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Impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on renewable energy development in Germany and Italy Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2024-03-01 J, u, s, t, y, n, a, , M, a, l, i, s, z, e, w, s, k, a, -, N, i, e, n, a, r, t, o, w, i, c, z
The study investigates the renewable energy measures undertaken in Germany and Italy in the aftermath of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. They decided to adopt new regulations on renewable energy to accelerate its development. However, their energy policy strategies reveal differences connected with political and geographical factors, the role of national energy companies, and climate conditions. The
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Prosumers as drivers of SDG7 in Palestine: Net-benefit analysis of grid-connected photovoltaic systems Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2024-02-26 Alberto Biancardi, Idiano D'Adamo, Franco D'Amore, Raimond Moretti
The present study assessed the prosumer benefits of a residential photovoltaic system based on a net-benefit analysis. Net present value ranged from 187 to 2811 $/kW in the low-market scenario and 1226–5642 $/kW in the high-market scenario. Net benefits were verified in net metering contexts, while contexts without net metering had break-even points of 31% and 48% self-consumption for the two scenarios
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Concessions for basic sanitation services in Southern Brazil: A generalized synthetic control analysis Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2024-02-23 Larissa Carvalho Solino Silva, Gibran da Silva Teixeira, Rodrigo Nobre Fernandez, Vinícius Halmenschlager
This study aims to assess the effect of concessions in basic sanitation services on the provision of sanitation services in the municipalities of São Gabriel and Uruguaiana, located in Brazil's southern region. The application was conducted using the Generalized Synthetic Control method developed by Xu (2017). Based on the estimates, improvements were observed in the municipalities that received the
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A note on hydropower as a marginal price setter for Spain's electricity market in 2021–2022 Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2024-02-16 Juan Ignacio Peña
From January 2021 to March 2022, wholesale Spanish spot electricity prices reached a record high of €700/MWh. Surprisingly, hydropower set the marginal market price for 52% of the hours in 2021 and 43% in the first quarter of 2022. Combined-cycle gas-fired units, which typically determine the marginal price, were marginal in only 16% and 21% of the hours in 2021 and 2022, respectively. Hydropower set
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Endogenous competition with an integrated public utility firm under an output subsidy policy Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2024-02-08 Lili Xu, Sang-Ho Lee
In this study, we consider a mixed downstream market wherein a vertically integrated public utility firm competes with a private firm that purchases inputs from an upstream firm under output subsidies. We construct an endogenous competition mode game and find that not only do pure Cournot and Bertrand competitions appear as equilibria, but a hybrid Bertrand-Cournot competition can also materialize
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Does renewable energy development enhance energy security? Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2024-02-07 Khalid Khan, Adnan Khurshid, Javier Cifuentes-Faura, Dai Xianjun
This study examines the causal relationship between renewable energy and energy security. The findings suggest that energy security has an explanatory role in renewable energy across several subsamples and is driven by various economic and political events, strained relationships between countries, social unrest, and sanctions. Similarly, the results confirm that renewable energy has influenced energy
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Collaborative governance challenges in energy efficiency and conservation: The case of Pennsylvania Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2024-02-06 Jingyu Guo, Daniel J. Mallinson, Selena E. Ortiz, Lisa Domenica Iulo
Energy efficiency and conservation (EE&C) programming operates through a complex network of governments, utilities, not-for-profits, and human service organizations. The function of these networks and how clients are potentially disadvantaged by ineffectiveness and inefficiency is unclear. This study uses EE&C programming in Pennsylvania to understand the related collaborative governance challenges
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Powershifts, organisational value, and water management: Digital transformation of Ghana's public water utility Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2024-02-05 Godfred Amankwaa, Richard Heeks, Alison L. Browne
There are fundamental unresolved questions about the nature of the interplay between digital innovations and water management processes. However, there has been little research on how increasing digital transformation impacts water management and infrastructure in the Global South. This article draws on a socio-technical lens and primary field data to analyse the digital transformation of water management
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Enhancing financial efficiency and receivable collection in the water sector: Insights from structural equation modeling Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2024-02-05 Abdullah Murrar, Veronica Paz, David Yerger, Madan Batra
