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Abstract: Coalbed methane (CBM) or coal seam gas (CSG) as it is known in Australia is becoming an increasingly important source of energy around the world. Many countries such as United States, Canada, Australia and China are investing in the CSG industry. A rise in the cost of conventional natural gas and many other energy resources, along with a decline in these conventional resources and issues such as climate change have encouraged a global interest in alternative sources of energy like CSG. The estimated quantity of CSG worldwide is around 1.4×1014 m3, it is clear that coal seam gas is a significant source of energy. The first section of this paper will discuss the production size of CSG worldwide and the future of the industry. The usage of the coal bed seam for the sequestration of CO2 is also an added benefit. The reduction of CO2 released to the environment may help in the future mitigation of global warming. In addition, the re-injecting of the co-produced CO2 enhances the commercial recovery and production of CSG wells. In the second section, the impact of the CSG industry's by-products on the environment, the freshwater ecosystem and human health are analysed. The second section includes issues associated with the large volume of co-produced water with undesirable composition in the CSG industry. The management of this enormous amount of water requires cost effective technologies and methods. Many methods for dealing with water problems are discussed and analysed in this paper. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The proliferation of inverter-based distributed energy resources (IBDERs) has increased the number of control variables and dynamic interactions, leading to new grid control challenges. For stability analysis and designing appropriate protection controls, it is important that IBDER models are accurate. This paper focuses on the accurate estimation and parameter calibration of DER_A, a recently proposed aggregated IBDER model. In particular, we focus on the parameters of the reactive power–voltage regulation module. We formulate the problem of parameter tuning as a non-linear least square minimization problem and solve it using the Levenberg–Marquardt (LM) method. The LM method is primarily chosen due to its flexibility in adaptively selecting between the steepest descent and Gauss–Newton methods through a damping parameter. The LM approach is used to minimize the error between the actual measurements and the estimated response of the model. Further, the computational challenges posed by the numerical calculation of the Jacobian are tackled using a quasi-Newton root-finding approach. The proposed method is validated on a real feeder model in the northeastern part of the United States. The feeder is modeled in OpenDSS and the measurements thus obtained are fed to the DER_A model for calibration. The simulation results indicate that our approach is able to successfully calibrate the relevant model parameters quickly and with high accuracy, with a total sum of square error of 3.57 × 10 − 7 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to quantify the amount of suitable rooftop area for photovoltaic (PV) energy generation in the continental United States (US). The approach is data-driven, combining Geographic Information Systems analysis of an extensive dataset of Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) measurements collected by the Department of Homeland Security with a statistical model trained on these same data. The model developed herein can predict the quantity of suitable roof area where LiDAR data is not available. This analysis focuses on small buildings (1000 to 5000 square feet) which account for more than half of the total available rooftop space in these data (58%) and demonstrate a greater variability in suitability compared to larger buildings which are nearly all suitable for PV installations. This paper presents new results characterizing the size, shape and suitability of US rooftops with respect to PV installations. Overall 28% of small building roofs appear suitable in the continental United States for rooftop solar. Nationally, small building rooftops could accommodate an expected 731 GW of PV capacity and generate 926 TWh/year of PV energy on 4920  of suitable rooftop space which equates to 25% the current US electricity sales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy prosumer participates in the balance of the energy system actively through their production and consumption of energy and will become a major participant in the open energy market increasingly in the future. This paper used the bibliometric method to sort out 1251 literature data related to energy prosumer in the "Web of Science Core Collection" and used the software named CiteSpace to perform statistics and cooccurrence analysis. The research found the following: (a) journals in the field of prosumer have their emphasis on theory, application, policy, and modeling; (b) the United States and European institutions have published the articles most, and the academic influence of Chinese scholars needs to be further improved; (c) the focus of the prosumers' research in the past decade has turned the energy system designing to the market transaction research; (d) P2P, P2G, and prosumer community are three market models that have attracted attention for scholars; besides, self-consumption, market matching, district heating, aggregators, and household energy management systems are also the current research hotspots; (e) digital technologies such as big data, the Internet of Things, and blockchain have a significant impact on the prosumer participating in energy market transactions, which will change the existing energy supply chain model profoundly. In the context of the energy Internet, energy trading platforms, digital ecosystems, cross-border innovation, and other fields will become the hotspots in future research on prosumer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This project transforms international financial statistics into a form useful for global political analysis. The authors first theorise four distinct faces of a sovereign state's monetary and financial power resources: its international Creditor, Network, Currency, and Governance Capabilities. Each of these capabilities implies resources that incumbent political leaders potentially may employ to persuade, induce, or coerce