Gas markets based on virtual hubs has been the preferred EU design. Such market designs are based on socializing network flexibility services. Nonetheless, shippers have different preferences about the network flexibility, which are not reflected in current allocation models. We propose the...

This paper evaluates the benefits for wind power producers to trade in the intraday electricity markets in a context of massive penetration of intermittent renewables. Using a simple analytical model we find out that there are situations when it will be costly for those producers to adjust their...

The concept of "institutional corruption" as developed by Professor Dennis Thompson is a critically important way to understand the failings of a modern democratic state. In this paper, Professor Lessig advances one way to simplify the analysis of "institutional corruption," through the...

This paper analysis various factors that influence electricity interconnector investments. It shows that several features linked to zonal market design, in particular the possibility to favour market participants in the own country compared to those in the neighbouring countries, distort the...

Smart grids are considered important building blocks of a future energy system that facilitates integration of massive distributed energy resources like gas-fired cogeneration (CHP). The latter produces thermal and electric power together and as such reinforces the interaction between the gas...

In spite of its strong appeal to NGOs, to certain governments and to some scholars, the concept of an ecological debt accumulated by developed countries due to their historical responsibility deserve a serious critical assessment. The paper provides this assessment in the context of climate...

The emergence of U.S. shale gas resources to economic viability affects the nation's energy outlook and the expected role of natural gas in climate policy. Even in the face of the current shale gas boom, however, questions are raised about both the economics of this industry and the wisdom of...

Political parties at the European level – Europarties – do not only seek to be represented in the institutions of the EU (office-seeking) and to strengthen their role in the European Parliament elections (vote-seeking). Also, they try to colour the politics and policies of the Union, through...

The transformations brought about by changing patterns of representation, the role of the media in politics, and processes of Europeanization and globalization have challenged the political parties of the West-European Left - and Italy is no exception to this trend. At the policy level, the four...

There is considerable interest in exploring the potential of health insurance to increase the access to, and the affordability of, health care in Africa. We focus on the recent experience of Ghana, where a National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) became law in 2003 and fully implemented from late...