Submit to Energies Review for Energies Propose a Special Issue

Journal Browser

Energy Policy and Policy Implications 2020

Print Special Issue Flyer
Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Published Papers

A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "C: Energy Economics and Policy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2021) | Viewed by 35171

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Carlos Rodríguez-Monroy

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Industrial Engineering, Business Administration and Statistics, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28006 Madrid, Spain
Interests: Energy Policy; Sustainability; Renewable Energy; Energy Strategy; Innovation; Industrial Management
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. José Balibrea

E-Mail
Guest Editor

Department of Organization Engineering, Business Administration and Statistics, HTS Industrial Engineering, Polytechnic University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Interests: Energy Policy; Energy Markets; Finance; Real Options
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Energy is essential to enabling the global economy to function adequately. However, its production and consumption can also have adverse effects. Energy policy is aimed at achieving objectives related to economic growth, environmental impact, and national security. In recent years, due to exponential population growth, increased per capita energy consumption, and greater impact on the environment, energy policy is facing major additional challenges. The Special Issue “Energy Policy and Policy Implications” is meant to address a wide spectrum of issues related to these challenges. Researchers are invited to submit manuscripts showing how their research results contribute to solving the current and foreseeable problems that arise from the current dynamics in the energy field. Energy policies designed to deal with the global economy and focusing on geopolitical influences as well as energy policies related to more limited geographical circumscriptions (regional, national or local) can be suitable topics of research. Innovative aspects of the new energy policies should be stressed. Transitions to new energy models implemented at a national level and their corresponding cost–benefit analysis can be of great interest in a context of changing globalization patterns, climate change and geopolitical tensions.

Prof. Carlos Rodríguez-Monroy
Dr. José Balibrea
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Energies is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

Energy Policy Energy Strategy Energy Transition Energy Economics Geopolitics and Energy Energy Poverty Distributed Energy

Published Papers (13 papers)

Download All Papers

Research

32 pages, 5302 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Economic Analysis and Modelling of Rooftop Photovoltaic Systems in Spain for Industrial Self-Consumption

by Álvaro Rodríguez-Martinez and Carlos Rodríguez-Monroy

Energies 2021, 14(21), 7307; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14217307 - 04 Nov 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2158

Abstract

This article has been developed to assess the economic feasibility of a rooftop photovoltaic installation of industrial self-consumption. Numerical models that enable an interested person to obtain the main expected parameters will be generated, with those models being the article’s main contribution to the field. To do this, a calculation methodology will be developed through which the reader, knowing the location of the facility and dimensions of the roof, will be able to calculate the maximum installable power, the main parameters related to production, the cost of the installation, and the LCOE of the plant. The use of actual costs will be facilitated in case they are known. Still, it will remain possible to apply the major equipment costs (modules, inverter, and structure) considered throughout the article. This developed calculation methodology will also allow a quick comparison of the forecasts of production, CAPEX, and LCOE of plants designed with different inclinations and different types of modules. Consequently, it will be especially useful in decision-making before developing the plant’s basic engineering. Moreover, the calculations used for modeling the LCOE will be analyzed in depth. This analysis will allow evaluating how the different technical variables affect the profitability of a photovoltaic installation, such as the selected tilt, the location, the module’s technology, or the available area. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Policy and Policy Implications 2020)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 6529 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Economic and Carbon Costs of Electricity Balancing Services: The Need for Secure Flexible Low-Carbon Generation

by Mauro Lafratta, Matthew Leach, Rex B. Thorpe, Mark Willcocks, Eve Germain, Sabeha K. Ouki, Achame Shana and Jacquetta Lee

Energies 2021, 14(16), 5123; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14165123 - 19 Aug 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2166