others in pursuit of their larger foreign policy goals. They thus provide the means of international financial statecraft. The paper next summarises a new dataset, the Global Monetary and Financial Profiles of States (GMFPS), which creates measures for each of these concepts. Covering 180 countries from 1995–2013, the GMFPS dataset reports each state's annual shares of global totals for 25 indicators and 5 composites, each corresponding to a national financial characteristic that leaders may choose to manipulate politically – albeit not without paying some costs, economic and/or political. The paper concludes with an initial analysis of global trends, which tend to confirm the slow relative decline of the reigning financial hegemon, the United States. The data also provide suggestive evidence of a typical financial life-cycle for major states, although one that is voluntaristic, not inevitable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A very popular method utilized in quantifying the benefit of power delivery service reliability is to estimate the customer monetary losses associated with power supply interruptions by collecting data with customer surveys. MidAmerican Energy Company, a Midwest utility, recently performed surveys of its customers in the residential, commercial, industrial, and company/organization sectors. This paper presents the industrial and commercial customer results of these surveys with primary focus on the cost results. The results of this paper are compared with the results of other studies performed in high-cost areas of the United States' east and west coasts. This is the first ever paper of this nature performed for the electrical customers in the United States' Midwest region. Methodological differences in study design compared with coastal surveys are discussed. The major contribution of this paper is that particulars of Midwest customers compared with customers of coastal utilities are noted, the impact on customers with backup supply is identified, a suggested approach to enhance customer satisfaction due to advance warning on outages is recommended, and relatively high survey response return rates are elaborated. The customer damage functions derived from the survey results are being routinely used in power delivery project justifications in annual delivery system budgeting processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid growth of China's national resources in the space domain may change the gap in power between China and the United States in relevant international rulemaking. This article proposes an analytical framework for identifying, comparing, and analyzing states' power resources critical to international rulemaking and uses the framework to compare the relevant resources between China and the United States in the space domain. First, this paper develops a method for identifying resources crucial to international rulemaking in outer space. The relevant resources of the two countries are then compared in this article. Finally, the article explores comparative advantages, consensus, differences, and cooperation possibilities of the two countries in specific international space rules. The framework could be adapted to compare diverse nations' resources critical to international rulemaking in other fields; it contributes to research on space law, international legislation, and national power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The United States had been a long-time leader in facilitating the shift to renewable energy as a key component of the long-term strategy to mitigate climate change. However, after the 2016 Presidential election the Trump Administration pulled out of the Paris Agreement. What does this mean for the United States' ongoing leadership position? This paper argues that the United States will continue to lead through the efforts of state and local authorities as well as the private sector and offers guidance on how to ensure the renewable energy sector's growth in the U.S. This paper will analyze the renewable energy sectors in Germany, China and Canada, with a specific look at grid stability, in order to make recommendations to the U.S. states and municipalities on renewable energy growth. This paper will also analyze the different methods international players have used to get companies and individuals to engage with the renewable grid, including feed-in tariffs and net metering, in order to provide further recommendations to local, state and private-sector authorities. Finally, this paper will look at grid-stability lessons from abroad, noting that local and private sector actors will need to ensure that renewable grids are not overly dependent on intermittent weather-dependent renewable sources. This paper will argue that modifications to existing energy market rules and subsidies to nonweather dependent energy generators, while ensuring not to alienate renewable energy sources, are the best ways to ensure grid stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During various periods, the United States (the US) has adopted diverse policies for achieving self‐sufficiency in supplying its required energy. Technological revolution that has begun from a decade ago pursues the goal of energy independency. Using new technologies for developing its unconventional oil and gas resources, the United States has taken steps in line with the accomplishment of its objective of energy independence. Numerous articles have examined the various technical, economic and political aspects and consequences of the US technological revolution. This paper, in a new and innovative approach based on theoretical framework of neorealism, aims to show the implications of technological revolution in energy sector on the US dependency on fossil energy imports. Efforts will be made to find an answer to this main question as to what effects have the technological revolution occurrence in energy sector had on the US dependency on the fossil energy imports? In response, the study's main hypothesis is that, the US policy to exploit the unconventional oil and gas resources through technological revolution can be elaborated within the framework of the self‐sufficiency strategy for energy production in line with the reduction of the threats stemming from dependency on the oil and gas imports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electricity generation currently is the main industrial source of air emissions in the