In the light of advancing climate change and the anticipated scarcity of affordable fossil fuels, a transition towards more sustainable energy systems is vital to allow for the long-term sustainability of human wellbeing. Energy is a key sustainability issue, at the heart of the complex interactions of socioeconomic and biophysical systems. The overall aim of this study is to contribute to furthering the understanding of these systems interactions. It intends to deliver methodological insights on how to identify and appraise favourable energy futures in a changing and uncertain world. In order to cope with the complexity and uncertainty of future developments and with the plethora of partly contradictory social preferences, a participatory approach was combined with scenario development and the application of an appraisal tool that takes account of the multidimensionality of system interlinkages. In a case study for Austria, favourable renewable energy scenarios were developed in a participatory setting, involving key Austrian energy stakeholders. The scenario development consisted of two stages: first an exploratory stage with stakeholder engagement and second a modelling stage generating forecasting-type scenarios. Accordingly, the scenarios consist of a narrative part, the storyline, and a modelled, quantitative part. The application of Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) allowed the integration of multi-dimensional sustainability information (social, environmental, economic, and technological criteria) and the social preferences of the stakeholders into the appraisal of the energy scenarios. In the case study presented, five renewable energy scenarios for Austria for 2020 were compared against 17 sustainability criteria. The study illustrates how the combined use of participatory scenario building techniques and MCA acknowledges and integrates inherent complexity, irreducible uncertainty, multi-dimensionality, and, a multiplicity of legitimate perspectives in the appraisal. The main empirical result of the sustainability appraisal undertaken shows that, contrary to the current energy policy in Austria, a profoundly decentralised energy system (scenario E) and an innovative long-term investment strategy (scenario C) rank highest, whereas the renewable strategy based on biomass (scenario D), which represents the dominant political trajectory in Austria's renewable energy policy, ranks very low. The research demonstrates the integration of biophysical, social, economic, and, technological appraisal criteria, presents and discusses best practice criteria, and, illustrates the challenges and opportunities to incorporate bio-physical aspects into the concept of sociotechnical systems and their transitions in the light of a more sustainable development.

China's renewable energy (RE) sector is developing rapidly, driven by growing energy needs, increased awareness of climate change, and heightened concerns for environmental degradation caused by the country's industrialisation process over the past decades. The Chinese government has been dedicated to the development of its RE industry and has engaged extensively in drawing lessons from abroad and applying these lessons to its own experiences in the post transfer learning process to develop policies that have contributed to the development of the largest wind power sector in the world. This thesis provides a perspective of how China, a ‘socialist market economy', has applied primarily market mechanisms from liberalised market systems found in Western Europe and the United States to develop its domestic wind power sector. Having similar economic, political and cultural value systems is not necessarily a prerequisite to policy learning; rather policy objective compatibility is a more important criterion when drawing and transferring lessons. The objective of this thesis is to analyse how the policy learning from abroad, policy transfer and the post transfer process has influenced the development of wind power policies in China through the application of a framework to analyse the policies. The framework was specifically developed for this thesis and was largely based on policy learning and policy transfer concepts as well as general learning literature. Using the wind power policies in China as a case study, this thesis identifies elements of policy learning from abroad and examines how transferred policies have been applied in first level policies that are top-level coordinating policies (e.g. mid- to long-term strategies and frameworks) as well as second level policies, with specific objectives focusing on diffusion and adoption (e.g. renewable energy policy instruments). Overall, studying policy learning from abroad, policy transfer and the post transfer process contributes to understanding how learning across political boarders contributes to the domestic policy formation and implementation process.

Thesis. 1975. B.S.--Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning. / Bibliography: leaves 72-73. / by Carol J. Mancke. / B.S.

The aim of my thesis is to analyze the energy policy in Germany and its future development. There are many external and internal factors influencing the way how the energy policy is going to evolve. One of these factors is the common European energy policy. In order to cover its energy demand, EU is forced to establish a comprehensive energy policy on the European level. The increasing pressure caused by the combination of external and internal factors calls for better cooperation on this field. The key element of the future energy policy in EU will be the renewable sources of energy.

