Energy Policy and Regulation as an Incentive for Internationalization
© Editorial OMNIMEDIA S.L. (5/2012)
Politics is the art of the feasible. Energy Policy certainly follows the same rule. Setting an energy policy is a tough exercise of selecting one among endless options by wisely combining the following three key independent aspects: 1) Energy Security, 2) Economic Efficiency, 3) Environment Efficiency. These three options constitute the three main pillars in the European Union Energy Policy and so forth in all 27 state members.
© Editorial OMNIMEDIA S.L. (5/2012)
Politics is the art of the feasible. Energy Policy certainly follows the same rule. Setting an energy policy is a tough exercise of selecting one among endless options by wisely combining the following three key independent aspects: 1) Energy Security, 2) Economic Efficiency, 3) Environment Efficiency. These three options constitute the three main pillars in the European Union Energy Policy and so forth in all 27 state members.
Unbundling – A Disturbing Factor in Intelligent Electricity Distribution Networks?
© Lexxion Verlagsgesellschaft mbH (3/2012)
The German Government has applied significant pressure: Renewable energies should finally account for a large scale of electricity production in order to abandon fossil fuels and nuclear power in the future. This goal can only be achieved by establishing smart grids. The prevailing unbundling requirements, especially informational unbundling, could pose an obstacle for such a necessary development in the future.
© Lexxion Verlagsgesellschaft mbH (3/2012)
The German Government has applied significant pressure: Renewable energies should finally account for a large scale of electricity production in order to abandon fossil fuels and nuclear power in the future. This goal can only be achieved by establishing smart grids. The prevailing unbundling requirements, especially informational unbundling, could pose an obstacle for such a necessary development in the future.
The Future of Feed-in Tariffs: Capacity Caps, Scheme Closures and Looming Grid Parity
© Lexxion Verlagsgesellschaft mbH (3/2012)
This article examines recent developments in feed-in tariff (FIT) law for solar photovoltaic (PV) electricity generation in selected jurisdictions. In particular, legal and policy issues surrounding capacity capping and closure of FIT schemes to new entrants are examined at a conceptual level. The need for downward adjustment of FIT rates is discussed. The application of capacity caps in Australia, Spain, France, Czech Republic and the UK is examined. Characteristics and examples of best-practice and worst-practice amendment of FIT laws for solar PV are identified. It is found that caps are a blunt instrument for constraining the impact of FIT on electricity prices. The alternative of tariff degression is discussed.
© Lexxion Verlagsgesellschaft mbH (3/2012)
This article examines recent developments in feed-in tariff (FIT) law for solar photovoltaic (PV) electricity generation in selected jurisdictions. In particular, legal and policy issues surrounding capacity capping and closure of FIT schemes to new entrants are examined at a conceptual level. The need for downward adjustment of FIT rates is discussed. The application of capacity caps in Australia, Spain, France, Czech Republic and the UK is examined. Characteristics and examples of best-practice and worst-practice amendment of FIT laws for solar PV are identified. It is found that caps are a blunt instrument for constraining the impact of FIT on electricity prices. The alternative of tariff degression is discussed.
Extended Emissions Trading Versus Sustainability Criteria: Managing the Ecological and Social Ambivalences of Bioenergy
© Lexxion Verlagsgesellschaft mbH (3/2012)
In accordance with the results of our general analysis, the analysis of different legal regulations within the law of bioenergy has shown that selective approaches are unsuited to resolve the ambivalences of bioenergy. Instead, climate policy has to bear a comprehensive approach that addresses reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, energy efficiency, energy sufficiency and renewable energies by introducing a global carbon price and a global cap on greenhouse gas emissions. This approach would at the same time help to deal with the ambivalence of bioenergy, since it would slow down the bioenergy boom and help avoid indirect land-use impacts.
© Lexxion Verlagsgesellschaft mbH (3/2012)
In accordance with the results of our general analysis, the analysis of different legal regulations within the law of bioenergy has shown that selective approaches are unsuited to resolve the ambivalences of bioenergy. Instead, climate policy has to bear a comprehensive approach that addresses reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, energy efficiency, energy sufficiency and renewable energies by introducing a global carbon price and a global cap on greenhouse gas emissions. This approach would at the same time help to deal with the ambivalence of bioenergy, since it would slow down the bioenergy boom and help avoid indirect land-use impacts.
The Barriers to the Successful Development of Commercial Grid Connected Renewable Electricity Projects in Australia, Southeast Asia, the United Kingdom and the United States of America
© Lexxion Verlagsgesellschaft mbH (12/2011)
What are the barriers to the development of commercial grid connected renewable electricity projects? This article examines the technical, economic, political and social barriers to such renewable energy projects with a specific focus on Australia, Southeast Asia, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. With the advancement of renewable energy becoming increasingly linked to climate law and policy developments; the article explores the institutional challenges, economic barriers, regulatory hurdles, and social attitudes impacting, and often slowing, the diffusion of cleaner sources of electricity supply. The article also provides an overview of the core drivers and barriers in the above jurisdictions.
© Lexxion Verlagsgesellschaft mbH (12/2011)
What are the barriers to the development of commercial grid connected renewable electricity projects? This article examines the technical, economic, political and social barriers to such renewable energy projects with a specific focus on Australia, Southeast Asia, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. With the advancement of renewable energy becoming increasingly linked to climate law and policy developments; the article explores the institutional challenges, economic barriers, regulatory hurdles, and social attitudes impacting, and often slowing, the diffusion of cleaner sources of electricity supply. The article also provides an overview of the core drivers and barriers in the above jurisdictions.