United States. Both researchers and practitioners are interested in conducting studies to evaluate the ecological performance of this industry, in order to propose solutions to curb emissions of air pollutants and to improve the efficiency of converting fossil resources into electric energy. In this paper, data envelopment analysis (DEA) is used to assess ecological efficiency where air emissions are used as undesirable outputs. Although conventional DEA does not require a priori information on the input and output weights, weight restrictions can be incorporated to reflect a user's preference over the performance metrics, or to refine the DEA results. Adding weight restrictions voids the fact that DEA scores are independent of the units of measurement. To incorporate weight constraints in ecological efficiency assessment, this paper develops a DEA model that is units-invariant when weight restrictions are imposed. Moreover, the proposed model is equivalent to the standard units-invariant DEA model when weight restrictions are not present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: A sustainable, balanced energy portfolio is necessary for a country's continued economic growth. This portfolio must collectively be able to provide reliable, resilient electricity at stable, affordable prices. Nuclear energy is an important contributor to global clean energy supply, both as a primary source and by complementing and enabling other clean energy sources. As we look to the design and operation of future energy systems, we see an increasing need to think differently about how we utilize our energy resources to meet all of our energy needs—not just electricity but also industrial and transportation demands. Resource utilization in light of a broader desire to reduce environmental impacts leads us to consider transforming how we use nuclear energy, which currently provides more than half of the nonemitting electricity generated in the United States. A paradigm shift is required to develop optimal energy generation and use configurations that embrace novel approaches to system integration and process design. The US Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Nuclear Energy (NE) program on Integrated Energy Systems (IES)—formerly the Nuclear‐Renewable Hybrid Energy Systems (N‐R HES) program—was established to evaluate potential options for the coordinated use of nuclear and renewable energy generators to meet energy demands across the electricity, industrial, and transportation sectors. These formerly independent sectors are becoming increasingly linked through technology advances in data acquisition, communications, demand response approaches, and control technologies. Advanced modeling and simulation tools can be employed to design systems that better coordinate across these sectors. Implementation of integrated multi‐input, multi‐output energy systems will allow for expanded use of nuclear energy beyond the grid in a manner that complements the increased build‐out of variable renewable energy generation. These integrated systems would provide enhanced flexibility while also providing energy services and supporting the production of additional, nonelectric commodities (eg, potable water, hydrogen, and liquid fuels) via excess thermal and electrical energy from the nuclear system. Increased flexibility of traditionally baseload nuclear systems will support energy security, grid reliability, and grid resilience while maximizing the use of clean energy technologies. This paper provides an overview of current efforts in the United States that assess the potential to increase utilization of nuclear energy systems, in concert with renewable energy generation, via the IES program. Analysis tools and approaches and preliminary analysis results are summarized, and planned experimental activities to demonstrate integrated system performance are introduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is the second of a two-part paper and describes the application of a multiperiod generalized network flow model that is used to analyze the economic efficiencies of the energy movements from the coal and natural gas suppliers to the electric load centers, providing a simulation tool that captures dynamics of and interdependencies between the coal, natural gas, and electricity networks. The modeling approach, mathematical formulation, and modeling assumptions are presented in part I. This sequel presents and discusses numerical results to illustrate the application of the model. The model enables public and private decision makers to carry out comprehensive analyses of a wide range of issues related to the energy sector, such as strategic planning, economic impact assessment, and different regulatory regimes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is the first of a two-part paper presenting a multiperiod generalized network flow model of the integrated energy system in the United States. Part I describes the modeling approach used to evaluate the economic efficiencies of the systemwide energy flows, from the coal and natural gas suppliers to the electric load centers. Under the proposed problem formulation, fuel supply and electricity demand nodes are connected via a transportation network, and the model is solved for the most efficient allocation of quantities and corresponding prices. The methodology includes physical, economic, and environmental aspects that characterize the different networks. Part II of this paper provides numerical results that demonstrate the application of the model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to provide empirical estimates of total factor productivity (TFP) growth rates in the electric power industry for the United States, Japan, and Korea. In this paper, the conventional Divisia index number approach and two cost function approaches are used to assess TFP growth rates during the 1972-1996 period. The TFP growth rates in the United States, where regulatory reform has been progressing gradually since 1978, did not show much difference from those in Japan, and were considerably lower than those achieved by Korea, where little reform has taken place. Decomposition analysis based on the total cost function shows that the major sources of TFP growth were the scale effect in Japan, the capacity utilization effect and the scale effect in Korea, and technical change in the United States. Since the mid-80s, the increases in TFP growth were due to improvements in the capacity utilization effect in all three countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reflects on the article "A Robust Strategy for Sustainable Energy," by Klaus S. Lackner and Jeffrey D. Sachs. The author agrees with the conclusion of the article which states that there is no shortage of energy on the horizon. It points out that the debate over the exhaustion of liquid fuels is mostly based on false premises. But the author feels a more complete discussion of the making of liquid fuel from biomass was missing from the article. Biomass, which would compete for land with food producers, and biomass such as corn stalks which can be used to create fuel. Lackner's and Sach's article constructs a baseline scenario for greenhouse gas emissions over the next century on the basis of an assumed convergence of income per capita around the world on income per capita in the United States.

