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Many uncertainties and controversies surround the future of the global energy system. The Targets IMage Energy (TIME) model of which a concise description is given, is used to explore the consequences of divergent assumptions about some uncertain and controversial issues. The IPCC-IS92a Conventional Wisdom scenario is used as a reference and, in combination with two other scenarios, discussed in the context of other recently published global energy scenarios.

One hundred and three estimates of the marginal damage costs of carbon dioxide emissions were gathered from 28 published studies and combined to form a probability density function. The uncertainty is strongly right-skewed. If all studies are combined, the mode is $2/tC, the median $14/tC, the mean $93/tC, and the 95 percentile $350/tC. Studies with a lower discount rate have higher estimates and much greater uncertainties. Similarly, studies that use equity weighing, have higher estimates and larger uncertainties. Interestingly, studies that are peer-reviewed have lower estimates and smaller uncertainties. Using standard assumptions about discounting and aggregation, the marginal damage costs of carbon dioxide emissions are unlikely to exceed $50/tC, and probably much smaller. © 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between the use of external support for the adoption of resource efficiency practices and the extent and profitability of this adoption by Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). We distinguish between direct financial support and indirect support in the form of advice and consulting services related to the adoption of resource efficiency practices. We use data from the 2013 FLASH EUROBAROMETER survey of a sample of European manufacturing SMEs. Our results show that the effects of the adoption of resource efficiency practices on production costs are higher among firms that receive external financial support for adoption, as well as among those firms that adopt a wide set of process reengineering measures for resource efficiency. However, external technical and business advice plays an important role in the extent of adoption of different resource efficiency measures.

Abstract This paper investigates on the determinant factors that drive the Italian regions toward a sustainable development path and evaluates the effectiveness of European Regional Development incentives in promoting investments in renewable energy sources (RES). Starting from the consideration that there are spillover effects between similar regions, first we identify the factors that capture these similarities, then we use them to evaluate their relevance in determining the success of the investments in RES. An econometric analysis, based on the use of spatial panel specification model, is implemented to support the hypotheses. Two important results emerge from the study. The first is the identification of regional determinants of RES production, that are driven by the similarities between regions, and that can be interpreted as guidelines in the policy choices in support of investments. The second is the lack of effectiveness of the incentives in support of RES. Results indicate that the capacity of some regional governments to direct the funds allocated by the central government or European Commission towards efficient production of renewable energy is likely limited, and these incentives have been undone.

Abstract The concept of microgrid (μGrid) has been emerging as a way to integrate microgeneration (μG) in low-voltage (LV) networks and simultaneously improve its potential benefits. Technical requirements to connect μgrids to LV networks have been studied in order to make this concept technologically feasible and safe to operate. However, the regulatory framework for economic integration of μG and μGrids on distribution systems, despite being crucial, is still an open issue. The main purpose of this paper is to contribute for the development of an appropriate economic regulation framework that removes the barriers to μG and μGrid development. To do so, the relevant costs and benefits resulting from the establishment of μG and μGrid are identified and a methodology for sharing those costs and benefits among the involved economic agents is presented. The only pre-requisite of such a methodology is the existence of a net benefit to all economic agents.

The Kyoto protocol allows developed countries to achieve cost-effective greenhouse gas emission reductions abroad by means of international emissions trading (IET), joint implementation (JI) and the clean development mechanism (CDM). The article argues that JI and CDM projects will be more effective, efficient and politically acceptable than an IET system. Firstly, ex post baselines will ensure real abatement for JI and CDM projects, while the allocation of 'hot air' entails the trading of fake emission reductions under IET. Secondly, region-by-project baseline matrices will reduce transaction costs for JI and CDM, while transaction costs may increase for IET both under various trading rules and in an upstream, hybrid, or mixed domestic trading system design. Thirdly, JI and CDM have more competitive advantages than IET, for example the possibility of pre-budget banking for CDM. Fourthly, analyses of about one hundred pilot phase projects and twenty permit trading simulation studies indicate that JI and CDM will be cheaper than IET. Fifthly, JI and CDM will be more politically acceptable than IET, since they avoid the macro-level (re)distribution of property or user rights. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Abstract This paper discusses the crucial role of visibility and invisibility in socio-spatial acceptability of new renewable energy landscapes. Observing hydropower development in Italian Eastern Alps, we show how visibility and invisibility were purposely used to hide spatial, social and environmental injustices. These strategies, often supported also by environmental and landscape policies, actually limit any possible collaborative 'making' of energy landscapes, which should be based on the transparency of objectives and actions. Among several public policies and private actions, it is possible to identify ten strategies (masking, burying, camouflaging, removing, distracting, staging, digging up, prefiguring, mapping, storytelling) adopted to increase acceptability and prevent conflicts or, on the contrary, to expose the problem, revealing opaque processes and unfair spatial effects. Hiding/showing strategies - and their not directly evident relevant consequences - testify the complexity of the socio-spatial context involved in the process of energy landscape making, which deeply affects social acceptance. This paper sollicits a deeper awareness of the matter of visibility and invisibility in energy policies, which allows to "unveil" what is mendacious and misleading, and drives towards a more sustainable and fairer collaborative making of European landscapes.

Artículos en revistas In a new context of growing need for renewable energy sources (RES), tariff design has become a critical component of energy system regulation. A methodology for allocating the cost of RES subsidies that ensures an optimal balance between compliance with the main regulatory principles of tariff design and each state's specific policy is of cardinal importance in the current context. This paper presents and discusses a novel methodology to allocate the RES subsidy costs, which consists of distributing them among final energy consumers, in proportion to their consumption, regardless of the type of final energy consumed (liquid fuels, gas, electricity or coal). First, the different designs of RES subsidies are categorized and a review of a good number of the RES burden sharing mechanisms implemented in the EU is presented. Then, the proposed methodology is developed on the basis of the basic regulatory principles underlying the tariff design and the current regulatory context in force in the EU. Finally, to illustrate its actual impact in a real case example, the proposed methodology is applied to the Spanish system, in which the burden of extra costs incurred for RES amounts to a very large proportion of the overall energy system costs. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion