Essays on Infrastructure Development and Public Finance

This dissertation focuses on the economics of infrastructure development and public finance. The dissertation is composed of three papers: The first paper analyzes the optimal solutions for supplying electricity to national economies from both domestic as well as distant energy resources using transmission systems that can connect the huge renewable energy resources of Africa. The results point to options for achieving substantial increases in the sustainable energy supply and for improving access to energy across the continent. The second paper models a comparative local and national electricity distribution planning in Senegal by examining the trade-off between access and costs. The third paper uses exogenous variations in rainfall across municipalities in Mali to estimate the causal effect of household income shocks on municipal-level tax revenues. It also exploits a national tax collection incentive policy to measure the impacts of rainfall variation on intergovernmental transfers

Modeling, Simulation and Optimization of Wind Farms and Hybrid Systems

The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is a major governmental goal worldwide. The main target, hopefully by 2050, is to move away from fossil fuels in the electricity sector and then switch to clean power to fuel transportation, buildings and industry. This book discusses important issues in the expanding field of wind farm modeling and simulation as well as the optimization of hybrid and micro-grid systems. Section I deals with modeling and simulation of wind farms for efficient, reliable and cost-effective optimal solutions. Section II tackles the optimization of hybrid wind/PV and renewable energy-based smart micro-grid systems

Modeling, Simulation and Optimization of Wind Farms and Hybrid Systems

The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is a major governmental goal worldwide. The main target, hopefully by 2050, is to move away from fossil fuels in the electricity sector and then switch to clean power to fuel transportation, buildings and industry. This book discusses important issues in the expanding field of wind farm modeling and simulation as well as the optimization of hybrid and micro-grid systems. Section I deals with modeling and simulation of wind farms for efficient, reliable and cost-effective optimal solutions. Section II tackles the optimization of hybrid wind/PV and renewable energy-based smart micro-grid systems

Toward Renewable Eenergy Geo-information Infrastructures: Applications of GIScience and Remote Sensing that Build Institutional Capacity

Sustained policy support is necessary in order to drive a transition toward renewable energy (RE). The ability to realize RE policy objectives is constrained by a range of geographic factors related to resource potential, the distribution of resources, land availability/suitability, the absorptive capacity of proximal infrastructure, and local socio-political acceptance. With this in mind, this paper provides a systematic review of how geographic information science and remote sensing techniques have been applied to reduce uncertainties surrounding renewable energy development, with emphasis on policy and planning needs. The concept of a ‘geo-information infrastructure’ is used to bring coherence and direction to this growing body of literature. The review highlights four underdeveloped research areas, including: Resolving issues of scalar discordance through comprehensive analysis at local and regional scales; mapping interactions in space of multiple supply options to deliver more accurate and sophisticated estimates of RE potential in an area and to identify competitive and symbiotic land-use situations; using energy resource maps as primary inputs into the development of technology road-maps; and developing geographically explicit indicators which can signal priority areas for RE recovery based on social and environmental returns on investments. In each case, suggestions moving forward are provided. The paper identifies knowledge-based institutional networking as a pathway through which local and regional public authorities can be equipped with the resources necessary to build and mobilize a geo-information infrastructure

Modeling, Simulation and Optimization of Wind Farms and Hybrid Systems

The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is a major governmental goal worldwide. The main target, hopefully by 2050, is to move away from fossil fuels in the electricity sector and then switch to clean power to fuel transportation, buildings and industry. This book discusses important issues in the expanding field of wind farm modeling and simulation as well as the optimization of hybrid and micro-grid systems. Section I deals with modeling and simulation of wind farms for efficient, reliable and cost-effective optimal solutions. Section II tackles the optimization of hybrid wind/PV and renewable energy-based smart micro-grid systems

Renewable Energy

Renewable Energy is energy generated from natural resources - such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides and geothermal heat - which are naturally replenished. In 2008, about 18% of global final energy consumption came from renewables, with 13% coming from traditional biomass, such as wood burning. Hydroelectricity was the next largest renewable source, providing 3% (15% of global electricity generation), followed by solar hot water/heating, which contributed with 1.3%. Modern technologies, such as geothermal energy, wind power, solar power, and ocean energy together provided some 0.8% of final energy consumption. The book provides a forum for dissemination and exchange of up - to - date scientific information on theoretical, generic and applied areas of knowledge. The topics deal with new devices and circuits for energy systems, photovoltaic and solar thermal, wind energy systems, tidal and wave energy, fuel cell systems, bio energy and geo-energy, sustainable energy resources and systems, energy storage systems, energy market management and economics, off-grid isolated energy systems, energy in transportation systems, energy resources for portable electronics, intelligent energy power transmission, distribution and inter - connectors, energy efficient utilization, environmental issues, energy harvesting, nanotechnology in energy, policy issues on renewable energy, building design, power electronics in energy conversion, new materials for energy resources, and RF and magnetic field energy devices