This research aimed to identify the factors influencing the water sector's financial efficiency and receivable collection. Financial efficiency is measured using the financial efficiency ratio (FER), which is obtained by dividing the operating cost of the water service by the revenue generated from it. The receivables collection ratio (RCR) is calculated by dividing the total fees collected from water
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Electricity shortfalls and financial leverage of listed firms in Pakistan Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2024-02-03 Muhammad Akhtar, Muhammad Haris, Hafiz Muhammad Naveed, Yasir Rasool, Mamdouh Abdulaziz Saleh Al-Faryan
Considering electricity utilization as the primary source for the firms to sustain and grow, this study examines the impact of an electricity shortfall on firms' access to financial leverage of 432 listed non-financial Pakistani firms from 2001 to 2020. The analysis uses pooled ordinary least squares (OLS), fixed effects (FE), and the generalized method of moments (GMM) and finds that an electricity
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Energetic Equilibrium: Optimizing renewable and non-renewable energy sources via particle swarm optimization Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2024-01-31 Bogdan-George Tudorică, Cristian Bucur, Mirela Panait, Simona-Vasilica Oprea, Adela Bâra
This study introduces a novel approach utilizing Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) to determine the optimal mix of renewable and non-renewable energy sources specifically tailored for Romania. Relying on data from January 2019 to August 2022, this research ascertains the most efficient combination of energy sources, considering cost, generation capacity, and environmental impact. PSO is compared with
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Possible paths for Mexico's electricity system in the clean energy transition Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2024-01-30 Salvador Cruz Ake, Francisco Ortiz Arango, Reyna Susana García Ruiz
This paper analyzes possible paths for Mexico's Electricity System. It shows that under the current dispatch order and minimization of electricity production-cost guidelines, Mexico will not reach the 50% clean electricity goal in 2050; however, this goal could be achieved before 2030 if the government favors CO2 minimization, with a low impact on energy costs. The effects of pollution are analyzed
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Defining and measuring active distribution system operators for the electricity and natural gas sectors Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2024-01-26 Daniel Duma, Michael G. Pollitt, Andrei Covatariu, Monica Giulietti
There is a growing consensus that the distribution system operator (DSO) role is changing, given the implications of net zero. The transition process requires additional roles for the DSO in facilitating the new technologies and business models that will contribute to decarbonization. Although discussions on the active DSO abound, a working definition is still missing. This paper proposes a working
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Household water bill perception in Brazil Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2024-01-12 María Pérez-Urdiales, Jesse M. Libra, Kleber B. Machado, Tomás Serebrisky, Ben Solís Sosa
An issue that affects the effectiveness of water pricing policies is consumer misperception, which implies that households decide their water consumption based on poor/inaccurate information about the marginal price. We use household survey data on bill and quality perception in Brazil to analyze this problem and its drivers. Once we control for the selection bias caused by survey respondents voluntarily
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Regulatory incentives for transmission system operators under flow-based market coupling Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2024-01-13 Michiel Kenis, Kenneth Bruninx, Erik Delarue
Flow-based market coupling is a critical element of the electricity market in Europe. Transmission System Operators determine the commercial transmission capacity that can be implicitly traded in a zonal day-ahead market. However, this entails a trade-off: higher commercial transmission capacities increase market efficiency, affecting the electricity market prices, but also increase redispatch costs
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Excess demand or excess supply? A comparison of renewable energy certificate markets in the United Kingdom and Australia Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2024-01-05 Yunfei Wang, Jinke Li, Nigel O'Leary, Jing Shao
Comparing the United Kingdom's Renewables Obligation and Australia's Renewable Energy Target, this paper reconstructs the market for green certificates in which penalties are imposed on missed certificates. Our analysis shows that excess demand in the Renewables Obligation makes the penalty the minimum certificate price, but excess supply in the Renewable Energy Target makes the penalty the maximum
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Measuring the eco-efficiency of municipal solid waste service: A fuzzy DEA model for handling missing data Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2024-01-03 Corrado lo Storto
In the last decades, evaluating the performance of municipal solid waste (MSW) service has attracted the interest of scholars and policymakers worldwide. This study adopts a generalized directional distance function (GDDF) data envelopment analysis (DEA) model to measure the eco-efficiency of 94 Apulian municipalities providing MSW service over 2019–2021. The model uses the α-cut method to handle missing
