Noncommutativity in Effective Loop Quantum Cosmology

We construct a noncommutative extension of the Loop Quantum Cosmology effective scheme for the open FLRW model with a free scalar field via a theta deformation. Firstly, a deformation is implemented in the configuration sector, among the holonomy variable and the matter degree of freedom. We show that this type of noncommutativity retain, to some degree, key features of the Loop Quantum Cosmology paradigm for a free field. Secondly, a deformation is implemented in the momentum sector, among the momentum associated to the holonomy variable and the momentum associated to the matter field. We show that in this latter case the scalar field energy density is bounded and has the same maximum as in standard Loop Quantum Cosmology, signaling a higher degree of compatibility

Noncommutative effective LQC: A (pre-)inflationary dynamics investigation

We conduct a (pre-)inflationary dynamics study within the framework of a simple noncommutative extension of effective loop quantum cosmology -- put forward recently by the authors -- which preserves its key features (in particular, the quantum bounce is maintained). A thorough investigation shows that the (pre-)inflationary scenario associated to the chaotic quadratic potential is in the overall the same as the one featured in standard loop quantum cosmology (which reinforces the conclusion reached by the authors in a preliminary analysis). Hence, this (pre-)inflationary scenario does not easily distinguish between standard loop quantum cosmology and the aforementioned noncommutative scheme. It is argued that a particular tuning of the noncommutativity parameter could accommodate for subtle effects at the level of primordial perturbations (the hybrid quantization framework being a tentative route of analysis).Comment: 22 pages, 18 figures, 1 tabl

Renewables versus efficiency. A comparison for Spain

Along the last decades, renewable energy (especially wind) in Spain has undergone a significant development (lead by a small group of renewable promoters supported by institutional policies), contributing significantly to electric generation mix (42.8% renewable in 2014). On the contrary, the promotion of energy efficiency actions (accomplished by a large number of industrial and domestic consumers that are very poorly supported by energy policies), are still little explored. According to ODYSSEE-MURE, energy efficiency at the EU-28 level improved by 1.2%/year on average from 2000 to 2013, while for the case of Spain, the rate of improvement was only 0.6 %/year on average throughout that period (the lowest rate of energy efficiency improvement in the EU-28). This work seeks to compare the integration of renewable production with energy efficiency plans, in order to advance their potential economic impact in the wholesale market and consumers. To reach that goal, the hourly market data retrieved from the Spanish/Iberian Market Operator (OMIE) for 2014 will be used as a base. Then, a set of pseudoheuristic scenarios with integration of renewable production and energy efficiency (load saving) will be elaborated and analyzed to quantify what are expected to be the main effects on the Spanish electricity market and consumers. The results will show that energy efficiency exhibits the best performance in terms of economic efficiency (less cost of the traded energy) and environmental sustainability (greater replacement of fossil fuels).Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad PCIN-2015-043Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad ENE2015-69597-RMinisterio de Economía y Competitividad ENE2014-54115-

The Merit-Order Effect of Energy Efficiency

The integration of certain amount of renewable generation in the wholesale market right-shifted the merit-order generation curve, which produces a noticeable reduction of the clearing price while slightly increases the traded energy (almost inelastic demand curve). The downward pressure on the clearing price is mainly due to the fact that the introduction of renewable generation bids with very low (even null) marginal cost, displaces to the right all kinds of conventional technologies (with higher marginal cost), including the technology which would otherwise have set the clearing market price. This right-shifted displacement of the merit-order generation curve leads to a lower wholesale clearing price, a small increment of the traded energy and a reduction of the total cost of the traded energy in the wholesale market. This is the key mechanism and its main effects on the market of the very well-known meritorder effect of the renewables. The promotion of energy-efficiency plans (industry and domestic) by policy-makers is expected to yield a reduction of the demand. As a result of the reduction of demand bids, the merit-order demand curve would experience a left-sifted displacement, which would produce a reduction of both the clearing price and the amount of traded energy. Consequently, the total cost of the traded energy also would diminish. As can be seen, the parallelism of the main effects on the market between the integration of renewable and energy efficiency evidences the existence of what can be called the merit-order effect of energy efficiency. To analyze the characteristics of this merit-order effect of the energy efficiency, a simplified model, based on the linearization of the market around the clearing point, is developed. This simplified model is also used to compare the merit-order effect of energy efficiency and renewables. A set of scenarios with energy efficiency and renewables have been generated in order to quantify the main effects on the Spanish/Iberian market for the year 2014

Quintom fields from chiral anisotropic cosmology

In this paper we present an analysis of a chiral anisotropic cosmological scenario from the perspective of quintom fields. In this setup quintessence and phantom fields interact in a non-standard (chiral) way within an anisotropic Bianchi type I background. We present our examination from two fronts: classical and quantum approaches. In the classical program we find analytical solutions given by a particular choice of the emerged relevant parameters. Remarkably, we present an explanation of the ''big-bang'' singularity by means of a ''big-bounce''. Moreover, isotropization is in fact reached as the time evolves. On the quantum counterpart the Wheeler-DeWitt equation is analytically solved for various instances given by the same parameter space from the classical study, and we also include the factor ordering $\rm Q$. Having solutions in this scheme we compute the probability density, which is in effect damped as the volume function and the scalar fields evolve; and it also tends towards a flat FLRW framework when the factor ordering constant $\rm Q \ll 0$. This result might indicate that for a fixed set of parameters, the anisotropies quantum-mechanically vanish for very small values of the parameter $\rm Q$. Finally, classical and quantum solutions reduce to their flat FLRW counterparts when the anisotropies vanish.Comment: 14 pages, 4 figure