Do Iran’s buy-back service contracts lead to optimal production? The case of Soroosh and Nowrooz

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ghandi, Abbas; Lin, C.-Y. Cynthia

2012-01-01

We model the dynamically optimal oil production on Iran’s offshore Soroosh and Nowrooz fields, which have been developed by Shell Exploration through a buy-back service contract. In particular, we examine the National Iranian Oil Company’s (NIOC) actual and contractual oil production behavior and compare it to the production profile that would have been optimal under the conditions of the contract. We find that the contract’s production profile is different from optimal production profile for most discount rates, and that the NIOC’s actual behavior is inefficient—its production rates have not maximized profits. Because the NIOC’s objective is purported to be maximizing cumulative production instead of the present discounted value of the entire stream of profits, we also compare the NIOC’s behavior to the production profile that would maximize cumulative production. We find that even though what the contract dictates comes close to maximizing cumulative production, the NIOC has not been achieving its own objective of maximizing cumulative production. - Highlights: ► The NIOC’s production rates have not maximized profits. ► The contract’s production profile is inefficient for most discount rates. ► What the contract dictates comes close to maximizing cumulative production. ► The NIOC has not been maximizing cumulative production.

Impact of Open-Market Share Repurchases on Long-Term Stock Returns

OpenAIRE

Mohamed Albaity; Diana Syafiza Said

2016-01-01

After the Asian financial crisis in 1997, firms listed on Bursa Malaysia were allowed to repurchase their shares on the open market. The number of companies engaged in share buyback is increasing and has become a tool to stabilize price by signaling undervaluation of the share. However, studies on share buyback in Malaysia are limited to the price performance surrounding the buyback events. This study aims to fill this gap by examining long-run price performance after the actual share buyback...

An economic analysis

OpenAIRE

Brands, Birgit

2010-01-01

Share buy-backs evolved into a significant instrument of companies’ financial cash management. Compared to dividend distributions the taxation of domestic share buy-backs is considered to be favourable. The taxation of a cross-border share buy-back is subject to the regulations as applied by the tax regimes of the shareholder as well as of the repurchasing company. The ambiguous character of own shares leading to inconsistent legal treatment, the prevailing corporate tax system, the distincti...

A coordination theoretic model for three level supply chains using ...

Indian Academy of Sciences (India)

chain members decide their wholesale prices/price of product. ..... 'optimal with buyback contracts' is the new term buyback value realized which is ..... the level of optimality and robustness of a given strategy (Terzi & Cavalieri 2004).

Impact of Open-Market Share Repurchases on Long-Term Stock Returns

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Mohamed Albaity

2016-10-01

Full Text Available After the Asian financial crisis in 1997, firms listed on Bursa Malaysia were allowed to repurchase their shares on the open market. The number of companies engaged in share buyback is increasing and has become a tool to stabilize price by signaling undervaluation of the share. However, studies on share buyback in Malaysia are limited to the price performance surrounding the buyback events. This study aims to fill this gap by examining long-run price performance after the actual share buyback event over a sampling period of 2 years from 2009 to 2010 for Malaysian firms listed on FTSE Bursa Malaysia. There is no evidence to conclude that there exist long-term abnormal returns using the calendar-time portfolio approach that support the inefficient market hypothesis. On the contrary, buy-and-hold method was found to be significant supporting that the Malaysian stock market is semi-strong efficient.

U.S. Laws and Regulations Applicable to Imports from Nonmarket Economies Could be Improved.

Science.gov (United States)

1981-09-03

exchange, these enterprises sometimes seek to enter into countertrade , or barter, arrangements (generally a transaction in which a market economy... countertrade or buy-back arrangements. A representative of a company currently engaged in trading relationships and commercial negotiations with nonmarket...Europe (involving some amount of buy-back or countertrade ) is impaired as a consequence of the potentially disruptive effects of sec- tion 406. Their

Analysis on market deployment of photovoltaics in Japan by using energy system model MARKAL

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Endo, Eiichi; Ichinohe, Masayuki

2006-01-01

The purpose of this paper is to make clear the conditions which can achieve the target for PV capacity attaining goal of PV system sales price assuming carbon tax and buyback in Japan. Based on the results of analysis, under expected carbon tax, PV needs subsidy for a while even if we consider both avoided cost and Green Credit. For attaining the target in 2010, PV needs more expensive buyback than that at present. After 2010 necessary subsidy decreases gradually and it becomes unnecessary in 2030. Annual income of the expected carbon tax can sufficiently cover the estimated annual subsidy. (author)

Hydro-Quebec's buyback tariff

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Richard, J.C.

1992-01-01

Hydro-Quebec had an installed electric generation capacity of 25,682 MW in 1990, of which 23,927 MW was hydraulic. Of the 26 thermal power plants, 22 are in remote communities on islands or in the north part of the province. The utility's development plan predicts an annual growth in demand of 2.6% to reach ca 200 TWh in 2006; this demand would be reduced to ca 180 TWh by energy efficiency measures. To increase capacity, Hydro-Quebec can utilize the hydro generation potential of its large rivers, of which 18,000 MW is economically viable, and its small rivers. Of the 10,000 MW theoretical potential of the latter, a large fraction cannot be economically developed under existing conditions. The utility has a policy to purchase energy as a function of the price of fossil fuel. For wind energy, this price was 4.22 cents/kWh in 1991; this price will be increased annually according to the inflation index. In its isolated sites such as the Magdalen Islands, current costs of diesel-generated electricity are at least 5.5 cents/kWh. There are possibilities for installing wind plants in isolated regions but their automatic control systems need to be improved for achieving a larger utilization factor relative to diesel generation and their cost needs to be reduced. 1 tab

Achieving the economic potential for industrial cogeneration in Ontario: A financial perspective on electric utility policy

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Diemer, S.G.; Cain, S.R.

1993-01-01

The impact of private vs public ownership regimes on the magnitude of achievable industrial cogeneration capacity in Ontario is assessed. Estimates of technical and economic potential are presented for several industrial subsectors and heat demand categories, showing that nearly all of the technically feasible 7,600 MW is also economically efficient given a value of power of at least 4 cents/kWh in 1991 dollars. Using financial data and investment criteria specific to the two forms of ownership, the project evaluation model points to a significantly larger quantum of financial (achievable) potential with public rather than private development of industrial cogeneration. At avoided costs and associated buyback rates of 4 and 5 cents/kWh, the achievable cogeneration capacities are ca 2,400 and 7,600 MW under public ownership and 132 and 3,000 MW under private ownership. Ratepayer savings are significant: the full economic potential can be achieved through public ownership at a buyback rate of 5 cents/kWh; under private ownership, a comparable capacity requires a 6 cents buyback rate, reflecting additional ratepayer costs of nearly $600 million annually. 1 fig., 4 tabs

PENINGKATAN KINERJA INDUSTRI KECIL DAN MENENGAH MELALUI KONTRAK SUPPLY CHAIN

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Evi Yuliawati

2017-02-01

Full Text Available The contract is designed to manage the relationship between suppliers and retail. This coordination is needed in order to improve the performance of all actors in the supply chain including through savings in total cost. Small and Medium Industries (SMI/IKM, which maximizes to grow and evolve requires a culprit relationship management in order to compete in the marketplace. In this research, the implementation of buy-back contracts on IKMBatik Sidoarjo. The purpose of this study along with the purpose of implementation of the buy-back contracts is maximizing profits and their involved supply chain participants’ profits. This contract is done because IKM Batik Sidoarjo runs the mechanism where the retail is able to resell his or her goods amount at agreed price. The results showed that the implementation of the buy-back contracts for suppliers and retail on IKMBatik Sidoarjo are more profitable than ever before. This contract encourages retailers to buy products from suppliers in larger amounts at lower costs. Expectations of profit supplier, retail and supply chain increase along with the increase in the value of the repurchase.

Utility-cogenerator game for pricing power sales and wheeling fees

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kuwahata, Akeo; Asano, Hiroshi

1994-01-01

The authors studied an extensive game model of an electricity market where a cogenerator sells excess electricity to an electric utility or to an end user. They found that a buy-back system (the utility purchases cogenerated power) is as efficient as a cogenerator-customer wheeling system and that these two systems are more desirable than a monopoly system for the regulator. The buy-back rate should be equal to (LP bargaining solution) or less than (Nash bargaining solution) the marginal cost of the electric utility. They also conducted an analysis of a two-period electricity market in which they found that the cogenerator that can supply excess power during peak period obtains the market advantage

Consumer returns policies with endogenous deadline and supply chain coordination

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Xu, Lei; Li, Yongjian; Govindan, Kannan

2015-01-01

on consumers' behavior and the pricing and inventory policies of the retailer are systematically investigated. Moreover, based on the analysis of consumer return behavior on a traditional buy-back contract, we present a new differentiated buy-back contract, contingent on return deadline, to coordinate a supply......This paper considers returns policies under which consumers' valuation depends on the refund amount they receive and the length of time theymustwait after the item is returned. Consumers face an uncertain valuation before purchase, and the realization of that purchase's value occurs only after...... chain consisting of an upstream manufacturer and a downstream retailer. Finally, extensions on some specific behavioral factors such as moral hazard, inertia return, and external effect are investigated....

Coordinating a Supply Chain with Risk-Averse Agents under Demand and Consumer Returns Uncertainty

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Jian Liu

2013-01-01

Full Text Available This paper examines the optimal order decision in a supply chain when it faces uncertain demand and uncertain consumer returns. We build consumer returns model with decision-makers’ risk preference under mean-variance objective framework and discuss supply chain coordination problem under wholesale-price-only policy and the manufacturer’s buyback policy, respectively. We find that, with wholesale price policy, the supply chain cannot be coordinated whether the supply chain agents are risk-neutral or risk-averse. However, with buyback policy, the supply chain can be coordinated and the profit of the supply chain can be arbitrarily allocated between the manufacturer and the retailer. Through numerical examples, we illustrate the impact of stochastic consumer returns and the supply chain agents’ risk attitude on the optimal order decision.

Latvijas Gaze buyback likely to flop

Index Scriptorium Estoniae

2003-01-01

Veerandi Läti gaasifirma Latvijas Gaze omanik Itera kavatseb lähiajal lõpule viia üheksa protsendi Läti firma aktsiate müügi ettevõttele Gazprom. Gazprom'i kontrolli all on praegu 25 protsenti, Ruhrgas'il 28,66 ning E.ON Energie AG-l 18,06 protsenti Latvijas Gaze aktsiatest

Electric energy supply and non-utility generation: A comparative analysis of B.C. and Wisconsin

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Logan, J.A.

1993-01-01

The pricing policies and buyback rates (those concerned with purchase of non-utility generation, NUG) of British Columbia (BC) Hydro are examined along with their effectiveness in encouraging the efficient use and development of power. Specifically, the levels of self-generation within BC's pulp mills are examined as well as mill manager attitudes to increasing energy production. BC Hydro's encouragement of self-generation is determined by examining the ratio of the industrial rate for pulp mills to the utility's long-run marginal cost of power. BC Hydro's buyback policies are also examined to determine the level of encouragement they provide for increased self-generation. Comparisons are made with similar data, wherever possible, from utilities and pulp mills in Wisconsin. The comparison reveals similarities with respect to pulp mills' attitudes toward increasing self-generation capacity. A significant difference is noted in terms of the amount of pulp mill self-generation: Wisconsin mills generate substantially more of their own energy requirements than BC mills. Wisconsin utilities provided greater markup through their industrial rates, and also provided the greater encouragement for increased self-generation through their buyback policies. BC Hydro is the only utility that offered a load displacement policy, however. In summary, the policies and regulations of both BC and Wisconsin utilities have the potential to encourage greater industrial self-sufficiency and increased levels of self-generated power. Existing levels of encouragement are not determined solely by economic considerations but also reflect utility planning objectives. 97 refs., 3 figs., 20 tabs

77 FR 41754 - Fishing Capacity Reduction Program for the Southeast Alaska Purse Seine Salmon Fishery

Science.gov (United States)

2012-07-16

... Capacity Reduction Program for the Southeast Alaska Purse Seine Salmon Fishery AGENCY: National Marine... program in the Southeast Alaska purse seine salmon fishery. NMFS conducted a referendum to approve the..., Chief, Financial Services Division, NMFS, Attn: SE Alaska Purse Seine Salmon Buyback, 1315 East-West...

77 FR 12568 - Fishing Capacity Reduction Program for the Southeast Alaska Purse Seine Salmon Fishery

Science.gov (United States)

2012-03-01

... Capacity Reduction Program for the Southeast Alaska Purse Seine Salmon Fishery AGENCY: National Marine... Salmon Fishery. NMFS will hold a series of public meetings with Southeast Alaska purse seine salmon... to Paul Marx, Chief, Financial Services Division, NMFS, Attn: SE Alaska Purse Seine Salmon Buyback...

30 CFR 250.1202 - Liquid hydrocarbon measurement.

Science.gov (United States)

2010-07-01

... FMPs; Inclusion of production from additional structures; Meter updates which add buy-back gas meters... the API MPMS as incorporated by reference in 30 CFR 250.198, when obtaining net standard volume and... manufacturer; (ii) Meters operate within the manufacturer's specifications for maximum and minimum flow rate...

Armaments Cooperation in the Pacific Rim: An Evaluation Framework for the Selection of Cooperative Arrangements

Science.gov (United States)

1991-09-01

issuance or denial of arms export licenses. (19:21,31:19) COUNTERTRADE - Purchase of goods and services from the buyer country as a condition of the offset...Seller i will increasingly be required to provide creative financing; 6. Barter, countertrade , and buyback deals will become commonplace; 21 7

77 FR 19004 - Fishing Capacity Reduction Program for the Southeast Alaska Purse Seine Salmon Fishery

Science.gov (United States)

2012-03-29

... Capacity Reduction Program for the Southeast Alaska Purse Seine Salmon Fishery AGENCY: National Marine... Salmon Fishery. DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before 5 p.m. EST April 13, 2012. ADDRESSES: Send... Seine Salmon Buyback, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION...

Reforming Housing Finance

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Willemann, Søren; Svenstrup, Mikkel

2006-01-01

We investigate the effect of adding a distinct feature of the Danish mortgage market to the US market, namely a buyback option, which enables mortgagors to buy back their share of the mortgage-backed security at market price. Extending a standard referenced pricing-model, we find that the introdu...

7 CFR 20.6 - Submission of reports.

Science.gov (United States)

2010-01-01

... specified in paragraph (k) of this section, a report by marketing year on the applicable forms contained in... quantity of outstanding export sales from the previous report by country of destination. (ii) Quantity of... cancelled and quantity of buyback contracts made during the week. (v) Changes in destination during the week...

A Price Earnings Index for the Danish Stock Market

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Risager, Ole

2004-01-01

Price-earnings ratios are part of the toolkit that is used for assessing the valuation ofindividual firms on the stock market as well as the entire market itself. This paperpresents consistent P/E series for the liquid Danish shares adjusted for share buybacks.The results show that over the period...

Contract Coordination in Dual Sourcing Supply Chain under Supply Disruption Risk

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Tong Shu

2015-01-01

Full Text Available This paper explores a coordination model for a three-echelon supply chain including two different manufacturers, one distributer and one retailer via the combined option and back contracts. And one manufacturer provides the high wholesale price with low supply disruption risk and the other is completely the opposite. This differs from the previous supply chain coordination model. Firstly, supply disruption is added to the three-echelon supply chain. Secondly, considering the coordination of the supply chain, we deploy the combined option and back contracts which are seldom used in the previous study. Furthermore, it is interesting that supply disruption risk and buyback factor do not affect the distributor’s order quantity from the manufacturer who has low product price and unreliable operating ability, while the order quantity increases with the rise of option premium and option strike price. The distributor’s order quantity from the manufacturer, which has high product price and reliable operating ability, increases with the rise of supply disruption risk but decreases when the buyback factor, option premium, and option strike price decrease.

An Analysis of Second-Tier Arms Producing Countries’ Offset Policies: Technology Transfer and Defense Industrial Base Establishment

Science.gov (United States)

2008-03-01

stment, technology transfer, and countertrade , which entails barter, counter-purchase, and buyback. : those that ar ended. During the Cold War...overseas investment, technology transfer, and countertrade . Each of these areas is briefly described in the remainder of this section. 18 Co...and a foreign entity. 19 Countertrade . In addition to the types of offset defined above, various types of commercial countertrade arrangements

The value of supply chain coordination under moral hazard: A case study of the consumer product supply chain.

Science.gov (United States)

Lee, Yumi; Song, Sang Hwa; Cheong, Taesu

2018-01-01

In this paper, we examine a real-world case related to the consumer product supply chain to analyze the value of supply chain coordination under the condition of moral hazard. Because of the characteristics of a buyback contract scheme employed in the supply chain, the supplier company's sales department encourages retailers to order more inventory to meet their sales target, whereas retailers pay less attention to their inventory level and leftovers at the end of the season. This condition induces moral hazard problems in the operation of the supply chain, as suppliers suffer from huge returns of leftover inventory. This, in turn, is related to the obsolescence of returned inventory, even with penalty terms in the contract for the return of any leftovers. In this study, we show under the current buyback-based supply chain operation, the inventory levels of both the supplier and retailers exceed customer demand and develop vendor-managed inventory (VMI) system with base stock policy to remove any mismatch of supply and demand. A comparison of both systems shows that through the proper coordination of supply chain operations, both suppliers and retailers can gain additional benefits while providing proper services to end customers.

The value of supply chain coordination under moral hazard: A case study of the consumer product supply chain

Science.gov (United States)

Lee, Yumi; Song, Sang Hwa

2018-01-01

In this paper, we examine a real-world case related to the consumer product supply chain to analyze the value of supply chain coordination under the condition of moral hazard. Because of the characteristics of a buyback contract scheme employed in the supply chain, the supplier company’s sales department encourages retailers to order more inventory to meet their sales target, whereas retailers pay less attention to their inventory level and leftovers at the end of the season. This condition induces moral hazard problems in the operation of the supply chain, as suppliers suffer from huge returns of leftover inventory. This, in turn, is related to the obsolescence of returned inventory, even with penalty terms in the contract for the return of any leftovers. In this study, we show under the current buyback-based supply chain operation, the inventory levels of both the supplier and retailers exceed customer demand and develop vendor-managed inventory (VMI) system with base stock policy to remove any mismatch of supply and demand. A comparison of both systems shows that through the proper coordination of supply chain operations, both suppliers and retailers can gain additional benefits while providing proper services to end customers. PMID:29547625

Analisis Saham PT Indosat Tbk Terkait Rencana Buy Back Pemerintah

OpenAIRE

Abidin, A Zaenal

2015-01-01

.The study aims to analyze the value of buyback stock plan related to theacquisition of PT Indosat Tbk (ISAT). Counting reasonable price stock carried method Capital Asset Pricing Models (CAPM), Free Cash Flow to Equity (FCFE), Relative Valuation, and Gordon Growth Model. Under the CAPM method, FCFE, and Gordon Growth Model value of ISAT is undervalued. Based on Relative Valuation approach by comparison Telkom and XL Axiata ISAT values obtained is overvalued

Experiments on supply chain contracting: effects of contract type and fairness concerns

OpenAIRE

Arabacı, Özge; Arabaci, Ozge

2013-01-01

In this thesis, we conduct experiments with human decision makers on supply chain contracting. We consider a simple manufacturer-retailer supply chain scenario where the retailer faces the newsvendor problem. Building on Sahin and Kaya (2011), we compare the experimental performance of three contract types (wholesale price, buyback and revenue sharing contracts) between the firms with theoretical predictions, and among each other. We are interested in the manufacturer’s contract parameter dec...

Emerging Regional Energy Security Issues China

Science.gov (United States)

2009-09-29

moving toward European standards and taxation of least efficient vehicles www.csis.org | 7 China’s Energy Strategy - Clean Power Generation...Project Type of Contract Signature Date Estimated Value Contractor(s) Remarks Malaysian Amona (Main Contractor), Chinese COSL and CNOOC The first...infrastructure. List of Upstream Agreements Between Iran and China in Recent Years ** The original buyback contract w as signed betw een Malaysian Amona and

Setting a price for solar net-metering in California

OpenAIRE

Knezevic, Laura M

2014-01-01

Net-metering programs are an effective policy tool for promoting investment in solar photovoltaics, yet little attention has been paid to the rate at which excess energy generation is credited until recently. Like most States, California customers who participate in net-metering receive a credit for excess generation at the current retail rate for electricity. This buy-back rate does not take into account the value of solar energy to the utility or the costs to the customer of purchasing an...

Performance of renewable energy technologies in the energy-environmental-economic continuum

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Guthrie, B.M.; Birkenheier, T.L.

1993-01-01

Projected cost-performance data are used to calculate the Canadian commercial potential of selected renewable energy technologies to the year 2010. Based on projected market penetration, the extent to which renewable energy can contribute to environmental initiatives is also examined. The potential for renewable energy to contribute to the Canadian electricity supply is limited neither by the state of the technology nor the extent of the resource available. Barriers to acceptance of renewables include high initial capital costs, intermittent nature of much of the energy supply, land requirements, onerous requirements for environmental assessments and licensing, and lack of government policies which consider the externalities involved in new energy supply. Environmental benefits which will drive the adoption of renewables in Canada include the sustainable nature of renewable resources, low environmental impacts, and suitability for integrated resource planning. In addition, the cost performance of renewable technologies is improving rapidly. Under base-case scenarios, at current buyback rates, only small hydro and biomass of the five renewable technologies examined has significant commercial potential in Canada. At buyback rates that reflect currently projected avoided costs plus an additional 2 cents per kWh as an environmental premium, all five renewable technologies except for photovoltaics have appreciable commercial potential achievable by 2010. The quantity of electrical energy displaced under this latter scenario is estimated at 49 TWh/y, or 7% of the projected total generation in Canada. 2 figs., 2 tabs

Lessons for fisheries management from the EU cod recovery plan

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Kraak, S.B.M.; Bailey, N.; Cardinale, M.

2013-01-01

Member States to 'buy back' or increase fishing effort for fleet segments engaged in cod-avoidance measures. The stipulated fishing mortality reductions have not been achieved. On the positive side, the 'buy-back' instrument has led to increased uptake of selective gear and implementation of permanent...... in targeted fisheries, although fishers experienced them as prohibiting the full uptake of other quotas. Recommendations for future plans include (i) management through catch rather than landings quotas, (ii) the internalisation of the costs of exceeding quotas, (iii) use of more selective gear types, (iv...

Accrual of ROCs LECs and REGOs

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2005-07-01

This report summarises the findings of a project to identify the technical and administrative difficulties experienced by microgenerators in accessing the benefits of Renewables Obligation Certificates (ROCs), Levy Exemption Certificates (LECs) and Renewable Electricity Guarantees of Origin (REGO). These include cost, administrative complexity and financial risk. Changes allowing bulk processing, meter data provision, sell and buyback contracts, and alignment of ROCs, LECs and REGOs are discussed as well as making the schemes more customer friendly. The background to the project is traced, and an overview of the processes associated with gaining ROCs, LECs and REGOs is presented.

Investigating Appropriate Financing Methods in Collaborative Projects of Water and Wastewater with AHP Approach

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

V. Vosoughi

2017-10-01

Full Text Available A mix of public and private funding is employed worldwide to enable the construction of large public projects and even, in some cases, the work of public services. In this study, the selected methods of financing of participatory projects of water and water wastes were studied and prioritized. Questionnaires and comments of experts were used along with AHP decision-making and Expert Choice software. Different financing methods include: BOT and BOO and its types, the publication of bonds, foreign direct investment, the method of buyback, internal financing, current financing, development banks, Barter transactions, new tax resources and foreign financing. Results are shown and discussed and a final ranking is provided.

The role of business agreements in defining textbook affordability and digital materials: A document analysis

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

John Raible

2015-12-01

Full Text Available Adopting digital materials such as eTextbooks and e-coursepacks is a potential strategy to address textbook affordability in the United States. However, university business relationships with bookstore vendors implicitly structure which instructional resources are available and in what manner. In this study, a document analysis was conducted on the bookstore contracts for the universities included in the State University System of Florida. Namely, issues of textbook affordability, digital material terminology and seller exclusivity were investigated. It was found that textbook affordability was generally conceived in terms of print rental textbooks and buyback programs, and that eTextbooks were priced higher than print textbooks (25% to 30% markup. Implications and recommendations for change are shared. DOI: 10.18870/hlrc.v5i4.284

Pricing and ordering decisions of two competing supply chains with different composite policies

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Taleizadeh, Ata Allah; Noori-Daryan, Mahsa; Govindan, Kannan

2016-01-01

In todays global highly competitive markets, competition happens among supply chains instead of companies, as the members of supply chains. So, the partners of the chains seek to apply efficient coordinating strategies like discount, return, refund, buyback, or the other coordinating policies...... to abate the operation costs of the chains and subsequently increase market shares. Hence, because of the importance and application of these strategies in the current non-exclusive markets, in this study, we introduce different composite coordinating strategies to enhance the coordination of the supply...... chains. Here, we consider two competing supply chains where both chains launch the same product under different brands to the market by applying different composite coordinating strategies. Each supply chain comprises one manufacturer and a group of non-competing retailers where the manufacturer receives...

Coordinating a Supply Chain with a Loss-Averse Retailer under Yield and Demand Uncertainties

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Weiwei Luo

2016-01-01

Full Text Available This paper investigates the channel coordination of a supply chain (SC consisting of a loss-averse retailer and a risk-neutral supplier under yield and demand uncertainties. Three existing contracts are analyzed. Our results demonstrate that the buyback (BB and quantity flexibility (QF contracts can not only coordinate the supply chain but also lead to Pareto improvement for each player, while the wholesale price (WP contract fails to coordinate the chain due to the effects of double marginalization and risk preference. For comparison, a chain with a risk-neutral retailer is also analyzed. Furthermore, numerical examples are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the coordination contracts, and the impacts of loss aversion and random yield on the decision-making behaviors and system performance are then discussed.

Nigerian oil: the case for countertrade

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Idemudia, T.; Abudl-Malik, M.A.

1986-02-01

The offshore petroleum processing arrangement between Nigeria and some Latin American and European countries is a form of barter, or counter trade. Other forms of countertrade are counter-purchase, compensation (or product buyback), offset, clearing agreements, and performance requirements. The growth in reciprocal product exchanges reflects its attractiveness as a way to generate revenue or maximize market share when a country has problems competing. Nigeria's decision to engage in oil countertrade is a result of a liquidity crisis since 1981 caused by debts and diminished capital at a time when oil revenues were declining. Criticism of Nigeria's countertrade agreements focuses on their use for consumer goods at inflated prices and their adverse impact on market stability. Proponents argue that they maintain a standard of living and ensure that oil can be sold and generate revenue. 2 figures, 2 tables.

Assessment of Urban Pluvial Flood Risk and Efficiency of Adaptation Options Through Simulations – A New Generation of Urban Planning Tools

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Löwe, Roland; Urich, Christian; Sto. Domingo, Niña Donna Farpale

2017-01-01

the possibility to systematically test various flood risk adaptation measures ranging from large infrastructure changes over decentralised water management to urban planning policies. We have tested the framework in a case study in Melbourne, Australia considering 9 scenarios for urban development and climate......-off investments. Urban planning policies proved to be an efficient means for the reduction of flood risk, while implementing property buyback and pipe increases in a guideline-oriented manner was too costly. Random variations in location and time point of urban development could have significant impact on flood......We present a new framework for flexible testing of flood risk adaptation strategies in a variety of urban development and climate scenarios. This framework couples the 1D-2D hydrodynamic simulation package MIKE FLOOD with the agent-based urban development model DAnCE4Water and provides...

History of, and recent progress in, wind-energy utilization

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Soerensen, B.

1995-01-01

This review presents the current status of wind turbine technology and recent advances in understanding the long history of wind energy. Reasons for the convergence of technologies solutions towards a horizontal axis concept with two or three blades are discussed, and the advances in materials science are identified as determinants of the change toward increasing optimum turbine size. The modest environmental impacts of wind turbines are illustrated by recent life-cycle analyses, and the economic incentive structure and power buy-back rates in different countries are invoked to explain the variation in wind technology penetration in countries with similar resource potentials. Finally, the possible future role of wind technology is discussed, based on resource estimates, competing land demands, government commitments and technological trends, including the recent offshore wind farm developments. 83 refs., 15 figs., 6 tabs

Financial incentives to promote renewable energy systems in European electricity markets: a survey

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Haas, R.; Huber, C.; Wohlgemuth, N.

2001-01-01

Renewable energy systems may contribute to sustainable development. Therefore, one of the challenges for energy policy is to ensure that renewable energy options have a fair opportunity to compete with other supply resources. This paper presents a survey on promotion mechanisms to enhance the market penetration of renewable energies in European electricity markets. Strategies include rebates and tax incentives, regulated rates, system benefit charges, bidding-oriented mechanisms and various types of green pricing programs. The paper concludes that efficient promotion mechanisms should focus on incentives per kWh generated rather than on rebates on the investment in generating capacity (kW), and that there is no one single program type which has the best application to the promotion of all renewable technologies. For example, enhanced buy-back rates work as a dissemination strategy for wind energy but they do not work for photovoltaics. (author)

Canadian wind energy technical and market potential

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Templin, R.J.; Rangli, R.S.

1992-01-01

The current status of wind energy technology in Canada is reviewed, the technical potential of wind energy in Canada is estimated, and the economic market potential is assessed under several scenarios over about the next 25 years. The technical potential is seen to be large, with applications to water pumping on farms, the coupling of wind turbines to diesel-electric systems in remote communities where fuel costs are high, and the supply of electricity to main power grids. The main-grid application has greatest technical potential, but it cannot be economically exploited under the present utility buyback rate structure for intermittent power sources. A change in government policy toward market development of renewable energy sources, such as is already taking place in several European countries, would greatly increase market potential, decrease emissions of CO 2 and SO 2 , and benefit the Canadian wind energy industry. 2 figs., 1 tab

The age of markets: low oil and gas prices and the new competition for investment capital

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Morse, Edward L.

1998-01-01

This paper focuses on Iran's re-entry into the market for upstream capital to obtain the investment required to maintain current production capacity, the creation of a special contract to attract foreign investment, the impact of the US sanctions, and deals resulting from the opening-up of some offshore resources with buy-back contracts. The effects of the downturn in oil markets on Tehran's cash flow as well as foreign contractors' cash flow are reviewed, and the main concerns of the industry over the too short terms of the contract, the refusal of Iran to allow oil companies to book reserves, and the guaranteed rate of return are examined. The re-opening of Kuwait which does allow contractors to book reserves, the threat posed by Saudi Arabia if it reopens its hydrocarbon sector to foreign investment, and the potential difficulty for Iran to meet its expanded production targets are considered

Integrated design and evaluation of biomass energy system taking into consideration demand side characteristics

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ren, Hongbo; Zhou, Weisheng; Nakagami, Ken'ichi; Gao, Weijun

2010-01-01

In this paper, a linear programming model has been developed for the design and evaluation of biomass energy system, while taking into consideration demand side characteristics. The objective function to be minimized is the total annual cost of the energy system for a given customer equipped with a biomass combined cooling, heating and power (CCHP) plant, as well as a backup boiler fueled by city gas. The results obtained from the implementation of the model demonstrate the optimal system capacities that customers could employ given their electrical and thermal demands. As an illustrative example, an investigation addresses the optimal biomass CCHP system for a residential area located in Kitakyushu Science and Research Park, Japan. In addition, sensitivity analyses have been elaborated in order to show how the optimal solutions would vary due to changes of some key parameters including electricity and city gas tariffs, biogas price, electricity buy-back price, as well as carbon tax rate. (author)

Coordinating a Supply Chain with a Loss-Averse Retailer and Effort Dependent Demand

Science.gov (United States)

Li, Liying

2014-01-01

This study investigates the channel coordination issue of a supply chain with a risk-neutral manufacturer and a loss-averse retailer facing stochastic demand that is sensitive to sales effort. Under the loss-averse newsvendor setting, a distribution-free gain/loss-sharing-and-buyback (GLB) contract has been shown to be able to coordinate the supply chain. However, we find that a GLB contract remains ineffective in managing the supply chain when retailer sales efforts influence the demand. To effectively coordinate the channel, we propose to combine a GLB contract with sales rebate and penalty (SRP) contract. In addition, we discover a special class of gain/loss contracts that can coordinate the supply chain and arbitrarily allocate the expected supply chain profit between the manufacturer and the retailer. We then analyze the effect of loss aversion on the retailer's decision-making behavior and supply chain performance. Finally, we perform a numerical study to illustrate the findings and gain additional insights. PMID:25197696

Multi-Objective Optimization for Smart House Applied Real Time Pricing Systems

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Yasuaki Miyazato

2016-12-01

Full Text Available A smart house generally has a Photovoltaic panel (PV, a Heat Pump (HP, a Solar Collector (SC and a fixed battery. Since the fixed battery can buy and store inexpensive electricity during the night, the electricity bill can be reduced. However, a large capacity fixed battery is very expensive. Therefore, there is a need to determine the economic capacity of fixed battery. Furthermore, surplus electric power can be sold using a buyback program. By this program, PV can be effectively utilized and contribute to the reduction of the electricity bill. With this in mind, this research proposes a multi-objective optimization, the purpose of which is electric demand control and reduction of the electricity bill in the smart house. In this optimal problem, the Pareto optimal solutions are searched depending on the fixed battery capacity. Additionally, it is shown that consumers can choose what suits them by comparing the Pareto optimal solutions.

Coordinating a supply chain with a loss-averse retailer and effort dependent demand.

Science.gov (United States)

Li, Liying; Wang, Yong

2014-01-01

This study investigates the channel coordination issue of a supply chain with a risk-neutral manufacturer and a loss-averse retailer facing stochastic demand that is sensitive to sales effort. Under the loss-averse newsvendor setting, a distribution-free gain/loss-sharing-and-buyback (GLB) contract has been shown to be able to coordinate the supply chain. However, we find that a GLB contract remains ineffective in managing the supply chain when retailer sales efforts influence the demand. To effectively coordinate the channel, we propose to combine a GLB contract with sales rebate and penalty (SRP) contract. In addition, we discover a special class of gain/loss contracts that can coordinate the supply chain and arbitrarily allocate the expected supply chain profit between the manufacturer and the retailer. We then analyze the effect of loss aversion on the retailer's decision-making behavior and supply chain performance. Finally, we perform a numerical study to illustrate the findings and gain additional insights.

Weak Tests and Strong Conclusions: A Re-Analysis of Gun Deaths and the Australian Firearms Buyback

OpenAIRE

Christine Neill; Andrew Leigh

2007-01-01

Using time series analysis on data from 1979-2004, Baker and McPhedran (2006) argue that the stricter gun laws introduced in the National Firearms Agreement (NFA) post- 1996 did not affect firearm homicide rates, and may not have had an impact on the rate of gun suicide or accidental death by shooting. We revisit their analysis, and find that their results are not robust to: (a) using a longer time series; or (b) using the log of the rate rather than the level (to take account of the fact tha...

The Effect Of Atributes Product’s Analysis, Halal Certification, And Product Innovation To The Interest Of Consumer Buying-Back Through The Advantage Competitive Of Micro Small And Medium Business (MSMB) In Medan

Science.gov (United States)

Aditi, Bunga

2017-12-01

This research is done to know and analyzing the effect of attribute, halal certification product, and product innovation on the competitiveness of Micro Small and Medium Business in Medan, knowing and analyzing the effect of product attribute, halal certification, and product innovation to consumer buying surge. The type of research used is explanatory research with quantitative approach. The population in this study is the community as consumers who are in the area of Medan province of North Sumatera. Total sample of 150 people. Sampling method which use an accidental sampling is the technique of determining samples by chance, example: consumers whomeets with researcher coincidentally can be sampled if the consumer is appropriate or suitable as a source of data. This research uses the method of Structural Equation Modeling analysis. The mainting of this research is showed that product attributes, halal certification, and product innovation had a positive and significant impact on competitive advantage which impact on consumer buy-back (surge) interest. The advantage competitive has affects consumer buying surge interest positively. Keywords: Product attributes, halal certification, product innovation, competitive advantage, consumer buying interest

Intermediate Photovoltaic System Application Experiment. Oklahoma Center for Science and Arts. Phase II. Final report

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

1984-01-01

This report presents the key results of the Phase II efforts for the Intermediate PV System Applications Experiment at the Oklahoma Center for Science and Arts (OCSA). This phase of the project involved fabrication, installation and integration of a nominal 140 kW flat panel PV system made up of large, square polycrystalline-silicon solar cell modules, each nominally 61 cm x 122 cm in size. The output of the PV modules, supplied by Solarex Corporation, was augmented, 1.35 to 1 at peak, by a row of glass reflectors, appropriately tilted northward. The PV system interfaces with the Oklahoma Gas and Electric Utility at the OCSA main switchgear. Any excess power generated by the system is fed into the utility under a one to one buyback arrangement. Except for a shortfall in the system output, presently suspected to be due to the poor performance of the modules, no serious problems were encountered. Certain value engineering changes implemented during construction and early operational failure events associated with the power conditioning system are also described. The system is currently undergoing extended testing and evaluation.

