Category Archives: Working Papers 2007

EPRG 0731

William Nuttall, Devon Manz

A New Energy Security Paradigm for the Twenty-First Century

EPRG 0731 Non-Technical Summary | PDF

Also published in:

Abstract: This paper considers three timescales facing energy policy makers: the timescale of technological innovation, the timescale of fossil fuel resource depletion and the timescale of harmful climate change. The paper posits a future of rapid climate change in which technological innovation struggles to match the demands placed upon it. In this scenario resource depletion recedes as a driver of energy policy. The paper considers a possible accompanying evolution in foreign and military policy over such a period. A future is described in which naval power is redeployed within a generation away from today’s mission of supporting unfettered free trade through international choke points to a role of interdiction and control by which the leading industrial powers, and their allies in the developing world, seek to prevent high carbon dioxide emissions from a few recalcitrant sovereign states. Historical parallels are drawn with the similarly rapid paced end to the Trans-Atlantic slave trade in the early Nineteenth Century.

Keywords: Energy Security, Climate Change, Decarbonisation, Energy Alliance

EPRG 0730

James Cust, Anoop Singh, Karsten Neuhoff Rural Electrification in India: Economic and Institutional aspects of Renewables EPRG 0730 Non-Technical Summary | PDF Also published in: Singh, A, Neuhoff, K, & Cust, J. (2007). Rural electrification in india : Economic and institutional aspects of renewables. World, (December) Abstract: The paper assesses the demand for rural electricity… Continue Reading

EPRG 0729

Stephen Littlechild, Eduardo Ponzano Transmission expansion in Argentina 5: the Regional Electricity Forum of Buenos Aires Province EPRG 0729 Non-Technical Summary | PDF Also published in: Littlechild, S. and Ponzano, E. (2008), “Transmission Expansion in Argentina 5: the Regional Electricity Forum of Buenos Aires province”, Energy Economics 30(4) Abstract: This paper supplements analyses of Argentine… Continue Reading

EPRG 0728

Xi Liang, David Reiner, Jon Gibbins, Jia Li Financing Capture Ready Coal-Fired Power Plants in China by Issuing Capture Options EPRG 0728 Non-Technical Summary | PDF Also published in: Liang, X., Reiner, D., Gibbins, J. and Li, J. (2010) “Getting ready for carbon capture and storage by issuing capture options.” Environment and Planning A, 42(6):… Continue Reading

EPRG 0727

Tao Zhang, William J Nuttall An Agent Based Simulation of Smart Metering Technology Adoption EPRG 0727 Non-Technical Summary | PDF Abstract: Based on the classic behavioural theory “the Theory of Planned Behaviour”, we develop an agent-based model to simulate the diffusion of smart metering technology in the electricity market. We simulate the emergent adoption of… Continue Reading

EPRG 0726

Fabien Roques Technology Choices for New Entrants in Liberalised Markets: The Value of Operating Flexibility and Contractual Arrangements EPRG 0726 Non-Technical Summary | PDF Abstract: New entrants in liberalised electricity markets which are not vertically integrated and do not operate a large and diversified portfolio of generation technologies are likely to favour technologies which offer… Continue Reading

EPRG 0725

Michael Pollitt Evaluating the evidence on electricity reform: Lessons for the South East Europe (SEE) market EPRG 0725 Non-Technical Summary | PDF Also published in: Pollitt, Michael, (2009). “Evaluating the evidence on electricity reform: Lessons for the South East Europe (SEE) market,” Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 17(1), pages 13-23, March Abstract: This paper discusses the… Continue Reading

EPRG 0724

Michael Pollitt Liberalisation and Regulation in Electricity Systems: How can we get the balance right? EPRG 0724 Non-Technical Summary | PDF Also published in: Pollitt, M, “Liberalisation and Regulation in Electricity Systems: How can we get the balance right?”  Chapter in “Competitive Electricity Markets: Design, Implementation, Performance A Volume in the Elsevier Global Energy Policy… Continue Reading

EPRG 0723

Tooraj Jamasb, Jonathan Koehler Learning Curves for Energy Technology and Policy Analysis: A Critical Assessment EPRG 0723 Non-Technical Summary | PDF Abstract: In this paper, which forms a chapter in the forthcoming Book “Delivering a Low Carbon Electricity System: Technologies, Economics and Policy”†, Jamasb and Kohler revisit the literature on learning curves and their application… Continue Reading

EPRG 0722

Michael Grubb, David Newbery Pricing Carbon for Electricity Generation: National and International Dimensions EPRG 0722 Non-Technical Summary | PDF Abstract: In this paper, which forms a chapter in the forthcoming Book “Delivering a Low Carbon Electricity System: Technologies, Economics and Policy”2, Grubb and Newbery examine how carbon for electricity generation should be priced. They begin… Continue Reading

