Regulatory Instruments for Deployment of Clean Energy Technologies

Answering to the formidable challenge of climate change calls for a quick transition to a future economy with a drastic reduction in GHG emissions. And this in turn requires the development and massive deployment of new low-carbon energy technologies as soon as possible. Although many of these technologies have been identified, the critical issue is how to make them happen at the global level, possibly by integrating this effort into a global climate regime. This paper discusses the preferred approaches to foster low-carbon energy technologies from a regulatory point of view. Specific promotion policies for energy efficiency and conservation, renewable energy, carbon capture and sequestration, and nuclear power are examined, but the focus is on the regulatory instruments that will be needed for the deployment of enhancements to electricity grids and the associated control systems so that they are able to integrate intelligent demand response, distributed generation and storage in an efficient, reliable & environmentally responsible manner. The paper also comments on the interactions between technology and climate change policies and provides recommendations for policy makers.Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research

A Comprehensive Approach for Computation and Implementation of Efficient Electricity Transmission Network Charges

This paper presents a comprehensive design of electricity transmission charges that are meant to recover regulated network costs. In addition, these charges must be able to meet a set of inter-related objectives. Most importantly, they should encourage potential network users to internalize transmission costs in their location decisions, while interfering as least as possible with the short-term behaviour of the agents in the power system, since this should be left to regulatory instruments in the operation time range. The paper also addresses all those implementation issues that are essential for the sound design of a system of transmission network charges: stability and predictability of the charges; fair and efficient split between generation and demand charges; temporary measures to account for the low loading of most new lines; number and definition of the scenarios to be employed for the calculation and format of the final charges to be adopted: capacity, energy or per customer charges. The application of the proposed method is illustrated with a realistic numerical example that is based on a single scenario of the 2006 winter peak in the Spanish power system.Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research and the Spanish energy regulatory commission (CNE

Nivel socioecónomico asociado a Apendicitis Complicada

La apendicitis aguda es el padecimiento quirúrgico más frecuente en nuestra población, cuya etiologíaes multifactorial. En el Hospital General Raymundo Abarca Alarcón de Chilpancingo Gro., durante el periodo del 1 de enero al 31 de diciembre de 2012,se atendieron 97 casos con diagnóstico de apendicitis complicada en edad de 0 a 15 años

Comparison of the Evolution of Energy Intensity in Spain and in the EU15. Why is Spain Different?

Energy intensity in Spain has increased since 1990, while the opposite has happened in the EU15. Decomposition analysis of primary energy intensity ratios has been used to identify which are the key sectors driving the Spanish evolution and those responsible for most of the difference with the EU15 energy intensity levels. It is also a useful tool to quantify which countries and economic sectors have had most influence in the EU15 evolution. The analysis shows that the Spanish economic structure is driving the divergence in energy intensity ratios with the EU15, mainly due to the strong transport growth, but also because of the increase of activities linked to the construction boom, and the convergence to EU levels of household energy demand. The results can be used to pinpoint successful EU strategies for energy efficiency that could be used toMassachusetts Institute of Technology. Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research

Adaptive clustering algorithm for cooperative spectrum sensing in mobile environments

In this work we propose a new adaptive algorithm for cooperative spectrum sensing in dynamic environments where the channels are time varying. We assume a centralized spectrum sensing procedure based on the soft fusion of the signal energy levels measured at the sensors. The detection problem is posed as a composite hypothesis testing problem. The unknown parameters are estimated by means of an adaptive clustering algorithm that operates over the most recent energy estimates reported by the sensors to the fusion center. The algorithm does not require all sensors to report their energy estimates, which makes it suited to be used with any sensor selection strategy (active sensing). Simulation results show the feasibility and efficiency of the method in realistic slow-fading environments.This work has been funded by SODERCAN and Programa Operativo FEDER under grant CAIMAN - 12.JU01.64661, and by the Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad (MINECO) of Spain, and AEI/FEDER funds of the E.U., under grants TEC2017-86921-C2-1-R (CAIMAN), TEC2013-47141-C4-R (RACHEL) and TEC2016-75067- C4-4-R (CARMEN)

