"Renewable energy technologies produce many measurable benefits, such as a clear reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. However, it is also apparent that these methods of energy production come with costs. Discussing renewable energy developments within an economic context, this pertinent...

The European Commission is currently reviewing two major policy instruments which will pose major economic challenges and opportunities for EU power producers. First, the European Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) is likely to include a high percentage of auctioning. Second, support schemes for...

This paper aims at giving a critical picture of the expenditures in research, development and demonstration (RD&D) for renewable energy sources (RES) in the EU-15 Member States. By providing this objective a number of performance indicators are proposed, evaluated and discussed. RD&D performance...

The multidimensional character of renewable energy sources (RES) necessitates the collection of a number of related data in order to support EU policy needs. Apart from the technology and techno-physical data also socioeconomic (e.g. employment, turnover) data and R&D expenditures are of...

A continuous state Markov chain of suitable order is employed to approximate the dynamics of surface wind speeds recorded at a single site. Using past observations, the model yields probabilistic forecasts of the future. We employ it for the prediction of turbulent gusts.

The idea of generating electricity in North Africa using concentrating solar thermal power (CSP) has been around for some time now but has recently gained momentum through the Mediterranean Solar Plan (MSP) and the formation of the Desertec Industrial Initiative. This paper argues that while the...

To meet existing and future targets for renewable energy sources, national governments, EU policymakers and electricity market stakeholders have a pronounced interest in designing optimal instruments for the promotion of Renewable Energy Sources in the Electricity sector (RES-E). This paper...

One of the most important goals of the European energy policy involves the implementation of energy-efficiency measures in large scale so as to promote sustainable development in the European Union (EU) level. The multidimensional character of energy end-use efficiency (EEE) necessitates the...