Electricity Markets
Paper Session
Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 10:15 AM - 12:15 PM (PST)
- Chair: Alberto Lamadrid, Lehigh University
Nuclear Operations with a High Penetration of Renewables: The Case of France
Abstract
This (work-in-progress) paper aims at studying empirically the behavior of a power system with a high penetration of both nuclear and intermittent renewables (wind and solar). Specifically, our main objective is to explore whether technical constraints on nuclear operations bind more often as more renewable capacity gets installed and, if so, how quickly the occurrence of these constraints increases. Strategic responses will also be of great interest. We study the case of France, a country which, at the end of 2023, hosts about 61GW of nuclear, 23GW of wind and 19GW of solar. Preliminary results suggest that the increase in renewables may indeed be associated with more hours where the minimum output constraint of nuclear units binds. Further work will explore the robustness of these results to more engineering-grounded empirical strategies, and study other outcome variables such as ramping constraints or (planned/forced) outages.Effects of Rooftop Solar on the Distribution Grid: Evidence from Connecticut
Abstract
This paper estimates the effect of distributed solar generation on distribution feeders, utilizing unique, proprietary data from individual solar installations and feeders in Connecticut. We find that each additional kilowatt (kW) of distributed solar reduces the annual maximum feeder load and the top one percentile of the load by 0.11 kW. In addition, we find evidence of a 3.6% solar rebound effect, primarily occurring in spring and fall, such that it does not affect the impact of distributed solar on peak feeder loading. The economic value of avoided distribution capacity ranges from $1.6 to $3.1 per MWh, significantly below the cost premium of distributed solar compared to utility-scale solar. Our estimate is an important input to policies for optimal solar investment and to the major debate on replacing solar net-metering policies.Energy Transition and Mental Health
Abstract
We provide quasi-experimental estimates of the impact of coal and natural gas power plant retirements on the mental health of local residents in the United States. Combining data on power plant retirements and restricted mental health data, we employ a difference-in-differences approach and find that coal-fired power plant retirements have a significant negative impact on mental health, while natural gas retirements have a positive effect. We explore potential mechanisms and find evidence suggesting that economic impacts and local amenity improvements drive these divergent effects. Our findings highlight the importance of considering mental health implications in energy transition policies and strategies.Discussant(s)
Derek Olmstead
,
Alberta's Market Surveillance Administrator
Omer Karaduman
,
Stanford University
David Brown
,
University of Alberta
Rimvydas Baltaduonis
,
Gettysburg College and SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
JEL Classifications
- Q4 - Energy