A criação e aplicação de uma política (ou conjunto de políticas) de incentivo à eficiência energética, composta por um conjunto harmônico e coeso de instrumentos adequados à realidade nacional, resultará em: 1) aumento da competitividade da indústria nacional; 2) expansão da oferta de energia a custo mínimo; e 3) avanços no sentido de aproximar a economia nacional de um modelo ambientalmente sustentável. Adicione-se a estes 3 pontos, que importa que se implantem políticas públicas de apoio à eficiência energética, pois, além da larga escala em que muitos dos investimentos em eficiência energética precisam ser coordenados, alguns destes forçosamente devem ser públicos por serem destinados a corrigir falhas de mercado. O conhecimento dos diversos instrumentos de políticas de incentivo à eficiência energética existentes propiciará às instâncias decisórias envolvidas melhores condições para a elaboração e implantação daqueles que se mostrarem mais necessários e eficazes para a realidade nacional. Devido a fatores econômicos e ambientais, diversos países implantaram, ao longo da História, políticas de apoio à eficiência energética. Cada uma destas políticas se valeu de algumas dentre diversas ferramentas, tais como a criação de normas regendo os desempenhos mínimos obrigatórios de equipamentos consumidores de energia, a criação de assimetrias de mercado que favoreçam economicamente a penetração de tecnologias, produtos e serviços energeticamente eficientes e a sinalização fiscal e tarifária no sentido do uso eficiente da energia por parte dos diversos setores consumidores, entre outras. Os países da OCDE (Organização para a Cooperação e Desenvolvimento Econômico) têm um amplo histórico de implantação de políticas de incentivo à eficiência energética. Isto se deve a diversos fatores, tais como a necessidade de reduzir a dependência de fontes externas de energia, problemas ambientais (dado que muito da geração nestes países é termoelétrica - problemas com poluentes gasosos, tais como os gases de efeito-estufa - ou nuclear - problemas com o manejo de resíduos radioativos) e a alta competitividade dos mercados globais (a melhoria contínua da eficiência energética dos processos produtivos é uma questão de desenvolvimento tecnológico com implicações na produtividade industrial destes países, sendo neles amplamente incentivada). Assim sendo, se estudou mais detalhadamente os instrumentos de políticas de incentivo à eficiência energética adotados por alguns países da OCDE que se caracterizam por elevados consumos energéticos, bem como os adotados por países da OCDE com culturas mais próximas da brasileira (Portugal e Espanha) e aqueles adotados por México e Chile (economias latino-americanas de porte significativo) e pelo próprio Brasil (para que se possa comparar os instrumentos estudados com aqueles que já se encontram em curso em território nacional). Os instrumentos adotados de modo conjunto pelos países da União Européia são apresentados em capítulo próprio, dada sua natureza única. Para fins de exeqüibilidade deste trabalho, foram analisados principalmente os instrumentos referentes à eficiência energética dos usos finais de energia elétrica e hidrocarbonetos. Na seqüência, estes programas e iniciativas são analisados de modo a se chegar a uma classificação dos mesmos por modo de operação. Finalmente, discorre-se sobre os elementos mais significativos dentro do espaço amostral estudado, elaborando-se assim uma base de dados que possa subsidiar a elaboração de uma política nacional de eficiência energética. / Setting up and enforcing a policy (or policies) fostering energy efficiency, comprising a harmonic and coherent tool-set appropriate to the Brazilian reality will bring: 1) better competitivity for our industry; 2) larger energy supplies at minimal costs; and 3) enhancing of Brazilian economy\'s environmental sustainability. Add up to this that establishment of public policies on energy efficiency is highly needed since, besides their requirements on large scale coordination of investments, many must be provided by government, for they are meant to overcome market failures. Knowing the diverse available instruments of energy efficiency fostering policies will give our decision makers better grounds on which to prepare, elaborate, enact and enforce those that turn out to be the best options for the country. Due to both environmental and economic concerns, many nations implemented a wide range of energy efficiency policies in the course of History. Each of those deployed some among many tools, such as the setting up of mandatory minimum efficiency performance standards for energy using equipment and appliances, the creation of market asymmetries financially favoring the uptake of energy efficient technologies, goods, and services and fiscal and taxing signals raising awareness of energy using sectors on efficient energy use, among others. OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) countries have a long history on enacting energy efficiency policies. This is due to several factors, such as the need to reduce dependence on external energy sources, environmental problems (since much of the power generation in those nations is thermo electrical - troubles with gaseous pollutants, such as greenhouse gases - or nuclear - troubles in handling nuclear wastes), and the fierce competition in the global market (continual enhancing of productive processes energy efficiency is a matter of technological development presenting strong implications in the industrial productivity of those countries, so they are highly supportive of it). Being things that way, we studied in greater detail the energy efficiency policies of some markedly energy intensive OECD countries, as well as those adopted by OECD countries featuring cultures more alike Brazilian culture (Portugal and Spain) and those adopted by Mexico and Chile (significant Latin-American economies) and Brazil itself, so one may compare the previously presented measures and programs to what is already in course here in Brazil in terms of energy efficiency policies. Instruments jointly deployed by European countries in the scope of the European Union and their Framework Programs are set apart in their own chapter in this thesis, due to their unique nature. To allow for a feasible survey, we restricted ourselves mostly to the analysis of instruments related to energy efficiency in the final uses of electric power and hydrocarbons. As a next step, those programs and initiatives are analyzed in order to assemble a table of categories by means of which they may be sorted by main operational characteristics. Finally, representative elements in this sampling space are described in some detail, assembling thus an initial database on which one may elaborate when bringing to light and enforcing a Brazilian policy on energy efficiency.

