Net-zero multi-energy systems for Siberian rural communities: A methodology to size thermal and electric storage units

About 15 million people live in rural communities in the Russian Federation. Most of them are not energetically supplied from the main national infrastructures (electric and gas). People living in such isolated communities use diesel engines for generating electricity and heat. In many cases, diesel is supplied using rail tracks, boats or even helicopters. Consequently, the generation of electricity has very high costs and very low reliability. For this reason, more and more rural isolated communities are using renewable energy sources to decrease their dependency on diesel sources. This study deals with the concept of net-zero multi-energy systems in rural and stand-alone areas. A methodology, based on economical, ecological, technical and social criteria, has been developed for planning the generation capacity and sizing the energy storage units. In addition, controlling algorithms have been developed to deal with the volatility of renewable energy sources (wind and sun) and integrate heat/electricity energy systems. The proposed methodology has been applied to the design of a net-zero energy system for a Siberian rural energy community

“Let’s Wait and See!” The Real Option to Switch as a Value Component of Customer Relationships

Contains fulltext : 112218.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)We suggest that a customer’s option to switch suppliers, and to wait and see before switching, adds to customer value in uncertain markets, and affects the customer’s switching behavior. We use a real options model to examine the value of this option and conduct sensitivity analyses based on data collected from the German public health insurance market to support our argument. We elaborate on the customer value construct and show how it contributes to customers’ behavioral loyalty. We also provide guidelines for managers of in-suppliers and out-suppliers on how to use the value of customers’ option to switch, e.g., for pricing decisions and management of customer churn.25 p