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Generation Expansion Planning considering environmental impact and sustainable development for an Indian state using the LEAP platform Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2023-12-29 Karunanithi K, Ramesh S, S.P. Raja, Pranav Kumar Rowlo
GEP (Generation Expansion Planning) is one of the most complex tasks in which planning is done to find the best possible distinct solutions to install new generating units to meet future load demands. This paper uses the Low Emission Analysis Platform (LEAP) software environment to analyse the GEP for the AP Power sector from 2021 to 2050. In recent years, the AP power sector has faced several issues
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A robust benchmarking of direct margin in Italy's energy retail markets Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2023-12-21 Simone Di Leo, Marta Chicca, Cinzia Daraio, Andrea Guerrini, Stefano Scarcella
In the 2000s, Italy liberalized its electricity and natural gas markets, and in 2016, it separated retail activities from other activities within these markets. Such differentiation is unique within Europe. Italy is an ideal case for investigating which operational factors may increase profit margins among electricity and gas retailers. The present analysis analyzes 120 retail operators in the Italian
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Data integration in asset management of municipal pipe networks in Sweden: Challenges, gaps, and potential drivers Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2023-12-10 E. Okwori, M. Viklander, A. Hedström
This study involved a survey of Swedish water utilities to evaluate their pipe-network data-collection objectives, usage, storage, and exchange routines. Factors impacting data integration (and the associated benefits) were also identified. Results showed that current data storage and exchange routines can be augmented to support commonly identified objectives and data utilisation needs, especially
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A coordinated approach for a three-echelon solar-wind energy supply with government intervention Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2023-12-14 Sahar Matinfard, Saeed Yaghoubi, Maedeh Kharaji Manouchehrabadi
In the contemporary era, renewable energy sources are employed globally. Their uncertain and intermittent nature conduce to a hybrid system that fully meets the electricity demand. This paper proposes a three-echelon hybrid (solar-wind) supply chain with government intervention and considers two approaches: (1) The decentralized model (non-cooperative Nash game) and (2) The government model with demand-side
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Baseline methods for distributed flexibility in power systems considering resource, market, and product characteristics Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2023-12-12 Leandro Lind, José Pablo Chaves-Ávila, Orlando Valarezo, Anibal Sanjab, Luis Olmos
Emerging flexibility markets are increasingly characterised by many product characteristics, differing flexibility buyers, and a disparate set of potential Flexibility Service Providers (FSPs), including those connected to the distribution networks. The FSPs that do not have an individual schedule from previous markets (e.g., wholesale energy markets) need a counterfactual to verify service provision
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The electrification-social development nexus in Bangladesh: Do governmental policies matter? Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2023-12-11 Mohammad Mijanur Rahaman, Md. Monirul Islam, Sergei Nikolaevich Polbitsyn, Shujaat Abbas
Electrification can advance sustainability and social development. This study investigates the contribution of electrification to various aspects of societal development, i.e., educational development, human development, and gender inequality, within the purview of economic globalization, economic growth, and governmental policies in Bangladesh, covering the data during 1990–2019. Employing the dynamic
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Aggressive bidding and the renegotiation of concession contracts: Empirical evidence from Peru* Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2023-12-03 José L. Bonifaz, Eduardo H. Saavedra
This paper confirms a positive relationship between the aggressiveness of bids and the probability of renegotiating concession contracts. We use a database of 113 concessions awarded in Peru, finding that a 1% increase in bidding aggressiveness increases the probability of contract renegotiation by 2.4%–3%. This impact is higher for the transportation sector. Our results are robust to several econometric
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Mind the gap: Community member perceptions of shortcomings in diversity and inclusivity of local energy projects in Germany Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2023-12-03 Jörg Radtke, Nino S. Bohn
Germany's Energiewende aims to have 80 percent of the nation's electricity generated from renewables by 2030. One promising approach to building acceptance lies in the involvement of citizens by collaboratively determining and creating CE projects. Through an idealistic lens, CE reflects energy democracy of, by, and for the people. However, CE projects in Germany have faltered for years. While structural
