A Theory of Energy Use *

Abstract The evidence shows that the short run elasticity of energy use is smaller than its long run elasticity. The recent evidence on energy use and energy prices suggests, though, that the short run response of energy use to energy prices has changed over time. Existing theories of energy use, namely, complementarity between capital and energy at the aggregate level, or putty-clay models of energy use, cannot account for this change in the short run elasticity of energy use. Here we propose a theory where, as in the data, the short run elasticity of energy use is smaller than the long run elasticity but it also may change depending on the rate of embodied technological progress, accounting for its increase in the recent years

Recent reforms in Spanish housing markets: an evaluation using a DSGE model

After a long academic debate, Spain finally repealed in 2012 the deduction for home purchase. The abrogation took effect in 2013. In parallel, the VAT for the purchase of new housing was increased after a short period in which it had a reduced rate. The aim of this paper is to assess the macroeconomic effects of these two relevant housing market reforms. In order to do that, we use a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) model calibrated to capture the key ratios of the Spanish economy. The model includes a housing market, covering both the rental market side and the property market side and credit-constrained agents. We find that these measures drive down housing prices and have a negative impact on output and employment in the construction sector. However, in the long run, this last effect is offset by the benefits of a reduction in distortionary taxes

Firm Heterogeneity, Capacity Utilization and the Business Cycle”

In a stochastic dynamic general equilibrium framework, we introduce the concept of capacity utilization (as opposed to capital utilization). We consider an economy where monopolistic firms use a putty-clay technology and decide on their productive capacity and technology under uncertainty. An idiosyncratic uncertainty about the exact position of the demand curve faced by each firm explains why some productive capacities remain idle and why individual capacity utilization rates differ across firms. A variable capacity utilization allows for a good description of some * We thank Pierre Malgrange for comments on an earlier draft and the participants at seminars or workshops at MAD-University of Paris I, Universities of Copenhagen, Lausanne, Maastricht and Vigo. We are also indebted to an anonymous referee and the editor, Ed Prescott. We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Commission of the European Union (contracts ERBCHRXCT940658 and ERBFMBICT950091), the Ministry of Scientific Research of the Belgian French Speaking Community (PAC 62-93/98) and the CICYT under contract SEC-95-0131. This work was started while Franck Portier was at CEPREMAP. † Corresponding author: Franc

Role of education vis-a-vis job experience in explaining the transitions to employment in the Spanish youth labour market

Centro de Informacion y Documentacion Cientifica (CINDOC). C/Joaquin Costa, 22. 28002 Madrid. SPAIN / CINDOC - Centro de Informaciòn y Documentaciòn CientìficaSIGLEESSpai

Age at first-time homeownership in Spain

Centro de Informacion y Documentacion Cientifica (CINDOC). C/Joaquin Costa, 22. 28002 Madrid. SPAIN / CINDOC - Centro de Informaciòn y Documentaciòn CientìficaSIGLEESSpai

Protecting against labour market risk. Protection or unemployment benefits?

Centro de Informacion y Documentacion Cientifica (CINDOC). C/Joaquin Costa, 22. 28002 Madrid. SPAIN / CINDOC - Centro de Informaciòn y Documentaciòn CientìficaSIGLEESSpai

Obsolescence vs modernization in a schumpeterian vintage capital model

Centro de Informacion y Documentacion Cientifica (CINDOC). C/Joaquin Costa, 22. 28002 Madrid. SPAIN / CINDOC - Centro de Informaciòn y Documentaciòn CientìficaSIGLEESSpai

Efectos economicos de las inversiones ferroviarias en EspaNa en el periodo 1991-2007

Centro de Informacion y Documentacion Cientifica (CINDOC). C/Joaquin Costa, 22. 28002 Madrid. SPAIN / CINDOC - Centro de Informaciòn y Documentaciòn CientìficaSIGLEESSpai

El sistema de pensiones contributivas en EspaNa. Cuestiones basicas y perspectivas en el medio plazo

Centro de Informacion y Documentacion Cientifica (CINDOC). C/Joaquin Costa, 22. 28002 Madrid. SPAIN / CINDOC - Centro de Informaciòn y Documentaciòn CientìficaSIGLEESSpai