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Assessment of the potential of willow SRC plants for energy production in areas contaminated by radionuclide deposits: methodology and perspectives
07 Alternative
energy sources (bioconversion
energy)
simplify computation are discussed. The importance of stability constraints on market dispatch and prices is discussed around a simple 9-bus system example. 02/02053 Opportunities and perils of the newly liberalized European electricity markets Sioshansi, F. Energy Policy, 2001, 29, (6). 419-427. The $250 Billion European electricity markets are opening to competition, slowly in some places and with stunning speed in others, This creates major opportunities - as well as challenges - for both the incumbents and new entrants in the coming years. 02/02054 Privatizing and liberalizing electricity, the case of Hungary Bakos, G. Energ): Police, 2001, 29. (13), II 19-1132. Hungary, a for&nner~ in Eastern reforms, has boldly privatized its energy sector with foreign capital. While in the West liberalization resulted in electricity abundance and dramatical tariff cuts, in Hungary as a result of asymmetric market opening it brought excess capacities, transparent cost base prices, but lower tariffs are still ahead. Foreign investors made the branch profitable and are planning to expand capacities. 02/02055 The financing of the Mexican electrical sector Islas, J. e/ al. Energy Policy, 2001, 29, (12), 965-973. This paper analyses the financial pattern of the Mexican electricity sector, its financial limits in both development and modernization of this strategic sector, and the main options for resolving this financing problem including the proposals of the President Fox government. Our allocation of risks and profitability analysis explain the present success in attracting private investments to expand both generation and transmission capacity through BLT and IPP projects. The financial limitation is nevertheless the low self-financing of Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) that will make it very difficult to obtain financing to fulfil BLT and IPP contract compromises and to invest large sums in the expansion and modernization of the electricity sector. The main options to resolve the financial problems of the Mexican electricity sector are: (1) the improvement of the present financial pattern, (2) the opening of generation and supply segments to private capital with the preservation of the vertically integrated state-owned utilities, and (3) the proposals of the President Fox economic transition team that consider the opening of generation and supply segments, the setting up of an independent state-owned company to operate both the electrical dispatching and a power pool, and, finally, the transformation of CFE into a holding of state-owned utilities of generation, distribution and transmission. US consumers’ willingness to pay for green 02/02056 electricity Roe, B. er al. Energy Policy, 2001, 29, (1 I), 917-925. We analyse US consumers’ demand for environmental attributes of deregulated residential electricity services using results from a survey designed to elicit consumers’ willingness to pay for such attributes and using results from a hedonic analysis of actual price premiums charged for green electricity in several deregulated markets. Survey results suggest that many population segments are willing to pay for decreased air emissions even if there is no alteration in fuel source. Furthermore, several groups are willing to pay significantly more when emissions reductions stem from increased reliance upon renewable fuels. The hedonic analysis suggests that several product features not considered in the survey help explain real price premiums, including fuel mix from newly created renewable generation capacity, green-e certification, brand name and state of offer. While survey and hedonic results are not easily compared due to limitations of the survey, both point to similar values for key environmental attributes, though the survey results are likely to overstate actual willingness to pay. In sum, the results suggest that consumer driven purchases can, in part, support the future of renewable generation capacity in the United States, though reliance upon other policy alternatives may be needed if energy prices spike. 02/02057 Waiting for the boom: a simulation study of power olant construction in California Ford, A. Energy policy, 2001, 29, (I I), 847-869. This paper describes a computer simulation model constructed in the summer of 2000. It was used to simulate the general patterns of power plant construction that might appear in an electric system with approximately the same loads, resources and markets as those in California. The paper begins with background on restructuring in California and a review of previous research on construction. The paper then describes the computer model by presenting several simulations with qualitatively different patterns of construction. The simulations reveal that construction could appear in a steady, even fashion, causing power plants to come on line exactly in time to meet the profitability goals of investors. But this is not the dominant pattern. The more likely pattern shows construction lagging behind the growth 266
Fuel and Energy Abstracts
July 2002
in demand, allowing prices to climb to surprisingly high values during peak periods in the summer. When new power plants are completed, they come on line in great numbers causing a bust in wholesale prices. The boom/bust pattern of construction is common in industries such as commodities and real estate, and there are good reasons to believe that a boom could appear in the electric industry. Electricity consumers would certainly benefit from a boom in construction. Unfortunately, waiting for the boom is a difficult challenge with the current mix of state and federal rules in California. The paper concludes with a summary of recent events that have led to the demise of the California approach to deregulation and to the state’s entry into the power business. O$O/O~~r
What went wrong
in California’s
electricity
WOO, C.‘Enrrgy, 2001, 26. (8) 7477758. The California electricity market reform promised to deliver reliable service at low and stable prices. Frequent capacity shortages and the ensuing rolling black-outs, price spikes, and large price volatility since Summer 2000 raise a simple but substantive question: what went wrong? The answer to this question will help countries contemplating electricity market reform not to commit similar mistakes. We find the answer by identifying the major factors that have turned the California dream into a nightmare. Such factors include poor market design, market power, sustained demand growth not matched by new capacity, rising marginal cost, and financial insolvency. Proposed remedies include and alternative market settlement process, long-term contract, fast licensing and siting process for new generation and transmission, conservation and energy-efficiency, distributed resources, rate options, and debt restructuring. The California experience suggests that a reversible regulatory reform is a safe alternative to an irreversible market reform.
