Utilities Policy最新文献

{"title":"Modeling energy prices and inclusive growth in Sub-Saharan Africa: Potential transmission pathways","authors":"Tesfaye Etensa ,&nbsp;Tekie Alemu ,&nbsp;Mengesha Yayo","doi":"10.1016/j.jup.2025.102039","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jup.2025.102039","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Inclusive growth in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) faces persistent challenges from structural vulnerabilities and external shocks, notably volatile global energy prices. These shocks disrupt macroeconomic stability, hinder poverty reduction, and restrict access to essential services, and are further exacerbated by dependence on imported fuels. Despite the complex transmission of energy price shocks through indirect macroeconomic channels, empirical evidence on these pathways remains limited. This study examines the impact of global energy price fluctuations on inclusive growth in 33 SSA countries and six oil-exporting countries from 1996 to 2020, using two-step System GMM and Panel ARDL methods. An Inclusive Growth Index is constructed via composite PCA, encompassing eight dimensions and 34 indicators. Results indicate that rising energy prices reduce investment, household and government consumption, employment, shadow economy activity, and CO₂ emissions, while increasing exchange rate depreciation and inflation, yielding a net negative impact in the short run (−0.0075 %) and the long run (−9.427 %). In oil-exporting SSA countries, energy prices negatively affect inclusive growth through investment, government spending, employment, shadow activity, and inflation, but positively influence it through exchange rates, household consumption, and CO₂ emissions, resulting in a net negative effect (−0.049 %). Overall, inclusive growth in SSA follows an inverse-S trajectory with a negative net effect. The study recommends that oil-importing countries expand targeted subsidies, promote off-grid solar solutions, and encourage private sector participation through blended finance and public-private partnerships. Oil-exporting countries should strengthen sovereign wealth funds, allocate energy windfalls to industrial diversification, and boost clean energy investment. Channel-specific interventions are also proposed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23554,"journal":{"name":"Utilities Policy","volume":"97 ","pages":"Article 102039"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145047470","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"经济学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Simulation-based policy analysis to mitigate Colombia's coal dependency for electricity generation","authors":"Juan Felipe Parra-Rodas ,&nbsp;Yris Olaya ,&nbsp;Erik R. Larsen ,&nbsp;Santiago Arango-Aramburo","doi":"10.1016/j.jup.2025.102071","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jup.2025.102071","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Colombia's Just Energy Transition faces significant hurdles, including renewable energy deployment delays, social conflicts, economic constraints, and escalating electricity demand. During periods of low hydropower availability, coal remains a critical energy source, complicating efforts to phase it out. This study employs a system dynamics model to evaluate three distinct policies—phased coal reduction, complete phase-out, and a higher emissions tax—and their effectiveness under various future scenarios. Our results reveal that external factors such as fuel prices, demand shifts, and hydrological conditions significantly influence the feasibility of these policies. While a gradual transition may not drastically alter the long-term trajectory, it can effectively curb future coal dependence. The findings underscore that effective planning is crucial for mitigating potential price spikes and adverse social impacts. This research offers policymakers actionable strategies to navigate Colombia's complex energy transition towards a secure, sustainable, and affordable electricity generation mix.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23554,"journal":{"name":"Utilities Policy","volume":"97 ","pages":"Article 102071"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145221426","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"经济学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The intertemporal unfairness of the feed-in tariff scheme in the United Kingdom: Catching up across regions","authors":"Bill Lee ,&nbsp;Jinke Li ,&nbsp;Jing Shao","doi":"10.1016/j.jup.2025.102044","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jup.2025.102044","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Feed-in Tariff (FIT) scheme in the UK was designed to promote residential solar photovoltaic (PV) projects by offering fixed payments for electricity generated, thereby positioning solar PV as an investment opportunity for households. This study investigates the role of income in shaping the uptake of solar PV under the FIT scheme and assesses the intertemporal fairness of the financial returns it provides. Using data from 323 local authority districts, the analysis focuses on two major installation peaks in 2011 and 2015, which correspond to significant changes in tariff rates. The findings reveal a positive relationship between income and solar PV adoption during the first peak, but a negative relationship in the second. This shift suggests that as installation costs declined, lower-income regions began to catch up in adopting solar PV. However, by estimating the expected (ex ante) rates of return across these periods, the study identifies a substantial decline in returns, both between the two peaks and following sharp reductions in tariff rates. These results indicate that early adopters in higher-income regions achieved significantly higher financial returns than those who adopted later. The study reveals a form of intertemporal unfairness embedded in the FIT scheme, confirming the need for more frequent and responsive tariff adjustments to ensure consistent investment incentives over time.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23554,"journal":{"name":"Utilities Policy","volume":"97 ","pages":"Article 102044"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144997001","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"经济学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Retail electricity markets in Europe: Taking stock, looking ahead","authors":"Christophe Defeuilley","doi":"10.1016/j.jup.2025.102065","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jup.2025.102065","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The potential benefits of retail electricity market liberalization have been the subject of intense debate. Taking stock of both the academic work and the current state of retail markets in Europe, this article seeks to assess whether opening competition has led to an increase in consumer welfare. We conclude that the benefits of retail competition remain unclear and controversial while the costs are substantial. In light of these findings and given the growing importance of decarbonization and inequality issues, policy-driven changes should be considered to build stable regulatory frameworks that prioritize consumer protection over unfettered competition.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23554,"journal":{"name":"Utilities Policy","volume":"97 ","pages":"Article 102065"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145221429","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"经济学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A game-theoretic framework to evaluate the strategic interaction of public and private desalination firms: A case study from Chile","authors":"Rodrigo A. Cáceres González ,&nbsp;Eduardo Zúñiga Leyton","doi":"10.1016/j.jup.2025.102041","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jup.2025.102041","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This article develops a game-theoretic model to analyze the strategic behavior of public and private desalination firms, motivated by the Chilean context. In a duopoly setting, we examine how these firms allocate water between residential and mining sectors, under government influence through subsidies and production requirements. The analysis explores how the share of public production and differences in plant efficiency affect equilibrium outcomes. Results show that the substantial volumetric difference between residential and mining demand is a key driver of equilibrium strategic behavior. The model is calibrated using real data from the Coquimbo region in Chile.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23554,"journal":{"name":"Utilities Policy","volume":"97 ","pages":"Article 102041"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145158820","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"经济学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluating the water quality of Brazilian distribution companies by the grey-TOPSIS method","authors":"Pamella Gomes da Silva Farias ,&nbsp;Maisa Mendonça Silva ,&nbsp;Saulo de Tarso Marques Bezerra","doi":"10.1016/j.jup.2025.102057","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jup.2025.102057","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This article proposes the use of water quality indicators to evaluate water distribution companies employing a multicriteria analysis that encompasses the Grey theory and the TOPSIS method. The main benefit of the framework is the generation of a final comparative ranking, which may assist managers, regulatory agencies, investors, users, society, and providers themselves in visualizing the quality performance of the companies analyzed. The results of applying the proposed framework to Brazilian companies proved robust after a two-step sensitivity analysis, which involved varying weights and excluding criteria.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23554,"journal":{"name":"Utilities Policy","volume":"97 ","pages":"Article 102057"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145097493","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"经济学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Going solar? The role of knowledge in shaping social acceptance of citizen-financed PV projects in Switzerland","authors":"Sophie Ruprecht,&nbsp;Isabelle Stadelmann-Steffen","doi":"10.1016/j.jup.2025.102040","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jup.2025.102040","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>CiFi PV projects facilitate broader public participation in solar energy, particularly among those unable to install their own rooftop systems. Despite their potential, these projects are under-researched. This study explores whether CiFi PV can engage diverse populations or if it mainly attracts the same individuals as personal rooftop PV. It examines the role of tacit and explicit knowledge, as measured by education and solar experience, in the acceptance of CiFi PV, as well as in the evaluation of project characteristics that motivate people to choose CiFi PV. Using a Swiss conjoint experiment, findings suggest that the inclusive potential of CiFi PV may be limited, with similar preferences observed across knowledge groups.