Purpose: This study aims to examine the effects of trading partner trust and trading partner power, on supply chain integration, and their impact on business performance in the context of Web-enabled supply chains. In doing so, the authors extend previous studies by exploring this phenomenon by using an integrative theory-driven approach. Design/methodology/approach: This study presents a theoretical model grounded on the resource-based and dynamic capabilities views and the social capital theory. Data collected from 175 firms in the USA are used to test the hypotheses using structural equation modeling. Findings: Results highlight the importance of trust and supply chain integration on business performance, whereas power did not appear to have an effect on supply chain integration in Web-enabled supply chains. The findings are robust to concerns of endogeneity, common method bias and alternative model specification. Practical implications: Companies engaged in Web-enabled supply chains need to focus on increasing their integration efforts, and these efforts must also be accompanied by partnerships built on trust. Trading partners who might be inclined to use coercive strategies to influence other members of the supply chain in Web-enabled environments may be better off using cooperative approaches based on trust to achieve their desired goals. Originality/value: This study integrates the resource-based view, dynamic capabilities view and the social capital theory to explore the dynamic relationships between trading partner trust, trading partner power and supply chain integration in Web-enabled supply chains. In doing so, this paper extends prior studies by examining supply chain integration's impact on business performance and its mediating role, as it relates to trading partner trust and power in Web-enabled supply chains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following the theory and method of the 'same‐phase power supply scheme', as declared in United States and Taiwan patents, a novel power supply method is proposed to reduce damage to users when the supply power is in shortage. This paper proposes using the equivalent model function blocks, as built by MATLAB/Simulink, for simulations of the probable line‐to‐line and single line‐to‐ground faults in a distribution system when the power supply mode is switched from 'normal' to 'same‐phase'. The simulation results prove that, when the power supply is switched to the 'same‐phase' power supply mode, all the short‐circuit fault currents are a little lower than that in the 'normal' power supply mode, and the maximum difference is less than 3%. Therefore, when the supplying power of the system is in shortage or the power distribution system has a short‐circuit fault between phase lines, the system can be directly switched to the 'same‐phase' power supply mode and can continue supplying power to the essential and basic loads for life‐support and people's livelihoods. © 2019 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes environmental systems games developed for energy and water resource use designed to be adaptable from high school to undergraduate use. Two of the games are computer simulations with adjustable levels of difficulty that can be done in a computer lab or as a homework assignment. The third is a peer-to-peer roleplayer game designed for an immersive in-class simulation. For the energy and the peer-to-peer water games, we describe (1) the overall strategy or story line adopted, (2) the manner in which the game is played by students in a classroom setting, (3) the use of scientific literature in conceptualizing and parameterizing the game, and (4) possible game extensions. Preliminary data from use at the undergraduate level shows that the games are very well-received by students and, consistent with other research on quasi-experimental simulations, likely enhance learning outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the proceedings of the International Conference on Nuclear Power and Its Fuel Cycle held in Salzburg, Austria in May 2-13, 197. Observations about several papers discussed at a symposium on the postponed plutonium reprocessing and plutonium breeding is presented. An overview of the completed comprehensive review by the United States regarding energy policy is offered.

Energy rich Eurasia, since the breakup of former Soviet Union has been a battle ground for control over the vast regional energy resources' production and transportation. This reality leads to a competitive environment between the United States, Russia and China while on the other hand it also forces these countries to cooperate at different times of period since 1991. This competitive/cooperative paradox of relations has been an important aspect of energy and pipeline politics. This article focuses on the competition as well as cooperation between Russia, China and United States in energy pipelines in Central Asia as these pipelines are key to influence. The paper presents an overview of the policies of these three states regarding energy resources and the developments made in energy transportation since the breakup of Soviet Union. One of the main findings of the paper is that China has made major headway regarding the energy pipelines in Central Asia, cracks have appeared in Russia's historical influence in the energy sector of Central Asia while American influence is still limited and may decline particularly in the face of withdrawal from Afghanistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given