Abstract

The electricity sector aims to achieve a balanced progress in all three dimensions of the energy trilemma: affordability, decarbonisation and security of supply. Separate strategies for decarbonisation and security of supply have been pursued; each with close attention to minimising costs, thus consistent with the affordability aspect of the trilemma. However, while it is evident that the pathway for decarbonisation increases pressure on security of supply, the pressures that cost-minimising security of supply measures are putting on decarbonisation goes unaddressed. The United Kingdom (UK) is a global leader in the transition towards a decarbonised economy and aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. As a major part of the UK, Great Britain (GB) has achieved greater than 50% of low-carbon electricity generation and the grid’s carbon intensity has dropped by 36% over the period 2015–2019. However, balancing services that provide security of supply uses only 8% of low-carbon generation. Their carbon intensity is double the grid’s average and this gap is widening. This is an effect of a systemic reliance on carbon-intensive fuels. Financial support for capital investment for flexible low-carbon technologies is much needed. The GB context suggests that an integrated strategy covering all three dimensions of the trilemma might achieve an improved balance between them and unlock an affordable, net-zero emissions and secure power system. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Policy and Policy Implications 2020)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 6216 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Bright and Dark Sides of Energy Efficiency Obligation Scheme: The Case of Latvia

by Andra Blumberga, Reinis Āzis, Dāvis Reinbergs, Ieva Pakere and Dagnija Blumberga

Energies 2021, 14(15), 4467; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14154467 - 23 Jul 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1558

Abstract

Evidence collected by researchers over several decades suggests that the successful implementation of the Energy Efficiency Obligation Scheme (EEOS) may deliver significant, cost-effective energy savings over many years. However, before starting EEOS in Latvia, predictions by energy efficiency policy researchers envisaged that it is at high risk of savings shortfalls. This study aims to carry out an ex-post policy evaluation of EEOS in Latvia and assess its ability to deliver significant savings in the first phase of the new EEOS. This paper questions whether the new EEOS can reach savings goals without prior experience with voluntary agreement schemes and emulation of successful EEOS from other countries. The second goal of the research is to create a web-based optimization tool as an Interactive Learning Environment to help policymakers and EEOS-obliged parties to create goal-oriented strategies. The study has found that, contrary to expectations, Latvia has reached and even overfulfilled EEOS saving goals. Estimated cumulative savings obtained during the starting phase (329.2 GWh) are 68% higher than the cumulative savings planned by the policymakers for 2020 (234 GWh). This success is related to the enforcement of a stick-type approach in the policy. However, the study also revealed the dark side of EEOS implementation by discussing different types of energy efficiency measures applied by EEOS and the role of implementing and monitoring institutions. The ex-ante evaluation projected that 50% of the EEOS savings would be derived from information and education measures and 50% through contributions to the Energy Efficiency Fund or by implementing the most cost-effective energy efficiency measures. The ex-post evaluation shows that around 95% of savings are achieved through information measures and the rest by introducing energy efficiency measures on the consumer side. EEOS parties do not contribute to the Fund because the cost of information measures (on average 4 EUR/MWh) is significantly lower than the contribution to the Fund (70 EUR/MWh). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Policy and Policy Implications 2020)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

28 pages, 1010 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Implementing Radical Innovation in Renewable Energy Experience Curves

by Paul Kerr, Donald R. Noble, Jonathan Hodges and Henry Jeffrey

Energies 2021, 14(9), 2364; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14092364 - 21 Apr 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2965

Abstract

Cost reductions in nascent forms of Renewable Energy Technology (RET) are essential for them to contribute to the energy mix. Policy intervention can facilitate this cost reduction; however, this may require a significant investment from the public sector. These cost reductions fall into two broad categories: (1) incremental cost reductions through continual improvements to existing technologies, and (2) radical innovation where technologies that significantly differ from the incumbents are developed. This study presents a modelling methodology to integrate radical innovation in RET experience curve and learning investment analysis, using wave energy as an example nascent RET. This aims to quantify the potential effects of radical innovation on the learning investment, allowing the value of successful innovation to be better analysed. The study highlights the value offered by radical innovations in long-term deployment scenarios for wave energy. This suggests that high-risk R&D efforts in nascent RET sectors, even with low success rates, could still present significant expected value in offsetting future revenue support. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Policy and Policy Implications 2020)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 3247 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Competition in Power Generation: Ex-ante Analysis of Indonesia’s Electricity Market

by Dzikri Firmansyah Hakam, Sudarso Kaderi Wiyono and Nanang Hariyanto

Energies 2020, 13(24), 6741; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en13246741 - 21 Dec 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2760