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23554,"journal":{"name":"Utilities Policy","volume":"97 ","pages":"Article 102040"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145005344","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"经济学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The design of a time-of-use tariff with a demand charge for residential electric vehicle charging posts","authors":"Yikang Xiao ,&nbsp;Yuting Mou ,&nbsp;Bo Pan ,&nbsp;Min Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.jup.2025.102078","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jup.2025.102078","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Time-of-use tariffs have been widely adopted to manage the charging demand of electric vehicles within residential communities. However, the growing penetration of EVs has led to challenges, particularly over-response during off-peak periods. Currently, residential consumers in China are served by the grid company at a privileged price, which excludes network tariffs. In early 2024, the National Development and Reform Commission of China issued Guideline No. 1721, requiring the implementation of ”a differentiated pricing mechanism for the charging demand”. Consequently, while traditional household demand remains at the favorable price, innovative tariffs tailored for residential charging posts are being encouraged to address the increasing charging demand. Drawing on international experiences in tariff design, this study proposes a time-of-use tariff with a demand charge (ToU-D) for EV charging. Under this scheme, each EV owner reserves a monthly charging capacity and pays for the consumed energy according to a ToU tariff, but is subject to a penalty energy price for the charging profile above the reserved capacity. A mixed-integer bilevel optimization model is developed, where the upper level represents the grid company aiming to minimize wholesale electricity purchase costs subject to a regulated profit rate, while the lower level represents residential consumers aiming to minimize their electricity bills. To demonstrate the model’s adaptability to unbundled retail market settings, it is extended to consider network tariffs of different structures. The bilevel model is solved by transforming into a single-level one using a heuristic method that minimizes the duality gap of the lower-level problem, due to the existence of binary variables at the lower level. An empirical analysis based on realistic data reveals that the proposed tariff not only mitigates over-response issues and generates substantial economic benefits for both the grid company and EV owners overall, but also indicates that less flexible EV owners may face increased charging costs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23554,"journal":{"name":"Utilities Policy","volume":"97 ","pages":"Article 102078"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145267737","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"经济学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"DEA-based benchmarking of water and wastewater Utilities: A comprehensive literature review","authors":"Mohsen Afsharian ,&nbsp;Heinz Ahn ,&nbsp;Sara Kamali ,&nbsp;Bruno Vilela","doi":"10.1016/j.jup.2025.102024","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jup.2025.102024","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":23554,"journal":{"name":"Utilities Policy","volume":"97 ","pages":"Article 102024"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145047469","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"经济学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Governmental response to public complaints about solid waste sorting in China: Evidence from quasi-natural experiments","authors":"Li Lanlan ,&nbsp;He Minzheng ,&nbsp;Yang Ranran ,&nbsp;Luo Xuan","doi":"10.1016/j.jup.2025.102063","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jup.2025.102063","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Mandatory Domestic Waste Classification (MDWC) is an effective strategy for alleviating the urban waste crisis. This paper integrates public online petition text data and urban panel data, employing the synthetic control method to evaluate the impact of MDWC policy on government response to Public Complaints about Solid Waste Sorting (PCSWS) from the perspective of policy pressure. By analyzing data from the Mayor's Message Boards of 11 Chinese cities between 2015 and 2022, the research results indicate that the MDWC policy significantly improved both the speed and quality of government responses to PCSWS. However, the sustainability of these effects has diminished over time. Assessing the impact of the MDWC policy on government responses to PCSWS not only enhances government responsiveness but also promotes positive interaction between the government and the public. Furthermore, enhancing governmental environmental regulation and governance capacity can play a positive role. Therefore, the government should maintain policy oversight following the policy implementation by continuously mobilizing various resources and regulatory measures to ensure policy sustainability and stability. This paper provides an empirical basis for improving the long-term regulatory mechanism of public waste sorting. It holds a significant reference value for promoting the scientific evaluation of government response capabilities in urban environmental governance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23554,"journal":{"name":"Utilities Policy","volume":"97 ","pages":"Article 102063"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145221491","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"经济学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}