Hydropower Economics

HYDROPOWER ECONOMICS examines sustainable alternate energy sources beginning with modeling hydropower and extending the model to include thermal power and wind power. The book will use various econometric measures, equilibrium metrics, OR methods, and DEA/productivity analyses to analyze and model the optimal use of these alternate energy sources. Because these problems are dynamic in nature, dynamic methods are used to model the problems. The book derives results on the allocation of the amounts of alternate sources of energy (water, thermal, and wind) required to produce electricity at acceptable levels over time. Graphic illustrations of the analytical and mathematical modeling used to reach research conclusions are used throughout the book.

In addition to the analyses, various market scenarios are discussed and how effective market systems may be in delivering electric power at acceptable and sustainable levels of supply, cost, and price. Productivity frontiers (benchmarks) are outlined in the book. These productivity frontiers or benchmarks are established from data derived from the Scandinavian experience. Optimal solutions for sustainable alternate energy systems at acceptable costs are outlined in the monograph.

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HYDROPOWER ECONOMICS examines sustainable alternate energy sources beginning with modeling hydropower and extending the model to include thermal power and wind power. The book will use various econometric measures, equilibrium metrics, OR methods, and DEA/productivity analyses to analyze and model the optimal use of these alternate energy sources. Because these problems are dynamic in nature, dynamic methods are used to model the problems. The book derives results on the allocation of the amounts of alternate sources of energy (water, thermal, and wind) required to produce electricity at acceptable levels over time. Graphic illustrations of the analytical and mathematical modeling used to reach research conclusions are used throughout the book.

In addition to the analyses, various market scenarios are discussed and how effective market systems may be in delivering electric power at acceptable and sustainable levels of supply, cost, and price. Productivity frontiers (benchmarks) are outlined in the book. These productivity frontiers or benchmarks are established from data derived from the Scandinavian experience. Optimal solutions for sustainable alternate energy systems at acceptable costs are outlined in the monograph.

Résumé
The state organisation responsible for coordinating the hydropower el- tricity system in Norway (Samkjøringen) contacted me in 1990 about the advanced plan for deregulating the electricity system, separating gene- tion, transmission, and distribution and introducing a wholesale market for electricity. It was felt that insights about the fundamental nature of running an electricity system based on hydropower was somewhat lacking within the team of academic economists engaged to write background reports by the Oil and Energy ministry responsible for driving the reform of the el- tricity system. When talking to engineers I was fascinated by the world of electricity, with its physical laws and weird concepts such as reactive power and el- tric phase angles. Externalities of hydraulic interdependence between river-based power stations and highly fluctuating loss and congestion - ternalities involved in a meshed transmission network had to be rec- nised. Furthermore, capturing all these elements required advanced mathematical methods of dynamic programming in a stochastic envir- ment. My conclusion was that a market design that neglected these aspects did it at its own peril. I predicted volatile prices coming out of a compe- tion between producers facing zero short-run variable costs and problems with investments coming forth sufficiently from a social perspective. However, I can safely say that my report had no impact whatsoever on the Norwegian electricity reform of 1991, that must be regarded, not the least by me, as being highly successful.

Contenu
Water as a Natural Resource.- Hydropower with Constraints.- Multiple Producers.- Mix of Thermal and Hydropower Plants.- Trade.- Transmission.- Market Power.- Uncertainty.- Summary and Conclusions.