Negotiating a deal in Iraq

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Fletcher, J.E.

2002-01-01

The legal and diplomatic environment surrounding oil production negotiations in Iraq was discussed with reference to the essential terms generally negotiated for upstream contracts between oil companies and the Iraqi Ministry of Oil. Legal considerations were discussed for the following upstream contracts: production sharing contracts, a risk service contract, a modified buy-back contract, a technical service contract, and a joint venture company. It was noted that negotiations in Iraq require a great amount of diplomacy as projects are very high profile and attract significant international attention. Information sharing is critical in gaining valuable government support. The main problem for interested investors in Iraq is predicting when the UN sanctions will be lifted. Once lifted, the Ministry of Oil's Development Plan is to increase oil production through the co-operative assistance of foreign oil companies. While the sanctions remain in place, Iraq is allowed to sell oil on a renewable basis every 6 months under the oil-for-food programme, which permits Iraq to spend US$600 million every 6 months for spare parts to upgrade its oil industry. 9 figs

Effect of Inspection Policies and Residual Value of Collected Used Products: A Mathematical Model and Genetic Algorithm for a Closed-Loop Green Manufacturing System

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Byung Duk Song

2017-09-01

Full Text Available In the green manufacturing system that pursues the reuse of used products, the residual value of collected used products (CUP hugely affects a variety of managerial decisions to construct profitable and environmental remanufacturing plans. This paper deals with a closed-loop green manufacturing system for companies which perform both manufacturing with raw materials and remanufacturing with collected used products (CUP. The amount of CUP is assumed as a function of buy-back cost while the quality level of CUP, which means the residual value, follows a known distribution. In addition, the remanufacturing cost can differ according to the quality of the CUP. Moreover, nowadays companies are subject to existing environment-related laws such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR. Therefore, a company should collect more used products than its obligatory take-back quota or face fines from the government for not meeting its quota. Through the development of mathematical models, two kinds of inspection policies are examined to validate the efficiency of two different operation processes. To find a managerial solution, a genetic algorithm is proposed and tested with numerical examples.

The financial viability of an SOFC cogeneration system in single-family dwellings

Science.gov (United States)

Alanne, Kari; Saari, Arto; Ugursal, V. Ismet; Good, Joel

In the near future, fuel cell-based residential micro-CHP systems will compete with traditional methods of energy supply. A micro-CHP system may be considered viable if its incremental capital cost compared to its competitors equals to cumulated savings during a given period of time. A simplified model is developed in this study to estimate the operation of a residential solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system. A comparative assessment of the SOFC system vis-à-vis heating systems based on gas, oil and electricity is conducted using the simplified model for a single-family house located in Ottawa and Vancouver. The energy consumption of the house is estimated using the HOT2000 building simulation program. A financial analysis is carried out to evaluate the sensitivity of the maximum allowable capital cost with respect to system sizing, acceptable payback period, energy price and the electricity buyback strategy of an energy utility. Based on the financial analysis, small (1-2 kW e) SOFC systems seem to be feasible in the considered case. The present study shows also that an SOFC system is especially an alternative to heating systems based on oil and electrical furnaces.

Triple Recycling Channel Strategies for Remanufacturing of Construction Machinery in a Retailer-Dominated Closed-Loop Supply Chain

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Min Huang

2017-12-01

Full Text Available Firms engaged in remanufacturing activities generally adopt more than one recycling channel to collect more used products and gain more profits. This paper explores the optimal strategies for a retailer-dominated closed-loop supply chain (CLSC with a triple recycling channel in the construction machinery remanufacturing context. In this special system, the retailer is the leader and authorized by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM to remanufacture. Moreover, the OEM, the retailer, and the secondary market all take part in the used products collection activities. Considering the differentiation of the OEM, the retailer, and the secondary market in collecting the used construction machinery, a mathematical model of the CLSC system based on reasonable assumptions is built, the closed-form optimal pricing decisions are derived, and the optimal collection efforts allocation strategies are explored within the framework of the game theory. In addition, the impacts of the reverse logistics cost coefficient, the competing coefficient, and the buy-back price coefficient on the supply chain performance are elaborately analyzed. These achievements provide decision makers with managerial insights and offer efficient guidelines for the construction machinery remanufacturing firms to solve similar puzzles.

Progress report on the promotion and use of renewable energy sources. 1. report. Implementation of article 22 of European Union Directive 2009/28/EEC

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2011-12-01

, non-food cellulose material and lignocellulose material; 9. 9.Estimated incidence of biofuel production from bio-liquids on biodiversity, water resources, water quality and soil quality over the past 2 years; 10. Estimated net reductions of greenhouse gas emissions achieved thanks to the use of renewable energy sources; 11. Values and estimates for the surplus or deficit production of renewable energy, compared with the indicative trajectory. indicative; 11.1. Detailed statistical transfers, joint projects and decision-making arrangements for joint support schemes; 12. Information on how to assess the share of biodegradable waste in all waste used for energy production, including measures adopted towards improving and verifying these estimates production energy, including measures adopted towards improving and verifying these estimates; 13. Specific points for the first progress report [article 22, paragraph 3, points a) to c)]; Annex 1 - Summary table of buyback rates for electricity produced from renewable sources, and buyback rates for biomethane injected into natural gas networks; Annex 2 - Review of measures implemented

Doubs Electricity. Hydroelectric use of water from the sewage treatment plant and the street drains of the city of La Chaux-de-Fonds. Technical report; Courant Doubs. Turbinage des eaux epurees de la ville de La Chaux-de-Fonds. Rapport technique

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Rueetschi, M.

2008-07-01

The exploitation of municipal purified sewage and drain waters of the city of La Chaux-de-Fonds for energy production requires complex and varied developments, in the domains of both civil engineering, and hydraulic equipment; this explains why, beyond some generic investigations, this source of energy has not been exploited so far. In fact, the purified water must first be pumped uphill over a little summit, before its hydraulic energy can be exploited downhill to the Doubs River. A number of engineering works in sequence must be achieved, beyond installing the electro-mechanic turbine device. The key data in this project are the following: (i) nominal electric power: 1532 kW (excluding pumping power requirement of about 400 kW); (ii) net hydraulic head: 380 m (excluding preliminary pumping height of 65 m); (iii) annual production: 4,178,830 kWh/yr (net of energy requirement for pumping); (iv) cost price: 0.13 CHF/kWh. The planned exploitation mode gives priority to the exploitation at the times of peak electricity demand, by the construction of a retention basin. This cost price is significantly lower in comparison to the other renewable energy technologies available in Switzerland. Chances of achievement are excellent; one electric utility has already expressed its interest in project buyback, in view of a short-term execution.

Utilizing a programmatic focus on energy efficiency and customer feedback to improve the effectiveness of demand side management

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Smith, S.; Tharp, A.

2006-01-01

A project to encourage effective demand side management (DSM) programs through price-responsive load management was presented. The project was conducted through literature searches, surveys of utility programs and interviews with experts. National security, environmental awareness and economic factors were identified as the primary drivers for DSM. A overview of DSM strategies included details of: price responsive programs; power buyback; direct load control; and conservation-based rebates. Target sectors for DSM programs were divided into 4 sectors: (1) residential; (2) agricultural; (3) commercial/industrial; and (4) institutional. A customer decision cycle for DSM was presented, and various programs were evaluated. A comparison between DR and energy efficiency programs in the United States suggested that an increased focus on energy efficiency will benefit DR programs. However, perception of risk due to pricing exposure and the potential for loss of comfort are significant barriers to effective DSM. Studies have shown that DSM is most effective when participants receive direct feedback on consumption. Simple mechanisms for alerting participants of peak periods were recommended, as well as disaggregation tools to highlight areas of high energy usage and spotlight corrective measures. National and regional coordination of DSM activities was also recommended. It was concluded that DSM programs are successful when both customers and suppliers have an equal stake in their success. refs., tabs., figs

Doubs Electricity. Hydroelectric use of water from the sewage treatment plant and the street drains of the city of La Chaux-de-Fonds. Technical report

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Rueetschi, M.

2008-01-01

The exploitation of municipal purified sewage and drain waters of the city of La Chaux-de-Fonds for energy production requires complex and varied developments, in the domains of both civil engineering, and hydraulic equipment; this explains why, beyond some generic investigations, this source of energy has not been exploited so far. In fact, the purified water must first be pumped uphill over a little summit, before its hydraulic energy can be exploited downhill to the Doubs River. A number of engineering works in sequence must be achieved, beyond installing the electro-mechanic turbine device. The key data in this project are the following: (i) nominal electric power: 1532 kW (excluding pumping power requirement of about 400 kW); (ii) net hydraulic head: 380 m (excluding preliminary pumping height of 65 m); (iii) annual production: 4,178,830 kWh/yr (net of energy requirement for pumping); (iv) cost price: 0.13 CHF/kWh. The planned exploitation mode gives priority to the exploitation at the times of peak electricity demand, by the construction of a retention basin. This cost price is significantly lower in comparison to the other renewable energy technologies available in Switzerland. Chances of achievement are excellent; one electric utility has already expressed its interest in project buyback, in view of a short-term execution.

