Effects of self-generation in imperfectly competitive electricity markets: The case of Spain

[EN] Domestic rooftop photovoltaic (PV) energy can reduce net electricity demand, and therefore reduce energy prices through a merit-order effect. This reduces profits of all incumbents in the electricity markets. In addition, in imperfectly competitive markets, PV self-generation reduces prices through a reduction in market power. The first effect may warrant additional policy interventions to maintain cost recovery, but the second is much more desirable, as it simultaneously helps increase sustainability and competition. However, unlike a simple reduction in market prices, the competition effect affects all incumbents differently. Since resistance from incumbents can be a significant barrier to energy policy change, it is important to understand the distribution of effects. This paper does so for the Spanish market. A Nash-Cournot model and a simplified representation of the Spanish electricity market is used to determine the merit-order and competition effects of an increase in solar self-generation. We conclude that both are important, and that their analysis is essential to inform the social debate around PV policy.Financial support from the UK Engineering and Physical Research Council through grant EP/P001173/1 (Centre for Energy Systems Integration) and from the Friedrich-Alexander-Universitat Erlangen-Nurnberg through a Scholler Fellowship held by Dr. van der Weijde is gratefully acknowledged. Financial support from the Spanish Ministry of Education under the scholarship FPU16/00962 is thankfully acknowledged.Ribó-Pérez, DG.; Van Der Weijde, AH.; Álvarez, C. (2019). Effects of self-generation in imperfectly competitive electricity markets: The case of Spain. Energy Policy. 113:1-12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2019.110920S11211

One-part eco-cellular concrete for the precast industry: functional features and life cycle assessment

[EN] This paper focuses on investigating greener alternatives of cellular concrete technology to fulfil current searches for a shift to circular economy. A novel one-part eco-cellular concrete (ECC-OP) was developed and studied. The one-part alkali activated materials (AAM-OP) and new alkali-activated cellular concrete (AACC) technologies were combined to develop greener alternative of cellular concrete production. The progressive steps from traditional cellular concrete (TCC) based on ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and commercial aluminium powder (A) to a 100% waste-based cellular concrete are presented. Blast furnace slag (BFS) was the precursor, RHA was employed as the silica source, olive stone biomass ash (OBA) was the alkali source and recycled aluminium foil (AR) was employed as an aerating agent. The functional features of the materials were studied and compared to those established by the European standard and the American Concrete Institute (ACI) Committee 523 guides. The new ECC-OP with a bulk density, compressive strength and thermal conductivity that respectively equal 660 kg/m(3), 6.3 MPa and 0.20 W/ mK was obtained. Finally, a cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment (LCA) was made, where the industrial process of a masonry unit manufacture was raised by using each studied material. A 96% reduction in the kgCO(2)eq per m(3) of material was reached with the new proposed ECC-OP compared to TCC manufacturing. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.The authors gratefully acknowledge the GeocelPlus-UPV Project, Almazara Candela - Elche, Spain and DACSA S.A. - Tabernes Blanques, Spain and Cementval - Puerto de Sagunto, Spain.Font-Pérez, A.; Soriano Martinez, L.; Tashima, M.; Monzó Balbuena, JM.; Borrachero Rosado, MV.; Paya Bernabeu, JJ. (2020). One-part eco-cellular concrete for the precast industry: functional features and life cycle assessment. 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