Abstract

This research optimises the mix and structure of Generation Companies (GenCos) in the Sumatra power system, Indonesia. Market power, indicating the ability to raise prices profitably above the competitive level, tends to be a significant problem in the aftermath of electricity market restructuring. In the process of regulatory reform and the development of competitive electricity markets, it is desirable and practical to establish an efficient number of competitor GenCos. Simulations of a power system account for multi-plant mergers of GenCos subject to a regulatory measure of the Residual Supply Index and the influence of direct current load flow and the topology of the system. This study simulates the Sumatra power system in order to determine the following: optimal market structure, efficient GenCo generation mix, and the optimal number of competitive GenCos. Further, this study seeks to empirically optimise the electricity generation mix and electricity market structure of the Sumatra power system using DC load flow optimisation, market power index, and multi-plant monopoly analysis. The simulations include generation and transmission constraints to represent network constraints. This research is the first to analyse the Sumatra power system using imperfect (Cournot) competition modelling. Furthermore, this study is the first kind to optimise the mix and structure of the Sumatra generation power market. The guidelines and methodology in this research can be implemented in other countries characterised by a monopoly electricity utility company. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Policy and Policy Implications 2020)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 10336 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Decoupling Economic Growth from Fossil Fuel Use—Evidence from 141 Countries in the 25-Year Perspective

by Katarzyna Frodyma, Monika Papież and Sławomir Śmiech

Energies 2020, 13(24), 6671; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en13246671 - 17 Dec 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2139

Abstract

This study offers an in-depth analysis of the decoupling of economic growth from fossil fuel use in 141 countries over the last 25 years. The study is based on the Tapio decoupling approach, and two methods of measuring fossil fuel use, i.e., domestic material consumption (DMC) and material footprint (MF), are applied. Groups of countries with similar decoupling patterns are identified through the k-medoids method. Next, the relationship between these patterns and the level of countries’ development is examined. The results reveal that using different measures of fossil fuel use yields different processes of decoupling economic growth from fossil fuel use. In particular, when the DMC indicator is considered, relative decoupling is observed in most analysed cases. When the MF indicator is applied, the decoupling states of individual countries change more frequently. Finally, in highly developed countries, absolute decoupling is frequently observed, although only when the DMC indicator is used. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Policy and Policy Implications 2020)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 574 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Changes in Renewable Energy Policy and Their Implications: The Case of Romanian Producers

by Nicolae Marinescu

Energies 2020, 13(24), 6493; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en13246493 - 09 Dec 2020

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 2539

Abstract

This paper analyzes the impact of policy changes on the Romanian renewable energy producers. Attracted by a generous subsidy scheme, foreign and domestic investors flocked to the market. Consequently, the sector witnessed remarkable progress, especially in the wind power category. Romania fast approached the national target set by the European Union concerning the share of the country’s energy consumption from renewable sources. However, frequent changes in the support scheme and in the regulations issued by public authorities led to chaos. The aim of the paper was to emphasize the evolution of renewable energy policy in Romania, to investigate the incentives and their effects, and to critically assess the impact of the changes on renewable energy producers. It highlights, by means of an exploratory study and several interviews with executives of renewable energy companies, the challenges and shortcomings of policymaking. The main finding was that the revision of the subsidy scheme and the changes in energy policy that followed are the major determinants for the declining financial performance of renewable energy producers. Subsequently, some recommendations for improved policymaking are suggested, so as to re-establish the trust of investors and to promote the sustainable development of the sector. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Policy and Policy Implications 2020)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 1262 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Food Security in the Context of Liquid Biofuels Production

by Krystyna Kurowska, Renata Marks-Bielska, Stanisław Bielski, Hubert Kryszk and Algirdas Jasinskas