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Inclusivity, resilience, and circular economy of water services: Embracing a sustainable water future Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2023-11-25 R.C. Marques, F.S. Pinto, J. Miranda
Worldwide population growth and economic and urban development, combined with climate change, stress social inequalities at multiple levels. Water services are services of general economic interest and utility subject to public-service obligations. Despite their importance, several threats loom over these services and may constrain their delivery. Thus, there is a requirement to achieve persistent
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Calculating the realized investment returns of U.S. electric utilities Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2023-11-22 Madeline Yozwiak
Investor-owned utilities in the U.S. are not guaranteed to earn the amount approved by regulators, and actual returns are not trued up against regulated levels. This paper develops a simple metric for firms' actual returns (their “realized” return on investment) that parallels the parameter set in cost-of-service regulation. Based on financial data for 177 major investor-owned utilities over 27 years
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Driving industrial and economic growth in central and Eastern Europe: The role of electricity infrastructure and renewable energy Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2023-11-18 Aleksandra Fedajev, Petar Mitić, Milena Kojić, Magdalena Radulescu
Balancing environmental objectives with energy security poses a significant challenge for Central and Eastern European (CEE) economies undergoing substantial energy sector reforms, particularly in the electricity sector. Apart from implementing market principles, improving electricity infrastructure and increasing the use of renewable energy sources (RES) are crucial for fostering industrial and overall
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Prepaid water meters and water distribution system improvement: A case study of Jenin city, Palestine Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2023-11-15 Ryuji Ogata, Phatta Thapa, Hirotaka Sato, Fatemeh Masouleh, Khairia Souqia
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Scenarios for transitioning the electricity sector of the Republic of Serbia to sustainable climate neutrality by 2050 Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2023-11-10 Marina Jovanović, Vukman Bakić, Predrag Škobalj, Dejan Cvetinović, Aleksandar Erić, Nikola Živković, Neven Duić
By ratifying the Paris Agreement, the Republic of Serbia has committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 13.2% by 2030 compared to the 2010 levels. About 70% of electricity is generated in thermal power plants that use low-quality domestic lignite as fuel. Greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation amounted to 51.5 Mt CO2eq in 2014. The Republic of Serbia has a significant renewable energy
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Water poverty in a ‘Hydro Nation’: Exploring distributional and recognitional water injustice in Scotland Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2023-11-07 Heather K. Anderson, Heather Price, Sam Staddon
Scotland is celebrated as a ‘Hydro Nation’ with abundant water resources and some of the cheapest water in the UK. However, despite claims that the UK is meeting SDG 6.1 (universal access to safe, affordable drinking water), our analysis of twenty interviews with water and fuel poverty professionals found that many households across Scotland struggle to afford and access safe water. This situation
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Estimating production functions to determine the marginal economic value and price elasticity of water in the Chilean industrial sector Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2023-11-04 Cristian Mardones, Antonia Orellana
This study determines the marginal economic value of water and the price elasticity of demand for this resource using data from the 2018 Annual National Industrial Survey. Specifically, a translog production function is estimated with the ordinary least squares (OLS), constrained least squares (CLS), and instrumental variables (IV) methods, CLS being the method with the best results. Based on the estimates
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Local-level ownership of electricity grids: An analysis of Germany's distribution system operators (DSOs) Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2023-10-31 Thorsten Reppert
Electricity grids are crucial for the energy transition. Despite its importance for renewable energy, the literature on grid ownership at the local level in Germany lacks up-to-date knowledge. Existing research does not state the extent to which municipalities own distribution system operators (DSOs). Based on a novel dataset on grid operators in 10,800 German municipalities, this paper can provide
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Motivating the formation of partnerships by small water systems Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2023-11-01 Anita Milman, Olivia Ashjian James, Cameron Macuch
Small community water systems (CWS) often have difficulty maintaining high-quality service provision. Partnerships can help alleviate these problems, yet may not be attainable or pursued. This research examines the perspectives of U.S. state agencies with drinking water primacy regarding the benefits of water systems partnerships and the points of leverage that can induce water systems to partner.
