK-new will only be an additional gross profit
with respect to TK.
QUESTION 3
Assuming that the TK-new does not contribute to increased sales, but merely
replaces a similar sale of TK that could be achieved over the five years, what should
the additional gross profit on TK-new be for the project payback to be 3 years?
36
CASE: HOFOR A/S
Softer water for consumers
HOFOR, the Capital region’s utility company, supplies cities with water, wastewater
treatment, district heating, natural gas and cooling and constructs windmills. The
company is owned by eight municipalities: Albertslund, Broendby, Dragoer, Herlev,
Hvidovre, Copenhagen, Roedovre and Vallensbæk. HOFOR ensures that residents of
the Capital region are supplied with clean drinking water from the tap, and handles
treatment of sewage and rainwater. In addition, HOFOR supplies residents with
district heating, natural gas and cooling. The company also constructs wind tur-
bines and owns “Amagervaerket,” which produces district heating and electricity.
HOFOR will create sustainable cities based on climate and environmentally friendly
supply solutions. This means that HOFOR is renovating, developing and building
new products, to be able to provide green, safe and inexpensive supply solutions
to customers - now and in the future. For water supply, this means, among other
things, that long-term plans are being developed to prevent pollution of ground-
water. Groundwater protection helps ensure that our children, grandchildren and
future generations can still have drinking water sourced from clean, uncontami-
nated groundwater. In addition, water supplies are being developed so that softer
water is being introduced in the greater Copenhagen area over a number of years -
for the benefit of the overall economy.
HOFOR supplies households and companies with groundwater pumped from

Zealand clay layers 20-100 meters below ground level. Infiltrating rainwater and
melting water from snow absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and especially
from air in the soil root zone, thereby creating carbonic acid. In addition to calcium
carbonate, the carbonic acid can dissolve magnesium carbonate, which is found
in smaller quantities. The carbonate leaching adds calcium and magnesium to the
groundwater. The dissolved calcium and magnesium content is called the ”hardness”
of the water. In Denmark, water hardness is measured in German hardness degrees
(°dH = degrees Deutsche Härte), with 1 hardness degree equivalent to 10 mg of dis-
solved calcium oxide per liter or 7.19 mg of dissolved magnesium oxide per liter.
37
CASE: hofor a/S
The hardness of the Copenhagen area’s groundwater is between 20 and 30 hardness

degrees (°dH), which is referred to as hard to very hard water.
In the Copenhagen area, hard water has been a nuisance to households and busi-
nesses for many years. The hardness of the water results in additional costs and
annoyances when faucets drip, toilets run, and time and effort is required to remove
lime from tiles, toilets and household appliances. Hard water also shortens the life of
household appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers and electric kettles,
as well as for installations such as hot water tanks, toilets and faucets. The hard
water is also a burden on the environment, as electricity consumption and, con-
sequently, CO2 emissions increase when heaters and hot water reservoirs become
calcified.
HOFOR has therefore initiated a project in which water treatment plants will be
built so that the hardness of the water can be reduced to 10 °dH. The first softening
plant has been built on the waterworks of Broendbyvester, and here the water hard-
ness has been reduced from an average of 22 °dH to 10 °dH. By 2024, all of HOFOR’s
waterworks are expected to be equipped with softening plants.
The following exercise deals with the economic benefits that households can
achieve when water hardness is reduced, i.e. when the water gets softer.
The investment in the softening plant at Broendbyvester waterworks has been

around 24 million DKK. The lifetime of the softening plant is 30 years. The cost of
operation and maintenance is approximately 2.0 million DKK per year. The water-
works produce 1.98 million m3 water per year. A discount rate of 5% per year is
used.
Since the establishment of softening plants is to be financed through user payments

(according to the rest-in-itself principle), the increased costs for the waterworks
will result in higher prices for consumers.
QUESTION 1
How much will the price of water increase as a result of the establishment of the
softening plant?
38
CASE: hofor a/S
Soft water should - as described above - lead to a number of savings for households,
for example in terms of longer life of household appliances and lower energy con-
sumption for these when they are not calcified. Table 1 lists data for this.
Coffee Dish- Washing Electric

machine washer machine kettle
Purchase price (DKK) 300 4.000 4.000 300
Lifetime at 22 dh (years)
o
7 10 10 7
Lifetime at 10 odh (years) 12 15 15 12
Energy consumption at 22 odH (kWh/year) 218 214 208 138
Energy consumption at 10 odH (kWh/year) 200 197 191 127
Table 1: Data for purchase prices, lifetime and energy consumption for 4 household appliances.
[Source: Ministry of the Environment’s report ”Central softening of drinking water”, May 2011].
PS: It should be noted in principle that the 10 odH values in Table 1 from the Minis-
try of the Environment’s report actually apply to 8 odH, but this does not affect the
following exercise.
It is assumed that the electricity price for a household is 2.25 DKK/kWh.
QUESTION 2
What is the annual savings for a household if the softer water - as listed in Table
1 - for the 4 household appliances, increases the appliances’ life span and reduces
energy consumption?
In Denmark, according to Denmark’s Statistics, there are an average of 2.1 people

per household, and according to HOFOR, an average person consumes 40-50 m3 of
water per year.
QUESTION 3
If it is assumed that an average person consumes 45 m3 of water a year, could the
expected savings resulting from the extended lifetime and reduction of energy con-
sumption of the 4 household appliances outweigh the average household’s increased
water costs?
The extended lifetime of the 4 household appliances listed in Table 1 is based on an

assessment by industry experts of the economic life of the appliances – that is, how
long it pays to keep the appliances before replacing them.
39
CASE: hofor a/S
QUESTION 4
Are there reasons to doubt that the possible extensions of the lifetime of the 4
household appliances will actually occur in practice?
In the above, only economic consequences resulting from prolonged service life and
reduced electricity consumption for 4 household appliances is considered. Soften-
ing of the water, however, has many other advantages. HOFOR estimates that softer
water can, for example, reduce the consumption of soap, shampoo and descaling and
cleaning agents by 30%.
The softer water will also require that less time be spent removing lime from tiles,
faucets and toilets, and kettles and coffee machines will require descaling fewer
times per year.
QUESTION 5
Can less time spent on cleaning and descaling be calculated as an economic value
and, if so, how?
40
”Hvorfor se til, når
man kan påvirke
udviklingen? Hver dag
er jeg med til at rykke
København tættere
på at blive verdens
første CO2-neutrale
hovedstad.”
Niels Hendriksen, civilingeniør og

energiplanlægger i HOFOR. Niels
arbejder blandt andet på at sikre en
energiproduktion baseret på vedvarende
energi.
VIL DU OGSÅ SKABE

BÆREDYGTIGE BYER?
MØD OS PÅ HOFOR.DK
CASE: MT HØJGAARD A/S
Investment calculations
for sustainable construction
The MT Højgaard Group is one of the leading players in the construction industry
in the Nordic region. The Group’s customers are Danish and international compa-
nies, organizations and public authorities. Most jobs are undertaken as main or total
contracts, while other projects are conducted as Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)
and Public-Private Cooperations (PPCs).
The MT Højgaard Group is organized into a number of business areas and subsid-
iaries in the fields of construction and concrete, commercial and residential con-
struction, high-rise buildings, renovation, steel bridges and engineering and service
companies.
MT Højgaard Group undertakes everything from small construction projects to very

large and complex construction works and infrastructure projects.
Although the MT Højgaard Group has almost 100 years of experience, it is always
important to take an active role in influencing development in order to remain one
of the industry’s leading players.
The MT Højgaard Group’s vision of being the most productive group in the con-
struction industry means, among other things, that they should think out of the box
and focus on productivity-enhancing processes and overall economic optimiza-
tion by being a leader in new technology and digitization. Productivity-promoting
initiatives should always create value and quality in customer projects.
The following exercise deals with considerations about which ventilation system
should be chosen for a particular office building. There are two options, and data for
these are given in Table 1.
42
CASE: mt højgaard a/S
Option 1 Option 2
Annual electricity consumption for ventilation (kWh/m2) 11.5 9.0
Annual electricity consumption for cooling (kWh/m2) 2.5 2.5
Annual district heating consumption (kWh/m2) 49.4 37.8
Investment (DKK) 3,600,000 4,500,000
Table 1: Data on energy consumption and investment for the two options.
Table 1 shows that the investment in option 2 is greatest, due to the fact that this is
a larger ventilation system that has a lower energy consumption (SEL value) and a
better heat recovery.
The price for electricity is set at 1.77 DKK/kWh, and the price for district heating is
set at 520 DKK/MWh. The annual operating and maintenance costs are 2% of the
investment amount. The office building is 12,000 m2.
QUESTION 1
What are the annual costs of operation and maintenance and for the energy con-
sumption of the two options?
For the following questions, it is assumed that the life of both options is 25 years,
and that a discount rate of 7% per year is applied.
QUESTION 2
Which of the two scenarios would you prefer - from an economic point of view?
With the larger ventilation system in option 2, it is possible to increase the air
exchange and cooling, which will improve the indoor climate while increasing
energy consumption:
• The annual electricity consumption to operate the ventilation system will now be
11.3 kWh/m2
• The annual electricity consumption to operate the cooling system will now be 2.7
kWh/m2
• The annual district heating consumption will now be 40.7 kWh/m2

The cost of operation and maintenance will continue to amount to 2% of the invest-
ment amount annually.
43
CASE: mt højgaard a/S
QUESTION 3
Calculate the annual cost of option 2 if the air exchange and cooling are increased.
In question 3, the cost of an improved indoor climate is calculated. However, an

improved indoor climate has a positive impact on employee productivity as a result
of, for example, improved concentration, fewer sick days and greater job satisfaction.
It is assumed that there are 600 employees in the building and that the average
annual earnings per employee is 150,000 DKK.
QUESTION 4
By how many percent should the average annual earnings per employee increase, so
that, according to the solution to question 3, it is profitable with option 2 to increase
the air exchange and cooling?
Due to the enormous pressure placed on the earth’s resources, long-term decisions
on sustainable construction will play a major role in the future. Thus, it will also be
relevant to consider aspects other than those in the preceding questions.
QUESTION 5
What factors could be relevant to consider in the context of long-term assessments
of sustainable construction?
44
SKÆRPEDE
KOMPETENCER
I MT Højgaard har jeg hele tiden
mulighed for at skærpe mine
kompetencer. Jeg startede
som praktikant, og i dag er jeg
projektchef på Nyt Aalborg
Universitetshospital. Mit kontor
ligger midt i skurbyen, og jeg elsker
at være en del af byggepladsen
og se hospitalet skyde op.
Læs mere på mth.dk/claus

CASE: NNIT A/S
Financial considerations
in an IT company
NNIT is one of Denmark’s leading IT service providers. The company develops,

implements and operates IT services for regulated industries. NNIT became publicly
traded in 2015, but was previously 100% owned by Novo Nordisk A/S. With deep
roots in the pharmaceutical industry, NNIT provides solutions that meet the highest
standards of quality, safety and standardization.
Over the last ten years, NNIT has had high annual revenue growth rates and cur-
rently employs over 2,600 employees. The majority of employees work in locali-
ties close to Copenhagen, but the company is growing internationally and also has
employees in China, the Philippines, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Germany,
Britain and the United States.
NNIT’s methods and expertise are widely sought after in the market. NNIT’s sales
outside the Novo Nordisk Group are increasing and account for approximately
55% of total revenue. Customers are all characterized by the fact that they set high
standards for safety, quality and documentation, and belong to one of the follow-
ing sectors: Life Sciences (pharmaceutical industry), Public (public institutions and
publicly owned companies), Finance (banks, pension funds and insurance compa-
nies) and Enterprise (transport, food and manufacturing companies).
Despite NNIT’s considerable organic growth, the company has achieved average
earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) of over 10% the last 5 years, which is con-
sidered very satisfactory and among the best in a highly competitive IT market.
This level of success can only be achieved by continuously optimizing business pro-
cesses and having focus on the profitability of all projects and deliverables.
Some of NNIT’s employees only work part time, which is why an employee at NNIT
is on average equivalent to 97% of an FTE (Full Time Employee). It is planned that
30% of an FTE’s work hours are not billable, due to illness, meetings and vacation.
46
CASE: nnit a/S
In addition, it is expected that an average of 2% of FTEs are on maternity leave. One

FTE is expected to work 160 hours per month. Production capacity (billing capacity)
per FTE per month is expressed as:

P1 = Number of billable hours per month
Number of FTEs
In addition, NNIT provides server capacity available to operate customers’ portals

and applications. With a monthly server capacity, D, NNIT’s total production capac-
ity can be expressed as:
Production capacity = P1 ∙ FTE + D
QUESTION 1
What is the P1 value for NNIT?
It is assumed that NNIT’s monthly revenue per FTE can be described by:
Revenue/month = P1 ∙ P3 - P1 ∙ P3 ∙ Co + Do, where
P3 = the hourly rate at which customers are billed.

