1.Net Present Value (NPV) examines financial performance in absolute terms.How does this differ from Benefit/Cost Ratios and Internal Rate of Return (IRR)?

2.Net Present Value requires the computation of a discount rate.Discuss the challenges this presents to an organization.

3.What is the fundamental premise of Benefit/Cost Analysis?What is the value of this analysis?What are some of the risks?

CASE STUDY: Building a Wind powered electrical generating plant

Background

Integration of wind generation into a wholesale power supply portfolio requires a proper balance between the operating characteristics of base load generation, power purchase agreement flexibility and cost of service objectives. Purchasing or generating wind power has an associated expense that must be addressed as the wholesale power supplier meets its obligation to supply a reliable, affordable and balanced supply of wholesale electric energy and related services to its member systems. The integration of wind generation into a power supply portfolio can be challenging and the "all in" costs associated with this resource must be objectively considered in order to accurately reflect the contribution this resource will make to supply portfolio pricing.

Results of a Feasibility Study

A feasibility study was carried out to see what the costs and consequences would be of building the Wind powered electrical generating plant. Basic data on anticipated costs and benefits are provided in Table A and B respectively.

Table A

Year ->

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Initial capital costs

300

600

500

Cost of operations

40

42

50

46

52

61

59

Anticipated maintenance

25

42

35

41

27

29

31

Other costs

80

80

65

40

44

24

15

16

19

18

TOTAL

380

680

565

105

128

109

102

95

109

108

Table B

Year ->

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Income to Cooperative

45

101

122

135

136

175

201

220

Secondary income generation effects

85

119

122

163

201

305

412

415

453

487

TOTAL

85

119

167

264

323

440

548

590

654

707

1.What is the undiscounted Benefit/Cost of the project?

2.If this project could be financed at a rate of 10%, could it be economically justified?Why?

3.What is the Net Present Value of this project using a discount rate of 10%?

4.In what year does this project break even?Is this timeframe acceptable?Why?