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Grid tariff designs to address electrification and their allocative impacts Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2023-10-21 Philipp Andreas Gunkel, Claire-Marie Bergaentzlé, Dogan Keles, Fabian Scheller, Henrik Klinge Jacobsen
This paper investigates volumetric grid tariff designs considering different pricing mechanisms and resulting in cost-allocative impacts across socio-techno-economic consumer categories. In a case study of 1.56 million Danish households divided into 90 socio-techno-economic categories, we compare three alternative grid tariffs and investigate their impact on annual electricity bills. The results of
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Environmental legislation and waste management efficiency in Italian regions in view of circular economy goals Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2023-10-09 Massimiliano Agovino, Massimiliano Cerciello, Aamir Javed, Agnese Rapposelli
Separate waste collection and landfilling represent two key outcomes of waste management. Italy recently observed major shifts in waste targets. Regional policymakers, in charge of devising waste management plans, have been required to review their strategies, in view of the transition towards circular economy. This work proposes a theoretical framework that outlines the policymaker's problem and estimates
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Towards a water-smart society: Progress in linking theory and practice Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2023-10-10 Sigrid Damman, Alexandra Schmuck, Rosário Oliveira, Steven (Stef) H.A. Koop, Maria do Céu Almeida, Helena Alegre, Rita Maria Ugarelli
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Failure to consider environmental risk: The case for biodiversity impact disclosure in the electricity sector Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2023-10-06 David Talbot, Guillaume Barbat, Olivier Boiral, Eduardo Ordonez-Ponce
The activities of electric utilities have a significant impact on biodiversity loss. This study examines the disclosure practices and strategies of electric utilities in Canada (N = 95). Content analysis of sustainability reports and corporate websites reveals a significant gap between the risks of biodiversity loss and the companies' commitments in this area. This study groups disclosure practices
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Screening for collusion in wholesale electricity markets: A literature review Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2023-09-26 David P. Brown, Andrew Eckert, Douglas Silveira
Wholesale electricity markets have several features that increase the likelihood of collusion, including frequent interaction, multimarket contact, and a high degree of information transparency. As a result, screening techniques for detecting collusive agreements are desired. This study surveys the literature on screens for collusion and collusion in electricity markets. We discuss key features of
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Energy-water interdependencies across the three major United States electric grids: A multi-sectoral analysis Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2023-09-26 Kendall Mongird, Jennie S. Rice, Konstantinos Oikonomou, Juliet Homer
As climate change impacts become increasingly severe, it is critical to have a comprehensive understanding of interactions between climate, energy, and water. Previous energy-water nexus studies have focused primarily on specific dependencies, such as water for thermoelectric cooling, rather than the potential for cascading impacts of supply disruptions at broader scales. This paper explores relative
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On sharing the costs of public drinking water infrastructure renewal among users with different preferences Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2023-09-22 Tina Rambonilaza, Bénédicte Rulleau, Epiphane Assouan
Abstract not available
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In-state generation requirements and the acceptability of renewable portfolio standards Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2023-09-19 Todd L. Cherry, Peri M. Brimley, Joseph D. Longuevan, Linda Thunström
Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) programs are a primary renewable energy policy. We design an experimental survey to examine how public support for RPS programs is affected by requiring in-state renewable energy generation to meet renewable targets. We consider how the influence of this design feature matters across key voter characteristics. Overall, we find strong support for RPS programs and that
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Does a zero-waste strategy in sustainable urban waste management affect hierarchy targets and costs? Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2023-09-13 Giulia Romano, Lucio Masserini
In this study, the effects and costs of adopting a zero-waste (ZW) strategy were evaluated. Using the propensity score matching method and data on Italian municipalities from 2019, our empirical analysis indicates that the separate collection rate was approximately 4% higher and urban unsorted waste was approximately 22–26 kg per capita lower for municipalities that have formally adopted the ZW strategy