Co = the correlation factor between the hourly rate and the number of allocated
hours = 0.0005 ∙ P3
Do = the monthly revenue NNIT achieves by operating customer portals and appli-
cations
Do is set to 300 DKK per billable hour.
It is assumed that virtually all of NNIT’s costs are fixed, that is to say, independent
of the number of hours allocated.
QUESTION 2
What is the optimal hourly rate at which NNIT should bill their customers, and what
annual revenue will NNIT hereby achieve?
NNIT has a subsidiary in China, where 700 people currently work. It is assumed
that in China – as in Denmark – an employee is on average 97% of an FTE. NNIT is
not certain that their office in China contributes positively to NNIT’s bottom line,
in that there are only 50 hours each month billed per FTE. The low billing rate is
because some of the staff is inexperienced, and due to linguistic and cultural condi-
tions, a lot of time is wasted.
47
CASE: nnit a/S
The annual fixed costs for buildings, administration and travel are 124.7 million
DKK per year. The hourly wage for a Chinese FTE is 100 DKK, and NNIT can bill a
Chinese FTE at 280 CNY per hour, where CNY/DKK = 0.70.
QUESTION 3
In the current situation, does the office in China positively contribute to NNIT’s
bottom line?
With the information underlying the answer to Question 3, the China office is
assessed based on a short-term economic assessment. If NNIT should decide
whether the China office should be maintained, then it might be relevant to include
many other conditions.
QUESTION 4
Discuss what arguments could be made for and against NNIT maintaining its China
office.
48
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CASE: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC DANMARK A/S
Energy savings with KNX control
Schneider Electric is a global specialist in energy optimization and management

and is focused on helping people and organizations make the most of their energy.
Seventy two percent of the world’s energy is consumed in infrastructure, industry,
commercial buildings and housing.
Forecasts show that the world’s energy consumption will be doubled by 2050. In
addition, the global community has decided that global CO2 emissions during the
same period should be cut in half. This will require that everyone use less energy
without affecting productivity. As a global specialist in energy optimization,
Schneider Electric is part of the solution. The company’s products and solutions can
reduce energy consumption within the above-mentioned areas by up to 30%.
Schneider Electric operates in more than 100 countries within the industrial,
energy and infrastructure markets, data centers, commercial buildings and housing,
with one of the market’s widest range of energy and energy optimization solutions.
The company is present, from the time energy is produced in power plants or wind
turbines, through its distribution and transport through the electricity grid and
until it is eventually consumed in factories, office buildings or homes. In 2016, they
employed over 170,000 employees with a turnover of 25 billion Euros by focusing
on helping the world to make the most of their energy.
Schneider Electric in Denmark includes the famous brand Lauritz Knudsen, Den-
mark’s leader in electrical equipment, intelligent systems and data and communi-
cation solutions. In Denmark, Schneider Electric has more than 1,000 employees
divided into 6 locations, including a sales and service organization, a global devel-
opment center and a factory that produces for both Denmark and abroad.
Schneider Electric has been working on intelligent installation systems since 1981
and is a specialist in KNX, a world standard for residential and building automation.
The KNX Association develops, produces and markets components based on a com-
mon technology for building automation.
50
CASE: schneider electric danmark A/S
With KNX, virtually all control and automation tasks in buildings related to lighting,
heating, ventilation, alarm, monitoring, sun protection, etc. can be managed. KNX
technology ensures that the individual components can communicate. The only
requirement is that all equipment is connected to the KNX bus. The mains voltage is
supplied to the energy consuming devices that are controlled via KNX actuators that
connect the necessary supply voltage. Sensors and actuators are powered directly
from the KNX bus. Very few KNX actuators/sensors require extra power supply
via the mains voltage. This provides for a very easy installation, as there is no need
to pull extra power supply cables around the installation. This results in a simple
installation that is easy to overview and maintain, because there is only one control
cable/KNX bus used for communication between sensors and actuators. It is easy
to add more functions as well as expand or change existing functions. The desired
function determines whether new components should be connected to the bus, or
changes made to the settings of the existing ones.
As mentioned above, KNX systems offer many possibilities for improving comfort
and safety. The following assignment is focused on the economic consequences. The
starting point is an office building that is being planned. The planned office area is
3,000 m2, plus an additional 1,000 m2 of common areas - secondary rooms, toilets,
etc.
The lighting requirement is 15 W/m2 in offices and 12 W/m2 in common areas. The
average annual heat consumption is 20 W/m2. The price for electricity is set at 2.50
DKK/kWh, while the heating price is set at 0.80 DKK/kWh. The building is used 260
days a year in the period from 7:30 to 18:30. A maximum payback period on invest-
ments of four years is required.
The investment in a KNX system can be divided into an investment in the basic
installation and sub-investments related to specific functions. An example of a
sub-investment is the installation of PIR sensors - motion detectors - to control the
lighting in the individual office spaces. For example, it costs 2,400 USD to install
PIR sensors in offices of 30 m2.
QUESTION 1
By how many hours per workday should the lighting of a 30-m2 office be reduced,
so that installation of PIR sensors can be worthwhile?
51
CASE: schneider electric danmark A/S
Based on the considerations mentioned in question 1, the following proposals have

been made for a KNX system for the office building:
a) PIR sensors for lighting control in all office areas. This is expected to result
in a reduction in electricity consumption corresponding to two hours of
consumption per workday.
b) Solar sensors for regulation of the lighting in all office areas. This is expected
to result in a reduction in electricity consumption corresponding to one and a
half hours of consumption per workday. The stated reduction is estimated on
the condition that the proposal in item a has been completed.
c) PIR sensors for controlling lighting in common areas. A savings of 4 hours of
electricity consumption per workday is expected.
d) PIR sensors and thermocouples with electric thermostats for heating control in
offices. A savings of 3 hours of heat consumption per workday is expected.
The total investment amounts to 200,000 DKK.
QUESTION 2
Would you recommend investing in the KNX system described?
The following questions illustrate the possibilities for reducing water consump-
tion in the office building. The building contains six men’s restrooms, and in each
restroom, the urinals are flushed with 1 liter of water every three minutes. The price
of water is 40 DKK/m3. The following two options are considered:
1. Installation of timers so that the water is shut off outside of working hours. The
price for this installation is 6,500 DKK per restroom.
2. Installation of PIR sensors so that the water is turned off when the restrooms
are not in use. It is estimated that each restroom is used for approximately 30%
of working time. The price of this installation is 8,800 DKK per restroom.
QUESTION 3
Which solution would you recommend, based on an economic assessment? Are
there other factors that might be relevant to consider?
52
Great people make
Schneider Electric
a great company
schneider-electric.jobs
CASE: A/S STOREBÆLT
Annuities with Different

Payment-Interval Lengths
The Great Belt Fixed Link is an essential part of many Danes’ journeys when they
travel between the eastern and western parts of the country. A total of 12.4 mil-
lion vehicles drove over the bridge in 2016, and the average daily traffic was 33,983
vehicles. By comparison, in 1997, the last full year of ferry operations, approxim-
ately 8,300 vehicles were transported across the Great Belt daily. Rail traffic has
also benefited greatly from the fixed link. An average of 130 trains crossed the Great
Belt each day in 2016, versus 40-45 before the bridge opened.
The link’s societal importance requires that both road and railway across the Great
Belt is open around the clock - all year round. A/S Storebælt is responsible for orga-
nizing the operation, so that travelers experience a fast, flexible, and safe transpor-
tation option between the eastern and western parts of the country.
The Great Belt Fixed Link is designed for a service life of 100 years, but with timely
implementation of necessary maintenance, the basic concrete and steel construc-
tion can ensure a lifetime of well over 100 years. For A/S Storebælts’ operations
organization, it is therefore essential to have good access to all concrete and steel
surfaces, so regular inspections can be carried out and necessary repairs underta-
ken in a timely manner, without inconveniencing travelers.
The operations organization’s needs were only accommodated to a limited extent

when the link was constructed, and A/S Storebælt has therefore had to subsequently
develop and acquire several different platform solutions.
The following exercise deals with considerations on the choice of a platform for the
inspection and maintenance of the west bridge’s two concrete box girders. The west
bridge has a total of 128 bridge spans, supported by 126 bridge pilings and two abut-
54
CASE: A/S Storebælt
ments. The bridge spans’ concrete is given a routine inspection every two years.
A general inspection is carried out every six years, and this replaces the routine
inspection that year. Every year, an inspection of the two bridge bearings found on
each bridge piling is also conducted.
The final choice was between two platforms that are conceptually very different:
Type A: In principle, a traditional scaffold which is mounted on vehicles on the top

of the bridge.
Type B: In principle, a reversed tower crane, which is suspended from a trolley

placed on rails which are mounted on the underside of the bridge.
Data for the two types are shown in table 1. The last row in table 1 includes the cost
of moving type A from one side of the bridge to the other.
QUESTION 1
What is the cost for each of the two types of platforms for implementing a general
inspection, a routine inspection of the concrete, and an inspection of the bridge
bearings?
An annuity is a series of payments with equal time intervals between the individual
payments. If the payments are equal, it is known as a constant annuity.
QUESTION 2
How can the costs of inspection of concrete and bridge bearings for each type of
platform be described by three different constant annuities?
55
Type A Type B
Investment (millions of DKK):
Supporting construction 18 20
Equipment (electrical, hydraulics, etc.) 7 10
Lifetime (years):
Supporting construction 50 50
Equipment (electrical, hydraulics, etc.) 25 25
Maintenance costs (DKK/year):
Supporting construction *)
1,5% 1%
Equipment (electrical, hydraulics, etc.) *)
2,5% 2,5%
Number of operators for operation of platform 2 2
Concrete inspection:
Number of inspectors 3 2
Inspection time for general inspection (hours/span) 1,75 2,50
Inspection time for routine inspection (hours/span) 0,7 1,0
Bridge bearings inspection:
Number of inspectors 1 1
Inspection time (hours/bridge piling) 1,5 1,5
Payroll costs (DKK/hour)
Operator 300 300
Inspector 600 600
Time spent crossing the bridge pilings (hours/bridge piling) 2 0
Cost for moving between road and rail girders (DKK) 250.000 0
*) The costs are indicated as a percentage of the investment amount

Table 1: Data for the two platforms.
The time between two consecutive annuity payments is called the “payment inter-
val.” The net present value, NPV, of a constant annuity – as we know – can be
calculated as:
NPV = a ∙ [1 – (1 + i)-n]/i, where:
i = the interest rate per payment interval.

n = the number of payment intervals.
A/S Storebælt uses a discount rate of 7% per year.
56
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PÅ DANMARKS
HØJESTE PUNKT
’Jeg er ingeniør i en unik virk-
somhed, som har skabt nogle
af Nordeuropas største
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af ny teknologi for at sikre
den bedste balance mellem
kvalitet, økonomisk effektivi-
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57
QUESTION 3
If the annuity payment interval is 2 years or 6 years, what is then A/S Storebælt’s
discount rate per payment interval in these two cases?
QUESTION 4
Which of the two types of platforms would you recommend that A/S Storebælt
acquires?
58
CASE: THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC
Investment in a new production line
Thermo Fisher Scientific is the world’s leading biotechnology company with an

annual revenue of 18 billion USD and over 55,000 employees worldwide.
The company’s mission is to help customers make the world healthier, cleaner and
more secure. The company helps their customers advance research in life sciences,
solve complex analytical challenges, improve patient diagnostics and increase labo-
ratory productivity.
Through the leading brands - Thermo Scientific, Applied Biosystems, Invitrogen,

Fisher Scientific and Unity Lab Services - the company offers a combination of
innovative technologies, purchasing options and comprehensive support.
In Denmark, Thermo Fisher Scientific has three locations with a total of 500
employees. They are located in Roskilde, Hvidovre and Alleroed, where the location
in Roskilde is the largest with a factory, gamma radiation facility and a number of
regional and global functions.
The following assignment deals with considerations regarding a new product. If the
product in question is to be manufactured, it will be necessary to build a new pro-
duction line, which will require the following investments:
• Injection molding machine: 2 million DKK
• Molds: 2.5 million DKK
• Vision system: 1.5 million DKK
• Automation equipment: 4.5 million DKK
• Interior furnishings, etc.: 1.5 million DKK
The expected receipts from sales of the product and the expected variable costs of
manufacturing the product are shown in Table 1.
NB: As the assignment concerns an investment problem, the theoretically correct

terms are ”receipts and payments”. However, since many ”payments” do not act as
59
CASE: Thermo Fisher Scientific
single payments at specific times, but as resource consumption over a period of

time, i.e. as a cost, such payments are usually referred to as costs, and this term is
therefore also used in Table 1.
Year 1 2 3 4 5
Receipts from sales (million DKK) 3.75 6.60 15.40 21.90 27.90
Costs for sterilization (million DKK) 0.05 0.10 0.20 0.25 0.30
Costs for materials (million DKK) 1.80 3.10 5.60 7.40 8.95
Payroll costs (million DKK) 0.15 0.20 0.40 0.50 0.60
Additional costs*) 0.90 0.30 0.10 0.05 0.05
Table 1: Expected receipts and payments (costs).
*) Marketing, Engineering, etc.
The discount rate is set to 15% per year.
QUESTION 1
Will it be profitable to make this investment?
QUESTION 2
What is the investment’s dynamic repayment period?
QUESTION 3
What is the investment’s internal rate of return?
In the foregoing, the investment is estimated based on a life of 5 years. However,

after the 5 years, parts of the production line are expected to be used in the con-
struction of new production lines, and therefore they will continue to have value:
• Injection molding machine: 1 million DKK
• Vision system: 1 million DKK
• Automation equipment: 2 million DKK
QUESTION 4
What is the net present value of the investment if taking into account the value that
the three parts of the production line are expected to have after the 5 years?
QUESTION 5
Will it be profitable to choose the alternative solution?
60
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CASE: THE DANISH ROAD DIRECTORATE (VEJDIREKTORATET)
Financial considerations regarding

the Frederikssund Fjord Connection
The Danish Road Directorate is responsible for the national road network, consist-
ing of motorways, a number of main roads and many of the country’s bridges - a
total of about 3.800 km of roadway. The national road network accounts for about
five percent of the total public road network of nearly 75,000 km and almost half
of all traffic in Denmark uses the network. The Road Directorate’s work consists
primarily of planning, construction and operation of roads and bridges as well as
traffic flow and traffic management.
In the planning of the roads, the Road Directorate’s ambition is to create solutions
that impact the environment as little as possible and allow both private vehicles and
public transport to work together. As a basis for planning, data on traffic, safety and
the environment are collected and processed.
In the construction and operation of roads and bridges, the Danish Road Direc-
torate’s goal is to create safe and effective solutions that are both sustainable and
financially responsible, so that Denmark gets the best possible roads for the money.
The Danish Road Directorate does not build roads and bridges itself, but acts as the
main contractor when road construction work is competitively bid and undertaken
by private suppliers and contractors.
When roads are constructed, the Danish Road Directorate’s responsibility is to

ensure their optimum use. This is partly achieved with the help of efficient traffic
flow and intelligent traffic information, so all traffic flows easily and safely.
The Danish Road Directorate employs about 800 employees distributed among
six service centers: Aalborg, Skanderborg, Middelfart, Copenhagen, Floeng and
Naestved.
62
CASE: The Danish Road Directorate (Vejdirektoratet)
The following exercise is based on the fact that the Danish Road Director-
ate will build a new fjord connection, which crosses Roskilde Fjord and connects
Frederikssund and Hornsherred. The Construction Act for the Frederikssund Fjord
Connection was adopted by the Parliament in December 2014, and a total of 659
million DKK was allocated in the Finance Law. The project is budgeted at approxi-
mately 2 billion DKK. The difference is to be financed by the future users of the
bridge. For the administration of loans and the operation of the toll facility during
the repayment period, the Ministry of Transport, Building and Housing has estab-
lished the Independent Public Company, Frederikssund Fjord Connection (IPC).
The project is divided into three contracts:

• A main contract comprising an approximately 1.0 km 4-lane motorway between
Frederikssundsvej and Marbaekvej. This road will initially act as an access road
to the bridge building site in the subsequent total contract
• A total contract comprising an approximately 8.4 km motorway between Skibby-
vej and Marbaekvej, of which 1.4 km consists of a highway over Roskilde Fjord.
In addition, an approximately 1 km country road with connection to Lyngerupvej.
• A main contract for connection facilities at Frederikssundsvej
The Danish Road Directorate expects the connection to open for traffic on January
1, 2020. The bridge is expected to be used by both heavy and light vehicles, but it
is assumed that an average of 13,000 passenger cars will cross the bridge each day.
Furthermore, it is assumed that this traffic estimate is valid for 365 days a year.
The following data is provided:

2015: Design + archaeological studies: 116 million DKK
2016: Design + acquisition of land + construction work: 206 million DKK
2017: Design + construction work: 515 million DKK
2018: Construction work: 717 million DKK
2019: Construction work: 480 million DKK
Total budget: 2,034 million DKK
In reality, the amounts stated are due over the years, but it is assumed here that the
annual amounts will be fully due in the middle of the year. A discount rate of 4% per
cent is used and fixed prices are calculated.
The Finance Law has granted funding for the project with the following amounts:
63
CASE: The Danish Road Directorate (Vejdirektoratet)

The amounts from the Finance Act are assumed to be paid out in the middle of the
year.
QUESTION 1
How large is the amount calculated at the end of 2019, which will need to be repaid
and deducted through the payment of the vehicles crossing the bridge?
The Construction Act states that the connection must be repaid within 40 years
of opening. The debt on January 1, 2020, could therefore be financed by a 40-year
annuity loan with annual payments and a nominal interest rate of 2% per year. The
loan is assumed to be taken at a course of 100, except for origination and admin-
istration costs. It is assumed that the total annual cost of operating the IPC and the
payment facility is 13 million DKK, starting in the opening year.
QUESTION 2
What should the price of a single trip over the bridge for a passenger car be in order
for IPC at least to be able to make the payments on the annuity loan?
Instead of taking an annuity loan, it is now assumed that a loan will be taken at
2%, and that the full year’s profit will be used to repay the loan. Furthermore, it is
assumed that the toll for crossing the bridge is set at 14 DKK/trip.
Under these assumptions, the loan will be repaid after approximately 40 years,
similar to the solution to question 2. However, it is expected that the amount of
traffic will increase over time, whereby the loan will be repaid more quickly.
QUESTION 3
If traffic is assumed to increase by 0.7% per year, how long will it take to repay the
loan?
In the above, it is assumed that all motorists pay the same price to cross the bridge.
QUESTION 4
Could it be economically advantageous for the IPC to establish price differentiation
and how could this be done?
64
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CASE: VELUX A/S
Calculations with the Introduction

of New Technology for Windows
For more than 75 years, the VELUX Group has created better housing for people
worldwide by bringing daylight and fresh air through the roof. The VELUX Group’s
product portfolio consists of both skylights and skylight modules, as well as a wide
range of decoration and sunscreening products, roller shutters, installation prod-
ucts, and intelligent remote controls. These are products that contribute to a healthy
indoor environment and sustainable solutions - for playing and learning, working,
and pleasure.
With sales offices and factories in more than 40 countries, we operate globally and
have approximately 9,500 employees worldwide. The VELUX Group is owned by
VKR Holding A/S, a foundation and family owned limited liability company. You can
read more at www.velux.com.
Engineers in the VELUX Group typically work with product development, manufac-
turing, logistics, testing, and quality, or in administrative support functions. Many
development projects are undertaken in collaboration with colleagues in the VELUX
Group’s global organization and with Danish and foreign partners.
Over the years, many different window pane variants have been developed, to be
able to offer customers a variety of features such as better insulation properties,
sun protection, and laminated glass. A new technology now makes it possible to put
a coating on the window pane which resists the adhesion of dirt and debris, giving
the window a self-cleaning effect in the rain.
The VELUX Group sales subsidiaries around the world see great value in being able
to offer this coating to their customers, and studies have shown that customers are
willing to pay extra for this feature. Technologically, it is possible to apply this coat-
66
CASE: velux a/S
ing to the window panes, if in cooperation with the glass supplier 10 million DKK is
invested in new equipment. This investment is to be borne by the VELUX Group. In
addition, the raw materials for the finished window will be 15 DKK more expensive.
When the window with the new coating is mounted in the frame, it must be handled
more carefully and requires additional quality control before and after this process.
This means that labor costs will increase by 12 DKK per window.
Calculation for a normal window without the new coating

Materials 800 DKK 57.1%
Salary 200 DKK 14.3%
Additional costs 100 DKK 7.1%
Depreciation and interest 40 DKK 2.9%
Cost price 1,140 DKK 81.4%
Sales costs 100 DKK 7.1%

Marketing 90 DKK 6.4%
Profit 70 DKK 5.0%
Selling price 1,400 DKK 100.0%
The sales of windows are assumed to be 200,000 units per year, and a discount rate
of 7% per annum is used.
QUESTION 1
If the investment in the new equipment is to be financed and depreciated over two
years, how much would this increase the line item ”depreciation and interest” in the
above calculation?
QUESTION 2
If the VELUX Group wishes to continue to have a profit margin of 5%, by how much
should the selling price of a window be increased as a result of the new coating?
Based on market research, the sales subsidiaries raise the selling price of the
windows with the new coating by 45 DKK. Based on the answer to question 2, it is
shown that this will result in a reduction in the profit margin per window for the
VELUX Group.
67
CASE: velux a/S
QUESTION 3
Can a reduction in the profit margin per window be perceived as an indication that
the investment in the new technology is not profitable?
QUESTION 4
Calculate the profitability of the investment in the new technology if the investment
shall accrue interest and be paid off over a five year period.
QUESTION 5
What is the minimum amount by which the selling price can be increased, in order
for the investment to be profitable over a five year period?
68
I’m proud of working
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That’s what the VELUX Group is all about.
In more than one sense. Our products
create healthy indoor environments.
And our workplace gives people the
chance to grow. velux.com/careers
CASE: velux a/S
SOLUTIONS
71
SOLUTION: ALFA LAVAL IN DENMARK
Energy consumption
by desalination of seawater
SOLUTION QUESTION 1
The capacity of one MSF plant is 650 m3/day, equivalent to 27 m3/hour. As there is
a need for 75 m3/hour during the operating period, 3 MSF plants must be procured.
The purchase price for these is 3 ∙ 600,000 = 1,800,000 USD.
SOLUTION QUESTION 2
Electricity consumption for circulation is 6.3 kWh/m3. The daily electricity con-
sumption is thus 6.3 ∙ 75 ∙ 14 = 6,615 kWh/day.
For the annual cost of electricity, Cel, we get:

Cel = 6,615 ∙ 300 ∙ 0.06 = 119,070 USD/year.
For the annual cost of chemicals, Cch, we get:

Cch = 0.038 ∙ 75 ∙ 14 ∙ 300 ∙ 6 = 71,820 USD/year.
For the annual cost of other operations, Coo, we get:

Coo = 0.57 ∙ 75 ∙ 14 ∙ 300 = 179,550 USD/year.
For the total annual operational costs, Ct, we get:

Ct = Cel + Cch + Coo = 119,070 + 71,820 + 179,550 = 370,440 USD/year.
If Ct is considered as an annual postpaid annuity over 25 years, the net present

value, NPV, is:
NPV = 370,440 ∙ [1 – (1 + 0.10)-25]/0.10 = 3,362,499 USD.
With a purchase price of 1,800,000 USD, it can be represented as follows:

