Tag Archives: wp-2010

EPRG 1036

François Lévêque

France’s new Electricity Act: a barrier against the market and the European Union

EPRG 1036  | Non-Technical Summary | PDF

Abstract: This paper undertakes an ex ante assessment of the new French Electricity Act which was adopted in November 2010. This act gives EDF’s rivals access to a portion of the electricity generated by EDF’s nuclear power plants. It is supposed to develop competition and innovation in supply whereas maintening the benefit of the nuclear rent to French consumers and incentivise investments in power generation. The paper shows this goals are unlikely to be achieved. The assessment is preceded by a description of the motivations of this new law and its detailled contents. It also discusses the potential incompatibility of the French Electricity Act with the EU law and potential windfall effect for electricity suppliers.

Keywords: electricity, nuclear power, energy regulation, ex ante assessment

EPRG 1034

Aoife Brophy Haney, Tooraj Jamasb, Laura M. Platchkov, Michael G. Pollitt Demand-side Management Strategies and the Residential Sector: Lessons from International Experience EPRG 1034 | Non-Technical Summary | PDF Abstract: This paper explores demand side management (DSM) strategies, including both demand response and energy efficiency policies. The aim is to uncover what features might strengthen… Continue Reading

EPRG 1033

Vladimir Parail Properties of Electricity Prices and the Drivers of Interconnector Revenue EPRG 1033 | Non-Technical Summary | PDF Abstract: This paper examines the drivers behind revenues of merchant electricity interconnectors and the effect of arbitrage trading over interconnectors on the level and volatility of electricity prices in the connected markets. It sets out a… Continue Reading

EPRG 1032

Tim Laing and Michael Grubb Low Carbon Electricity Investment: The Limitations of Traditional Approaches and a Radical Alternative EPRG 1032 | Non-Technical Summary | PDF Abstract: Moving to a very low carbon electricity system is central to meeting the goals of UK energy policy, and indeed to the wider global challenge of tackling climate change.… Continue Reading

EPRG 1031

Florent Silve and Pierre Noël Cost Curves for Gas Supply Security: The Case of Bulgaria EPRG 1031 | Non-Technical Summary | PDF Abstract: We evaluate the cost-effectiveness of various policy options and infrastructure investment proposals to improve the security of gas supply in Bulgaria, one of the most gas insecure countries in the European Union.… Continue Reading

EPRG 1030

Aoife Brophy Haney and Michael G. Pollitt New Models of Public Ownership in Energy EPRG 1030 | Non-Technical Summary | PDF Abstract: This paper discusses some of the new and continuing ways in which the public sector is involved in the electricity / energy sector around the world. This involvement continues to be significant in… Continue Reading

EPRG 1029

Aurélie Méjean and Chris Hope The Effect of CO2 Pricing on Conventional and Non-Conventional Oil Supply and Demand EPRG 1029 | Non-Technical Summary | PDF Abstract: What would be the effect of CO2 pricing on global oil supply and demand? This paper introduces a model describing the interaction between conventional and non-conventional oil supply in… Continue Reading

EPRG 1028

Helena Meier Health Satisfaction and Energy Spending EPRG 1028 | Non-Technical Summary | PDF Abstract: This study explores the link between energy spending and health satisfaction. We aim to show that energy spending is a driver of health satisfaction and therefore of the overall quality of life of individuals. This has important implications for policy… Continue Reading

EPRG 1027

Tooraj Jamasb, Luis Orea and Michael G. Pollitt Estimating Marginal Cost of Quality Improvements: The Case of the UK Electricity Distribution Companies EPRG 1027 | Non-Technical Summary | PDF Abstract: The main aim of this paper is to develop an econometric approach to estimation of marginal costs of improving quality of service. We implement this… Continue Reading

EPRG 1025

Christian Growitsch, Tooraj Jamasb, and Heike Wetzel Efficiency Effects of Quality of Service and Environmental Factors: Experience from Norwegian Electricity Distribution EPRG 1025 | Non-Technical Summary | PDF Also published in: Growitsch, C, Jamasb, T &  Wetzel, H (2012) “Efficiency effects of observed and unobserved heterogeneity: Evidence from Norwegian electricity distribution networks”. Energy Economics Volume… Continue Reading

EPRG 1023

David M Newbery Oil Shortages, Climate Change and Collective Action EPRG 1023 | Non-Technical Summary | PDF | Appendix Also published in: Philosophical Transactions of Royal Society Publishing A, 13 May 2011 vol. 369 (1942), pp1748-1761 – Text Abstract: Concerns over future oil scarcity might not be so worrying but for the high carbon content of… Continue Reading

EPRG 1022

Harry van der Weijde and Benjamin F. Hobbs Locational-based Coupling of Electricity Markets: Benefits from Coordinating Unit Commitment and Balancing Markets EPRG 1022 | Non-Technical Summary | PDF Also published in: Journal of Regulatory Economics, June 2011, vol.39 (3), pp 223-251 Abstract: We formulate a series of stochastic models for committing and dispatching electric generators… Continue Reading

EPRG 1020

Tooraj Jamasb, Luis Orea, Michael G. Pollitt Weather Factors and Performance of Network Utilities: A Methodology and Application to Electricity Distribution EPRG 1020 | Non-Technical Summary | PDF Abstract: Incentive regulation and efficiency analysis of network utilities often need to take the effect of important external factors, such as the weather conditions, into account. This… Continue Reading

EPRG 1019

Andreas Ehrenmann and Yves Smeers Stochastic Equilibrium Models for Generation Capacity Expansion EPRG 1019 | Non-Technical Summary | PDF Abstract: Capacity expansion models in the power sector were among the first applications of operations research to the industry. We introduce stochastic equilibrium versions of these models that we believe provide a relevant context for looking… Continue Reading

EPRG 1018

Michel-Alexandre Cardin, Steven J. Steer, William J. Nuttall, Geoffrey T. Parks, Leonardo V.N. Gonçalves, Richard de Neufville Minimizing the Cost of Innovative Nuclear Technology Through Flexibility: The Case of a Demonstration Accelerator-Driven Subcritical Reactor Park EPRG 1018 | Non-Technical Summary | PDF | Cost Model Abstract: Presented is a methodology to analyze the expected Levelised… Continue Reading

EPRG 1017

Stephen Littlechild The Creation of a Market for Retail Electricity Supply EPRG 1017  | Non-Technical Summary | PDF Also published in: Stephen Littlechild, (2010). “The Creation of a Market for Retail Electricity Supply,” RSCAS Working Papers 2010/57, European University Institute Abstract: In September 1989, as part of its privatization program, the Government laid down an… Continue Reading

EPRG 1016

Yves Smeers, Giorgia Oggioni, Elisabetta Allevi and Siegfried Schaible Generalized Nash Equilibrium and Market Coupling in the European Power System EPRG 1016  | Non-Technical Summary | PDF Abstract: “Market Coupling” is currently seen as the most advanced market design in the restructuring of the European electricity market. Market coupling, by construction, introduces what is generally… Continue Reading

EPRG 1015

Jevgenijs Steinbuks Interfuel Substitution and Energy Use in the UK Manufacturing Sector EPRG 1015  | Non-Technical Summary | PDF Abstract: This paper investigates interfuel substitution in the UK manufacturing sector. Econometric models of interfuel substitution are applied to energy inputs aggregated by their energy use, and separately for thermal heating processes, where interfuel substitution is… Continue Reading

EPRG 1014

Lin Fan, Benjamin F. Hobbs and Catherine S. Norman Risk Aversion and CO2 Regulatory Uncertainty in Power Generation Investment: Policy and Modeling Implications EPRG 1014  | Non-Technical Summary | PDF Abstract: Our simulation considers producers in a competitive energy market. Risk averse producers face uncertainty about future carbon regulation. Investment decisions are a two-stage equilibrium… Continue Reading

EPRG 1013

Steven J. Steer, Michel-Alexandre Cardin, William J. Nuttall, Geoffrey T. Parks and Leonardo V. N. Gonçalves Hedging Against Technology Risks of the Accelerator System of a First-of-a-Kind Accelerator-Driven Subcritical Reactor EPRG 1013 | Non-Technical Summary | PDF Abstract: Demonstrating the generation of electricity with Accelerator-Driven Subcritical Reactor (ADSR) technology will incur substantial financial risk both… Continue Reading

EPRG 1012

Aoife Brophy Haney and Michael G.Pollitt Exploring the Determinants of “best practice” in Network Regulation: The Case of the Electricity Industry EPRG 1012 | Non-Technical Summary | PDF Also published in: Brophy Haney, A & Pollitt, M (2011) “Exploring the Determinants of “best practice” in Network Regulation: The Case of the Electricity Industry”, Energy Policy… Continue Reading

EPRG 1011

David M. Newbery A Nuclear Future? UK Government Policy and the Role of the Market EPRG 1011 | Non-Technical Summary | PDF Also published in: Economic Affairs 30 (2) 2010, 21-27. Available at Wiley InterScience Abstract: Meeting carbon targets requires decarbonising electricity. The least cost strategy involves nuclear power. In a liberalised electricity market, the… Continue Reading

EPRG 1010

Benjamin F. Hobbs, James Bushnell and Frank A. Wolak Upstream vs. Downstream CO2 Trading: A Comparison for the Electricity Context EPRG 1010 | Non-Technical Summary | PDF Abstract: In electricity, “downstream” CO2 regulation requires retail suppliers to buy energy from a mix of sources so that their weighted emissions satisfy a standard. It has been… Continue Reading

EPRG 1008

Sachi Findlater and Pierre Noël Gas Supply Security in the Baltic States: A Qualitative Assessment EPRG 1008  | Non-Technical Summary | PDF Also published in: International Journal of Energy Sector Management 4 (2) 2010, 236-255. Available from Emerald Abstract:  In a setting of increasing European concern over gas supply security, this article provides an empirical… Continue Reading

EPRG 1007

Pär Holmberg and David Newbery The supply function equilibrium and its policy implications for wholesale electricity auctions EPRG 1007  | Non-Technical Summary | PDF Also published in: Holmberg, P. and Newbery, D. M. (2010), “The Supply Function Equilibrium and its Policy Implications for Wholesale Electricity Auctions”, Utilities Policy 18(4), pp 209-226 | Text Abstract: The… Continue Reading

EPRG 1006

Jevgenijs Steinbuks and Karsten Neuhoff Operational and Investment Response to Energy Prices in the OECD Manufacturing Sector EPRG 1006  | Non-Technical Summary | PDF Abstract: This paper estimates the vintage capital model of energy demand and examines operational and investment responses to energy prices at disaggregate level using data from five OECD manufacturing industries. Applying… Continue Reading

EPRG 1005

Aurélie Méjean and Chris Hope Supplying Synthetic Crude Oil from Canadian Oil Sands: A Comparative Study of the Costs and CO2 Emissions of Mining and In-situ Recovery EPRG 1005  | Non-Technical Summary | PDF Abstract: High crude oil prices and the eventual decline of conventional oil production raise the issue of alternative fuels such as… Continue Reading

EPRG 1004

Tim Laing and Michael Grubb The Impact of Instrument Choice on Investment in Abatement Technologies: A Case Study of Tax versus Trade Incentives for CCS and Biomass for Electricity EPRG 1004  | Non-Technical Summary | PDF Abstract: There has been a wide discussion on the different properties between carbon taxes, cap-and-trade schemes and hybrid instruments… Continue Reading

EPRG 1003

Tooraj Jamasb and Helena Meier Household Energy Expenditure and Income Groups: Evidence from Great Britain EPRG 1003 | Non-Technical Summary | PDF Abstract: Household energy use is increasingly important in the context of fuel poverty and the equity debate as well as in relation to energy saving and efficiency policies. We first explore the link… Continue Reading

EPRG 1002

Michael G. Pollitt UK Renewable Energy Policy Since Privatisation EPRG 1002  | Non-Technical Summary | PDF Also published in: Pollitt, M. “UK Renewable Energy Policy Since Privatisation”, chapter in “Harnessing Renewable Energy in Electric Power Systems: Theory, Practice, Policy” Moselle, Boaz, Padilla, Jorge and Schmalensee, Richard pages 253-283 Abstract: The aim of this paper is… Continue Reading

EPRG 1001

Anupama Sen and Tooraj Jamasb The Economic Effects of Electricity Deregulation: An Empirical Analysis of Indian States EPRG 1001 | Non-Technical Summary | PDF Abstract: As developing countries seek to improve their economic prospects, electricity reform has been widely viewed as a central part of this effort. While the focus of most research to date… Continue Reading