Energies 2020, 13(23), 6247; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en13236247 - 26 Nov 2020

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 3105

Abstract

A crucial factor that determines the development of production and consumption markets for biofuels is the choice of raw materials that can ensure the highest possible production efficiency, the lowest cost and the smallest emission of harmful substances to the atmosphere during all production stages. Considerations underlying the development of biofuel production have been discussed as well as the theoretical mechanisms linking the generation of biofuels to the level of production and the variability of prices of agricultural raw products. The aim of this study has been to identify the scale at which energy raw materials originating from agriculture are used for liquid biofuels production and to explore their impact on food security. The study used public statistical data (OECD-FAO and IndexMundi). The time span of the analysis was from 2005 to 2018. First-generation biofuels based on food raw materials (cereal grains, root crops, sugarcane and vegetable oils) are becoming increasingly competitive with food production recent years have been a period of the dynamic growth in production of liquid biofuels. In 2018, the global production of these substances reached 167.9 billion litres (bioethanol and biodiesel together), consuming 16.1% of maize grain, 1.7% of wheat grain, 3.3% of grain of other feed grains and 13.5% of vegetable oil. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Policy and Policy Implications 2020)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 2384 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Estimation of Energy Efficiency Class Limits for Multi-Family Residential Buildings in Poland

by Jerzy Kwiatkowski and Joanna Rucińska

Energies 2020, 13(23), 6234; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en13236234 - 26 Nov 2020

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2267

Abstract

The need to achieve energy consumption and greenhouse gas emission decreases within the building sector requires the implementation of a supportive legal framework. To fulfil this requirement, a building certification system must be developed that is easily understandable for end users. In Poland, assessments of the energy performance of buildings are based on primary energy indicator verification. However, this parameter is difficult to understand for building owners or for tenants. Therefore, in this study, energy efficiency class limits and a heating indicator for energy needs indicator have been estimated for multi-family buildings in Poland. To achieve this purpose, a reference building was used and 180 calculation variants were developed, which considered the following variables: 3 types of climate data, 4 values of building shape ratios, 3 types of ventilation, 3 thermal transmittance standards and 3 windows area ratios to the external wall. The results showed that the greatest influences on the need for energy used for heating were the type of ventilation used and the local climate. This study shows that the methodology used is adequate for energy efficiency class limits estimations involving multi-family buildings in Poland. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Policy and Policy Implications 2020)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 1301 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Implications of Policy Uncertainty on Solar Photovoltaic Investment

by Martina Assereto and Julie Byrne

Energies 2020, 13(23), 6233; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en13236233 - 26 Nov 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2323

Abstract

Policy and electricity price uncertainty provide disincentives to investors considering renewable energy investments. While electricity price uncertainty impacts on investment decisions relating to any energy investment, whether renewable or non-renewable, policy uncertainty will affect renewable energy investment decisions to a far greater extent. In this study, we consider the two main sources of uncertainty a solar Photovoltaic (PV) project is exposed to: electricity price uncertainty and policy uncertainty. We focus our analysis on utility-scale solar photovoltaics in the Pennsylvania, Jersey, Maryland Power Pool (PJM) electricity market and the New Jersey Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SREC) market. Using Solar Renewable Energy Credits as a proxy for policy, we find that there is considerable volatility in both electricity prices and policy. In a sample covering eleven years, we implement univariate Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroskedastic (GARCH) and combinations of GARCH models with different weighting schemes and find that combination models provide superior forecasts. In renewable energy markets, policy supports have a significant impact on an investment’s profitability. The implication for policymakers is clear: to foster investment in solar PV, policy stability is critical. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Policy and Policy Implications 2020)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 952 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Energy Price Policies and Food Prices: Empirical Evidence from Iran

by Riza Radmehr and Shida Rastegari Henneberry

Energies 2020, 13(15), 4031; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en13154031 - 04 Aug 2020