1,800,000/(1,800,000 + 3,362,499) ∙ 100 = 34.87% of the total life-cycle costs (LCC).
72
Solution: Alfa Laval in Denmark
The above illustrates that the purchase price of investments in technical plants
often constitutes the smallest share of total lifetime costs.
SOLUTION QUESTION 3
Compared with MSF plants, MEP plants achieve the following cost reductions:
• Reduction in electricity consumption for water circulation: (6.3 – 2.7) ∙ 75 ∙ 14 ∙
300 ∙ 0.06 = 68,040 USD/year
• Reduction in the cost of chemicals: (0.038 – 0.010) ∙ 75 ∙ 14 ∙ 300 ∙ 6 = 52,920 USD/
year
• Reduction in other operational costs: (0.57 – 0.24) ∙ 75 ∙ 14 ∙ 300 = 103,950 USD/
year
The total annual reduction in costs, ∆Cyear, is thus:

∆Cyear = 68,040 + 52,920 + 103,950 = 224,910 USD/year.
The sum of the cost reduction over 3 years amounts to 3 ∙ 224,910 = 674,730 USD,
which is the maximum additional investment.
The purchase price of the MSF plants was previously calculated to be 1,800,000
USD. If the static repayment period for the MEP investment is a maximum of 3
years, the selling price of a MEP plant can be up to 674,730 / 1,800,000 ∙ 100 = 37%
higher than that of an MSF plant.
The above illustrates that operating costs can be very important for assessing the
profitability of alternative investments in technical plants.
SOLUTION QUESTION 4
Increasing from 4 to 5 steps reduces energy consumption for heating, thereby real-
izing an annual cost reduction, ∆Cre, of:
∆Cre = (190 – 150) ∙ 75 ∙ 14 ∙ 0.5 ∙ 300 ∙ 0.04 = 252,000 USD/year.
This saving is based on a total of 3 freshwater plants. Each plant therefore rep-
resents a cost reduction of 252,000 /3 = 84,000 USD/year. With a 250,000 USD
surcharge on a 5-stage plant rather than a 4-stage facility, the repayment period for
this additional investment will be three years. Against this background, it should
be easy to argue that the 5-stage system is preferred. In addition, of course, the
increasing focus on the environment has meant that less energy consumption has
generally become a good selling point.
73
SOLUTION: BANEDANMARK
Investment in electrification
of the railroad network
SOLUTION QUESTION 1
Since the lifetimes of the two types are the same, the choice can be based on the
criterion: Maximum capital value.
The sum of idle losses and operating losses:

• Type A: 300 + 1,400 = 1,700 MWh/year
• Type B: 450 + 1,100 = 1,550 MWh/year.
The economic value of electricity losses:

• Type A: 1,700 ∙ 1,000 ∙ 0,40 = 680,000 DKK/year
• Type B: 1,550 ∙ 1,000 ∙ 0,40 = 620,000 DKK/year
The net present value, NPVA, of the costs for the investment in Type A:
NPVA = -2,500,000 – 680,000 ∙ (1 – 1.05-40)/0.05 = -2,500,000 – 11,668,179 =
-14,168,179 DKK
The net present value, NPVB, of the costs for the investment in Type B:
NPVB = -3,100,000 – 620,000 ∙ (1 – 1.05-40)/0.05 = -3,100,000 – 10,638,634 =
-13,738,634 DKK
Since Type B has the greater net present value (the least negative value), Banedan-
mark should choose this type.
74
Solution: banedanmark
SOLUTION QUESTION 2
For the value, i1 (expressed as decimal number), of the discount rate that makes the
two investments are equally attractive, it must be that:
NPVA = NPVB
That is, to say

-2,500,000 – 680,000 ∙ (1 – (1 + i1)-40)/i1 = -3,100,000 – 620,000 ∙ (1 – (1 + i1)-40)/i1
or
600,000 = 60,000 ∙ (1 – (1 + i1)-40)/i1
or
10 = (1 – (1 + i1)-40)/i1
From this, we get:

i1 = 0.097, or 9.7%
Check:
If the discount rate is 9.7% per year, then we get the following net present values:
NA,9,7 = -2,500,000 – 680,000 ∙ (1 – 1.097-40)/0.097 = -2,500,000 – 6,837,538 =

-9,337,378 DKK
NB,9,7 = -3,100,000 – 620,000 ∙ (1 – 1.097-40)/0.097 = -3,100,000 – 6,234,227 =
-9,334,226 DKK
The small difference between the two net present values is due to the fact that in the
calculations only one decimal place was used in the value of internal interest rates.
SOLUTION QUESTION 3
If the discount rate = 0% p.a., we get:
NA,0 = -2.5 – 0.68 ∙ 40 = -29.7 million DKK
NB,0 = -3.1 – 0.62 ∙ 40 = -27.9 million DKK
If the discount rate => ∞, we get the following limits for the net present values:
NPVA,∞ = -2.5 million DKK
NPVB,∞ = -3.1 million DKK
Figure 1 outlines the course of the two net present values as a function of the
discount rate.
75
Solution: banedanmark
NPV (million DKK)

i1 i (% per year)
0
-2,5
-3,1
-9,3
-27,9
-29,7
Figure 1: The net present value of the two investments as a function of the discount rate.
The answer to Question 2 (the value of i1) can be read in Figure 1, where the two
curves intersect.
SOLUTION QUESTION 4
If the short-circuit test is purchased, the total investment will be 3.1 + 0.6 = 3.7 mil-
lion DKK, and the lifespan increases to 44 years. The net present value, NPVB,T, of the
costs will now be:
NPVB,T = -3,700,000 + -620,000 ∙ (1 – 1.05-44)/0.05 = -3,700,000 – 10,950,919 =
-14,650,919 DKK
While answering the questions, NPVB was calculated to be -13,738,634. NPVB is

thus greater than NPVB,T, but it cannot be concluded that the purchase of the short-
circuit test is not profitable. The net present values cannot be compared directly, as
they were calculated for two investments with different lifespans. A comparison
can only be made if the net present values are rewritten as constant annuities.
aB = -13,738,634 ∙ [0.05/(1 – 1.05-40)] = -800,662 DKK/year
aB,T = -14,650,919 ∙ [0.05/(1 – 1.05-44)] = -829,480 DKK/year
Since aB > aB,T, it is therefore not profitable to purchase the short-circuit test.
76
SOLUTION: BRAVIDA DANMARK
Investments in energy savings
SOLUTION QUESTION 1
In the building there are 20·3 + 20·2 + 100·1 = 200 modules.
Electricity consumption = [effect (W/m2) · area (m2) · operating time (hours/
year)]/1000 · electricity price DKK/kWh].
Current electricity consumption = (5 · 6,000 · 12 · 260)/1000 · 1.65 = 154,440 DKK/year.
Control system, alternative 1:

Savings = 0.25 · 154,440 = 38,610 DKK/year
Additional investment = 1,350 · 200 = 270,000 DKK
Static payback period = 270,000/38,610 = 7,0 years

Savings = 0.45 · 154,440 = 69,498 DKK/year
Static payback period = 390,000/69,498 = 5.6 years

Savings = 0.55 · 154,440 = 84,942 DKK/year
Static payback period = 495,000/84,942 = 5.8 years
Control system 2 thus has the shortest static payback period, but the difference
between alternative 2 and alternative 3 is not very large.
SOLUTION QUESTION 2
Net present value = - additional investment + discounted annual savings over 15 years.
N1 = -270,000 + 38,610 · [(1 – 1.05-15)/0.05] = -270,000 + 400,759 = 130,759 DKK
N2 = -390,000 + 69,498 · [(1 – 1.05-15)/0.05] = -390,000 + 721,365 = 331,365 DKK
77
Solution: bravida Danmark
N3 = -495,000 + 84,942 · [(1 – 1.05-15)/0.05] = -495,000 + 881,669 = 386,669 DKK
Since N3 is greatest, this alternative is the most profitable.
SOLUTION QUESTION 3
The requirement for profitability: Net present value ≥ 0 DKK
Comfort ventilation, solution 1:

Savings on electricity = 0.20 · 96,000 · 1.65 = 31,680 DKK/year
Savings on heating = 0.15 · 175,000 · 0.625 = 16,406 DKK/year
N = -640,000 + (31,680 + 16,406) · [(1 – 1.05-15)/0.05] = -640,000 + 48,086 · 10.380

N = -640,000 + 499,133 = -140,867 DKK
Since N < 0, the investment is not profitable.
SOLUTION QUESTION 4
Comfort ventilation, solution 2:
Additional investment = 6,000 · 200 = 1,200,000 DKK
Savings on electricity = 0.60 · 96,000 · 1.65 = 95,040 DKK/year
Savings on heating = 0.40 · 175,000 · 0.625 = 43,750 DKK/year
Total savings = 95,040 + 43,750 = 138,790 DKK/year
The dynamic payback period is the time, T, until the amount of discounted annual
savings is equal to the additional investment.
1,200,000 = 138,790 · [(1 – 1.05-T)/0.05]

1.05-T = 0.5677
T = 11.6 years
SOLUTION QUESTION 5
The internal interest rate, i, can be calculated by:
N = 0 = - additional investment + discounted annual savings over 15 years, dis-

counted with the interest rate i.
0 = -1,200,000 + (95,040 + 43,750) · [(1 – (1 + r)-15)/i]
From which we get i ≈ 7.8% per year
78
Solution: bravida Danmark
Since the internal rate of interest for this investment is greater than the discount
rate, the investment is profitable.
SOLUTION QUESTION 6
Comprehensive KNX solution:
Additional investment = 3,495,000 DKK
Savings on electricity = 115,000 · 1.65 = 189,750 DKK/year
Savings on heating = 135,000 · 0.625 = 84,375 DKK/year
Savings on cleaning = 200,000 DKK/year
Additional costs for maintenance = 85,000 DKK/year
Total savings = 189,750 + 84,375 + 200,000 – 85,000 = 389,125 DKK/year
Net present value, NKNX, of the additional investment in a comprehensive KNX solu-
tion:
NKNX = -3,495,000 + 389,125 · (1 – 1.05-15)/0.05 = -3,495,000 + 4,038,984 = 543,984 DKK
Since the net present value is much greater than 0, the investment is extremely
profitable.
SOLUTION QUESTION 7
The KNX solution allows individual employees to adapt lighting and heating to their
individual needs, thereby providing a better working environment. The answer to
question 6 shows that the KNX solution in this case is economically profitable. Even
if the net present value of the investment in the KNX solution had been negative,
for example, -200,000 DKK, it still might have been a reasonable investment, since
200 employees will work in the building, and thus the negative net present value
would only amount to 1,000 DKK per employee. Moreover, it is not unthinkable that
greater personal well-being, as a result of the possibilities for individual lighting
and heating adaptation, could lead to a productivity increase, which would make the
investment economically profitable.
The question illustrates that it will often be relevant to incorporate other factors
than the direct economic consequences before making a decision.
79
SOLUTION: DONG ENERGY A/S
of an offshore wind farm
SOLUTION QUESTION 1
The capital value of the investments - calculated at time 0 - is:
CV0 = 200 · 1.104 + 500 · 1.103 + 1,500 · 1.102 + 2,000 · 1.10
CV0 = 293 + 666 + 1,815 + 2,200 = 4,974 million DKK
SOLUTION QUESTION 2
The costs for operation and maintenance, O&M, are 800 million DKK per year. After
year 20, the turbines will be removed at a cost, C20, of 500 million DKK.
For the total costs, NC, of the investments, O&M and C20 – calculated at time 0 – we
get:
NC = CV0 + O&M · [(1 – (1 + i)-20)/i] + C20 · (1 + i)-20
NC = 4,974 + 800 · [(1 – 1.10-20)/0.10] + 500 · 1.10-20
NC = 4,974 + 6,811 + 74 = 11,859 million DKK
The net present value, NR, of the receipts for the sale of electricity with a selling
price of p (DKK/kWh):
NR = p · 2,000,000 · 1,000 · [(1 – 1.10-20)/0.10] ≈ p · 17,027 million DKK
If the investment in the wind farm is to be profitable, then it must be that:
NR ≥ NU, which is to say:

p · 17,027 ≥ 11,859 million DKK
p ≥ 0.70 DKK/kWh
SOLUTION QUESTION 3
If life expectancy increases from 20 to 25 years, then it will cause the net present
value of costs, NC calculated in Question 2, to be changed:
a. In years 21-25, there will be costs for O&M.
80
Solution: Dong Energy A/S
b. The costs for the removal of the turbines, C20, will be postponed for 5 years.
For the new net present value of the costs, NC,1, we get:
NC,1 = NC + O&M · [(1 – (1 + i)-5)/i] · (1 + i)-20 + C20 · [(1 + i)-25 – (1 + i)-20]
NC,1 = 11,859 + 800 · [(1 – 1.10-5)/0.10] · 1.10-20 + 500 · (1.10-25 – 1.10-20)
NC,1 = 11,859 + 800 · 0.5635 + 500 · (0.09230 – 0.14864)
NC,1 = 11,859 + 451 – 28 = 12,282 million DKK
For the new net present value, NR,1, of the receipts for the sale of electricity at a sel-
ling price of p, with the unit for NR,1 being millions of DKK:
NR,1 = NR + [p · 2,000,000 · 1,000 · [(1 – 1.10-5)/0.10] · 1.10-20]/1,000,000
NR,1 = p · 17,027 + p · 1,127 = p · 18,154 million DKK
If the investment in the wind farm with a lifetime of 25 years is to be profitable,

then it must be that:
NR,1 ≥ NU,1, which is to say:

p · 18,154 ≥ 12,282 million DKK
p ≥ 0.68 DKK/kWh
SOLUTION QUESTION 4
The investment at the end of the year 20 = I20 = 1,000 million DKK
Receipts for electricity sales over the years 21–30 = R = 2,000,000 · 1,000 · 0.50 =
1,000 million DKK/year.
Costs for O&M in years 21-30 = 800 million DKK/year.
The net receipts in years 21-30 = R – O&M = 1,000 – 800 = 200 million DKK/year.
The capital value - calculated at the beginning of year 21 – of the costs for the
removal of the turbines after 30 years, CVC,30:
CVC,30 = 500 · 1.10-10 = 193 million DKK
Removal of the turbines after 20 years = C20 = 500 million DKK
The capital value of net receipts (R – O&M) in years 21-30, calculated at the begin-
ning of year 21, CVnet:
CVnet = 200 · [(1 – 1.10-10)/0.10] = 1,229 million DKK
81
Solution: Dong Energy A/S
The capital value, CV20, of the investment to extend the life span from 20 to 30 years:
CV20 = -I20 + CVnet + (C20 – CVC,30)
CV20 = -1,000 + 1,229 + (500 – 193) = 536 million DKK
If an investment of 1,000 million DKK after 20 years makes it possible to extend the
life of the turbines from 20 to 30 years, such an investment will be very profitable.
82
SOLUTION: ENERGINET.DK
Societal benefits of investment

in an electrical cable between
Denmark and Holland
SOLUTION QUESTION 1
Energinet’s bottleneck income, BI, will be:
BI = 30 DKK/MWh * 5,000,000 MWh * 50% = 75,000,000 DKK/year.
SOLUTION QUESTION 2
Energinet’s grant from the EU Commission for the establishment of the cable
amounts to a total of 0.50 · 720 = 360 million DKK, and the grant is awarded over
three years proportionally according to Energinet’s costs. Energinet’s total costs for
the cable are estimated to be 2.4 billion DKK, so that the EU grant reduces Energi-
net’s annual costs by a factor of 360 / 2.400 = 0.15.
Energinet’s costs (payments) after the grant from the EU Commission will be as fol-
lows:
2016: 0.85 · 300 = 255 million DKK
2017: 0.85 · 700 = 595 million DKK
2018: 0.85 · 1,400 = 1,190 million DKK
The capital value of the payments for establishing the cable, Ce, calculated at the end
of 2018 (beginning of 2019), is:
Ce,2018 = 255 ∙ 1.043 + 595 ∙ 1.042 + 1,190∙ 1.04 = 287 + 644 +1,238 = 2,169 million DKK
PS: If an investment starts at time 0, then the capital value is calculated at that time,
i.e. at the beginning of year 1, for C0. Therefore, the capital value, calculated at the
beginning of 2019, is referred to above as C2018.
The annual societal utility value is 160 +14 + 14 + 4 = 192 million DKK per year.
From this, the costs of operation and maintenance must be deducted along with the
83
Solution: energinet.dk
value of the net loss, i.e. 4 + 20 = 24 million DKK per year. The net value of societal
benefits thus becomes 192 - 24 = 168 million DKK/year over the lifetime of 30 years.
The capital value of this net present value, Cn, calculated at the beginning of 2019,
amounts to:
Cn,2018 = 168 ∙ [1 – 1.04-30]/0.04 = 2,905 million DKK
The total societal surplus resulting from the establishment of the cable, C2018, calcu-
lated at the beginning of 2019, is as follows:
C2018 = Cn,2018 - Ce,2018 = 2,905 – 2,169 = 736 million DKK
SOLUTION QUESTION 3
If the life expectancy increases from 30 to 40 years, then the capital value of the
annual net present value becomes:
Cn,2018 = 168 ∙ [1 – 1.04-40]/0.04 = 3,325 million DKK
This increases the overall societal benefit of establishing the cable to:
C2018 = Cn,2018 - Ce,2018 =3,325 – 2,169 = 1,156 million DKK
This increase in life expectancy from 30 to 40 years thus leads to an increase in

overall societal profit of (1,156 – 736)/736 · 100 = 57%.
SOLUTION QUESTION 4
The life expectancy is assumed to be 30 years, as given in Question 3. If the dis-
count rate changes from 4% to 5%, then the capital value of the annual net present
value will be:
Cn,2018 = 168 ∙ [1 – 1.05-30]/0.05 = 2,583 million DKK
The capital value of the establishment costs changes to:

Ce,2018 = 255 ∙ 1.053 + 595 ∙ 1.052 + 1,190∙ 1.05 = 295 + 656 +1,250 = 2,201 million
DKK
This reduces the overall societal profit by establishing the cable to:
C2018 = Cn,2018 - Ce,2018 =2,583 – 2,201 = 382 million DKK
If the demand for return is increased from 4% to 5%, the total societal surplus will
thus be reduced by (736 – 382)/736 · 100 = 48%.
The answers to questions 3 and 4 illustrate that the profitability of long-term

investment is highly dependent on the assumptions used.
84
SOLUTION: THE DANISH ENERGY AGENCY (ENERGISTYRELSEN)
Investing in a heat pump system
SOLUTION QUESTION 1
The proposed heat pump system produces 5½ MW of thermal power. The heat pump
is running around the clock for 360 days a year, thus producing:
5½ ∙ 24 ∙ 360 = 47,520 MWh/year.
Operation of the heat pump with a COP of 4 requires a power consumption of:
47,520/4 = 11,880 MWh/year.
The cost of electricity, UE, will then be:

UE = 11,880 ∙ 1.10 ∙ 103 = 13,068,000 DKK/year.
Adding maintenance costs, the total operating expenses, UD, become:

UD = 13,068,000 + 2 million ≈ 15 million DKK/year.
SOLUTION QUESTION 2
With a settlement price of 337 DKK/MWh, there is thus obtained an income, IV, from
the sale of heat to the district heating network of:
IV = 47,520 ∙ 337 = 16,014,240 DKK/year ≈ 16 million DKK/year.
The investment entails the following payouts:

• I = plant investment = 12 + 3 = 15 million DKK
• UD = operational costs = 15 million DKK/year.
The investment entails the following income:

• IV = income from the sale of heat = 15 million DKK/year.
• IE&V = savings on electricity and water = 2 million DKK/year.
The annual net income annuity, aNI, is then:

ANI = IV + IE&V - UD = 16 + 2 – 15 = 3 million DKK/year.
85
Solution: The Danish Energy Agency (Energistyrelsen)
The investment is written for a constant payout annuity over 15 years:

au = 15,000,000 ∙ [0.08/(1 – (1 + 0.08)-15)] = 1,752,443 DKK/year ≈ 1.75 million DKK/
year.
For the total income annuity, a, we get:

a = aNI – au = 3.00 – 1.75 =1.25 million DKK > 0, which is why the investment is prof-
itable.
SOLUTION QUESTION 3
The investment’s net present value, NPV, can now be calculated as the present value
of the annuity, a:
NPV = 1.25 ∙ [(1 – (1 + 0.08)-15)/0.08] = 10.7 million DKK.
Control: If the net present value is calculated using the capital value method, the
same result should be obtained:
NPV = -I + aNI ∙ [(1 – (1 + 0.08)-15)/0.08] = -15 + 25.7 = 10,7 million DKK.
SOLUTION QUESTION 4
The dynamic payback period is the time that will pass before the sum of the dis-
counted net income, ∑NBx years, is equal to the amount of investment.
∑NB6 years = 3 ∙ [(1 – (1 + 0.08)-6)/0.08] = 13.9 million DKK < I = 15 million DKK
∑NB7 years = 3 ∙ [(1 – (1 + 0.08)-7)/0.08] = 15.6 million DKK > I = 15 million DKK
This shows that the present value of net income after 6 years is 13.9 million DKK,
and after 7 years is 15.6 million DKK, which is slightly more than the amount
invested. The dynamic payback period is thus between 6 and 7 years.
SOLUTION QUESTION 5
The price of electricity is now assumed to be reduced by 1.10 - 0.85 = 0.25 DKK per
kWh. This will mean a reduction in the company’s cost of electricity of 11,880 ∙ 0.25
∙ 103 = 2,970,000 million DKK per year ≈ 3 million DKK per year.
The net income annuity, a, of 1.25 million DKK calculated in Question 2 will thus
be increased to 1.25 + 3 = 4.25 million DKK. The profitability of the investment in
the heat pump system is thus extremely sensitive to developments in the price of
electricity.
86
Solution: The Danish Energy Agency (Energistyrelsen)
The dynamic payback period for the new net income annuity is now calculated to be:
∑NB4 years = 4.25 ∙ [(1 – (1 + 0.08)-4)/0.08] = 14.1 million DKK
∑NB5 years = 4.25 ∙ [(1 – (1 + 0.08)-5)/0.08] = 17.0 million DKK
The dynamic payback period is thus now between 4 and 5 years.
SOLUTION QUESTION 6
From the solution to Question 1, it can be seen that an investment in the heat pump
can result in a reduction in energy consumption, ΔE, of the difference between out-
put from and input to the heat pump, which is
ΔE = 47,520 – 11,880 = 35,640 MWh/year.
In the first year, the obtained income is:

Δe = 300 · 35,640 = 10,692,000 DKK/year
Since this deposit is attributable to the end of the year, it is the present value, PVE,
which is:
PVE = 10.692 ∙ 1.08-1 = 9.9 million DKK.
If PVE is rewritten to a constant annuity, ae over the life of the heat pump, we get:
ae = 9.9 · [0.08/(1 – (1 + 0.08)-15)] = 1.16 million DKK/year.
The total income annuity, at, thus becomes:

at = a + ae = 1.25 + 1.16 = 2.41 million DKK/year.
The energy savings agreement will thus significantly improve the profitability of
investment in the heat pump.
87
SOLUTION: HALDOR TOPSOE A/S
about a new product
SOLUTION QUESTION 1
The annual production of the refinery is:
30,000 · 365 = 10,950,000 barrels.
By using the TK-new, the annual volume of LCO can be increased by:
(0.292 – 0.250) · 10,950,000 = 459,900 barrels.
The added value of this annual additional production of LCO is:

60 · 459,900 = 2,759,400 DKK.
Since the lifetime of the catalyst is 2.5 years, it should be expected that the refinery
would pay a maximum of:
2.5 · 2,759,400 = 6,898,500 DKK
for the 110 tons of TK-new, that is, a maximum additional charge for TK-new of:
6,898,500/110 = 62,714 DKK/ton TK-new.
For an additional price of 62,714 DKK/ton TK-new, the refinery - apart from the
stated assumptions - will not have a financial incentive to switch from TK to TK-
new. The price of TK-new should therefore probably be set so the additional price is
lower.
SOLUTION QUESTION 2
If development costs in each of the three years is attributable to the year-end, the
future value of the project after three years of development time, that is, at the
beginning of year 1:
FV0 = -3.5 – 3.5 · 1.201 – 3.5 · 1.202 = -3.5 – 4.2 – 5.04 = -12.74 million DKK
88
Solution: haldor topsoe A/S
In year 1, the expected earned gross profit is:

GP1 = 400 · 30,000 – 200,000 = 11.8 million DKK
Attributing this to the year-end, the future value of the project by the end of year 1
is:
FV1 = -12.74 · 1.201 + 11.8 = -15.288 + 11.8 = -3.488 million DKK
In year 2, the expected earned gross profit is:

GP2 = 700 · 30,000 – 200,000 = 20.8 million DKK
Attributing this to the year-end, the future value of the project by the end of year 2
is:
FV2 = -3.488 · 1.201 + 20.8 = -4.1856 + 20.8 = about 16.6 million DKK
It is thus seen that the project, with the expected sales figures, is already repaid at
the beginning of year 2, assuming that it had not had been possible to sell TK as an
alternative.
SOLUTION QUESTION 3
In Question 2, the future value of the development costs is estimated to be:
V0 = -12.74 million DKK
Designated as the additional gross profit from TK-new, x DKK/ton, gives the
expected gross profit earned in the first three years:
GP1 = 400 · x – 200,000

GP2 = 700 · x – 200,000
GP3 = 2,400 · x – 200,000
The future value calculated at the end of year 3 is then:

FV3 = -12.74 · 106 · 1.203 + (400 · x – 200,000) · 1.202 + (700 · x – 200,000) · 1.201 +
2,400 · x – 200,000
FV3 = -22.015 · 106 + 576 · x – 288,000 + 840 · x – 240,000 + 2,400 · x – 200,000
If the project is to be repaid after 3 years, then FV3 should = 0. This means that:
3,816 · x = 22,743 · 106
89
Solution: haldor topsoe A/S
This gives:
x = 5,960 DKK/ton.
If TK-new does not contribute to increased sales, then the gross profit for TK-new
should thus be 5,960 DKK/ton higher than for TK for the project to have a payback
period of 3 years.
The assumptions behind Question 2 (TK could not be sold in the five years) can be
perceived as very pessimistic. In contrast, the assumptions behind Question 3 (that
TK could alternatively achieve the same sales figures as TK-new) can be perceived
as very favorable. The reality would probably lie somewhere in between these two
extremes.
One problem with the assessment of profitability in developing new technology is

that it cannot - as in the above - be made from short-term, partial considerations
alone. Such calculations can help to illustrate profitability, but a company’s focus on
new development projects are to a greater extent based more on long-term strategic
decisions.
90
SOLUTION: HOFOR A/S
Softer water for consumers
SOLUTION QUESTION 1
The investment amount, I, can be rewritten into a constant annuity, over 30 years.
aI = 24,000,000 · [0.05/(1 – 1.05)-30] = 1,561,234 DKK/year
The cost of operation and maintenance (O&M) = 2,000,000 DKK/year
aI + O&M = 1,561,234 +2,000,000 = 3,561,234 DKK/year
Δprice = 3,651,234/1,980,000 = 1.80 DKK/m3.
SOLUTION QUESTION 2
Increased lifetime of dishwasher:
Lifetime = 10 years: Annuity = 4,000 · [0.05/(1 – 1.05-10)] = 518 DKK/year
Lifetime = 15 years: Annuity = 4,000 · [0.05/(1 – 1.05-15)] = 385 DKK/year
Savings: 133 DKK/year
For washing machines, corresponding numerical values apply, so the total savings
for the two household appliances is 266 DKK/year.
Increased lifetime of coffee machine:

Lifetime = 7 years: Annuity = 300 · [0.05/(1 – 1.05-7)] = 52 DKK/year
Lifetime = 12 years: Annuity = 300 · [0.05/(1 – 1.05-12)] = 34 DKK/year
Savings: 18 DKK/year
For electric kettles, corresponding numerical values apply, so the total savings for
the two household appliances is 36 DKK/year.
Total savings for the 4 household appliances = 266 + 36 = 302 DKK/year
91
Solution: hofor A/S
Reduction in energy consumption, ΔE, resulting from the softer water:
ΔE = 2.25 · [(218 – 200) + (214 – 197) + (208 – 191) + (138 – 127) = 2.25 · 63 ≈ 142 DKK/
year
Total savings from prolonged life expectancy and reduced energy consumption =
302 + 142 = 444 DKK/year.
SOLUTION QUESTION 3
Water consumption in the average household:
2.1 · 45 = 94.5 m3/year.
Price increase from softening of the water = 94.5 · 1.80 ≈ 170 DKK/year < 444 DKK/
year
SOLUTION QUESTION 4
The prolonged lifetime of household appliances listed in Table 1 assumes that
consumers only act on a rational economic point of view. However, this may
be questioned, as consumers may choose to replace a home appliance based on
completely different reasons, for example, the emergence of a new design or new
model. Therefore, the possible extension of the lifetime may not be completely
exploited. This will probably apply more to coffee machines and kettles than it
would to dishwashers and washing machines.
SOLUTION QUESTION 5
This question has no clear answer. The economic value of time savings is deter-
mined by how the saved time will be used, but this depends on the specific person.
Some may want to spend the time on an extended afternoon nap on the sofa, while
others might want to work several hours, thus increasing their income.
In societal analyses, changes in time consumption are often converted to economic

numbers by multiplying the change in time consumption by an hourly factor. In
connection with the discussion about a toll ring around Copenhagen, for example,
Danish Industry estimated that the expected time loss that the road users would
experience would be approximately 1.8 million hours/year. This was then converted
to 449 million DKK/year by multiplying the time loss by 250.25 DKK per hour,
which, according to Denmark’s Statistics, was the average profit per hour of work
performed.
92
SOLUTION: MT HØJGAARD A/S
Investment calculations
for sustainable construction
SOLUTION QUESTION 1
The annual cost of the two options:
Option 1:
Cost of ventilation = 11.5 · 12,000 · 1.77 = 244,260 DKK/year
Cost of cooling = 2.5 · 12,000 · 1.77 = 53,100 DKK/year
Cost of district heating = 49.4 · 12,000 · 0.520 = 308,256 DKK/year
Cost of operations and maintenance = 0.02 · 3,600,000 = 72,000 DKK/year
Total costs = 677,616 DKK/year
Option 2:
SOLUTION QUESTION 2
The general criterion for choosing between two investment options is maximum
capital value.
Since in the present situation only payments are made (i.e. principle negative
amounts), the criterion here can be formulated as minimum capital value of pay-
ments.
The capital value at time 0, i.e. the present value is denoted for the two options NPV1
and NPV2, respectively.
93
Solution: mt højgaard A/S
NPV1 = 3,600,000 + 677,616 · [(1 - 1.07-25)/0.07] = 3,600,000 + 7,896,654

= 11,496,654 DKK
NPV2 = 4,500,000 + 570,132 · [(1 - 1.07-25)/0.07] = 4,500,000 + 6,644,081

= 11,144,081 DKK
The investment in option 2 is 25% greater than the investment in option 1, so option
2 can immediately be perceived as a relatively costly solution. From a lifetime per-
spective, however, the two options are seen to be equally profitable (NPV1 ≈ NPV2).
It should be noted that lifetime considerations in English are termed LCC (Life Cycle
Cost). In Danish, the term ”total economy” is often used.
SOLUTION QUESTION 3
For the annual cost of option 2, we now get:

SOLUTION QUESTION 4
The results from questions 2 and 3 show that increased air exchange and cooling
mean that the cost of option 2 increases by ΔC:
ΔC = 641,328 – 570,132 = 71,196 DKK/year
The total earnings for the 600 employees is 600 · 150,000 = 90,000,000 DKK/year
In order to cover the cost increase, ΔC, the requirement for productivity increase Δp
can be calculated by:
Δp · 90,000,000 ≥ ΔC
Δp ≥ 71,196/90,000,000 · 100 = 0.079%.
Thus, only a very small increase in productivity is required in order for the addi-
tional costs of increased air exchange and cooling to be covered.
94
Solution: mt højgaard A/S
SOLUTION QUESTION 5
This is thought of as a discussion question, where there is not one ”correct” answer.
Examples of factors that might be relevant to consider:
• balance between economic, environmental and social quality
• a life cycle assessment (LCA) that can provide an overall picture of environmental
impacts.
• use of materials that are not scarce resources.
• demolition, recycling and disposal of materials.
• future-proof construction that can be flexibly adapted to changing future
requirements, increasing the life span.
• social aspects such as health, comfort, indoor climate, safety and security.
95
SOLUTION: NNIT A/S
Financial considerations
in an IT company
SOLUTION QUESTION 1
With 2,600 employees, this amounts to 2,600 ∙ 0.97 = 2,522 FTEs. On average, 2% of
those are on maternity leave, and only 70% of the number of FTE hours worked can
be billed. With a working time of 160 hours per month, we get:
Number of billable hours per month = 2,522 ∙ 0.98 ∙ 0.70 ∙ 160 = 276,815 hours/
month.
From this, we get:

P1 = 276,815/2,522 = 110 billable hours per month per FTE
SOLUTION QUESTION 2
Since all costs are assumed to be fixed, then the optimal hourly rate is that which
results in maximum revenue.
Inserting the function for C0 and the numerical value for D0 into the equation for the
monthly revenue per FTE, we obtain for NNIT’s total revenue per month:
Revenue/month = R = (P1 ∙ P3 – 0.0005 ∙ P1 ∙ P32 + P1 ∙ 300) ∙ FTE
The optimal hourly rate can be found by the differentiation:

dR/dP3 = P1 – 0.0005 ∙ P1 ∙ 2 ∙ P3opt = 0
From this, we determine the optimal hourly rate to be:

P3opt = 1.000 DKK/hour
Inserting this hourly rate, as well as the values for the other parameters, into the
equation for revenue per month, R, gives:
R = (110 ∙ 1,000 – 0.0005 ∙ 110 ∙ 1,0002 + 110 ∙ 300) ∙ 2,425 = (110,000 – 55,000 +
33,000) ∙ 2,425
R = 88,000 ∙ 2,522 = 221,936,000 DKK/month.
96
Solution: nnit A/S
The annual revenue, Ry, is thus:

Ry = 221,936,000 ∙ 12 = 2,663,232,000 DKK/year
SOLUTION QUESTION 3
The billing rate in China is at 280 CNY per hour, corresponding to 280/0.70 = 400
DKK/hour. To cover the fixed costs of 124.7 million DKK/year with an hourly rate of
100 DKK, there should be billed 124,700,000/(400 – 100) = 415,667 hours/year.
The number of billable FTEs in China is 700 ∙ 0.97 = 679.
In China, there should therefore be billed:

(415,667 /679)/12 = 51 hours/month per FTE.
Since there are currently billed only 50 hours/month per FTE, the China office is not
positively contributing to NNIT’s bottom line.
SOLUTION QUESTION 4
The answer to Question 3 shows that the China office currently does not positively
contribute to NNIT’s bottom line, which could indicate that the office should be
abolished. There are many other factors, however, that should be evaluated before
making such a decision. The following are a few examples that can hopefully pro-
vide inspiration for further discussion.
Examples of arguments for maintaining the China office could include:

• It ought to be possible to increase the billing rate significantly, so the office
becomes profitable.
• China is a large and growing market, where NNIT could have a very high revenue
in the long term.
• NNIT’s Danish division could possibly outsource IT work to the China office, where
the hourly wage is much lower than in Denmark. They could also possibly exploit
the fact that working hours are time-shifted, so in practice it could act as two shifts.
• Many Danish companies are setting up production in China, and for these com-
panies, the China office could exploit the fact that NNIT is a known and reputable
company.
Examples of arguments for abolishing the China office could include:

• The office will need to become much larger before it obtains sufficient capacity
and expertise to become competitive in the Chinese market.
• It will burden NNIT in Denmark if leaders and experts need to be transferred to
the China office.
97
SOLUTION: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC DANMARK A/S
Energy savings with KNX control
SOLUTION QUESTION 1
If the lighting can be saved for x hours per workday, the annual savings will be as
follows:
x · 260 · 0,015 · 30 · 2,50 = x · 292,50 DKK/year
With an investment of 2,400 DKK and a payback period of a maximum of four

years, the annual savings must be at least 600 DKK. Therefore, it must be that:
x ≥ 600/292,50 ≈ 2 hours per workday
SOLUTION QUESTION 2
The savings with solution a are:
2 · 3,000 · 0.015 · 260 · 2.50 = 58,500 DKK/year
The savings with solution b are:

1,5 · 3,000 · 0.015 · 260 · 2,50 = 43,875 DKK/year
The savings with solution c are:

4 · 1,000 · 0.012 · 260 · 2.50 = 31,200 DKK/year
The savings with solution d are:

3 · 3,000 · 0.020 · 260 · 0.80 = 37,440 DKK/year
The total annual savings in implementing the four solutions will thus be 58,500 +
43,875 + 31,200 + 37,440 = 171,015 DKK. As the investment amounts to 200,000
DKK, the payback period will be:
200,000/171,015 ≈ 1.2 years
The proposed investment must therefore be regarded as highly attractive.
98
Solution: schneider electric danmark A/S
SOLUTION QUESTION 3
Without control of water consumption, the urinals in each restroom will be flushed
20 times an hour around the clock. The annual water consumption thus amounts to:
6 · 0.001 · 20 · 24 · 365 = 1,051 m3 at 40 DKK/m3 = 42,040 DKK/year
Proposal 1: If timers are installed, the annual cost of water consumption will be:
6 · 0.001 · 20 · (18:30 – 7:30) · 260 = 343.2 m3 at 40 DKK/m3 = 13,728 DKK/year
Proposal 2: If PIR sensors are installed, the annual cost of water consumption will be:
6 · 0.001 · 20 · (18:30 – 7:30) · 260 · 0.30 = 103 m3 at 40 DKK/m3 = 4,120 DKK/year
The savings with proposal 1 are:

42,040 – 13,728 = 28,312 DKK/year
Proposal 1 thus has a payback period of 6 · 6,500/28,312 ≈ 1.4 years
The savings with proposal 2 are:

42,040 – 4,120 = 37,920 DKK/year
Proposal 2 thus has a payback period of 6 · 8,800/37,920 ≈ 1.4 years
The payback period for the two solution proposals is thus virtually the same. Howe-
ver, this does not mean that the two solution options are equally attractive. It can
be assumed that the life span exceeds the repayment period. This means that the
proposal with PIR sensors (proposal 2) will be most attractive. This solution results
in the biggest annual savings, and the longer the life span, the more advantageous
proposal 2 will be.
The above example shows that the payback period is not suitable as a basis for
choosing between alternative investment proposals. For example, if the useful life is
five years and the discount rate is 15%, the following net present values are obtained
using the investment-theory correct criterion ”maximization of capital value”:
NTime = -6 · 6,500 + 28,312 · (1 – 1.15-5)/0.15 = -39.000 + 94,906 = 55,906 DKK
NPIR = -6 · 8,800 + 37,920 · (1 – 1.15-5)/0.15 = -52,800 + 127,114 = 74,314 DKK
It is apparent from the calculated net present values that the proposal with PIR
sensors, based on the above considerations, is the most advantageous.
99
Solution: schneider electric danmark A/S
However, the functional properties of the two proposals are not identical. In an
office building, as described, for example, it is assumed that the premises - inclu-
ding the restrooms - will also be used to a certain extent outside the official work-
ing hours. The solution with PIR sensors also works outside of official working
hours, while the timer solution will necessitate an adjustment of this. Functional
conditions could therefore also be an argument to choose the solution with PIR
sensors.
100
SOLUTION: A/S STOREBÆLT
Annuities with Different

Payment-Interval Lengths
SOLUTION QUESTION 1
Type A:
General inspection of concrete:
Inspection time: 1.75 ∙ 128 = 224 hours
Crossing of bridge pilings: 2 ∙ 126 = 252 hours
Payroll costs: (224 + 252) ∙ (3 ∙ 600 + 2 ∙ 300) = 1.142.400 DKK
Moving of platform = 250,000 DKK
Total costs = 1,142,400 + 250,000 = 1,392,400 DKK
Routine inspection of concrete:

Inspection time: 0.7 ∙ 128 = 89,6 hours
Payroll costs: (89.6 + 252) ∙ (3 ∙ 600 + 2 ∙ 300) = 819.840 DKK
Total costs = 819,840 + 250,000 = 1,069,840 DKK
Inspection of bridge bearings:

Payroll costs: (189 + 252) ∙ (1 ∙ 600 + 2 ∙ 300) = 529,200 DKK/year
Total costs = 529,200 + 250,000 = 779,200 DKK
Type B:
General inspection of concrete:
Payroll costs: 320 ∙ (2 ∙ 600 + 2 ∙ 300) = 576,000 DKK
101
Solution: A/S Storebælt
Routine inspection of concrete:

Payroll costs: 128 ∙ (2 ∙ 600 + 2 ∙ 300) = 230,400 DKK
Inspection of bridge bearings:

Payroll costs: 189 ∙ (1 ∙ 600 + 2 ∙ 300) = 226,800 DKK/year
SOLUTION QUESTION 2
Every sixth year, a general inspection is carried out, and this replaces the routine
inspection that year. If the costs of a general inspection are composed of the costs
of a routine inspection plus an additional amount, then the costs of the concrete
inspections can be described by two constant annuities:
• an annuity with an amount equal to the cost of a routine inspection every 2nd
year.
• an annuity with an amount equal to the aforementioned “additional amount”
every 6th year.
The costs for the inspection of the bridge bearings are an annuity with an annual
payment.
For the two types, the annuities are thus obtained by:
Type A:
The costs of 1,392,400 DKK for the general inspection every 6th year are composed
of the costs of 1,069,840 DKK for the routine inspection plus an additional payment
of 1,392,400 – 1,069,840 = 322,560 DKK. Hereby the costs for the inspection of the
concrete can be described by the two annuities:
• an annuity with a payment of 1,069,840 DKK every 2nd year
• an annuity with a payment of 322,560 DKK every 6th year

In addition, there is the annual annuity of 779,200 DKK for the inspection of the
bridge bearings.
Type B:
The costs of 576,000 DKK for the general inspection every 6th year are composed of
the costs of 230,400 DKK for the routine inspection plus an additional payment of
102
576,000 – 230,400 = 345,600 DKK. Hereby the costs for the inspection of the con-
crete can be described by the two annuities:
• an annuity with a payment of 230,400 DKK every 2nd year
• an annuity with a payment of 345,600 DKK every 6th year
In addition, there is the annual annuity of 226,800 DKK for the inspection of the
bridge bearings.
SOLUTION QUESTION 3
A discount rate, i, of 7% per year corresponds to a discount rate, i2, over 2 years of:
1 + i2 = (1 + 0.07)2
From this, we get:

i2 = 0.1449, that is = 14.49% over 2 years.
Correspondingly, if the payment interval length is 6 years:

1 + i6 = (1 + 0.07)6
i6 = 0.5007, that is = 50.07 % over 6 years.
SOLUTION QUESTION 4
The supporting construction has a lifetime of 50 years for both types of platforms.
Since the lifetime is the same, the choice of the type of platform can be made based
on the criterion: Maximum net present value (NPV).
Type A:
The investment amounts to 18 + 7 = 25 million DKK plus a payment of 7 million DKK
after 25 years. The present value of this, PVA,I, is:
PVA,I = -25,000,000 – 7,000,000 ∙ 1.07-25 = -26,289,744 DKK
Based on the answers to questions 2 and 3, the present value of the payments for
the concrete inspections, PVA,C, can be obtained, since the number of payments over
the 50 years of the annuity with payments every 2 years is 25, while the number of
payments years of the annuity with payments every 6 years is 8:
PVA,C = -1,069,840 ∙ (1 – 1.1449-25)/0.1449 – 322,560 ∙ (1- 1.5007-8)/0.5007 =
-7,132,652 – 619,175 = -7,751,827 DKK
The present value of the payments for the inspection of bridge bearings, PVA,B is:
PVA,B = -779,200 ∙ (1 – 1.07-50)/0.07 = -10,753,542 DKK
The costs for maintenance, CA,M, are:

103= 270,000 + 175,000 = 445,000 DKK/year.
CA,M = 18,000,000 ∙ 0.015 + 7,000,000 ∙ 0.025
The present value of this, PVA,M, is:

PVA,M = -445,000 ∙ (1 – 1.07-50)/0.07 = -6,141,332 DKK
The net present value of investing in type A, NPVA, is therefore:

NPVA = -26,289,744 – 7,751,827 – 10,753,542 – 6,141,332 = -50,936,445 DKK
Type B:
The investment amounts to 20 + 10 = 30 million DKK plus a payment of 10 million
DKK after 25 years. The present value of this, PVB,I, is:
PVB,I = -30,000,000 – 10,000,000 ∙ 1.07-25 = -31,842,492 DKK
Based on the answers to questions 2 and 3, the present value of the payments for
the concrete inspections, PVB,C, can be obtained, since the number of payments over
the 50 years of the annuity with payments every 2 years is 25, while the number of
payments years of the annuity with payments every 6 years is 8:
PVB,C = -230,400 ∙ (1 – 1.1449-25)/0.1449 – 345,600 ∙ (1- 1.5007-8)/0.5007 = -1,536,083

– 663,402 = -2,199,485 DKK
The present value of the payments for the inspection of bridge bearings, PVB,B is:
PVB,B = -226,800 ∙ (1 – 1.07-25)/0.07 = -2,643,033 DKK
The costs for maintenance, CB,M, are:

CB,M = 20,000,000 ∙ 0.010 + 10,000,000 ∙ 0.025 = 200,000 + 250,000
= 450,000 DKK/year.
The present value of this, PVB,M, is:

PVB,M = -450,000 ∙ (1 – 1.07-50)/0.07 = -6,210,336 DKK
The net present value of investing in type B, NPVB, is therefore:

NPVB = -31,842,492 – 2,199,485 – 2,643,033 – 6,210,336 = -42,895,346 DKK
Since NPVB > NPVA (“NPVB is less negative than NPVA”), A/S Storebælt should select
type B.
104
SOLUTION: THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC
Investment in a new production line
SOLUTION QUESTION 1
Table 2 lists the data from Table 1 and some calculated numerical values.
Year 1 2 3 4 5
Receipts from sales (million DKK) 3.75 6.60 15.40 21.90 27.90
Costs for sterilization (million DKK) 0.05 0.10 0.20 0.25 0.30
Costs for materials (million DKK) 1.80 3.10 5.60 7.40 8.95
Payroll costs (million DKK) 0.15 0.20 0.40 0.50 0.60
Additional costs (million DKK) 0.90 0.30 0.10 0.05 0.05
a. ∑ costs (million DKK) 2.90 3.70 6.30 8.20 9.90
b. Net receipts (million DKK) 0.85 2.90 9.10 13.70 18.00
c. PV (million DKK) 0.74 2.19 5.98 7.83 8.95
d. ∑PV (million DKK) 0.74 2.93 8.91 16.74 25.69
Table 2: Receipts and costs, net receipts, PV and ∑PV.
Explanation of table 2:
a. Total annual costs.
b. Net receipts = Total annual receipts – total annual costs.
c. PV = Present Value = present value of annual net receipts.
d. ∑PV = total present value of annual net receipts.
The investment’s net present value, NPV, can be calculated by:

NPV = -I + ∑PV, where I = the amount of the investment.
NPV = -12 + 25.69 = 13.69 million DKK
Since N is much larger than 0, the investment is extremely profitable.
105
Solution: Thermo Fisher Scientific
SOLUTION QUESTION 2
An investment’s dynamic pay-back period is the time that passes before ∑PV
becomes equal to the investment amount. The last line in Table 2 shows that ∑PV at
the end of year 3 is 8.91 million DKK and at the end of year 4 is 16.74 million DKK.
On this basis, the investment’s dynamic pay-back period can be estimated to be
between 3 and 3½ years.
SOLUTION QUESTION 3
The investment’s internal rate of return, i, is the value that the discount rate must
have for the net present value of the investment to be equal to 0. The internal rate of
return can therefore be calculated with the following equation:
0 = -I + ∑(NRt · (1 + i)-t), where:

I = amount of investment = 12 million DKK
NRt = net receipts in year t
0 = -12 + 0.85 · (1+i)-1 + 2.90 · (1+i)-2 + 9.10 · (1+i)-3 + 13.70 · (1+i)-4 + 18.00 · (1+i)-5
From this, we get:

