Fuel Prices (fuel + price)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


NIGERIA: High Fuel Prices

AFRICA RESEARCH BULLETIN: ECONOMIC, FINANCIAL AND TECHNICAL SERIES, Issue 9 2009
Article first published online: 2 NOV 200
No abstract is available for this article. [source]


Thermoeconomic modeling of micro-CHP (micro-cooling, heating, and power) for small commercial applications

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH, Issue 9 2008
Alan Moran
Abstract The increasing demand for electrical power as well as energy for heating and cooling of residences and small commercial buildings is a growing worldwide concern. Micro-cooling, heating, and power (micro-CHP), typically designated as less than 30,kW electric, is decentralized electricity generation coupled with thermally activated components for residential and small commercial applications. The number of combinations of components and parameters in a micro-CHP system is too many to be designed through experimental work alone. Therefore, theoretical models for different micro-CHP components and complete micro-CHP systems are needed to facilitate the design of these systems and to study their performance. This paper presents a model for micro-CHP systems for residential and small commercial applications. Some of the results that can be obtained using the developed model include the cost per month of operation of using micro-CHP versus conventional technologies, the amount of fuel per month required to run micro-CHP systems, the overall efficiency of micro-CHP systems, etc. A case study is used to demonstrate differences in the system performances of micro-CHP systems driven by a natural gas internal combustion engine and a diesel engine. Some of the results show that both systems have similar performance and that system total efficiencies in cooler months of up to 80% could be obtained. Also, modeling results show that there is a limit in fuel price that economically prevents the use of CHP systems, which is $11 MBTU,1 for this specific case. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Oil demand in transportation sector in Iran: an efficiency and income asymmetric modelling approach

OPEC ENERGY REVIEW, Issue 4 2007
Mohammad Mazraati
The transportation sector in Iran consumed about 52 per cent of oil demand in 2005. This high consumption rate of oil in the sector is fuelled by many factors including fiscal policies structural, as well as infrastructural factors. The vehicle ownership (intensity), efficiency of vehicles, public transportation, transport infrastructure, per capita income, cost of vehicle use, and fuel prices are among the factors which are shaping the trend of oil demand in this very important sector. Energy in Iran is heavily subsidized and in the transportation sector, the subsidy amounted to $3.59 billion in 1996, rising to $12.43 billion in 2005. Logistic model of vehicle ownership is estimated as a function of real per capita income, length of roads and other explanatory variables. Per capita income is a cumulative non-declining variable incorporating the idea of income asymmetric. Oil demand is estimated as a function of fuel efficiency, age of car fleet, per capita income and vehicle ownership per 1,000 inhabitants. Oil demand elasticities of vehicle ownership and fuel efficiency are 1.29 and 1.11, respectively, confirming that these variables have major impacts on oil demand in the transportation sector. It is concluded that rationing of fuel or upward price adjustment merely cannot curb the fast growth of oil demand in the sector. A policy package including mandatory fuel efficiency standards, scraping of old vehicles, upward fuel price, and development of public transportation could lead to better management of fuel consumption in this sector. [source]


The distributional effects of carbon and energy taxes: the cases of France, Spain, Italy, Germany and UK

ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND GOVERNANCE, Issue 4 2002
Dr. E. J. Symons
This paper examines the likely immediate impact effect of some pollution taxes on the tax burden of households in a number of European countries. The total effect on households of such taxes is assessed using input,output analysis. Thus both the direct effect of taxes, through increased fuel prices, and the indirect effect, through increased prices of other goods, can be assessed simultaneously. This input,output approach allows the generation of direct plus indirect pollution intensities for all household consumption categories, for, in principle, a number of pollutants (CO2, SO2, NOx, particulates). These intensities could then be used to assess the impact on households of pollution taxes. This paper concentrates on CO2 and energy, performing a static analysis of the effect of a tax on the carbon or energy content of goods using the known consumption patterns for the various countries, both in aggregate and for different income groups. This allows a first assessment of the regressive/progressive effects of such taxes and an indication of consumer welfare loss. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment. [source]


Analysis of PV/wind potential in the Canadian residential sector through high-resolution building energy simulation

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH, Issue 4 2009
Ali M. Syed
Abstract Rising fuel prices and global warming are two major issues that concern people today. In this paper, the effect that the integration of the hybrid photovoltaic (PV)/wind-turbine generation can have on conservation of energy and reduction of greenhouse gases (GHGs) has been studied. Base-case energy demands were calculated using building energy simulation software and then the residential buildings were equipped with the PV/wind-turbine electricity generation devices. The results show that the integration of those equipments can reduce both cost of fuel and GHG emissions to a fair amount. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Financial costs and environmental impact optimization of the energy supply systems

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH, Issue 1 2002
L. I. González-Monroy
Abstract We have designed and implemented a tool to evaluate and optimize energy supply systems, so that the financial costs, the consumption of primary energy or the amount of harmful emission to the environment are minimized. We have set-up a general description of these systems and have applied a heuristic optimization method, Simulated Annealing, that allows us, in an efficient way, to determine the best way to fulfil different types of energy demand using a set of facilities of energy transformation and storage. We have also considered the time correlation introduced by the storage devices or transport processes and the possible behaviour of the system when the external conditions (fuel prices, demand profiles, etc.) change. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Modelling aviation fuel demand: the case of the United States and China

