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Second-Best Analysis of European Energy Policy: Is One Bird in the Hand Worth Two in the Bush?

Author

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  • Michael Hübler

    (Institute for Environmental Economics and World Trade, Leibniz Universität Hannover)

  • Oliver Schenker

    (Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW))

  • Carolyn Fischer

    (Resources for the Future (RFF))

Abstract

This paper studies policy instruments that correct insufficient learning-by-doing (LbD) and research and development (R&D) of renewable electricity technologies and insufficient investments in energy efficiency (EE) in the presence of carbon pricing. The theoretical model analysis shows how to re-adjust the first-best in second-best situations, in which one of the policy instruments is restricted. Calibrated to the European power sector, the first-best choice of all instruments reduces the climate policy cost by one third. Feed-in tariffs turn out to be good substitutes for LbD, but not for R&D or EE subsidies.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Hübler & Oliver Schenker & Carolyn Fischer, 2015. "Second-Best Analysis of European Energy Policy: Is One Bird in the Hand Worth Two in the Bush?," Working Papers 2015.106, Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei.
    • Handle: RePEc:fem:femwpa:2015.106
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Carolyn Fischer, 2017. "Environmental Protection for Sale: Strategic Green Industrial Policy and Climate Finance," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 66(3), pages 553-575, March.
    2. Carolyn Fischer, 2016. "Strategic Subsidies for Green Goods," Working Papers 2016.30, Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Second-best; Climate Policy; Energy Policy; Feed-in tariff; Power Sector; EU;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C61 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Mathematical Methods; Programming Models; Mathematical and Simulation Modeling - - - Optimization Techniques; Programming Models; Dynamic Analysis
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • Q48 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Government Policy
    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming
    • Q55 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Technological Innovation

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