Core Indicators for Determinants and Performance of Electricity Sector in Developing Countries

Since the early 1990s, substantial resources and effort have been spent on implementing market-oriented electricity reform in developing countries. Important sectoral, economic, and social dimensions are involved in electricity reform, but empirical analysis and evaluation have been of limited use for testing the economic rationale of reform and policy advice. This may partly be attributed to a lack of generally accepted and measured indicators for monitoring progress, impact and performance, unlike areas such as health, education, environment, sustainable development. In this paper we propose a set of indicators as a first step towards filling this gap and developing a coherent framework for studying electricity reform in developing countries covering resource and institutional endowments, key reform steps, market structure, performance, and various impacts.The World Bank Electricity Research Programme and the CMI Electricity Project (IR-45

Multinationals in their communities: A social capital approach to corporate citizenship projects

The objectives of this research are to provide new ways of thinking about and measuring the extent and effectiveness of multinational company efforts to contribute to society via their corporate citizenship (CC) (or corporate social responsibility - CSR) programmes. It uses as its method of analysis the emerging literature relating to the theory and measurement of social capital. The paper summarises the findings of a forthcoming book (from Palgrave, 2007). We begin by discussing the concept of corporate citizenship in the context of the multinational. We go on to introduce the concept of social capital employed in the study. Next we summarise our case study evidence with cases from Anglo American and Diageo. Following this, we review our statistical and econometric analysis which maps the community engagements of UK multinationals in South Africa, US multinationals in Mexico and EU multinationals in Poland. We demonstrate the usefulness for analysis of social capital thinking in this context and make suggestions for future work.Social capital; Corporate citizenship; Corporate Social Responsibility; Multinational companies.

Long-term Framework for Electricity Distribution Access Charges

In order to achieve overall economic efficiency, incentive regulation of electricity distribution utilities must address two important and inter-related issues. First, the utilities’ allowed revenues need to be set at correct levels. Second, the access charging mechanism by which the utilities recover the allowed revenues must give the correct economic signals to generation and load connected to the network. This paper is concerned with the latter aspect of regulation. The paper discusses the main economic principles that should form the basis on which a distribution access charging model is developed. The charging model should have a number of attributes: be calibrated to each existing network; contain an asset register; be able to determine assets needed to meet new demand; find least-cost system expansion; compute network losses and handle ancillary services; estimate incremental operating and maintenance costs; be available to users; and be simple enough for external users to understand

How do Multinationals Build Social Capital? Diageo's Corporate Citizenship Programme.

This paper attempts to enhance understanding of the process by which multinationals build social capital by examining the Corporate Citizenship (CC) activities and associated social capital outcomes of the UK-based branded alcoholic drinks company, Diageo. The firm possesses a structured portfolio of CC initiatives and projects and has a long-standing tradition of community engagement. This paper examines Diageo’s CC strategy in depth and considers the ways that their engagements impact upon social capital development in different arenas. The forces driving social capital outcomes are considered and implications for companies and governments are offered.social capital, corporate citizenship, Diageo, community programmes.

Market design for a high-renewables European electricity system

This paper presents a set of policy recommendations for the market design of a future European electricity system characterized by a dominant share of intermittent renewable energy supply (RES), in line with the stated targets of European governments. We discuss the market failures that need to be addressed to accommodate RES in liberalized electricity markets, review the evolution of the EU’s RES policy mechanisms, and summarize the key market impacts of RES to date. We then set out economic principles for wholesale market design and use these to develop our policy recommendations. Our analysis covers the value of interconnection and market integration, electricity storage, the design of RES support mechanisms, distributed generation and network tariffs, the pricing of electricity and flexibility as well as long-term contracting and risk management

A Framework for Harmonizing Forensic Science Practices and Digital/Multimedia Evidence

