What moves the ex post variable profit of natural-gas-fired generation in California?

Chi-Keung WOO*, Ira Horowitz, Jay Zarnikau, Jack Moore, Brendan Schneiderman, Tony Ho, Eric Leung

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    29 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    We use a large California database of over 32,000 hourly observations in the 45- month period of April 2010 through December 2013 to document the ex post variable profit effects of multiple fundamental drivers on natural-gas-fired electricity generation. These drivers are the natural-gas price, system loads, nuclear capacities available, hydro conditions, and renewable generation. We find that profits are reduced by increases in generation from nuclear plants and wind farms, and are increased by increases in the natural-gas price and loads. Solar generation has a statistically insignificant effect, although this will likely change as solar energy increases its generation share in California's electricity market. Our findings support California's adopted resource adequacy program under which the state's load-serving entities may sign long-term bilateral contracts with generation developers to provide sufficient revenues to enable construction of new naturalgas- fired generation plants.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)29-57
    Number of pages29
    JournalEnergy Journal
    Volume37
    Issue number3
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2016

    Scopus Subject Areas

    • Economics and Econometrics
    • Energy(all)

    User-Defined Keywords

    • Natural-gas-fired generation
    • Profit effect
    • Resource adequacy
    • Revenue adequacy

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