EPRG 0721

Michael Pollitt, Janusz Bialek Electricity Network Investment and Regulation for a Low Carbon Future EPRG 0721 Non-Technical Summary | PDF Also published in: Pollit, M. and Bialek, J. W. (2008) ‘Electricity network investment and regulation for a low-carbon future.’, in Delivering a low-carbon electricity system : technologies, economics and policy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp.… Continue Reading

EPRG 0720

Chris Hope, David Newbery Calculating the Social Cost of Carbon EPRG 0720 Non-Technical Summary | PDF Abstract: The paper1 discusses the determination of the social cost of carbon (SCC) using the PAGE2002 model used in the Stern Review. The SCC depends sensitively on assumptions about future economic development, the range and likelihood of economic and… Continue Reading

EPRG 0719

Jinye Z Schulkin, Benjamin F Hobbs, Jong-Shi Pang Long-Run Equilibrium Modeling of Alternative Emissions Allowance Allocation Systems in Electric Power Markets EPRG 0719 Non-Technical Summary | PDF Abstract: A question in the design of carbon dioxide trading systems is how allowances are to be initially allocated: by auction, by giving away fixed amounts, or by… Continue Reading

EPRG 0718

Tooraj Jamasb, Michael Pollitt Reference Models and Incentive Regulation of Electricity Distribution Networks: An Evaluation of Sweden’s Network Performance Assessment Model (NPAM) EPRG 0718 Non-Technical Summary | PDF Also published in: Jamasb, T & Pollitt, M (2007) “Reference Models and Incentive Regulation of Electricity Distribution Networks : An Evaluation of Sweden’s Network Performance Assessment Model… Continue Reading

EPRG 0717

Hongliang Yang, Michael Pollitt Distinguishing Weak and Strong Disposability among Undesirable Outputs in DEA: The Example of the Environmental Efficiency of Chinese Coal-Fired Power Plants EPRG 0717 Non-Technical Summary | PDF Also published in: Yang, Hongliang & Pollitt, M (2010), “Distinguishing Weak and Strong Disposability among Undesirable Outputs in DEA: The Example of the Environmental… Continue Reading

EPRG 0716

Hongliang Yang, Michael Pollitt Incorporating Undesirable Outputs into Malmquist TFP Index: Environmental Performance Growth of Chinese Coal-Fired Power Plants EPRG 0716 Non-Technical Summary | PDF Also published in: Yang, H. and Pollitt, M. (2012), ‘Incorporating undesirable outputs into Malmquist TFP indices with an unbalanced data panel of Chinese power plants’, Applied Economics Letters, Vol.19, Issue… Continue Reading

EPRG 0715

Stephen Littlechild Municipal aggregation and retail competition in the Ohio energy sector EPRG 0715 Non-Technical Summary | PDF Also published in: Littlechild, S. (2008), “Municipal aggregation and retail competition in the Ohio energy sector”, Journal of Regulatory Economics 34(2) Abstract: Ohio allows communities to vote to aggregate the loads of individual consumers (unless they opt… Continue Reading

EPRG 0714

Michael Pollitt The arguments for and against ownership unbundling of energy transmission networks EPRG 0714 Non-Technical Summary | PDF Also published in: Pollitt, M., (2008), “The Arguments for and Against Ownership Unbundling of Energy Transmission Networks”, Energy Policy 36(2) Abstract: The question this paper addresses is: what is the evidence for the superiority of the… Continue Reading

EPRG 0713

William Yu, Tooraj Jamasb, Michael Pollitt Incorporating the Price of Quality in Efficiency Analysis: the Case of Electricity Distribution Regulation in the UK EPRG 0713 Non-Technical Summary | PDF Also published in: Yu, W., Jamasb, T. and Pollitt, M. (2009), “Willingness-to-Pay for Quality of Service: An Application to Efficiency Analysis of the UK Electricity Distribution… Continue Reading

EPRG 0712

Hongliang Yang, Michael Pollitt Incorporating both Undesirable Outputs and Uncontrollable Variables into DEA: the performance of Chinese Coal-Fired Power Plants EPRG 0712 Non-Technical Summary | PDF Also published in: Yang, Hongliang & Pollitt, Michael, (2009), “Incorporating both undesirable outputs and uncontrollable variables into DEA: The performance of Chinese coal-fired power plants,” European Journal of Operational… Continue Reading