Like many other specializations within forensic science, the digital/multimedia discipline has been challenged with respect to demonstrating that the processes, activities, and techniques used are sufficiently scientific. To address this issue, in April 2015, the Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science (OSAC) Digital/Multimedia Scientific Area Committee (SAC) established a Task Group (TG). This document summarizes the work of the TG that grew into establishing a harmonizing framework for forensic science practices and digital/multimedia evidence. The TG researched and deliberated on the essential elements of digital/multimedia science, the nature of evidence examined, the overarching scientific principles and reasoning processes, the questions addressed by core forensic processes, and the activities and techniques which support the core forensic processes. It reviewed a large volume of pertinent literature, conducted interviews of practitioners, academics, and other interested parties. Over a three-year period and many hours of debate, more than 40 discussion drafts were produced. The TG determined that digital/multimedia evidence, and other forensic disciplines, would be in a much stronger position to demonstrate their scientific basis as a harmonized forensic science rather than as mere disciplines at the intersection of forensic specialties and other sciences. The value of forensic science as a whole is that it uses scientific reasoning and processes within the framework articulated in this document to address questions – specific to an event or a case – for legal contexts, to provide decision-makers with trustworthy understanding of the traces in order to help them make decisions. The TG considered how the definitions and framework developed in the context of digital/multimedia evidence mesh with forensic science as a whole. The present document describes the concept of traces as the core nature of forensic evidence and the fundamental object of study in forensic science. It proposes a broad definition of forensic science, not limited to legal problems in civil and criminal justice systems (courtroom contexts), and describes the different types of reasoning that play a significant role in forensic science. Then it defines five core forensic processes, seven forensic activities, and three operational techniques. The formalization of forensic science reasoning processes and outcomes in this work leads to increased reliability, repeatability, and validation in forensic results. This, in turn, gives decision-makers increased confidence in and understanding of forensic results. The resulting definitions and framework can be used to harmonize concepts and practices within digital/multimedia science, and are likely applicable to most forensic disciplines. As such, this work may be useful in articulating their scientific basis, and promoting forensic science as one science, which is more than the union of a patchwork of forensic disciplines. The new paradigm created by the digital realm brings a unique opportunity to revisit fundamental definitions in forensic science and to strengthen the identity of forensic science as a whole, unified by common principles and processes that can address questions for legal contexts. This document represents the conclusions and recommendations of the TG as of the date of its writing. The work continues and future versions of this document can be expected to contain new observations and updated conclusions

Outcrop and forward modelling analysis of ice-house cyclicity and reservoir lithologies

Combined outcrop and forward modelling studies were employed to improve upon conceptual sequence stratigraphic models of carbonate platform facies architecture during ice-house climate periods. The studied outcrops were chosen to reflect carbonate deposition in a range of sedimentary basin types of similar age (Moscovian) the Paradox Basin (Utah, USA), the Orogrande Basin (New Mexico, USA) and the Moscow-Mezen Basin (Arkhangel'sk Oblast, Russia). Results of outcrop studies were compared and contrasted with results of a one-dimensional stratigraphic forward model, designed to incorporate and test likely controls on carbonate icehouse systems. Outcrop studies and microfacies interpretation of the Honaker Trail Section (Paradox Basin) reveals no evidence of a sedimentary hierarchy, despite previous interpretation. Existing qualitative conceptual models of a sedimentary hierarchy are found to be flawed and an improved quantitative definition of a sedimentary hierarchy is presented. Results of numerical forward modelling suggest that the existence of a rigorously identifiable sedimentary hierarchy in the stratigraphic record is highly improbable. Comparison of sedimentary stacking patterns between the Orogrande Basin, the Moscow-Mezen Basin and numerical simulations suggest that although sedimentary cyclicity is highly likely to be forced by glacio-eustatic sea-level oscillations, the stacking patterns and intra-cycle facies distributions are controlled primarily by subsidence regime of the basin. Generally, it can be said that the best reservoir facies (net-to-gross thickness of grainstone) development will occur in moderately to rapidly subsiding extensional basins and moderately subsiding foreland basins. The absence of peritidal facies within ice-house carbonate successions is a sedimentological distinction between ice-house and green-house periods. Numerical forward modelling reveals that peritidal facies are developed during ice-house periods but because of their position within accommodation cycles tend to have low preservation potential

START adolescents: study protocol of a randomised controlled trial to investigate the efficacy of a low-threshold group treatment programme in traumatised adolescent refugees

Introduction No evaluated therapeutic approaches, that can efficiently be established in routine mental healthcare, are currently available for traumatised adolescent refugees in Germany. This study evaluates the efficacy of the Stress-Traumasymptoms-Arousal-Regulation-Treatment (START) programme to reduce trauma-related symptoms and psychological distress in traumatised adolescent refugees based in Germany. Methods and analysis This randomised, waiting-list-controlled, multicentre trial with a 12-week follow-up will include 174 refugee minors with partial or full post-traumatic stress disorder who are fluent in either Arabic, Dari, English, German or Somali. Eligible refugee minors will be randomised to the START or waiting-list control groups. The manualised 8-week START programme is based on techniques of dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), fosters adaptive coping with emotional distress and traumatic symptoms and comprises eight therapy modules and a booster session. Study assessments are planned at baseline, post-treatment (ie, after programme participation or waiting time), booster session at week 12 or 12-week waiting time, and at the 12-week follow-up. Primary and coprimary outcomes are changes in psychological distress and traumatic symptoms at post-treatment and will be analysed as response variables in linear mixed regression models. Secondary outcomes are changes in further trauma-related and other psychopathological symptoms, emotion regulation and intermediate effects of the programme at follow-up. We will also assess effects of the programme with ecological momentary assessments and on neuroendocrine stress parameters using hair cortisol. Ethics and dissemination This study has been approved by the lead ethics committee of Rhineland-Palatinate and the ethics committees of participating sites. The study results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and scientific conferences