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Congestion management in electricity distribution networks: Smart tariffs, local markets and direct control Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2023-09-09 Roman J. Hennig, Laurens J. de Vries, Simon H. Tindemans
Increasing peaks from high-power loads such as EVs and heat pumps lead to congestion of electric distribution grids. The inherent flexibility of these loads could be used to resolve congestion events. Possible options for this are smart network tariffs, market-based approaches, and direct control of flexible loads by the network operator. In most instances, these approaches are looked at in isolation
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Has retail competition reduced residential electricity prices in Texas? Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2023-09-06 J. Zarnikau, K.H. Cao, H.S. Qi, C.K. Woo
We estimate the impact of introducing retail competition on retail electricity prices paid by residential consumers in Texas's two largest cities, Dallas and Houston. Using the synthetic control method to obtain the counterfactual prices, we find that retail competition raised average prices by $0.0112/kWh ($11.2/MWh) in the transition period from 2001 to 2006 and by $0.0134/kWh ($13.4/MWh) during
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Marginal vs. average effective load carrying capability: How should capacity markets deal with alternative generation forms? Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2023-09-02 Todd Aagaard, Andrew N. Kleit
Measuring the contribution of variable and supply-limited generation resources to grid reliability is becoming increasingly relevant as such resources expand their role in the electricity grid. Effective Load Carrying Capability (ELCC) has arisen as an approach to address these challenges. ELCC measures a resource's contribution to reliability based on the load that can be satisfied by adding the resource
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Efficient firms are all alike, but every inefficient firm is such in its own way: Heterogeneity of costs determinants in the Italian water sector Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2023-08-31 Antonio Massarutto, Luca Grassetti, Michele Lambardi di San Miniato, Mattia Moletta
The Italian water and sanitation services regulator, ARERA, has adopted a parametric model for assessing operators’ efficiency and set efficiency improvement targets accordingly. This approach is based on a Stochastic Frontier Approach; deviations of actual costs from the estimated standard cost are interpreted as signals of inefficiency and determine how demanding the efficiency improvement target
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Energy market integration: Harmonizing tariff recourse policies in East Africa Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2023-08-31 Muhumuza Ezra Rubanda, Livingstone Senyonga, Mohammed Ngoma, Muyiwa S. Adaramola
This study uses pattern-matching to analyze the tariff recourse policies employed by East African Community (EAC) countries to cushion the distortionary effects of high tariffs. We describe the various tariff recourse policies adopted across the EAC domestic markets and assess their level of regional harmonization given the different market structures each member state operates. We found a sharp disparity
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Comparing multi-criteria models for ranking the Performance of India's water supply utilities Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2023-08-25 Akanksha Srivastava, Dipteek Parmar, Dragan Pamucar
Correct performance evaluation and ranking of water utilities involve several conflicting objectives. The solution to such problems can be obtained using multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) techniques. However, the results of most of these methods are affected by the weights assigned to the criteria and the normalization process used in the development of the evaluation matrix. This study addressed
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Sustainability reporting and electric utilities: A bibliometric analysis Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2023-08-25 Rossella Leopizzi, Pamela Palmi, Pierluca Di Cagno
Electric utilities play a pivotal and indispensable role in facilitating the transition towards a more sustainable planet. However, it is observed that only a limited number of electric utilities have undertaken the voluntary disclosure of their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) indicators. Consequently, this situation has spurred significant academic interest, prompting scholars to initiate
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Initiating data-as-a-service adoption in water utilities: A service design approach Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2023-08-22 Amir Cahn, David Katz, Andrea Ghermandi, Peter Prevos
Data-as-a-Service (DaaS) can help facilitate the successful adoption of innovative digital solutions by water utilities. However, little is known about the processes used to adopt this model, including the initial challenges and required utility maturity factors. This study engaged diverse stakeholders through a service design approach to support water utilities in evaluating their suitability to adopt