IRR ≈ 0.41, which is ≈ 41% per year
Since the investment’s internal rate of return, IRR, is significantly larger than the
discount rate, the investment - as already calculated in the answer to question 1 - is
extremely profitable.
SOLUTION QUESTION 4
The value of equipment at the end of the investment is called the scrap value. When
calculating an investment’s net present value, the scrap value is included as a
receipt at the end of the investment period. Here, the total scrap value is expected to
be 1 + 1 + 2 = 4 million DKK, and its net present value, NPVs, is:
NPVs = 2 · 1.15-5 ≈ 1 million DKK
If the scrap value is taken into account, then the net present value of the investment
will be approximately 1 million DKK greater than the value calculated in question 1.
The company is considering whether an alternative solution to the production

line will be more advantageous. The investment in this solution is 1½ million DKK
higher, but in return, the annual costs, as indicated in Table 3, are expected to be
lower.
106
Solution: Thermo Fisher Scientific
Year 1 2 3 4 5
Reduction in costs (million DKK) 0.20 0.30 0.40 0.50 0.80
Table 3: Reduction in annual costs with the alternative production line.
SOLUTION QUESTION 5
As the investment amounts are different, the internal rate cannot be used as a
basis for choosing between the two alternatives. The choice must instead be based
on the net present values. Instead of calculating the net present value of the two
alternatives, it is often easier to calculate the net present value of the difference in
the investment amounts by comparing the original investment to the alternative
investment.
If the alternative solution is chosen, it will result in a greater investment of 1½ mil-

lion DKK. However, at the same time, the costs are reduced as indicated in Table 3.
The net present value of the difference in the investments, NPVdif, will be as follows:
NPVdif = -1.5 + 0.20 · 1.15-1 + 0.30 · 1.15-2 + 0.40 · 1.15-3 + 0.50 · 1.15-4 + 0.80 · 1.15-5
NPVdif = -1.5 + 0.17 + 0.23 + 0.26 + 0.29 + 0.40 = -0.15 million DKK
Since NPVdif is < 0, the investment in the alternative solution is not profitable, but
the difference in the profitability of the two alternatives is not very large.
107
SOLUTION: THE DANISH ROAD DIRECTORATE (VEJDIREKTORATET)
Financial considerations regarding

the Frederikssund Fjord Connection
SOLUTION QUESTION 1
With the deduction of grants from the Finance Law, net mid-year payments are as
follows:
2015: 116 – 116 = 0 million DKK
2016: 206 – 206 = 0 million DKK
2017: 515 – 125 = 390 million DKK
2018: 717 – 212 = 505 million DKK
2019: 480 – 0 = 480 million DKK
It is assumed that the payments will be due in the middle of the year. Based on the
stated discount rate of 4% per year, a half-yearly discount rate, i½, can be calculated:
(1 + i½)2 = 1 + 0.04
From this, we get:

i½ = 0.0198% per half-year.
PS: To clarify that semi-annual discount rates - due to interest on interest - are
slightly less than half of the annual discount rate, the semi-annual rate is given with
4 decimal places.
The bridge will open for traffic on January 1, 2020. If this is called time 0, then the
present value, PV, of the three net payments:
PV = 390 · 1.01985.5 + 505 · 1.01983.5 + 480 · 1.01980.5 = 434.4 + 540.9 + 484.7 =
1,460 million DKK
SOLUTION QUESTION 2
An annuity loan is repaid through a constant payment, y, in that the payment is the
sum of the interest and the repayment.
108
Solution: The Danish Road Directorate (Vejdirektoratet)
y = L · [(r/(1 – (1 + r)-T)], where
L = Loan amount (million DKK)

r = discount rate (% per year)
T = term of loan (years)
Inserting the numeric values, we get:

y = 1,460 · [(0.02/(1 – 1.02-40)] = 53.37 million DKK/year
The IPC’s total annual cost, C, is the loan payment + operating costs of 13 million
DKK per year:
C = 53.37 + 13 = 66.37 million DKK/year
If these costs are to be covered by 13,000 · 365 cars crossing the bridge annually,
then the price of a single trip over the bridge, p (DKK/trip) must be at least:
p ≥ 66,370,000/(13,000 · 365) ≈ 14 DKK/trip.
SOLUTION QUESTION 3
The loan will be repaid when:
Discounted payments = Loan amount + Discounted operating expenses
When discounting of operating expenses is applied, a discount rate of 2% per year is

used (= borrowing rate).
When toll income is discounted, it must be taken into account that this increases by
0.7% per year. The present value of income with the percentage of increasing traffic
can be calculated by discounting with a reduced value of the discount rate. If the
discount rate is used and the percentage increase in traffic for s, then the present
value of the annual payments can now be calculated by discounting with a reduced
calculation factor i1, that it should apply to:
1 + i1 = (1 + i)/(1 + s) = 1.02/1.007 = 1.0129
i1 = 0.0129% per year
One might think that i1 should be = i - s = 0.02 - 0.007 = 0.013. This is not theoreti-
cally correct, but is useful in practice - especially at small interest rates.
The repayment period is referred to as TBT.
Discounted operating costs = 13 · [(1 – 1.02-TBT)/0.02] =

650 – 650 · 1.02-TBT million DKK
109
Solution: The Danish Road Directorate (Vejdirektoratet)
Discounted toll income = 14 · 13,000 ·365/1,000,000 · [(1 – 1.013-TBT)/0.013] =

5,110 – 5,110 · 1,013-TBT million DKK
The loan will be repaid when ”discounted toll payments = loan amount + discounted
operating costs”, that is, when:
5,110 – 5,110 · 1.013-TBT = 1,460 + 650 – 650 · 1.02-TBT
5,110 · 1.013-TBT - 650 · 1.02-TBT = 3,000
From this, we get: TBT ≈ 33 years.
This shows that a change in the amount of traffic will have a significant impact on
when the investment in the bridge has been repaid.
SOLUTION QUESTION 4
The principle of price differentiation is that customers (the total market) are divided
into two or more groups (submarkets, segments) and that a toll fare is established
for each group. Any company will, by price differentiation, be able to increase the
earned coverage contribution, but different conditions must be met in order for
price differentials to be implemented.
Firstly, price differentiation must be implemented in a legal manner. It is, for

example, not legal to differentiate based on gender, color, race, religion, etc. Sec-
ondly, there must be a market with monopolistic competition, i.e. with a decreasing
price-setting function. Thirdly, price elasticity in the submarkets at the same mar-
ket price must be different. Fourth, the submarkets must be kept separate. Custom-
ers in a segment that have to pay a higher price must therefore not be able to buy in
a segment where the price is lower.
A breakdown into commuters and non-commuters seems to be obvious, as com-

muters who have to cross the bridge more than 400 times a year may be assumed to
be more price-sensitive than those who only cross the bridge a few times a year. A
discount for commuters must therefore be expected to increase the number of com-
muters, while a higher price for non-commuters will hardly reduce traffic at all.
Examples of other divisions in customer segments that can be separated are retirees
(documentation of age) and students (documentation with student cards). A lower
price for these two groups could be justified by greater price sensitivity and/or
lower purchasing power.
Do you have other suggestions for possible segments?
110
SOLUTION: VELUX A/S
Calculations with the Introduction

of New Technology for Windows
SOLUTION QUESTION 1
Rewriting the investment of 10 million DKK to an annuity, a, over two years, we get:
a = 10,000,000 ∙ 0.07/(1 – 1.07-2) = 5,530,918 DKK/yr.
With annual sales of 200,000 units, we get an increase in ”depreciation and inter-
est” of:
5,530,918/200,000 = 27.65 DKK per window
SOLUTION QUESTION 2
Calculation for a window with the new coating
Materials 815 DKK 55.9%
Salary 212 DKK 14.5%
Additional costs 100 DKK 6.9%
Depreciation and interest 68 DKK 4.6%
Cost price 1,195 DKK 81.9%
Sales costs 100 DKK 6.9%

Marketing 90 DKK 6.2%
Profit 73 DKK 5.0%
Selling price 1,458 DKK 100.0%
PS.: The total cost for production, sales, and marketing comes to 1,385 DKK. Since
the profit must be 5% of the selling price, it must be 1,385 / 0.95 = 1,458 DKK per
window. The profit is hereby 1,458-1,385 = 73 DKK per window.
The selling price of a window must therefore be increased by 1,458-1,400 = 58 DKK
111
Solution: velux a/S
SOLUTION QUESTION 3
The profitability of investments resulting in changes in the costs and selling price
cannot be judged by how the profit margin in a full-cost calculation changes.
SOLUTION QUESTION 4
The general criterion for an investment to be profitable is that its net present value
must be ≥ 0 DKK. The investment of 10 million DKK in the new technology results
in:
An increase in salary costs of 12 DKK per window
An increase in material costs of 15 DKK per window
An increase in the selling price of 45 DKK
Overall, this results in a net cash flow of 45 – 12 – 15 = 18 DKK per window, which
corresponds to 18 ∙ 200,000 = 3,600,000 DKK/year.
The investment’s net present value, NPV, thus becomes:

NPV = -10,000,000 + 3,600,000 ∙ (1 – 1.07-5)/0.07 = 4,760,710 DKK
SOLUTION QUESTION 5
If the investment is to be profitable, then the minimum requirement for the net cash
flow, NCF, can be calculated as:
NPV = -10,000,000 + NCF ∙ (1 – 1.07-5)/0.07 ≥ 0 DKK
From this, we get:

NCF ≥ 2,438,907 DKK/yr. or 2,438,907/200,000 = 12.19 DKK per window.
Therefore, the selling price of a window must be increased by a minimum of 12.19

+ 12 + 15 = approximately 39 DKK, if the investment in the new technology is to be
profitable.
112

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CASE STUDIES

Bodano Publishing & Communication ApS

This collection of case studies is designed to be used as educational material in the

Master of Science in Engineering Aage U. Michelsen, [email protected]

Alfa Laval is a worldwide international group, which employs approximately 17,000

Plant type MEP10-4-650 MSF-6-650

Table 1: Data for an MEP plant and an MSF plant.

Please find the solution on page 72.

Banedanmark is responsible for the national railroad network in Denmark and is a

As part of the electrification process, Banedanmark plans to build rail transformers

Du får over 2.200 engagerede kolleger, der hver dag

Please find the solution on page 74.

Investments in energy savings

In order to reduce electricity consumption for lighting, Bravida recommends

2. Automatic lighting control relative to the incoming daylight, so the lighting

3. Automatic lighting control relative to the incoming daylight, so the lighting

The comfort ventilation in the building is performed with a common ventilation

To reduce energy consumption of the comfort ventilation system, Bravida recom-

1. Simple ventilation controls with ON/OFF dampers established in the indivi-

The developer is considering investing in a comprehensive KNX solution for the

• Artificial lighting is controlled according to the desired level in 3 zones, controlled

• An automatic ordering system is established for the cleaning company, so clean-

Please find the solution on page 77.

Bravida løser alle typer af installations-

Læs mere på bravida.dk

CASE: DONG ENERGY A/S

After year 20, it is expected to no longer be profitable to operate the turbines,

Please find the solution on page 80.

Societal benefits of investment

Energinet is an independent public enterprise owned by the Danish Ministry of

COBRAcable. In October 2016, Energinet began construction of the new electricity

When the COBRAcable is completed, it will become possible to trade electricity

System-bearing properties: 14 million DKK/year: Savings due to the positive effect

Efficiency: 14 million DKK/year: The value of the possibility of importing electricity

Energinets eltransmissionsnet er forbundet til nabolandene Norge, Sverige og Tyskland, og

Viking Link skal forbinde Danmark og Storbritannien

It is often discussed what requirements should be made for return on public

Please find the solution on page 83.

Investing in a heat pump system

The Danish Energy Agency (DEA) is a major contributor to Denmark’s role as a

The proposed heat pump system is powered by electricity and produces 5½ MW of

Please find the solution on page 85.

To refine products that meet environmental regulations, products such as gasoline

With multiple opportunities to work in different

See our available vacancies

Year 1: 400 tons

One problem in assessing profitability in developing a new technology (here TK-

Please find the solution on page 88.

Softer water for consumers

HOFOR supplies households and companies with groundwater pumped from

The hardness of the Copenhagen area’s groundwater is between 20 and 30 hardness

The investment in the softening plant at Broendbyvester waterworks has been

Since the establishment of softening plants is to be financed through user payments

Coffee Dish- Washing Electric

It is assumed that the electricity price for a household is 2.25 DKK/kWh.

In Denmark, according to Denmark’s Statistics, there are an average of 2.1 people

The extended lifetime of the 4 household appliances listed in Table 1 is based on an

Please find the solution on page 91.

Niels Hendriksen, civilingeniør og

VIL DU OGSÅ SKABE