07
ALTERNATIVE SOURCES Bioconversion
ENERGY
energy
Assessment of the potential of willow SRC plants 02/02059 for energy production in areas contaminated by radionuclide deposits: methodology and perspectives Goor, F. er crl. Biomass und Biornerg~.2001, 21. (4). 225-235. The objective of this paper is to assess the suitability of willow short rotation coppice (SRC) as land use alternative for farmland contaminated by radiocaesium (‘27Cs) fallout from the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster. The Polessie district, a typical rural area located close to Chernobyl, was chosen as reference for the development of a GIS-based multidisciplinary approach combining maps of soil resources and is’Cs deposits, modelling of SRC biomass production and estimations of ‘s’Cs soil-to-wood transfer. From an agronomic viewpoint, the very dry sandy podzolic soils in the reference area are not suitable for SRC growing because they cannot supply adequate water for SRC during the early summer pertod. Moreover, on the other soil types, both careful weeding and water supply during the early months after plantation are required, until both leaf cover and root svstem are sufficiently developed. From the radio-ecological viewpoint, and according to the local legislation, the SRC biomass produced on loamy sand, sandy loam and loamy soils is suitable for firewood. SRC biomass from the highly producttve peaty soils (39.4% of the land area of Polessie) may also be used but only if its conversion into heat or electricity is carefully managed. From an economic viewpoint, due to the very low local prices for fossil fuels, the gasification of SRC wood is at present not economically competitive with fossil fuels in Ukraine, Only strong political will and incentives could favour the implementation of bioenergy routes through subsidies and a major reorganization of the energy market. 02/02060 Barriers and considerations in using poultry wastes as combustor and gasifier fuels Wachter, J. K. and James, R. Procerdmgs Annual Internutionul Pittshwgh Cod Co~fmvw~, 2000, (I 7). 1671-1683. This presentation addresses some of the discussions and recent work experiences (both research- and field oriented) that the Department of Energy had with the poultry and power producing industries regarding
energy sources (bioconversion
energy)
simplify computation are discussed. The importance of stability constraints on market dispatch and prices is discussed around a simple 9-bus system example. 02/02053 Opportunities and perils of the newly liberalized European electricity markets Sioshansi, F. Energy Policy, 2001, 29, (6). 419-427. The $250 Billion European electricity markets are opening to competition, slowly in some places and with stunning speed in others, This creates major opportunities - as well as challenges - for both the incumbents and new entrants in the coming years. 02/02054 Privatizing and liberalizing electricity, the case of Hungary Bakos, G. Energ): Police, 2001, 29. (13), II 19-1132. Hungary, a for&nner~ in Eastern reforms, has boldly privatized its energy sector with foreign capital. While in the West liberalization resulted in electricity abundance and dramatical tariff cuts, in Hungary as a result of asymmetric market opening it brought excess capacities, transparent cost base prices, but lower tariffs are still ahead. Foreign investors made the branch profitable and are planning to expand capacities. 02/02055 The financing of the Mexican electrical sector Islas, J. e/ al. Energy Policy, 2001, 29, (12), 965-973. This paper analyses the financial pattern of the Mexican electricity sector, its financial limits in both development and modernization of this strategic sector, and the main options for resolving this financing problem including the proposals of the President Fox government. Our allocation of risks and profitability analysis explain the present success in attracting private investments to expand both generation and transmission capacity through BLT and IPP projects. The financial limitation is nevertheless the low self-financing of Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) that will make it very difficult to obtain financing to fulfil BLT and IPP contract compromises and to invest large sums in the expansion and modernization of the electricity sector. The main options to resolve the financial problems of the Mexican electricity sector are: (1) the improvement of the present financial pattern, (2) the opening of generation and supply segments to private capital with the preservation of the vertically integrated state-owned utilities, and (3) the proposals of the President Fox economic transition team that consider the opening of generation and supply segments, the setting up of an independent state-owned company to operate both the electrical dispatching and a power pool, and, finally, the transformation of CFE into a holding of state-owned utilities of generation, distribution and transmission. US consumers’ willingness to pay for green 02/02056 electricity Roe, B. er al. Energy Policy, 2001, 29, (1 I), 917-925. We analyse US consumers’ demand for environmental attributes of deregulated residential electricity services using results from a survey designed to elicit consumers’ willingness to pay for such attributes and using results from a hedonic analysis of actual price premiums charged for green electricity in several deregulated markets. Survey results suggest that many population segments are willing to pay for decreased air emissions even if there is no alteration in fuel source. Furthermore, several groups are willing to pay significantly more when emissions reductions stem from increased reliance upon renewable fuels. The hedonic analysis suggests that several product features not considered in the survey help explain real price premiums, including fuel mix from newly created renewable generation capacity, green-e certification, brand name and state of offer. While survey and hedonic results are not easily compared due to limitations of the survey, both point to similar values for key environmental attributes, though the survey results are likely to overstate actual willingness to pay. In sum, the results suggest that consumer driven purchases can, in part, support the future of renewable generation capacity in the United States, though reliance upon other policy alternatives may be needed if energy prices spike. 