Investment decisions under uncertainty: CCS competing with green energy technologies

W. Rohlfs, R. Madlener

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articleAcademicpeer-review

17 Citations (Scopus)
39 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Investors in the electricity supply industry are spoilt for choice when considering capital-intensive investments in alternative power plants. Although such kind of decision-making problems can already be very complicated due to multiple financial risks, complexity rises further if there is the possibility that the investment can be postponed. This flexibility causes a so-called ‘value of waiting’ which is forfeited as soon as the investment is made (the “real option” is exercised). In our study with representative data for Europe/Germany, we use such a model in order to find the optimal investment decision in a situation where the electric utility has the choice between an IGCC power plant (with and without CCS), a combined gas and steam power plant with CCS, and an offshore wind farm. We compare the option value for the case that each technology is available individually, or in combination with other technologies. Finally, we consider the influence of subsidies for renewables, which can strongly promote the diffusion of renewable energy technologies and, therefore, reduce the value of CCS power plants.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)7029-7038
JournalEnergy procedia
Volume37
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2013
Externally publishedYes
Event11th International Conference on Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies, GHGT 2012 - Kyoto, Japan
Duration: 18 Nov 201222 Nov 2012
Conference number: 11

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