Long-term contracting in hydro-thermal electricity generation: Welfare and environmental impact

Abstract

We consider electricity generation industries where thermal operators imperfectly compete with hydro operators that manage a (scarce) water stock stored in reservoirs over a natural cycle. We explore how the exercise of intertemporal market power affects social welfare and environmental quality. We show that, as compared to the outcome of spot markets, long-term contracting either exacerbates or alleviates price distortions, depending upon the consumption pattern over the water cycle. Moreover, it induces a second-order environmental effect that, in the presence of a thermal competitive fringe, is critically related to the thermal market shares in the different periods of the cycle. We conclude by providing policy insights.


Autore Pugliese

Tutti gli autori

  • VINELLA A.

Titolo volume/Rivista

Non Disponibile


Anno di pubblicazione

2011

ISSN

0957-1787

ISBN

Non Disponibile


Numero di citazioni Wos

2

Ultimo Aggiornamento Citazioni

Non Disponibile


Numero di citazioni Scopus

3

Ultimo Aggiornamento Citazioni

Non Disponibile


Settori ERC

Non Disponibile

Codici ASJC

Non Disponibile