Among all the momentous events in the world in 2002, one more parochial happening which is, nonetheless, of considerable significance for energy economists is the revival of energy policy in Britain. This year has seen a flurry of activity on the energy front. In February the Performance and...

In the hold-up problem incomplete contracts cause the proceeds of relation-specific investments to be allocated by ex-post bargaining. The present paper investigates the efficiency of incomplete contracts if individuals have heterogeneous preferences implying heterogeneous bargaining behavior...

By using estimates from an Almost Ideal Demand System (AIDS), we investigate how the German energy tax on car fuels changes the private households-CO2 emissions, living standards, and post-tax income distribution. Our results show that the tax implies a trade-off between the aim to reduce...

The article investigates the development of carbon prices in Europe from 2005 to 2009 and its drivers, before providing the essential precepts for the Copenhagen negotiations. The experience of the European carbon market will highlight negotiations on a major issue: the carbon pricing....

This paper analyses a set of new scenarios for energy markets in Europe to evaluate the consistency of economic incentives and climate objectives. It focuses in particular on the role of natural gas across a range of climate policy scenarios (including the Copenhagen Pledges and the EU Roadmap)...

There is an ongoing debate on the degree of integration of European wholesale power markets. A major task of the European Union is the creation of a common market in Europe and a common power market is an important part of this goal. The literature analyzing the degree of integration of European...

In Germany state regulation of energy networks was introduced by the amendment of the Energy Utility Act in 2005. This regulation shall enable a non-discriminatory third party access to the transmission and distribution systems and starts with a cost oriented approach of tariff regulation....

The European Union has introduced directives that aim to liberalize and integrate electricity and gas markets in Western Europe. While progress has been made, particularly in electricity markets, there have been setbacks: for example, because of concerns about national interests and security of...