Regulatory Design for RES-E Support Mechanisms: Learning Curves, Market Structure, and Burden-Sharing

Drawing from relevant experiences in power systems around the world, this paper offers a critical review of existing policy support mechanisms for RES-E (renewable energy sources for electricity), with a detailed analysis of their regulatory implications. While recent studies provide an account of current RES-E support systems, in this paper we focus on the impacts these mechanisms have on the overall energy market structure and its performance in the short and long term. Given the rising importance of RES-E in systems everywhere, these impacts can no longer be overlooked.Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Researc

Using acoustic testing to estimate strength and stiffness of wood-polymer composites

This study used non-destructive testing with ultrasonic and stress wave propagation to evaluate bending strength and stiffness of wood-polymer composites. Twelve composite plate products were produced with different formulations of polymer matrix (high- and low-density polyethylene and polypropylene) and type and proportion of flour (coconut shell and wood). Mechanical and acoustic properties were influenced primarily by the type of matrix used in the composite. The greater the proportion of wood and coconut shell flour the higher the wave propagation velocity, stiffness, and strength. We found a correlation between mechanical properties (strength and stiffness) and wave velocity and stiffness coefficient. We also present linear regression equations of the stiffness and strength of the specimen as a function of wave velocity and stiffness coefficient obtained through non-destructive testing. For polypropylene and high-density polyethylene matrix composites, the stiffness coefficient provided a better estimate of stiffness, while for low-density polyethylene the wave velocity provided better results

Capacity pricing schemes to implement open-access rail in Tanzania

We analyze alternative capacity pricing schemes (access charges) to implement an open-access railway system in Tanzania. We show that the implementation of variable access charges widely used in the railway industry may result in levels of traffic lower than the traffic operated by an integrated railway company. We propose the use of fixed access charges to avoid this problem and discuss the main advantages and disadvantages to implement them in the context of multiple freight train services in Tanzania

From distribution networks to smart distribution systems : rethinking the regulation of European electricity DSOs

Revised version of Florence School of Regulation; 2013/05; THINK Policy BriefsDistributed energy resources allow for new business models that have the potential to substantially change today's power system functioning paradigm. In particular, these changes pose challenges for distribution system operators (DSOs) and their regulation alike. This article sheds light on missing aspects in current regulation, recognizing DSOs as regulated monopolies, but also as key players along the supply chain. We provide insights on how regulation should be adjusted so that DSOs are incentivized to facilitate the market entry of welfare-enhancing technologies in a timely fashion, and to manage the distribution system efficiently in the presence of distributed energy resources

Prospects for grid-connected solar PV in Kenya: A simulated economic and operational feasibility study

This paper analyzes the economic and technical potential for grid-connected solar PV in Kenya. A unit commitment model is used to evaluate the feasibility of grid-connected solar PV under different price and hydrological conditions in the years 2012 and 2017. In the model, Kenya’s extensive reservoir hydro system compensates for daily and seasonal solar intermittency, eliminating the need for investment in battery or other storage capacity. Results show that in the 2012 system the economic value per kW installed of high penetrations of solar PV is greater than the expected revenue under the existing Kenyan feed-in-tariff. This is because solar displaces more expensive fixed and leased fuel oil generation. Evaluation of solar PV under three possible generation mix and demand scenarios in 2017 reveals that the value of solar remains above revenues from the offered feed-in-tariff only if planned investments in low-cost geothermal, imported hydro, and wind power are delayed. The paper focuses on solar investment and no attempt has been made to estimate the theoretical optimal mix. We do not take into account differences in transmission investment associated with different types of generation, which seem likely to favor solar PV in most planning scenarios, nor do we assign monetary value to avoided carbon emissions. The methodology can also be used to estimate the potential for solar and other renewable deployment in many other African countries whose generation capacity is reservoir hydro dominated, or where baseload capacity is provided by costly fossil fuels such as diesel, kerosene, or liquefied natural gas