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Endogenous Growth, Backstop Technology Adoption, And Optimal Jumps

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  • Valente, Simone

Abstract

This paper analyzes a two-phase endogenous growth model in which the adoption of a backstop technology (e.g., solar) yields a sustained supply of essential energy inputs previously obtained from exhaustible resources (e.g., oil). Growth is knowledge-driven and the optimal timing of technology switching is determined by welfare maximization. The optimal path exhibits discrete jumps in endogenous variables: technology switching implies sudden reductions in consumption and output, an increase in the growth rate, and instantaneous adjustments in saving rates. Due to the positive growth effect, it is optimal to implement the new technology when its current consumption benefits are substantially lower than those generated by old technologies.

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  • Valente, Simone, 2011. "Endogenous Growth, Backstop Technology Adoption, And Optimal Jumps," Macroeconomic Dynamics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 15(3), pages 293-325, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:macdyn:v:15:y:2011:i:03:p:293-325_00
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    Blog mentions

    As found by EconAcademics.org, the blog aggregator for Economics research:
    1. Should we adopt solar energy before it is more efficient than fuel energy?
      by Economic Logician in Economic Logic on 2009-03-12 23:00:00

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    3. Zon, Adriaan van, 2016. "On the optimum timing of the global carbon-transition under conditions of extreme weather-related damages: further green paradoxical results," MERIT Working Papers 2016-010, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
    4. Balistreri, Edward J. & Hillberry, Russell H. & Rutherford, Thomas F., 2010. "Trade and welfare: Does industrial organization matter?," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 109(2), pages 85-87, November.
    5. Ngo Van Long & Fabien Prieur & Klarizze Puzon & Mabel Tidball, 2013. "Markov Perfect Equilibria in Differential Games with Regime Switching Strategies," Working Papers 13-06, LAMETA, Universtiy of Montpellier, revised Jan 2014.
    6. Boucekkine, R. & Pommeret, A. & Prieur, F., 2013. "Optimal regime switching and threshold effects," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 37(12), pages 2979-2997.
    7. Bretschger, Lucas & Valente, Simone, 2018. "Productivity Gaps And Tax Policies Under Asymmetric Trade," Macroeconomic Dynamics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 22(6), pages 1391-1427, September.
    8. Raouf Boucekkine & Aude Pommeret & Fabien Prieur, 2012. "Optimal Regime Switching and Threshold Effects: Theory and Application to a Resource Extraction Problem under Irreversibility," Working Papers halshs-00793200, HAL.
    9. Bonneuil, N. & Boucekkine, R., 2016. "Optimal transition to renewable energy with threshold of irreversible pollution," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 248(1), pages 257-262.
    10. Long, Ngo Van & Prieur, Fabien & Tidball, Mabel & Puzon, Klarizze, 2017. "Piecewise closed-loop equilibria in differential games with regime switching strategies," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 264-284.
    11. van der Meijden, Gerard & Smulders, Sjak, 2018. "Technological Change During The Energy Transition," Macroeconomic Dynamics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 22(4), pages 805-836, June.
    12. van der Meijden, G.C., 2013. "The macroeconomic dynamics of trade liberalization, resource exploitation, and backstop technologies," Other publications TiSEM 988fc892-3596-4af3-9964-d, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • Q32 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Nonrenewable Resources and Conservation - - - Exhaustible Resources and Economic Development
    • Q43 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Energy and the Macroeconomy

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