O sistema energético pode ser visto não apenas como uma restrição, mas também como uma oportunidade para o desenvolvimento produtivo de uma sociedade. Pela segunda ótica, o objetivo principal a ser perseguido é a da garantia do suprimento energético e da adequação das formas e fontes de energia aos usos finais demandados. Ao mesmo tempo, dentro do contexto global de preocupação com as mudanças climáticas, faz-se necessário conceber uma nova trajetória de desenvolvimento para o estado de São Paulo, mais moderna, com maior participação de fontes renováveis de energia, focada na diminuição da ntensidade energética, e mais voltada ao desenvolvimento tecnológico. Este trabalho procurou, então, mostrar que o estado de São Paulo já promoveu uma verdadeira transformação de sua matriz energética em termos da participação de energias renováveis, no entanto, que os paulistas ainda devem encarar outros desafios maiores como saber lidar com a tendência não declinante de sua intensidade energética nos últimos anos. Enfim, ao decompor o indicador de intensidade energética para o estado de São Paulo, buscou-se explicitar as possíveis causas de forma a observar se há um tradeoff aparente entre o uso de fontes energéticas renováveis e a estagnação dos valores da intensidade energética estadual. / The energy system can be understood not only as a constraint, but also as an opportunity for a society productive development. Taking the second approach, the main objective to be pursued is that of securing energy supply and adequacy of forms and sources of energy to the demanded end uses. At the same time, within the context of global concern about climate change, it is necessary to devise a new development path for the state of São Paulo, more modern, with a higher share of renewable energy sources, focused on reduction of energy intensity and more focused on technological development. This study sought to show, therefore, that the state of São Paulo has promoted a true transformation of its energy matrix in terms of the share of renewable energies. However, the state must still face other major challenges such as how to deal with its non-downward energy intensity trend in recent years. Finally, by decomposing the energy intensity indicator for the state of São Paulo, we sought to clarify the possible causes in order to observe whether there is an apparent tradeoff between the use of renewable energy sources and the stagnation of the state energy intensity values.

No Brasil, as liberalizações econômicas vivenciadas na última década do século XX abriram as portas de seus mercados de energia à competição e os colocaram sob tutela do Sistema Brasileiro de Defesa da Concorrência (SBDC). Com a Indústria Sucroalcooleira Brasileira (ISB) não foi diferente, e, após vinte anos de intensa regulamentação (sob a figura do Proálcool), este setor passou a estar exposto aos incentivos de mercados competitivos, entrando em uma rota de maturação marcada por diversas fusões e aquisições. O presente estudo tem como objetivo analisar as principais implicações em política antitruste de tal abertura e determinar o procedimento que deve ser adotado para a definição de Mercados Relevantes na ISB. Para isso, primeiro faz-se uma análise sob a ótica da Organização Industrial de sua cadeia industrial, com ênfase para os aspectos estratégicos que estão por trás das diversas fusões ocorridas no setor. Em seguida, analisa-se o efeito dinâmico que a introdução dos veículos flexfuel possui sobre o mercado de combustíveis líquidos, mostrando-se como um verdadeiro choque tecnológico. Por último, é adotada a metodologia sugerida pelo Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Econômica (CADE) e Federal Trade Comission (FTC) para a definição de Mercados Relevantes em casos de fusões horizontais, abordando o tema Consistência Temporal, importante fator a ser considerado dada a rápida expansão da participação de veículos flexfuel dentro da frota nacional de veículos leves. Com isso, espera-se contribuir para um procedimento que deve ser cada vez mais adotado pela autoridade antitruste brasileira e abordando um tema, Consistência Temporal, que pode aparecer em outros setores expostos a choques tecnológicos. / The process of economic liberalization undergone by Brazil in the last decade of the twentieth century had a significant impact on the functioning of energy markets, which became open to competition under the surveillance of the Brazilian System of Competition Policy (SBDC). The Brazilian Ethanol and Sugar Industry (ISB) did not constitute an exception to this. Thus, after twenty years of intense regulation by Proálcool, this sector started being exposed to the incentive schemes characterizing competitive markets, and entered a maturation route marked by several mergers and acquisitions. On the other hand, technological advancements also affected the recent history of ISB. In particular, the introduction of flexfuel vehicles constituted an important technological shock. The peculiar experience of the ISB provides interesting implications from an Industrial Organization perspective. In particular, considering the above-mentioned technological shock, something can be learnt as regards the importance of time consistency in defining Relevant Markets in sectors exposed to technological shocks. These aspects constitute the main focus of the present study, which is organized as follows. Firstly, the ISBs industrial chain and recent history will be appraised, under the perspective of Industrial Organization, with emphasis on the strategic aspects underlying the mergers that have occurred. Then, the technological shock and its dynamic effects on the liquid fuels market will be assessed. Finally, the methodology suggested by the Administrative Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Econômica (CADE) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for the definition of Relevant Markets in cases of horizontal mergers will be considered. The conclusion will be reached that, in sectors exposed to technological shocks such as the ISB time consistency issues should represent a major concern in relevant market definition.

This study was designed to determine whether Time, Newsweek and U.S. News & World Report news magazines expressed. opinions in their coverage of four topics concerning the 1979 energy crisis: United States government, OPEC, oil companies, and consumers. A content analysis of all stories in the three magazines from May to December 1979 indicated that Time was the most opinionated, U.S. News & World Report was second, and Newsweek was most neutral in coverage of the energy crisis. The percentage of article space allotted had no apparent effect upon the magazines' handling of those topics.

Thesis. 1978. M.C.P.--Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ROTCH. / Bibliography: leaves 110-113. / M.C.P.

Normative economic theory provides justification for at least partially centralized renewable energy provision due to the large, positive externalities associated with renewable energy production. However, the United States is one of the few countries without centralized renewable energy policy. Instead, the federal government actively chooses decentralized renewable energy provision by using fiscal transfers to support subnational renewable energy development. This dissertation explores why U.S. legislators choose decentralized renewable energy provision by asking two primary questions. First, what is the motivation for using federal fiscal transfers for decentralized renewable energy output considering what we know about positive spillovers and market failure associated with decentralized renewable energy production? Second, do fiscal transfers for decentralized renewable energy provision increase renewable energy production at the local level? The theoretical model proposed in Chapter Four posits why policymakers choose decentralized renewable energy provision. The chapter argues that the current political price associated with a specific policy issue affects legislators’ choices regarding good provision. I hypothesize that when the political price associated with vying for centralized good provision is high, legislators are incentivized to choose decentralized good provision. Chapter Five applies this theory to empirically evaluate the choice to decentralize renewable energy provision. The chapter examines whether the current political price of renewable energy policy affects the likelihood of a legislator proposing decentralized funding for renewable energy provision. I hypothesize that legislators will propose funding to support decentralized renewable energy development when the political price associated with renewable energy policies is high at a given time. The results show that when the political price of renewable energy policy is low, a policymaker is less likely to use grants to support renewable energy projects, finding support for the hypothesis. Chapter Six empirically evaluates the effectiveness of renewable energy grants at the local level to further understand the theoretical model proposed in Chapter Four. I hypothesize that receiving a renewable energy grant increases renewable energy output at the local level. The results support this hypothesis by showing that receiving a renewable energy grant is associated with significant and positive increases in solar energy production. These findings provide further insight into legislative decision-making and the role of renewable energy grants in renewable energy development in the U.S.