increased policies driving renewable electricity generation and insufficient local production of woody biomass, many countries are reliant upon the importation of wood pellets. Of current wood pellet exports, the vast majority originates from the Southeastern United States (US). In this paper we present results from a cradle-to-gate, attributional process life cycle assessment in which two production scenarios of wood pellets were modelled for the Southeastern US: one utilising roundwood from a silviculture operation and the other utilising sawmill residues. The system boundary includes all steps from harvesting of the wood biomass, through delivery of the finished wood pellets to a US port facility. For each of the impact categories assessed, wood pellets from sawmill residues resulted in higher values, ranging from 5% to 31%. In relation to Global Warming Potential, roundwood pellets resulted in a 13–21% lower value than pellets produced from sawmill residues, depending upon the allocation method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Federal and state governments in the United States (US) are promoting the transition from traditional Diesel School Buses to Electric School Buses (ESBs). This would prevent the emission of deleterious air pollutants that affect students and communities while simultaneously contributing to a reduction in greenhouse gases, aiding in the fight against climate change. However, due to their significant size and long routes, ESBs require large batteries with significant electricity demand. If this additional electricity demand is supplied to hundreds of thousands of EBSs at peak consumption times, the strain on the grid may be detrimental, while transportation costs for schools could dramatically increase. Furthermore, if EBSs are charged using traditional hydrocarbon generation, the environmental benefits of these projects may be significantly reduced. Therefore, applying renewable energy presents a host of synergistic opportunities to reduce emissions while providing inexpensive electricity to schools. Solar energy is abundant in large portions of the US, potentially providing many schools with ample inexpensive and sustainable electricity to power their transportation equipment and meet other requirements at their facilities. This research developed a novel framework to integrate publicly available big data provided by federal and state agencies in the US, as well as National Laboratories, to provide stakeholders with actionable information to develop EBS grid-to-vehicle (V2G) systems across the US. Geographic Information Systems, data analytics and Business Intelligence were applied to assess and characterize solar energy generation and consumption patterns. The novel integration of the systems in the proposed framework provided encouraging results that have practical implications for stakeholders to develop successful and sustainable ESB V2G facilities. These results identified many schools across the US that would significantly benefit from the use of solar energy and be able to supply their local communities during idle times with renewable energy through V2G. The renewable energy resource would be capable of charging ESBs at a low cost for operational availability as required. The results indicate that the proposed ESB V2G system will provide significant benefits to both schools and their local communities. The feasibility of the proposed endeavor was validated by the results of the study, providing both school and solar energy stakeholders with insights into how to better manage such a complex system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – Even during these tough economic times the current administration has proposed to revive the US "Cap and Trade" initiative and to see it through to passage. Many in the public are not aware that the idea of cap and trade is not new as similar programs have been successfully used in the US and other countries to "wind down" environmentally damaging emissions. The aim of this paper is to explain cap and trade and to project what form current proposals could take. Design/methodology/approach – This paper explains cap and trade and goes on to project what form current proposals could take. It also examines the alternatives and the arguments both for and against cap and trade. Projected costs and benefits are examined, along with some examination of the actual mechanics by which the system is expected to operate. Findings – The current US mood is that proposals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will be expensive and burdensome to businesses and consumers. In fact, this is what is preventing them from going forward. The consensus is now growing that in order to achieve the goals of cap and trade, proposals will have to be cost effective, expanded internationally, and include India, China and other emerging manufacturing economies. If this can be done, it appears that cap and trade will continue to be part of the landscape of US emission reductions, along with the use of alternative and other renewable energy resources. Originality/value – The paper examines costs and benefits of cap and trade, along with some examination of the actual mechanics by which the system is expected to operate [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Two-thirds of input energy for electricity generation in the USA is lost as heat during conversion processes. Additionally, 12.5% of primary fuel and 20.3% of electricity are employed for space heating, water heating, and refrigeration where low-grade heat could suffice. The potential for harnessing waste heat from power generation and thermal processes to perform such tasks is assessed. By matching power plant outlet streams with applications at corresponding temperature ranges, sufficient waste heat is identified to satisfy all USA space and water heating needs. Sufficient high temperature exhaust from power plants is identified to satisfy 27% of residential air conditioning with thermally activated refrigeration, or all industrial refrigeration and process heating from 100 to 150 °C. Engine coolant and exhaust is sufficient to satisfy all air conditioning and 68% of electrical demands in vehicles. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential to reduce USA primary energy demand by 12% and CO2 emissions by 13% through waste heat recovery. A detailed analysis of thermal energy demand in pulp and paper manufacturing is conducted to demonstrate the methodology for improving the fidelity of this approach. These results can inform infrastructure and development to capture heat that would be lost today, substantially reducing USA energy intensity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In 2005, wind-induced structural damage from Hurricane Katrina resulted in extensive energy supply disruptions across the Gulf of Mexico. In this paper, we examine the resilience of these systems with a particular emphasis on the electric power delivery systems. We investigate the correlations of the power outage data with weather parameters such as wind speed, rainfall, and storm surge. We examine the resilience and recovery of the electric delivery system spatially and temporally and compare the results with other natural disasters. We conclude that the behavior of the delivery systems under hurricane loadings is affected by rainfall and storm surge as well as wind speed. Widespread failures may occur at wind speeds less than predicted peak values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although China and the US are starting their fourth decade of energy cooperation, it is only recently that there has been a concerted US effort to create a framework for US-China bilateral energy relations. The past 30 years have witnessed many successful energy projects that have lacked follow through and institutionalization, often becoming 'one-off' exercises that duplicated previous projects. Recent initiatives intend to establish long-term linkages between US and Chinese energy bureaucracies, linking energy efficiency, energy security, and environmental issues. The US is nesting the bilateral relationship in global and Asia-Pacific multilateral energy and environmental regimes, and is also using bilateral agreements as mechanisms to promote domestic energy and environmental reform. This paper will examine US-China relations in the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate and the Five-Country Energy Ministerial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the new open access environment, in pursuit of profit, power producers tend to operate closer to the security boundaries and consequently, the voltage instability, which is caused by insufficient reactive power support, threats system security and reliability. This paper presents a day-ahead reactive power market based on uniform auction price scheme considering voltage security. First, expected payment function (EPF), identified earlier in the literature to construct a bidding framework for synchronous generators, is modified. Then, the modified EPF is used as the objective function of optimal power flow problem to clear reactive power market. Finally, the OPF, including overload, voltage drop and voltage stability margin in its constraints, is solved by binary coded genetic algorithm. The validity of the proposed reactive power market is studied based on the IEEE 24-bus reliability test system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper uses a structural vector autoregression model to investigate the inflationary effects of oil prices. Rather than simply infer the oil price changes as oil supply shocks, we identify three different shocks in the crude oil market: the oil supply shock, the global aggregate demand shock, and the oil-market specific demand shock. We then use impulse response functions to compute the conditional oil price pass-through ratios. It is found that the largest oil price pass-through is caused by oil supply shocks. However, evidence from historical decompositions suggests that the oil price movements have been driven by shocks from strong global aggregate demand and oil demand while only minor contributions come from oil supply shocks. Disentangling demand and supply shocks in the crude oil market helps to uncover the fact that a recent decline in unconditional oil price pass-through may come from the low conditional pass-through caused by global demand shocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Greenhouse gas emission is a mounting problem that threatens the future production of electricity from both coal and natural gas. In 2006, 70% of domestic electricity generation relied upon fossil fuels. Projections by the Energy Information Agency1 show U.S. demand for electricity increasing 30% to 40% by 2030. Today nuclear power is the largest source of non-greenhouse-gas emitting energy generation and will be an important source of energy production in the future. This paper considers potential construction of new plants as well as the long-term prospects of existing nuclear power plants in the United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The variability inherent in wind power production will require increased flexibility in the power system, when a significant amount of load is covered with wind power. Standard deviation (σ) of variability in load and net load (load net of wind) has been used when estimating the effect of wind power on the short term reserves of the power system. This method is straightforward and easy to use when data on wind power and load exist. In this paper, the use of standard deviation as a measure of reserve requirement is studied. The confidence level given by ±3-6 times σ is compared to other means of deriving the extra reserve requirements over different operating time scales. Also taking into account the total variability of load and wind generation and only the unpredicted part of the variability of load and wind is compared. Using an exceedence level can provide an alternative approach to confidence level by standard deviation that provides the same level of risk. The results from US indicate that the number of σ that result in 99% exceedence in load following time scale is between 2.3-2.5 and the number of σ for 99.7% exceedence is 3.4. For regulation time scale the number of σ for 99.7 % exceedence is 5.6. The results from the Nordic countries indicate that the number of σ should be increased by 67-100% if better load predictability is taken into account (combining wind variability with load forecast errors). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Commercial windmill-driven power turbines (wind turbines') are expanding in popularity and use in the commercial power industry, since they can generate significant electricity without using fuel or emitting carbon-dioxide "greenhouse gas." In- country and near-off-shore wind turbines are becoming more common on the European continent. The United States has recently set long-term goals to generate 10% of national electric power using renewable sources. In order to make such turbines efficient, current 1.5 MW wind-turbine towers and rotors are very large, with blades exceeding 67 m in diameter, and tower heights exceeding 55 m. Newer 4.5 MW designs are expected to be even larger. The problem with such large, moving, metallic devices is the potential interference such structures present to an array of civilian air-traffic-control radars. A recent study by the Undersecretary of Defense for Space and Sensor Technology acknowledged the potential performance impact wind turbines introduce when located within line of site of air-traffic-control or air-route radars [1]. In the spring of 2006, the Air Force Research Laboratory embarked on a rigorous measurement and prediction program to provide credible data to national decision makers on the magnitude of the signatures, so that the interference issues could be credibly studied. This paper, the first of two parts, will discuss the calibrated RCS measurement of the turbines, and compare this data (with its uncertainty) to modeled data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines whether electricity restructuring improves the efficiency of U.S. nuclear power generation. Using a panel dataset consisting of the full sample of 73 investor-owned nuclear plants in the United States from 1992 to 1998, I estimate the plant-level cross-sectional and longitudinal efficiency changes associated with restructuring. Special attention is given to the potential policy endogeneity bias and different modeling strategies are presented to cope with the issue. Overall, I find a striking positive relationship between restructuring and cost reduction, and increased plant utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the impact of ethanol expansion in the United States, brought about by higher crude oil prices, on agricultural commodity prices. Given the United States's stature as a major producer and exporter of many agricultural commodities, the resulting increase in commodity prices has spillover effects into the global market. Using the price changes estimated within a multi-commodity, multi-country agricultural modeling system, this paper attempts to show how an increase in world commodity prices would affect the costs of food baskets around the world and how higher food costs will impact food security, particularly in developing countries. In general, we find that countries where corn is the major food grain experience larger increases in food basket cost while countries where rice is the major food grain have smaller food basket cost increases. Countries where wheat and/or sorghum are the major food grains fall in between. Consequently, the highest percentage increases are seen in Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America where food basket costs are estimated to increase by at least 10%. The lowest percentage increases are seen in Southeast Asia, with cost increases of less than 2.5%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethanol subsidies are well established in U.S. policy and have high priority in corn growers' political agenda. This paper develops a vertical market model of ethanol, byproducts, and corn which is used to analyze whether corn growers would prefer the government's subsidy dollar to be spent directly on corn subsidies (though deficiency payments) rather than on a subsidy on ethanol made from corn. Because the subsidy dollar has to be shared with ethanol manufacturers under the ethanol subsidy, it is to be expected, and the model confirms, that a dollar spent on a direct corn subsidy increases corn growers' producer surplus more than an a dollar spent on an ethanol subsidy under many plausible values of the relevant parameters. But there are equally plausible parameter values under which the ethanol subsidy is preferred by corn growers. The economics of this result turn mainly on the price discrimination an ethanol subsidy creates between ethanol and corn used for feed and export purposes, reducing the buyers' price of ethanol and byproducts but increasing the price of corn fed and exported. This enables producers of corn and ethanol to increase their joint producer surpluses above the total value of subsidies paid. The paper also analyzes the social cost (deadweight loss) of these subsidies, and finds the ethanol subsidy to generate deadweight losses likely to be in the billions of dollars annually. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The market uncertainties in the generation business in the U.S. electric power industry have increased the significance of two factors in generation planning: financial risks and managerial flexibilities. At the same time, numerous utilities have multiple generation planning: projects that are interrelated with respect to their market values. For such utilities, in order to quantitatively address these two factors, in this paper, we develop and analyze a real options model for general n interrelated projects. Specifically, first, we derive a unique lattice process that approximates interrelated continuous processes for the evolution of values of projects and options (e.g., selling a constructed project). The steps of the approximation for n projects are presented progressively starting from two projects. Next, based on the lattice process, we investigate the impact of interrelation on the values of options. Then, we provide a backward dynamic programming model for optimal sequential decision making where the decisions are made over the options. Finally, managerial insights and economic implications are illustrated via numerical examples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research into transmission pricing and congestion management in interconnected power systems, such as those found in USA and Europe, requires an appropriate benchmark system to test different methodologies. Creation of a realistic benchmark system is difficult as utilities are often unwilling to disclose details of their own systems because of commercial sensitivity and security reasons. This paper presents development of an approximate model of a European interconnected system which could be used to study the effects of cross-border trades. In creating the load-flow model, only publicly available information was used. Comparison of simulation results conducted on the test system with the published cross-border flows and power transfer distribution factors showed a very good correlation, exceeding 90%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following the steps of the gas industry, the traditional paradigm of the vertically integrated electrical utility structure has begun to change. In the United States, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has issued several rules and Notices of Proposed Rulemaking to set the road map for the utility deregulation. The crisis in California has drawn great attention and sparked intense discussion within the utility industry. One general conclusion is to rejuvenate the idea of integrated resource planning and promote the distributed generation via traditional or renewable generation facilities for the deregulated utility systems. Fuel cell and photo- voltaic are the most promising renewable generation technologies for the residential and small commercial users. It is desirable for these facilities to be interconnected with the utility grid to perform peak shaving, demand reduction, and to serve as emergency and standby power supply. However, the mismatch between the utility tie protection and the equipment protection makes it impossible for the fuel cell and/or photovoltaic to serve as emergency and standby power supply when the utility supply is lost due to nearby external faults. To overcome this issue, this paper discusses the development of an integrated high-speed Intelligent utility tie monitoring, control, and protection system to replace the traditional tie breakers for those residential and small commercial facilities with disbursed/renewable generation facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses how 10 localities in the USA and England, recognised as leaders in clean energy and climate action, have used collaborative approaches to develop local climate change plans and energy conservation, efficiency, and renewable energy initiatives. It examines these planning and policy-making processes in the context of Margerum's [2008. A typology of collaboration efforts in environmental management.Environmental Management, 41 (4), 487–500] typology of “action”, “organizational”, and “policy-level” collaborations, as well as Gray's [1989.Collaborating: finding common ground for multiparty problems. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass] classification of collaboration in the “problem-setting”, “direction-setting”, and “implementation” phases. We conducted interviews with local elected officials, municipal staff, energy professionals, and citizen volunteers in each community, supplemented with an analysis of their adopted energy, climate change, and land-use plans. We find that despite the different government structures and political contexts between the two countries, there was a surprising amount of commonality in how the case study localities used collaborative planning to develop local climate plans and clean energy initiatives. These processes were most often initiated by local elected officials and/or high-level staff members, and then carried out in collaboration with local third-sector organisations and other community stakeholders. In the USA, collaboration was strongest at the policy level and in the direction-setting phase, with the distinguishing feature that citizen advisory boards or stakeholder working groups often took a more active role in shaping local plans and policies. The English localities had some of those same types of collaborations, but were more likely to also employ action collaboration, in the implementation phase, in which third-sector organisations coordinated with the locality to directly provide clean energy services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low grade energy streams are available in large quantities and end up as loss in the energy consumption in the United States. For sustainability and security of the energy future, various research efforts are under way to harness this low grade energy. This paper provides a review of low grade energy resources available in industry, and applications where that can be used. Then, an underdeveloped research area is identified in the integration of the low grade energy in process systems. Some of these areas include the use of low grade solar energy or flare systems, and applications include desalination, district heating, refrigeration, etc. A few applications related to saline agriculture are also identified. This work provides a basis where the recovery of low grade energy sources and subsequent integration can provide potential cost savings, environmental benefits and social impacts. The paper also concludes that further research is needed at the systems level for including sustainability considerations in the low grade energy integration of processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The foreign policy of a country is mostly determined by its geography. The geography compels sovereign states to cultivate relations with their neighboring countries to attain some predetermined interests. Similarly, China has created and maintained quite friendly relations with almost all Central Asian states to fulfill its ever-increasing energy needs and contain the escalating security threat being posed by the assorted terrorist, extremist, militant and separatist groups in the region. Since China is projected to overtake the US in terms of exporting energy resources by 2030, the communist state is striving hard to foster all sorts of ties with the energy-rich the Central Asian states. However, the growing Chinese closeness and affinity with the region have made the US apprehensive of the potential and ominous rise of China which could well dwarf and outclass the US in the regional. Therefore, it has led the US to craft strategies aimed at challenging and obstructing the increasing Chinese engagement with the region. Thus, it has instigated a kind of competition and low-intensity rivalry between the US and China in the region. Such a cut-throat completion would create marvelous opportunities and mounting issues for the regional countries. The article analysis China's economic and defence relations with all the Central Asian countries. It also discusses the escalating Chinese interests and the region's importance for China. In the end, the paper throws light on the impending competition and rivalry between China and the US in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]