The need for revaluation of the model structure for electricity liberalization

The question about an appropriate structure for the electricity industry has been extensively discussed in scientific literature and experts studies. Since the beginning of electricity liberalization, it was apparent for its promoters that such a structure (in this paper referred to as the model structure or ideal structural model) for the electricity sector should involve a separation of its four sub-sectors, i.e., generation, transmission, distribution, and supply. With the exception of transmission, each sub-sector should consist of many stand-alone type companies. Given the high degree of vertical and horizontal integration of the electricity sectors, their procompetitive restructuring (i.e., de-integration) became a standard component of electricity sector reform packages. This paper provides a concise review of the origins and justification of the initial model structure for electricity liberalization, as well as an overview of the restructuring developments in the early years of electricity liberalization. Some attention is also devoted to the EU’s unbundling initiatives. The core part of this paper discusses the first signs indicating the crisis of the initial structural canon. The paper concludes with some comments referring to the modified form for a model structure that is emerging. It involves vertical integration of generation and supply and allows a higher degree of horizontal concentration of the electricity competitive markets.electricity liberalization, model structure, unbundling, internal electricity market, EU restructuring developments

The need for revaluation of the model structure for electricity liberalization

The question about an appropriate structure for the electricity industry has been extensively discussed in scientific literature and experts studies. Since the beginning of electricity liberalization, it was apparent for its promoters that such a structure (in this paper referred to as the model structure or ideal structural model) for the electricity sector should involve a separation of its four sub-sectors, i.e., generation, transmission, distribution, and supply. With the exception of transmission, each sub-sector should consist of many stand-alone type companies. Given the high degree of vertical and horizontal integration of the electricity sectors, their procompetitive restructuring (i.e., de-integration) became a standard component of electricity sector reform packages. This paper provides a concise review of the origins and justification of the initial model structure for electricity liberalization, as well as an overview of the restructuring developments in the early years of electricity liberalization. Some attention is also devoted to the EU’s unbundling initiatives. The core part of this paper discusses the first signs indicating the crisis of the initial structural canon. The paper concludes with some comments referring to the modified form for a model structure that is emerging. It involves vertical integration of generation and supply and allows a higher degree of horizontal concentration of the electricity competitive markets

The need for revaluation of the model structure for electricity liberalization

The question about an appropriate structure for the electricity industry has been extensively discussed in scientific literature and experts studies. Since the beginning of electricity liberalization, it was apparent for its promoters that such a structure (in this paper referred to as the model structure or ideal structural model) for the electricity sector should involve a separation of its four sub-sectors, i.e., generation, transmission, distribution, and supply. With the exception of transmission, each sub-sector should consist of many stand-alone type companies. Given the high degree of vertical and horizontal integration of the electricity sectors, their procompetitive restructuring (i.e., de-integration) became a standard component of electricity sector reform packages. This paper provides a concise review of the origins and justification of the initial model structure for electricity liberalization, as well as an overview of the restructuring developments in the early years of electricity liberalization. Some attention is also devoted to the EU’s unbundling initiatives. The core part of this paper discusses the first signs indicating the crisis of the initial structural canon. The paper concludes with some comments referring to the modified form for a model structure that is emerging. It involves vertical integration of generation and supply and allows a higher degree of horizontal concentration of the electricity competitive markets

Effect of age of Japanese quail on physical and biochemical characteristics of eggs

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of age of birds on egg quality in Japanese quail. The eggs were randomly selected from among all eggs laid on the same day when the birds were 15, 23 and 31 weeks old. At each time point, 90 fresh eggs were evaluated for their physical and biochemical characteristics. Egg weights were similar over time. At 23 and 31 weeks, the eggs had less shell than at 15 weeks. Crude fat and ash contents of the eggs increased with the age of the birds. Crude protein was also highest in eggs of the oldest quail. At 31 weeks old, the eggs were lowest in pH of yolk and white. Quail that were 23 and 31 weeks old laid eggs with significantly higher polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and lower saturated fatty acid (SFA) contents. The lowest cholesterol content was in egg yolks from 23-week-old quail. The oldest birds had the highest contents of sodium, potassium, zinc, selenium, copper, and manganese. The content and activity of lysozyme decreased with ageing of the birds. From the consumers’ point of view, eggs from older birds appeared to be the most valuable. At the same time, as the quail ages, the antibacterial properties of eggs deteriorate, which may indicate a shorter shelf life