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2946

Abstract

During the last decade, the rising trend in energy prices and its potential effect on food prices have become a controversial issue between policy-makers and economists. Therefore, research addressing the relationship between food and macroeconomic variables, such as energy prices, will be useful in providing information for the design of appropriate economic policies. This study uses data from Iran to examine the impacts (short- and long-term) of exchange rate and energy prices on food prices. Iran is a good case study as in recent years its consumers have faced a rapid increase in both fuel and food prices. The variables employed in this study are the prices of ten food products, exchange rate (the value of Iranian rial per US dollar), and petroleum prices. All data in this study are from the Statistical Centre of Iran (SCI). We employ the panel unit root test, Pedroni co-integration tests, Pooled Mean Group (PMG), Mean Group (MG), and Dynamic Fixed Effects (DFE) estimation techniques, applied to a panel of monthly prices for ten food products for the period of March 1995 to February 2018. Results show that in both the short- and long-run, food prices would increase in response to an increase in energy prices. Findings also suggest that the appreciation of the United States Dollar (USD) in terms of the Iranian rial exerts a positive and significant impact on food prices in the long run. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Policy and Policy Implications 2020)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

22 pages, 2427 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Understanding the Multi-Faceted Drivers of Increasing Coal Consumption in Indonesia

by Robi Kurniawan, Gregory P. Trencher, Achmed S. Edianto, Imam E. Setiawan and Kazuyo Matsubae

Energies 2020, 13(14), 3660; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en13143660 - 16 Jul 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3541

Abstract

To meet the Paris Agreement’s climate mitigation objectives, there is an urgent global need to reduce coal combustion. Yet coal usage, particularly in the power sector, is rising in many developing countries. Indonesia is a notable example. While government policy is widely considered as the principle driver of Indonesia’s increasing coal consumption, studies have largely overlooked the influence of socioeconomic forces. To understand these effects, we utilize a decomposition analysis to capture the individual effect of five drivers of coal consumption in Indonesia over 1965 to 2017: (1) the energy mix, (2) energy intensity of GDP, (3) population, (4) urbanization, and (5) urban incomes. Results show the energy mix has exerted the largest effect on coal consumption. In addition, by accounting for other socio-economic influences, we found that other less appreciated factors have contributed to rising coal consumption. In order of contribution these were the urban economic effect, the growing relative share of urban population, and the population increase itself in absolute terms. We thus demonstrate that the drivers of growing coal consumption are multi-faced, complex and intertwined. Our findings show that developing nations such as Indonesia share a need to decouple urban population growth and increasing per capita wealth from fossil fuel (and coal) emissions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Policy and Policy Implications 2020)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 2971 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Cost of Saving Electricity: A Multi-Program Cost Curve for Programs Funded by U.S. Utility Customers

by Charles A. Goldman, Ian Hoffman, Sean Murphy, Natalie Mims Frick, Greg Leventis and Lisa Schwartz

Energies 2020, 13(9), 2369; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en13092369 - 09 May 2020

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2807

Abstract

This study analyzed the cost performance of electricity efficiency programs implemented by 116 investor-owned utilities between 2009 and 2015 in 41 states, representing about three-quarters of the total spending on U.S. efficiency programs. We applied our typology to characterize efficiency programs along several dimensions (market sector, technology, delivery approach, and intervention strategy) and report the costs incurred by utilities and other program administrators to achieve electricity savings as a result of the programs. Such cost performance data can be used to compare relative costs of different types of efficiency programs, evaluate efficiency options alongside other electricity resources, benchmark local efficiency programs against regional and national cost estimates, and assess the costs of meeting state efficiency policies. The savings-weighted average cost of saved electricity for the period was $0.025/kilowatt-hour (kWh). The cost of saved electricity for programs that targeted residential customers was $0.021/kWh, compared to $0.025/kWh for programs for commercial and industrial customers. Ultimately, we developed an aggregate program savings “cost curve” for the actual electricity efficiency resource during the period that provides insights into the relative costs of various types of efficiency programs and the savings contribution of each program type to the efficiency resource at a national level. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Policy and Policy Implications 2020)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Energy Policy and Policy Implications 2020

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Published Papers (13 papers)

Research

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI