Key Drivers behind the Adoption of Electric Vehicle in Korea: An Analysis of the Revealed Preferences

Electrification of passenger cars is one of the most popular ways to decarbonize the transportation sector and to reduce local air pollutants. Many researches have tried to examine what will be the driving factors to achieve the widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). In this study, we analyzed the factors for EV adoption with the data of revealed preference from 2013 to 2017 in Korea. Analyses showed that the driving range of EVs and financial incentives have a positive impact on EV deployment. Also, the driving range is found to be the most critical factor explaining the market growth of EVs. The results suggest that technical improvement increases the value of EVs and in turn raises the probability of consumers’ decision to purchase EVs. Financial incentive as well can encourage consumers to buy EVs, however, is not strong enough to create transitions from internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) to EVs

Long-term natural gas contracts evolution in the changing industry environment

<p>This paper analyzes the determinants of changes in duration of long-term gas export contracts signed in the period from 1963 to 2015 in order to make implications for the gas exporting countries. Our findings from two models suggest that contracts became shorter due to gas market liberalization process triggering in Continental Europe, technological development along gas value chain and increase in LNG fleet size. On the contrary, we found that FOB deals and contracts signed during the global recession period were on average shorter compared to others. The results imply that ongoing technological development along gas value chain, planned gas market liberalization in other significant markets may lead to the further decrease in the contract duration. In this context, gas exporting developing countries may need to take this into account in longer term planning in order to foster gas export revenue stability, demand security and lessening contract renegotiation and enforcement transaction costs.</p

A New Look at the Democracy–Environment Nexus: Evidence from Panel Data for High- and Low-Income Countries

This study is to investigate whether the multifaceted roles of democracy have a positive relationship with environmental quality. Using a panel data of 132 high- and low-income countries from 2014 to 2016, a random effect (RE) model is analyzed in comparison with cross-sectional analysis. To pursue the current research thoroughly, five elements of democracy that encompass the aspects of democratic institutions (election system, civil liberties, and government function) and the aspects of democratic culture (political participation and political culture) are selected. We find that elements of democracy are positively correlated with the environment in high-income countries. In low-income countries, on the other hand, it is found that the role of democracy in explaining the environmental quality appears to be very weak; only the effect of government function positively relates with the environment

Measuring Knowledge Diffusion in Water Resources Research and Development: The Case of Korea

Technological knowledge created through government R&amp;D investment not only contributes to technology and market expansion, but is also a major factor in evaluating a nation&rsquo;s innovation capacity. As government budgets are limited, establishing an effective investment strategy is important. The purpose of this paper is to suggest R&amp;D investment priorities in terms of the centrality of knowledge diffusion&mdash;which technology field is targeted in knowledge diffusion&mdash;and rapidity of knowledge diffusion&mdash;how quickly technological knowledge diffuses. The analysis focused on a water resources R&amp;D program led by the Korean government. The centrality and rapidity of knowledge diffusion were analyzed using network analysis and patent citation information, respectively. By showing that results differ depending on whether centrality or rapidity are used to rank investments, the findings suggest the need for multiple analyses when establishing an R&amp;D investment strategy. Moreover, this study expanded analysis of knowledge diffusion to the second diffusion, and confirmed that, when the rapidity of knowledge diffusion through the second diffusion is considered, priorities for government R&amp;D investments change. The results have useful implications for R&amp;D investment by identifying investment priorities in the water resources sector, and changes in those priorities when mid- to long-term knowledge diffusion is considered

Dynamic Economic Analysis of Subsidies for New and Renewable Energy in South Korea

Many countries are increasing the supply of new and renewable energy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote energy security. Subsidies for new and renewable energy are considered a useful means to increase supply, although a close assessment is needed of whether the subsidies improve the economic feasibility of new and renewable energy. Thus, this study conducted an economic analysis on South Korea&rsquo;s housing support program for new and renewable energy sources from the perspectives of the government and consumers. The results showed that, in 2014, the use of solar photovoltaics (PV) led to constant improvements in economic feasibility, which benefited both the government and consumers, but fuel cell failed to do so from both perspectives. Solar thermal and geothermal heat showed improved economic feasibility throughout the program for consumers. In particular, solar PV reported high economic feasibility in 2014 and 2015 for consumers, indicating that a significant subsidy amount was provided for solar PV facilities. This also confirmed the possibility of achieving economic feasibility for other energy sources within a limited budget by distributing subsidies across the various sources

Selecting sustainable renewable energy source for energy assistance to North Korea

Renewable energy (RE) is the best sustainable energy solution South Korea can provide to assist North Korea in overcoming its chronic energy shortage. Designed as a follow-on research to Sin et al. [1], a survey was conducted with a panel of experts consisting of various disciplines and affiliations using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) with benefit, opportunity, cost, and risk (BOCR). The results showed the panel viewed security as the most important factor among the strategic criteria. For the level 1 attributes, the panel showed no significant differences of opinion among the different alternatives; however, cost showed to be the most important factor for the panel. The panel chose wind power as the best alternative source of energy for North Korea; however, there were some differences in opinion among the sub-groups of the panel depending on the composition and the expertise of the sub-group. Compared to other studies on the similar topic, this research stands out in that the research results were derived using AHP and BOCR and that the panel was composed of both Korean and foreign experts on North Korea affiliated with state-run research organizations, armed forces, non-governmental organizations, academic research organizations, private consulting firms, and journalism. The research arrived at the conclusion that the following factors must be considered as South Korea designs its future North Korean energy assistance policy: (1) RE assistance for North Korea can take on various forms; hence, experts consulted during the design, writing, and implementation phases of the policy in question must possess knowledge and expertise in the appropriate technology and methodology being considered; (2) possibility of a sudden destabilization of the Northeast Asian security paradigm due to the collapse of North Korea; and (3) continued nuclearization of North Korea.Analytic hierarchy process Benefit opportunity cost and risk Negative priorities North Korea Renewable energy aid