Assessment of urban pluvial flood risk and efficiency of adaptation options through simulations - A new generation of urban planning tools

Science.gov (United States)

Löwe, Roland; Urich, Christian; Sto. Domingo, Nina; Mark, Ole; Deletic, Ana; Arnbjerg-Nielsen, Karsten

2017-07-01

We present a new framework for flexible testing of flood risk adaptation strategies in a variety of urban development and climate scenarios. This framework couples the 1D-2D hydrodynamic simulation package MIKE FLOOD with the agent-based urban development model DAnCE4Water and provides the possibility to systematically test various flood risk adaptation measures ranging from large infrastructure changes over decentralised water management to urban planning policies. We have tested the framework in a case study in Melbourne, Australia considering 9 scenarios for urban development and climate and 32 potential combinations of flood adaptation measures. We found that the performance of adaptation measures strongly depended on the considered climate and urban development scenario and the other implementation measures implemented, suggesting that adaptive strategies are preferable over one-off investments. Urban planning policies proved to be an efficient means for the reduction of flood risk, while implementing property buyback and pipe increases in a guideline-oriented manner was too costly. Random variations in location and time point of urban development could have significant impact on flood risk and would in some cases outweigh the benefits of less efficient adaptation strategies. The results of our setup can serve as an input for robust decision making frameworks and thus support the identification of flood risk adaptation measures that are economically efficient and robust to variations of climate and urban layout.

A Closed-Loop Supply Chain with Competitive Dual Collection Channel under Asymmetric Information and Reward–Penalty Mechanism

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Wenbin Wang

2018-06-01

Full Text Available We investigate a closed-loop supply chain (CLSC where the retailer and the third-party recycler compete against each other to collect waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE given that collection effort is their private information. Using the principle-agent theory, we develop a CLSC model with dual collection channel without the government’s reward–penalty mechanism (RPM. An information screening contract is designed for the manufacturer to attain real information on collection effort levels; meanwhile, the optimal decision-making results of other decision variables are derived. Next, we take RPM into account to further examine the efficacy of the government’s guidance mechanism in improving collection rate and profits of CLSC members. Our results indicate that (i the collection competition reduces the total collection quantity and the expected profits of all the CLSC members without RPM; (ii all CLSC members’ expected profits are improved if both two collection agents select a high collection effort level without and with RPM; (iii RPM increases buyback price, collection price, collection quantity, and franchise fee but decreases wholesale price and retail price; with the reward–penalty intensity increasing, the manufacturer’s expected profit first decreases and then increases, while the expected profits of H-type retailer and H-type third-party recycler continue to increase. We find that RPM may ultimately stimulate the collection agents to collect more WEEEs, while the intense collection competition reduces the profits of CLSC members.

Association Between Gun Law Reforms and Intentional Firearm Deaths in Australia, 1979-2013.

Science.gov (United States)

Chapman, Simon; Alpers, Philip; Jones, Michael

2016-07-19

Rapid-fire weapons are often used by perpetrators in mass shooting incidents. In 1996 Australia introduced major gun law reforms that included a ban on semiautomatic rifles and pump-action shotguns and rifles and also initiated a program for buyback of firearms. To determine whether enactment of the 1996 gun laws and buyback program were followed by changes in the incidence of mass firearm homicides and total firearm deaths. Observational study using Australian government statistics on deaths caused by firearms (1979-2013) and news reports of mass shootings in Australia (1979-May 2016). Changes in intentional firearm death rates were analyzed with negative binomial regression, and data on firearm-related mass killings were compared. Implementation of major national gun law reforms. Changes in mass fatal shooting incidents (defined as ≥5 victims, not including the perpetrator) and in trends of rates of total firearm deaths, firearm homicides and suicides, and total homicides and suicides per 100,000 population. From 1979-1996 (before gun law reforms), 13 fatal mass shootings occurred in Australia, whereas from 1997 through May 2016 (after gun law reforms), no fatal mass shootings occurred. There was also significant change in the preexisting downward trends for rates of total firearm deaths prior to vs after gun law reform. From 1979-1996, the mean rate of total firearm deaths was 3.6 (95% CI, 3.3-3.9) per 100,000 population (average decline of 3% per year; annual trend, 0.970; 95% CI, 0.963-0.976), whereas from 1997-2013 (after gun law reforms), the mean rate of total firearm deaths was 1.2 (95% CI, 1.0-1.4) per 100,000 population (average decline of 4.9% per year; annual trend, 0.951; 95% CI, 0.940-0.962), with a ratio of trends in annual death rates of 0.981 (95% CI, 0.968-0.993). There was a statistically significant acceleration in the preexisting downward trend for firearm suicide (ratio of trends, 0.981; 95% CI, 0.970-0.993), but this was not statistically

Opportunity for peri-urban Perth groundwater trade

Science.gov (United States)

Gao, Lei; Connor, Jeff; Doble, Rebecca; Ali, Riasat; McFarlane, Don

2013-07-01

Groundwater trade is widely advocated for reallocating scarce groundwater resources between competing users, and managing over-allocated and declining aquifers. However, groundwater markets are still in their infancy, and the potential benefits and opportunities need investigation, particularly where there is a need to reduce the extraction from declining aquifers. This article evaluates economic impacts of reducing groundwater extraction for irrigation use in peri-urban Perth, Australia, where irrigation, a lake-based ecosystem, and public water supply are highly dependent on a declining groundwater resource. We present an assessment of market-based water trading approaches to reduce groundwater extraction with an economic model representing diversity in returns to groundwater use across a population of irrigators. The results indicate that potential economic costs of a proportional reduction in available groundwater for irrigation are 18-21% less if groundwater trade is possible. We also evaluate a water buyback from irrigation to provide public water supply as an alternative to new infrastructure. We find that buying back up to around 50% of current irrigation allocations could create new public water supply only at the cost of 0.32-0.39 million per GL, which is less than one fifth of the costs of new desalinisation or recycled water supply options (2-3 million per GL). We conclude that, with rapid development of computer and internet based trading platforms that allows fast, efficient and low cost multiple party trading, it is increasingly feasible to realise the economic potentials of market-based trade approaches for managing overexploited aquifers.

Assessment of on-farm anaerobic digester grid interconnections

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ruhnke, W.

2006-01-01

While several anaerobic digestion (AD) pilot plants have recently been built in Canada, early reports suggest that interconnection barriers are delaying their widescale implementation. This paper examined grid interconnection experiences from the perspectives of farmers, local distributing companies (LDCs) and other stakeholders. The aim of the paper was to identify challenges to the implementation of AD systems. Case studies included an Ontario Dairy Herd AD system generating 50 kW; a Saskatchewan hog farm AD system generating 120 kW and an Alberta outdoor beef feedlot AD system generating 1000 kW. Two survey forms were created for project operators, and LDCs. The following 3 category barriers were identified: (1) technical concerns over islanding conditions, power quality requirements, power flow studies and other engineering analyses; (2) business practices barriers such as a lack of response after initial utility contact; and (3) regulatory barriers including the unavailability of fair buy-back rates, the lack of net metering programs, restrictive net metering programs, and pricing issues. It was suggested that collaborative efforts among all stakeholders are needed to resolve barriers quickly. Recommendations included the adoption of uniform technical standards for connecting generators to the grid, as well as adopting standard commercial practices for any required LDC interconnection review. It was also suggested that standard business terms for interconnection agreements should be established. Regulatory principles should be compatible with distributed power choices in regulated and unregulated markets. It was concluded that resolving interconnection barriers is a critical step towards realizing market opportunities available for AD technologies. refs., tabs., figs

Study on the carry capacity of edible jellyfish fishery in Liaodong Bay

Science.gov (United States)

You, Kui; Bian, Yongning; Ma, Caihua; Chi, Xupeng; Liu, Zhiqiang; Zhang, Yuyu

2016-06-01

Jellyfish fishing is a special type of fishery that mainly exists in some countries of East and Southeast Asia. China has the largest jellyfish fishery yield in the world with an annual harvest of around 300 thousand tons. Liaodong Bay is the most important jellyfish fishery ground in China. However, due to the high benefits of jellyfish fishery, which leads to illegal and out-of-season jellyfish fishing occurring each year in Liaodong Bay. Illegal jellyfish fishery in Liaodong Bay is a typical example of the tragedy of the commons. The key problem is that fishermen seek to an illegally initiate jellyfish fishing as early as possible. In this paper, basing on the data of edible jellyfish's biology and ecology, we mainly analyzed the history of jellyfish fishery in China, especially in Liaodong bay, and then we calculated the carry capacity of edible jellyfish in Liaodong Bay which is about 300 thousand tons one year. This number is equal to the recent annual yield of edible jellyfish in China. Furthermore, basing on the carry capacity and reasonable quotas price analysis, we set up a Jellyfish fishing quotas and deficit quotas buyback system which could be a suitable and effective solution for jellyfish fishery management and development in Liaodong Bay at the underlying roots. Although China is the first country with edible jellyfish aquaculture, the annual yield of jellyfish aquaculture is only one fifth of jellyfish fishing. So, there is a very bright developing prospect about edible jellyfish aquaculture in China.

Prospects and Challenges for Harnessing Opportunities in Medicinal Plants Sector in India

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Harbir Singh

2006-09-01

Full Text Available The importance of the medicinal plants sector can be gauged from the fact that herbal medicines serve the healthcare needs of about 80 per cent of the world's population. India, with approximately eight percent of world's biodiversity including plant genetic diversity with medicinal properties, has the potential of becoming a major global player in market for medicinal plants-based herbal formulations and products. However, prior to establishment of Medicinal Plants Board, there was no nodal agency to look into medicinal plants as an economic 'sector' and different organisations dealt with different aspects of medicinal plants without any clear cut focus and coordination. This lack of co-ordination led to critical research gaps relating to socio-economic and policy aspects of medicinal plants. At the same time, absence of formal marketing linkages and effective buy-back arrangements hindered the development of medicinal plants sector. Developing appropriate varieties for cultivation which could ensure uniform quality and continuous supply of raw material for processing industry would not only meet the industry demand but also halt the degradation of natural resource base. To capitalize on expanding opportunities in the international market, we need to focus on scientific methods of cultivation, harvesting, processing, grading, transport, storage, labeling and marketing practices involved in the entire supply chain for medicinal plants. Policy and institutional issues particularly related to co-ordination among various stake holders are one of the major constraints faced by this sector. Species- specific and socio-economic environment specific research would be helpful for identification of an optimal institutional framework to take care of needs of various stakeholders and also cater to social needs without adverse implications for equity and environment.

Promotion of energy conservation in developing countries through the combination of ESCO and CDM: A case study of introducing distributed energy resources into Chinese urban areas

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ren Hongbo; Zhou Weisheng; Gao Weijun; Wu Qiong

2011-01-01

The implementation of an energy service company (ESCO) project in developing countries may result not only in reduced energy cost but also in considerable environmental benefits, including the reduction of CO 2 emissions, which can be assessed in an economic manner under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) scheme. In this way, the economic and environmental benefits of energy conservation activities can be enjoyed by both the investor and the end-user, which can reduce the investment risk and realize a rational profit allocation. This study presents a numerical analysis of the introduction of distributed energy resources (DER) into a Chinese urban area. An optimization model is developed to determine the energy system combination under the constraints on the electrical and thermal balances and equipment availability. According to the simulation results, the introduction of DER systems possesses considerable potential to reduce CO 2 emissions, especially when considering that the economic profit of the CO 2 credit will increase the incentive to adopt DER systems to an even greater extent. Furthermore, by sharing the energy cost savings with the investors under an ESCO framework, the investment risk can be further reduced, and the conditions required for the project to qualify for CDM can be relaxed. Highlights: ► An investor focused analytical model is developed to aid the investment of a DER system. ► The combination of ESCO and CDM enhances the incentive to introduce energy conservation measures. ► Electricity buy-back is effective in boosting the DER system adoption under the proposed framework. ► The increased energy cost savings allocated to the investor promotes the DER system adoption. ► The rational allocation of CER credits is of vital importance to the success of the project.

Resource planning for gas utilities: Using a model to analyze pivotal issues

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Busch, J.F.; Comnes, G.A.

1995-11-01

With the advent of wellhead price decontrols that began in the late 1970s and the development of open access pipelines in the 1980s and 90s, gas local distribution companies (LDCs) now have increased responsibility for their gas supplies and face an increasingly complex array of supply and capacity choices. Heretofore this responsibility had been share with the interstate pipelines that provide bundled firm gas supplies. Moreover, gas supply an deliverability (capacity) options have multiplied as the pipeline network becomes increasing interconnected and as new storage projects are developed. There is now a fully-functioning financial market for commodity price hedging instruments and, on interstate Pipelines, secondary market (called capacity release) now exists. As a result of these changes in the natural gas industry, interest in resource planning and computer modeling tools for LDCs is increasing. Although in some ways the planning time horizon has become shorter for the gas LDC, the responsibility conferred to the LDC and complexity of the planning problem has increased. We examine current gas resource planning issues in the wake of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission`s (FERC) Order 636. Our goal is twofold: (1) to illustrate the types of resource planning methods and models used in the industry and (2) to illustrate some of the key tradeoffs among types of resources, reliability, and system costs. To assist us, we utilize a commercially-available dispatch and resource planning model and examine four types of resource planning problems: the evaluation of new storage resources, the evaluation of buyback contracts, the computation of avoided costs, and the optimal tradeoff between reliability and system costs. To make the illustration of methods meaningful yet tractable, we developed a prototype LDC and used it for the majority of our analysis.

Transforming the Lives of Mountain Women Through the Himalayan Nettle Value Chain: A Case Study From Darchula, Far West Nepal

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Lipy Adhikari

2018-02-01

Full Text Available Naugad is a remote rural municipality in the mountains of far west Nepal with poor accessibility and limited economic opportunities, especially for women and marginalized communities. Promotion of the natural resource-based value chain for allo (the Himalayan nettle, Girardinia diversifolia was identified as an innovative livelihood strategy by the local community. Value chain development started in 2014. The project was designed to focus on women and include participation by the private sector. This paper analyzes the impact of the project, especially on women's lives, using primary and secondary data. A community-owned enterprise was established with private-sector support from the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation's Business Association of Home Based Workers (SABAH Nepal. The enterprise now has 82 members (69 of them women, with 150 households benefiting directly and indirectly. SABAH Nepal provided training in sustainable harvesting and processing techniques and promotes the products in high-end international markets. A buyback guarantee scheme provides security to local artisans. The quality and range of allo products have increased markedly, as has the share in benefits for local people. Skills training and visits to trade fairs have helped women build their capacity and take a leading role in the value chain process. The community-owned enterprise members have earned up to NPR 4000 per month from sewing, more than the local rate for day labor and sufficient to cover general household expenses. More than 25 women entrepreneurs have started microbusinesses related to allo. Allo has become an important economic asset, transforming the lives of mountain women in this village area. The approach has potential for scaling up across the subtropical to temperate areas of the Himalayan region in Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, and Nepal.

10 ways to create shareholder value.

Science.gov (United States)

Rappaport, Alfred

2006-09-01

Executives have developed tunnel vision in their pursuit of shareholder value, focusing on short-term performance at the expense of investing in long-term growth. It's time to broaden that perspective and begin shaping business strategies in light of the competitive landscape, not the shareholder list. In this article, Alfred Rappaport offers ten basic principles to help executives create lasting shareholder value. For starters, companies should not manage earnings or provide earnings guidance; those that fail to embrace this first principle of shareholder value will almost certainly be unable to follow the rest. Additionally, leaders should make strategic decisions and acquisitions and carry assets that maximize expected value, even if near-term earnings are negatively affected as a result. During times when there are no credible value-creating opportunities to invest in the business, companies should avoid using excess cash to make investments that look good on the surface but might end up destroying value, such as ill-advised, overpriced acquisitions. It would be better to return the cash to shareholders in the form of dividends and buybacks. Rappaport also offers guidelines for establishing effective pay incentives at every level of management; emphasizes that senior executives need to lay their wealth on the line just as shareholders do; and urges companies to embrace full disclosure, an antidote to short-term earnings obsession that serves to lessen investor uncertainty, which could reduce the cost of capital and increase the share price. The author notes that a few types of companies--high-tech start-ups, for example, and severely capital-constrained organizations--cannot afford to ignore market pressures for short-term performance. Most companies with a sound, well-executed business model, however, could better realize their potential for creating shareholder value by adopting the ten principles.

Successful Characterization and Remedial Contour of Highly Contaminated Mercury Soil at the Y-12 National Security Complex - 13593

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

White, Aaron; Rigas, Michael [U.S. Department of Energy Oak Ridge Operations, Oak Ridge, TN 37830 (United States); Birchfield, Joseph W. III [1528 Paxton Drive Knoxville, TN 37918 (United States)

2013-07-01

An area known as the 81-10 pad within the footprint of the Y-12 National Security Complex, suspected to be heavily contaminated with mercury, was slated for characterization in support of a Federal Facilities Agreement (FFA) milestone to be accomplished by September 30, 2012. A full remedial design report (RDR) required the soil in Exposure Unit -9 (EU-9) to be fully characterized for a number of contaminates of concern including mercury. The goal of this characterization effort was to determine what soil, if any, would need to be removed for the protection of industrial workers and impacts to the surface and ground water. Funding for this project was made available using buy-back scope under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The EU-9 soil unit involved 3 different classifications which were determined as follows: Class 1: Known to have been impacted, contamination is likely; Class 2: Suspected to have been impacted, contamination is unknown; Class 3: Area not known to have been impacted, contamination unlikely. Due to various sampling and analysis events since the 1980's, significant mercury contamination was expected under the concrete pad of an area known as 81-10. Mercury contamination outside of the boundary of this pad within the EU-9 footprint was not known and therefore an original planned estimate of 1,461 cubic meters of material were expected to be heavily contaminated with mercury requiring removal, treatment and disposal. Through the use of a highly effective nature and extent sampling and analysis design that involved a hybrid of statistically-based and judgmental sampling, the actual remedial contour requiring removal was approximately 717 cubic meters, roughly 12% of the original estimate. This characterization approach was executed in full compliance with the Record of Decision (ROD) [1] documents that were agreed upon by the U.S. Department of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency and Tennessee Department of Environment and

Sustainability-guided promotion of renewable electricity generation

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Madlener, Reinhard; Stagl, Sigrid

2005-01-01

In recent years, the threat of global climate change, high fuel import dependence, and rapidly rising electricity demand levels have intensified the quest for more sustainable energy systems. This in turn has increased the need for policy makers to promote electricity generation from renewable energy sources. Guaranteed prices coupled with a buy-back obligation for electricity fed into the grid is a popular renewables promotion instrument, especially in Europe. More recently, driven mainly by electricity market liberalisation efforts, quota targets for the share of renewables in combination with tradable 'green' certificates (TGC) have received considerable attention. TGC offer a greater theoretical potential for economic efficiency gains, due to price competition and the greater flexibility assigned to the obliged parties. While guaranteed prices and TGC schemes support the operation of renewable energy technology systems, bidding schemes for renewable energy generation capacity are used to raise economic efficiency on the plant construction side. All of these policy instruments suffer from the shortcoming that they do not explicitly account for the often widely varying environmental, social and economic impacts of the technologies concerned. In this paper, we propose a methodology for the design of renewable energy policy instruments that is based on integrated assessment. In particular, we argue that using participatory multicriteria evaluation as part of the design of renewable energy promotion policies would make it possible: (1) to differentiate the level of promotion in a systematic and transparent manner according to their socio-ecological economic impact, and (2) to explicitly account for the preferences of stakeholders. A further problem of existing TGC and bidding schemes is that diversity of supply could be severely diminished, if few low-cost technologies were allowed to dominate the renewable energy market. To ensure a certain diversity of

Introduction of Renewable Energy Certificate in the Indian scenario

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Goyal, Mohit; Jha, Rakesh

2009-01-01

Generation deficit in India is in the range of 9% and the scenario is expected to get grimmer in the context of high growth rate of the country. With peak power shortage as high as 15.2% (Source: Annual report FY08, MoP) the nation needs to harness all forms of generation including renewables, which currently has a meager share of 8% of the total generation in the country at present. Shooting price of crude oil reaching up to $135 (May 2008) per barrel along with increasing awareness and concerns about environment, the stage seems to be set for an increased mix of Renewable Energy (RE) into the overall energy requirement in the country. Keeping the concern for environment and energy security for the country in mind, government of India has been putting emphasis on promotion of renewable energy sources. Central and state government policies have always been instrumental in the propagation of capacity additions in renewable energy power. One of the main aims of these policies has been on increasing the private sector participation in this sector. In the pre-reform period, the state governments took policy decisions regarding financial incentives, buy-back tariff and other measures targeting investment in renewable energy. However, the State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs) are now responsible for many of these tasks. SERCs have come up with a host of initiatives, inline with their functions laid down in the Electricity Act 2003, to increase the share of renewable energy inside their respective States. Despite the efforts of SERCs, large potential of renewable energy generation remains untapped. There is lack of clarity on how to promote renewable energy generation inside states which are not having significant renewable energy generation potential. This paper explores the way in which SERCs can introduce measures to further promote renewable energy generation inside the country. We discuss in detail the framework to promote renewable energy through a

Plumbemia em trabalhadores da indústria de reciclagem de baterias automotivas da Grande Porto Alegre, RS Blood lead levels in the battery recycling industry of the metropolitan region of Porto Alegre, RS

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Renato Minozzo

2008-12-01

Full Text Available A reciclagem de baterias pode contaminar o ar, o solo e a água, não só no lugar de processamento, mas também nas regiões circunvizinhas, sendo que os resíduos permanecem no local mesmo após o término da atividade. No presente artigo descrevemos os resultados da avaliação da plumbemia em 53 operários que trabalhavam com reciclagem de baterias automotivas e em 53 indivíduos sem história de exposição. Os dados obtidos foram comparados e discutidos em relação às normas do Ministério do Trabalho (MT e da Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA. A plumbemia no sangue do grupo controle foi de 2,44±1,15 µg/dl e, no grupo exposto, de 59,43±28,34 µg/dl, sendo que 79,2% dos indivíduos mostraram níveis acima do valor de referência (até 40 µg/dl. Estudos recentes recomendam estratégias para prevenir a intoxicação com chumbo: identificação, eliminação ou controle da fonte, monitoração da exposição e respectivos danos e um programa de recompra de baterias usadas das por parte da indústria de origem.Battery recycling may contaminate soil, air and water not only at the processing site but also in the neighboring areas, inasmuch as the residues remain at the site even after the end of the activity. In the present article, we describe the results of plumbism evaluation in 53 individuals that work with car battery recycling and 53 individuals without history of lead exposure. The obtained data were compared and discussed according to the regulations of Brazilian Ministry of Labor and OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Blood lead levels in the control group were 2.44 ± 1.15 µg/dl and 59.43 ± 28.34 µg/dl in the exposed group. 79.2 % of the individuals presented levels above the reference value (40 µg/dl. Recent studies recommend strategies to prevent lead intoxication: source identification, control or elimination, monitoring of environmental exposure and hazards and a buy-back program of used

Cele șapte păcate ale greenwashing-ului [The seven sins of greenwashing

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Drăgoi M

2016-12-01

, Romanian logging companies had given up for good to use cable-cranes; instead they are still using heavy tractors even on steep terrain. The sin of fibbing is the last and the most serious one, illustrated by the big national scam of obsolete car buy-back system, financed by the national fund for environment. According to this scam the vouchers issued for the old cars are bought by national fund for environment but the VAT for the new car goes to the central budget. As the VAT is always greater than the voucher payed for the old car the State gest an income at the expense of the national fund for environment.

Building a 40% Energy Saving House in the Mixed-Humid Climate

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Christian, Jeffrey E [ORNL; Bonar, Jacob [ORNL

2011-10-01

This report describes a home that uses 40% less energy than the energy-efficient Building America standard - a giant step in the pursuit of affordable near-zero-energy housing through the evolution of five near-zero-energy research houses. This four-bedroom, two-bath, 1232-ft2 house has a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) index of 35 (a HERS rating of 0 is a zero-energy house, a conventional new house would have a HERS rating of 100), which qualifies it for federal energy efficiency and solar incentives. The house is leading to the planned construction of a similar home in Greensburg, Kansas, and 21 staff houses in the Walden Reserve, a 7000-unit "deep green" community in Cookville, Tennessee. Discussions are underway for construction of similar houses in Charleston, South Carolina, Seattle, Washington, Knoxville and Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and upstate New York. This house should lead to a 40% and 50% Gate-3, Mixed-Humid-Climate Joule for the DOE Building America Program. The house is constructed with structurally-insulated-panel walls and roof, raised metal-seam roof with infrared reflective coating, airtight envelope (1.65 air changes per hour at 50 Pascal), supply mechanical ventilation, ducts inside the conditioned space, extensive moisture control package, foundation geothermal space heating and cooling system, ZEHcor wall, solar water heater, and a 2.2 kWp grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) system. The detailed specifications for the envelope and the equipment used in ZEH5 compared to all the houses in this series are shown in Tables 1 and 2. Based on a validated computer simulation of ZEH5 with typical occupancy patterns and energy services for four occupants, energy for this all-electric house is predicted to cost only $0.66/day ($0.86/day counting the hookup charges). By contrast, the benchmark house would require $3.56/day, including hookup charges (these costs are based on a 2006 residential rates of $0.07/kWh and solar buyback at $0.15/kWh). The solar

Photovoltaic electricity industry and markets Status and trends in France 1992-2002 - Technical report. Survey report of photovoltaic power applications in France 2002

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Claverie, Andre; Juquois, Fabrice

2003-01-01

development program on PV components, PV systems and applications in collaboration with industry and public research laboratories and b) to grant new demonstration and market deployment projects in both sectors of off-grid PV power systems and grid-connected distributed applications. To implement its PV market deployment program ADEME makes use of complementary sources of funding such as that of the European Commission, the Regional Councils or the electricity utility EDF. All together the annual public intervention budget (ADEME, CEA, CNRS, Regional Councils, FACE fund) including RTD and market deployment incentives amounted to 20 MEUR in 2002. The year 2002 was the last budgeted year of the 4-year ADEME PV RTD program. The projects under this program will end by mid 2003 and a pool of experts will evaluate the results. The total cost of 4-year PV RTD program was 72 MEUR of which ADEME granted 47 MEUR. Other contributors were the industry and public organizations like CNRS and CEA. The Atomic Energy Commissariat (CEA) with its GENEC laboratory based in Grenoble decided in September 2002 along with ADEME to set up a facility of national and international scope capable of developing new technologies and concepts for large area up to 20 cm x 20 cm crystalline silicon cells (objective: efficiency 20 %). The facility will be operational by the end of 2003. The ADEME's market stimulation program consists of maintaining the granted volume of 1,2 MW per year for off-grid power systems (installed cost target: 15 EUR per watt) and implementing the new initiative of grid-connected distributed building integrated photovoltaic systems (BIPV). The initiative was launched at the beginning of 2002 with the objective to grant the installation of 20 MW in 5 years. The new BIPV initiative was founded on two favourable measures: a) official publication by the Ministry of Industry of new buy-back rates for photovoltaic electricity: 0,15 euros per kilowatt-hour in continental France and 0