EPRG 0711

Jean Michel Glachant, Marcelo Saguan An Institutional Frame to Compare Alternative Market Designs in EU Electricity Balancing EPRG 0711 Non-Technical Summary | PDF Abstract: The so-called “electricity wholesale market” is, in fact, a sequence of several markets. The chain is closed with a provision for “balancing,” in which energy from all wholesale markets is balanced… Continue Reading

EPRG 0710

Laurent Pouret, William Nuttall Can Nuclear Power be Flexible? EPRG 0710 Non-Technical Summary | PDF Related paper: Laurent Pouret, Nigel Buttery and William Nuttall, Is Nuclear Power Inflexible?, Nuclear Future, 5, (6) pp. 333-341 and pp. 343-344. Available at Nuclear Future  Abstract: This paper raises the issue of whether nuclear power can play a flexible… Continue Reading

EPRG 0709

Alexandre Bredimas, William Nuttall A Comparison of International Regulatory Organizations and Licensing Procedures for New Nuclear Power Plants EPRG 0709 Non-Technical Summary | PDF Also published in: Nuttall, W.J. and Bredimas, A. (2008),”A Comparison of International Regulatory Organizations and Licensing Procedures for New Nuclear Power Plants”, Energy Policy, Volume 36, Issue 4, April, Pages 1344–1354… Continue Reading

EPRG 0708

John Kwoka, Michael Pollitt Industry Restructuring, Mergers and Efficiency: Evidence from Electric Power EPRG 0708 Non-Technical Summary | PDF Also published in: Kwoka, J. and Pollitt, M. (2010) “Do mergers improve efficiency? Evidence from restructuring the US electric power sector”, International Journal of Industrial Organisation, Vol.28 (6): pp.645-656 Abstract: This paper analyses the performance impact… Continue Reading

EPRG 0707

Angus Johnston, Amalia Kavali, Karsten Neuhoff Take-or-pay contracts for Renewables Deployment EPRG 0707 Non-Technical Summary | PDF Also published in: Johnston, A., Kavalia, A. and Neuhoff, K. (2008), “Take or Pay Contracts for Renewables Deployment”, Energy Policy 36(7) Abstract: Renewables require support policies to deliver the European 20% target. We discuss the requirements for least… Continue Reading

EPRG 0706

David Reiner 2006 EPRG Public Opinion Survey on Energy Security: Policy Preferences and Personal Behaviour EPRG 0706 Non-Technical Summary | PDF Abstract: A representative sample of over 1000 UK residents was surveyed for their views on issues ranging from the future of the electricity supply to their current purchasing decisions. Both environment and fuel prices… Continue Reading

EPRG 0705

Stephen Littlechild The bird in hand: stipulated settlements and electricity regulation in Florida EPRG 0705 Non-Technical Summary | PDF Also published in: Littlechild, Stephen (2009), “The Bird in Hand : stipulated settlements and electricity regulation in Florida”, Utilities Policy, Volume 17, Issues 3–4, September–December, Pages 276-287 Abstract: In the last two decades many major regulatory… Continue Reading

EPRG 0704

Misato Sato, Michael Grubb, Jim Cust, Katie Chan, Anna Korppoo, Pablo Ceppi Differentiation and Dynamics of Competitiveness Impacts from the EU ETS EPRG 0704 Non-Technical Summary | PDF Also published in: Sato, M. Grubb, M, Cust, J., Chan, K., Korppoo, A., Ceppi, P. (2007).  “Differentiation and dynamics of EU ETS competitiveness impacts”  Climate Strategies Abstract:… Continue Reading

EPRG 0703

Stephan Alberth Forecasting technology costs via the Learning Curve – Myth or Magic? EPRG 0703 Non-Technical Summary | PDF Abstract: To further our understanding of the effectiveness of learning or experience curves to forecast technology costs, a statistical analysis using historical data has been carried out. Three hypotheses have been tested using available data sets… Continue Reading

EPRG 0702

Karsten Neuhoff, Jim Cust, Kim Keats Implications of intermittency and transmission constraints for renewables deployment EPRG 0702 Non-Technical Summary | PDF Abstract: We represent hourly, regional wind data and transmission constraints in an investment planning model calibrated to the UK and test sensitivities of least cost expansions to fuel and technology prices. Thus we can… Continue Reading

EPRG 0701

Tooraj Jamasb, Michael Pollitt Incentive Regulation of Electricity Distribution Networks: Lessons of Experience from Britain EPRG 0701 Non-Technical Summary | PDF Also published in: Jamasb, T. and Pollitt, M. (2007), “Incentive Regulation of Electricity Distribution Networks: Lessons of Experience from Britain”, Energy Policy 35(12) Abstract: This paper reviews the recent experience of the UK electricity… Continue Reading