This paper compares the manufacturing and refueling costs of a Fuel-Cell Vehicle (FCV) and a Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) using an automobile model reflecting the largest segment of light-duty vehicles. We use results from widely-cited government studies to compare the manufacturing and refueling costs of a BEV and a FCV capable of delivering 135 horsepower and driving approximately 300 miles. Our results show that a BEV performs far more favorably in terms of cost, energy efficiency, weight, and volume. The differences are particularly dramatic when we assume that energy is derived from renewable resources.

Rapidly growing demand for year‐round fresh food, regardless of the weather or climate, is driving demand for controlled environment agriculture systems. Sales from greenhouses (GHs) are growing at 8.8%, while sales from vertical farms (VFs) are growing at 30%. It is commonly believed in industry circles that a VF cannot economically compete with a GH, due to the high cost of powering artificial lighting. Nonetheless, researchers have yet to analyze the economics underlying a VF, let alone compare the profitability of a VF to that of a GH. This research gap is particularly relevant to Canada, as it is uniquely positioned to be a leader in the VF market. Below, we report the results of a detailed simulation of the profitability of growing lettuce in a VF and in a GH located near Quebec City. Surprisingly, we find that the costs to both equip and run the two facilities are very similar, while the gross profit is slightly higher for the VF.

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The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between light intensity, cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) yields, and profitability. We also look for evidence that spectrum differences across broad-spectrum horticulture lights and general-purpose LEDs affect the relationship between yield and light intensity. Finally, we discuss the financial return of increasing light intensity in order to increase yields. We found that yields increase linearly with light intensity up to at least 1500 µmol m -2 s -1 , which is at least twice the intensity that is most commonly used by cannabis growers. That relationship did not appear to be influenced by spectrum quality differences among the lamps included in the study. Finally, for all the intensity ranges that we considered, the value of the gain in yields from increasing light intensity far exceeded the cost of using more electricity.

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