02/02057 Waiting for the boom: a simulation study of power olant construction in California Ford, A. Energy policy, 2001, 29, (I I), 847-869. This paper describes a computer simulation model constructed in the summer of 2000. It was used to simulate the general patterns of power plant construction that might appear in an electric system with approximately the same loads, resources and markets as those in California. The paper begins with background on restructuring in California and a review of previous research on construction. The paper then describes the computer model by presenting several simulations with qualitatively different patterns of construction. The simulations reveal that construction could appear in a steady, even fashion, causing power plants to come on line exactly in time to meet the profitability goals of investors. But this is not the dominant pattern. The more likely pattern shows construction lagging behind the growth 266
Fuel and Energy Abstracts
July 2002
in demand, allowing prices to climb to surprisingly high values during peak periods in the summer. When new power plants are completed, they come on line in great numbers causing a bust in wholesale prices. The boom/bust pattern of construction is common in industries such as commodities and real estate, and there are good reasons to believe that a boom could appear in the electric industry. Electricity consumers would certainly benefit from a boom in construction. Unfortunately, waiting for the boom is a difficult challenge with the current mix of state and federal rules in California. The paper concludes with a summary of recent events that have led to the demise of the California approach to deregulation and to the state’s entry into the power business. O$O/O~~r
What went wrong
in California’s
electricity
WOO, C.‘Enrrgy, 2001, 26. (8) 7477758. The California electricity market reform promised to deliver reliable service at low and stable prices. Frequent capacity shortages and the ensuing rolling black-outs, price spikes, and large price volatility since Summer 2000 raise a simple but substantive question: what went wrong? The answer to this question will help countries contemplating electricity market reform not to commit similar mistakes. We find the answer by identifying the major factors that have turned the California dream into a nightmare. Such factors include poor market design, market power, sustained demand growth not matched by new capacity, rising marginal cost, and financial insolvency. Proposed remedies include and alternative market settlement process, long-term contract, fast licensing and siting process for new generation and transmission, conservation and energy-efficiency, distributed resources, rate options, and debt restructuring. The California experience suggests that a reversible regulatory reform is a safe alternative to an irreversible market reform.
07
ALTERNATIVE SOURCES Bioconversion
ENERGY
energy
Assessment of the potential of willow SRC plants 02/02059 for energy production in areas contaminated by radionuclide deposits: methodology and perspectives Goor, F. er crl. Biomass und Biornerg~.2001, 21. (4). 225-235. The objective of this paper is to assess the suitability of willow short rotation coppice (SRC) as land use alternative for farmland contaminated by radiocaesium (‘27Cs) fallout from the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster. The Polessie district, a typical rural area located close to Chernobyl, was chosen as reference for the development of a GIS-based multidisciplinary approach combining maps of soil resources and is’Cs deposits, modelling of SRC biomass production and estimations of ‘s’Cs soil-to-wood transfer. From an agronomic viewpoint, the very dry sandy podzolic soils in the reference area are not suitable for SRC growing because they cannot supply adequate water for SRC during the early summer pertod. Moreover, on the other soil types, both careful weeding and water supply during the early months after plantation are required, until both leaf cover and root svstem are sufficiently developed. From the radio-ecological viewpoint, and according to the local legislation, the SRC biomass produced on loamy sand, sandy loam and loamy soils is suitable for firewood. SRC biomass from the highly producttve peaty soils (39.4% of the land area of Polessie) may also be used but only if its conversion into heat or electricity is carefully managed. From an economic viewpoint, due to the very low local prices for fossil fuels, the gasification of SRC wood is at present not economically competitive with fossil fuels in Ukraine, Only strong political will and incentives could favour the implementation of bioenergy routes through subsidies and a major reorganization of the energy market. 02/02060 Barriers and considerations in using poultry wastes as combustor and gasifier fuels Wachter, J. K. and James, R. Procerdmgs Annual Internutionul Pittshwgh Cod Co~fmvw~, 2000, (I 7). 1671-1683. This presentation addresses some of the discussions and recent work experiences (both research- and field oriented) that the Department of Energy had with the poultry and power producing industries regarding