OPEC ENERGY REVIEW, Issue 4 2008
Dr. Mohammad Mazraati
The aviation sector's contribution to the world economy is 8 per cent, while using 5.8 per cent of total world oil demand. Within the transportation sector, aviation consumes about 12.7 per cent of the total oil demanded by the transportation sector, with a growth rate of 2.32 per cent per annum in recent years, confirming the importance of aviation in the future energy market and economy. This paper considers modelling fuel demand in aviation sectors of two different markets. Jet fuel demand is modelled in the United States as a matured market and China as a fast growing market. A constant elasticity log-log model using recent data of passenger aviation traffic, freight aviation traffic and airline load factors for both countries. Economic growth and fuel prices were also considered as determinants in the model. A system of three equations was developed for each country to forecast long-term jet fuel consumption levels to 2025. The mature US aviation sector was found to react better to price and short-term economic fluctuations, in contrast with the fast growing Chinese aviation sector, where the hike in prices did not seem to have much effect. [source]


Oil demand in transportation sector in Iran: an efficiency and income asymmetric modelling approach

OPEC ENERGY REVIEW, Issue 4 2007
Mohammad Mazraati
The transportation sector in Iran consumed about 52 per cent of oil demand in 2005. This high consumption rate of oil in the sector is fuelled by many factors including fiscal policies structural, as well as infrastructural factors. The vehicle ownership (intensity), efficiency of vehicles, public transportation, transport infrastructure, per capita income, cost of vehicle use, and fuel prices are among the factors which are shaping the trend of oil demand in this very important sector. Energy in Iran is heavily subsidized and in the transportation sector, the subsidy amounted to $3.59 billion in 1996, rising to $12.43 billion in 2005. Logistic model of vehicle ownership is estimated as a function of real per capita income, length of roads and other explanatory variables. Per capita income is a cumulative non-declining variable incorporating the idea of income asymmetric. Oil demand is estimated as a function of fuel efficiency, age of car fleet, per capita income and vehicle ownership per 1,000 inhabitants. Oil demand elasticities of vehicle ownership and fuel efficiency are 1.29 and 1.11, respectively, confirming that these variables have major impacts on oil demand in the transportation sector. It is concluded that rationing of fuel or upward price adjustment merely cannot curb the fast growth of oil demand in the sector. A policy package including mandatory fuel efficiency standards, scraping of old vehicles, upward fuel price, and development of public transportation could lead to better management of fuel consumption in this sector. [source]


Coupling PV and CAES power plants to transform intermittent PV electricity into a dispatchable electricity source

PROGRESS IN PHOTOVOLTAICS: RESEARCH & APPLICATIONS, Issue 8 2008
James Mason
Abstract This study investigates the transformation of photovoltaic (PV) electricity production from an intermittent into a dispatchable source of electricity by coupling PV plants to compressed air energy storage (CAES) gas turbine power plants. Based on historical solar irradiation data for the United States' south western states and actual PV and CAES performance data, we show that the large-scale adoption of coupled PV,CAES power plants will likely enable peak electricity generation in 2020 at costs equal to or lower than those from natural gas power plants with or without carbon capture and storage systems. Our findings also suggest that given the societal value of reducing carbon dioxide and the sensitivity of conventional generation to rising fossil fuel prices, this competitive crossover point may occur much sooner. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


QUANTIFYING MARKET POWER IN THE GERMAN WHOLESALE ELECTRICITY MARKET USING A DYNAMIC MULTI-REGIONAL DISPATCH MODEL,

THE JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL ECONOMICS, Issue 4 2006
FELIX MÜSGENS
This paper quantifies the degree of market power in the German wholesale electricity market. A dispatch model simulates competitive marginal costs. In addition to common input factors like plant capacities, fuel prices and load structures, the model also incorporates international power exchange and dynamic effects like start-up costs and hydro storage plant dispatch. The simulated prices are subsequently used as a benchmark for observed electricity prices. The analysis reveals significant market power in the German electricity market, mainly exhibited during peak periods. Producer surplus is also increased significantly due to strategic behavior. [source]


ANTHROPOLOGICAL APPROACHES TO THE GLOBAL FOOD CRISIS: UNDERSTANDING AND ADDRESSING THE "SILENT TSUNAMI"

ANNALS OF ANTHROPOLOGICAL PRACTICE, Issue 1 2009
David Himmelgreen
The food riots and demonstrations that occurred in more than 50 countries in 2008 signaled the oncoming global economic recession. Skyrocketing food and fuel prices spurred on violence in poorer countries where there is no social safety net and in places impacted by food insecurity and malnutrition. Today, while the prices for some food staples have retracted a little, the deepening economic recession poses a threat in wealthier nations including the United States and members of the European Union. For example, the shuttering fall in the U.S. stock market in October 2008 resulted in the loss of billions of dollars not only to individual investors but also to states and local municipalities. In this environment, there is a potentially grave threat to the social safety net in the United States including food assistance programs. The World Food Program (WFP) has cited the increase in world food prices as the biggest challenge in its 45-year history, calling the impact a "silent tsunami" that threatened to plunge millions into hunger. In this volume, practicing and applied anthropologists examine the current global food crisis in a variety of settings including Belize, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Mozambique, Tanzania, and the United States. Further, they use a variety of theoretical orientations and methodological approaches to understand the chronic nature of food insecurity and the ways in which global food policies and economic restructuring have resulted in increasing food inequities across the globe. Throughout this volume, the authors make suggestions for combating the global food crisis through the application of anthropological principles and practices. [source]