This module enables students with a background in energy economics to explore a topic of interest in detail and undertake some original analysis. The aim is either to identify economic/ policy drivers and to determine their impact on the results achieved, or to make calculations about the costs of different measures.
A list of suggested topics is below. Students are welcome to propose alternative projects. Each project can be undertaken by a team of more than one student, but it must be clear who has written which part of the report, which should be 20-25 pages per student.
1. Electricity network costs and tariffs. Make a comparison of costs and tariffs, tariff structures between four countries for power distribution and transmission. Why do the costs differ? Why were the tariffs structured in a particular way – what are the advantages and disadvantages?
2. Economics of gas and power storage. What are the full costs? How are tariffs structured? What is the income from spreads, the need for regulation and how can missing money be covered for supply security?
3. Evaluate the cost-effectiveness of public subsidies in Germany (or another country) for renewables, heat-pumps, E-autos, and industry decarbonisation. How many tonnes of CO2 will be saved per € given out?
4. Assessment of German renewable energy policy between 2000 and 2025 and the targets up to 2030 – Onshore Wind and Offshore Wind. Evaluate the policy and how well it achieved its aims.
5. Heat-pumps – costs, incentives, CO2-reduction, cost per tonne CO2 saved vs. alternatives, and roll-out rates in two countries
6. Electric cars – costs, incentives, CO2-reduction, cost per tonne CO2 saved, and roll-out rates in two countries
7. Decarbonising heavy goods vehicles – what are the options, costs and needed subsidies? How would the cost be borne and what is a realistic time-plan?
8. Energy taxes, carbon taxes and surcharges in Germany or another country. Explain when and why different taxes and surcharges were introduced on electricity, gas, and oil products. What has been their impact (e.g. reduced demand and fuel-switching) and to what extent are they aligned with environmental and energy policy?
9. Effective carbon price of different abatement measures in the buildings, transport and industry sectors, in Germany or another country.
10. Smart meters: what have they achieved in countries with a high penetration level and how did the benefits compare to the costs?
11. Hydrogen – how and when can it become competitive? What is a realistic time-frame for its roll-out in Germany (or another country)?
12. Hidden costs of renewables: identify and quantify the costs for grid development, back-up plant and other which is needed to complement the renewables plants themselves.
- Kursleiter/in: Graham Weale