The International Renewable Energy Agency: A Global Voice for the Renewable Energy Era?
© Lexxion Verlagsgesellschaft mbH (12/2011)
The International Renewable Energy Agency held the first session of its Assembly as a fully-fledged international organisation in April 2011. This article aims to introduce the Agency and provide a basis for ongoing academic comment, discussion and analysis as the Agency establishes itself and progresses its substantive work. The paper will briefly outline the origins of the Agency, its institutional arrangements and key elements of its Statute, and consider the first budget and work programme. The paper will note some points of interest that warrant further discussion before outlining the Agency’s activities to date and assessing the potential contribution the Agency can make to the development of renewables.
© Lexxion Verlagsgesellschaft mbH (12/2011)
The International Renewable Energy Agency held the first session of its Assembly as a fully-fledged international organisation in April 2011. This article aims to introduce the Agency and provide a basis for ongoing academic comment, discussion and analysis as the Agency establishes itself and progresses its substantive work. The paper will briefly outline the origins of the Agency, its institutional arrangements and key elements of its Statute, and consider the first budget and work programme. The paper will note some points of interest that warrant further discussion before outlining the Agency’s activities to date and assessing the potential contribution the Agency can make to the development of renewables.
Green Energy Policies in South East Europe – The Impact of Prospective EU Membership
© Lexxion Verlagsgesellschaft mbH (12/2011)
This paper examines the reasons for the adoption of “green” policies in the field of energy and climate change in four South East European (SEE) countries – Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). It evaluates the extent to which these policies are influenced by the European Union (EU) as opposed to other factors, such as international obligations, domestic pressures (from NGOs, the private sector, political parties), perceived business opportunities, or concern for the environment. Theoretically, the paper primarily relies on the rationalist institutionalism approach, which focuses on the use of conditionality in the EU accession process. The empirical part of the paper is based upon 30 semi-structured questionnaire responses from and interviews with government officials, NGO representatives, and experts from international organizations actively involved in the field. Overall the underlying incentive of EU membership was evaluated as the most powerful generator of green energy policies in SEE. While other factors seem to act in synergy with the EU’s demands, responses suggest that it is unlikely these factors would have led to the adoption of the green policies/programs outside of the EU context. However, differences among the countries examined do exist. They can be attributed to a certain extent to the countries’ differences in their progress on the path to the EU, although some level of variation, due to a number of political, economic, and social circumstances, is to be expected.
© Lexxion Verlagsgesellschaft mbH (12/2011)
This paper examines the reasons for the adoption of “green” policies in the field of energy and climate change in four South East European (SEE) countries – Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). It evaluates the extent to which these policies are influenced by the European Union (EU) as opposed to other factors, such as international obligations, domestic pressures (from NGOs, the private sector, political parties), perceived business opportunities, or concern for the environment. Theoretically, the paper primarily relies on the rationalist institutionalism approach, which focuses on the use of conditionality in the EU accession process. The empirical part of the paper is based upon 30 semi-structured questionnaire responses from and interviews with government officials, NGO representatives, and experts from international organizations actively involved in the field. Overall the underlying incentive of EU membership was evaluated as the most powerful generator of green energy policies in SEE. While other factors seem to act in synergy with the EU’s demands, responses suggest that it is unlikely these factors would have led to the adoption of the green policies/programs outside of the EU context. However, differences among the countries examined do exist. They can be attributed to a certain extent to the countries’ differences in their progress on the path to the EU, although some level of variation, due to a number of political, economic, and social circumstances, is to be expected.
The Neglected Consumer: The Case of the Smart Meter Rollout in the Netherlands
© Lexxion Verlagsgesellschaft mbH (12/2011)
Smart metering is an important tool in support of the transition to decentralized renewable energy production. However, the introduction of such a new tool requires careful preparation in order to convince people to accept it in their homes. The Dutch experience shows, that smart metering is up for failure when the technical and commercial aspects are considered to be more important than the interests of the end users. This paper examines the procedural and material prerequisites to engineer standards for smart metering in such a way that the interests of all parties involved are reflected in the outcome.
© Lexxion Verlagsgesellschaft mbH (12/2011)
Smart metering is an important tool in support of the transition to decentralized renewable energy production. However, the introduction of such a new tool requires careful preparation in order to convince people to accept it in their homes. The Dutch experience shows, that smart metering is up for failure when the technical and commercial aspects are considered to be more important than the interests of the end users. This paper examines the procedural and material prerequisites to engineer standards for smart metering in such a way that the interests of all parties involved are reflected in the outcome.
Production and Application of Refuse Derived Fuels in Austria
© Wasteconsult International (5/2011)
The contribution reports on Austrian experience in processing, quality control and industrial application of refuse derived fuels (RDF) in co-incineration facilities as well as potential problems such as fire risks and plant corrosion.
© Wasteconsult International (5/2011)
The contribution reports on Austrian experience in processing, quality control and industrial application of refuse derived fuels (RDF) in co-incineration facilities as well as potential problems such as fire risks and plant corrosion.
Tax Accounting for Transactions under an Emissions Trading Scheme: An Australasian Perspective
© Lexxion Verlagsgesellschaft mbH (5/2011)
While the taxation treatment of transactions under an emissions trading scheme (ETS) has the potential to support or distort the primary object of the ETS, taxation considerations are often overlooked in the process of designing a scheme.
© Lexxion Verlagsgesellschaft mbH (5/2011)
While the taxation treatment of transactions under an emissions trading scheme (ETS) has the potential to support or distort the primary object of the ETS, taxation considerations are often overlooked in the process of designing a scheme.