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Stakeholder engagement in the public utility sector: Evidence from Italian ESG reports Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2023-08-20 Lisa Bonetti, Alessandro Lai, Riccardo Stacchezzini
Stakeholder engagement (SE) processes enhance public value, and information on how companies develop these processes helps stakeholders to assess firms' legitimacy and competitiveness, particularly in the public utility sector, where value creation is related to public trust. Nevertheless, empirical evidence regarding SE quality is scarce. This paper fills the gap by adopting a methodological tool
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Water democracy under European Union law: Requiring participatory services management Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2023-08-17 Antonio Di Marco
The current global water crisis is seriously challenging the water management, requiring an extensive sweeping adaptation for consumption and production patterns. Several international organisations recommend addressing water crisis through effective participatory practices. Taking into account the notion of environmental democracy and the legal implications of the right to water, this paper questions
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Exploring the asymmetric impact of sustainability reporting on financial performance in the utilities sector: A longitudinal comparative analysis Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2023-08-17 Nieves Remo-Diez, Cristina Mendaña-Cuervo, Mar Arenas-Parra
This paper explores the longitudinal impact of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) scores on company performance, considering firm value and financial accounting performance. Using a longitudinal fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) on a sample of 185 global listed companies in the utilities sector from 2018 to 2021, we demonstrate that various combinations of sub-dimensions of
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Efficiency of water service management alternatives in Spain considering environmental factors Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2023-08-09 Emilio José de la Higuera-Molina, Cristina María Campos-Alba, Germán López-Pérez, José Luis Zafra-Gómez
The main aim of this study is to identify the most efficient forms of management for municipal water supply services, taking into account exogenous factors. The study is based on a sample of 1518 Spanish municipalities, all with 1000 to 50,000 inhabitants, for the year 2019. The study method consists of analysing order-m partial frontiers subjected to environmental factors. The main results obtained
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Projects of common interest? Evaluation of European electricity interconnectors Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2023-08-08 András Mezősi, Enikő Kácsor, Alfa Diallo
This paper evaluates the new electricity interconnection projects on the fifth list of Energy Projects of Common Interest. A cost-benefit analysis is carried out with electricity market modelling. The results show that out of the 13 planned lines, 12 are socially beneficial. Moreover, the sensitivity checks highlight that most projects remain beneficial despite differing market assumptions. In those
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Institutional and contextual drivers of and barriers to incentive-based demand response: A comparative case study in the Pacific Northwest Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2023-08-03 Anna Devenish
Despite demand response (DR) having great potential for improving the functioning of the electrical grid, it remains underutilized as a peak-load management strategy in the U.S. electricity sector. This research employs a comparative case study to examine institutional and contextual drivers of and barriers to incentive-based DR development by investor-owned utilities. The results show that state utility
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Detection of unauthorized consumption in water supply systems: A case study using logistic regression Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2023-08-05 Kairo Pereira Teodoro da Silva, Andreza Kalbusch, Elisa Henning
This study proposes characterizing unauthorized water consumption and fitting multiple logistic regression models for detecting illegal connections. The research used monthly water consumption data from 42,131 single-family homes in Joinville, southern Brazil. The obtained models achieved accuracies ranging from 83% to 100% for detecting three types of fraud (unauthorized reconnection of a disconnected
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Privately-owned utilities in 19th century Western Australia Utilities Policy (IF 4.0) Pub Date : 2023-08-02 Malcolm Abbott
The issue of whether network-based public utilities should be government or privately owned has been debated in most countries. The Australian experience is interesting as the various states of that country have seen different shifts in ownership over time. The shift towards government control of the utilities in the state of Western Australia took place at a comparatively later date than in the other