Expression of glycolytic enzymes in ovarian cancers and evaluation of the glycolytic pathway as a strategy for ovarian cancer treatment

Table S2. Spearman correlation of the expression of four glycolytic enzymes in a cohort of 380 ovarian cancers. Spearman rho correlation values (top value) along with the respective adjusted P value (bottom value) of statistically significant correlations thresholded at FDR P < 0.01 are summarised. (DOCX 21 kb

Evolution of the Theory and Practice of Economic Regulation: The Next Stage

This paper discusses the evolution of the theory and practice of economic regulation, in particular its latest stage. In the first part, the analysis concentrates on the theoretical aspect of the process. In this context, the paper points to the impact of asymmetry of information on a gradual shift of economic regulation from an approach in which regulation is viewed as a substitute of a competitive market to one that triggers market behaviours by involving companies and their customers in the regulatory process. In the second part, the author focuses on the implementation aspect, i.e. how the latter concept could be adapted to regulatory practice. Even though this concept has long been implemented in the United States as well as Canada through so-called negotiated settlements, such regulatory arrangements were until recently neglected in research reports, including those in America. The latest wave of interest in this form of regulation, particularly in the UK and Australia, is mainly due to its many advantages as demonstrated by the North American experience. The author explores the benefits of negotiated settlements against the background of doubts raised in an ongoing debate on whether such settlements are free from risks and whether they can be effectively applied elsewhere. While noting some encouraging early results in several regulated sectors in the UK, the author stresses two crucial conditions for the successful implementation of this approach: a careful design of the new regulatory arrangements and a pro-active role of the regulator. The paper’s final comments refer to the perspective of further evolution of economic regulation and the rationale for the adoption of negotiated mechanisms in regulating Poland’s district heating sector.Przedmiotem analizy są zachodzące w ostatnich latach głębokie zmiany w podejściu do teoretycznej koncepcji i praktyki regulacji ekonomicznej, które uzasadniają pogląd, że wchodzi ona w kolejny etap ewolucji. W pierwszej części artykułu celem analizy jest teoretyczny aspekt tej ewolucji, której istota sprowadza się do stopniowego odchodzenia od koncepcji regulacji jako substytutu rynku na rzecz koncepcji regulacji tworzącej warunki quasi rynku. U podstaw pierwszej koncepcji leży - ignorujące istnienie asymetrii informacji - założenie, że regulator ma zdolność do odgadywania wyników działania konkurencyjnego rynku. Z kolei koncepcja quasi rynku nakłada na regulatora zadanie pobudzania rynkowych zachowań przedsiębiorstw regulowanych i ich odbiorców. Taki wymóg spełnia do niedawna praktycznie nieznane poza USA i Kanadą rozwiązanie regulacyjne, określane jako negocjowane porozumienia, które już próbuje się w zmodyfikowanych formach implementować, zwłaszcza w Wielkiej Brytanii i Australii. Stąd też w dalszej części artykułu przedstawiono, potwierdzone przez praktykę amerykańską i kanadyjską, walory regulacji bodźcowej, a także wysuwane wobec tego rozwiązania wątpliwości. Te ostatnie wynikają w dużej mierze z obaw, czy rozwiązanie to można skutecznie implementować w innych niż amerykańskie realiach regulacyjnych. W końcowej części sformułowano dwie uwagi, z których pierwsza dotyczy perspektyw dalszej ewolucji regulacji ekonomicznej, druga zaś kwestii zasadności potrzeby implementacji koncepcji regulacji negocjacyjnej w krajowym sektorze ciepłownictwa systemowego

Public Utility Enterprise as Research Object

The article aims at ordering the research area such as this specific form of organization of economic activity. It analyzes main characteristics of a public utility enterprise and outlines main research directions ensuing from it, and in their framework it presents some problems, around which a theoretical reflection taking for its point of departure just this institution of economic life may develop. The leading idea of the article is a thesis that different paths of development of such an Institution as public utility enterprises and different ensuing models of its functioning in economic practice account for coexistence of two, largely differing research perspectives, from which the problem of mechanism of the functioing of these enterprises is approached and analyzed