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A market-design response to the European energy crisis

Author

Listed:
  • Filip Tokarski

    (Stanford University
    Group for Research in Applied Economics (GRAPE))

  • Mohammad Akbarpour

    (Stanford University)

  • Scott Duke Kominers

    (Harvard University)

  • Piotr Dworczak

    (Northwestern University
    Group for Research in Applied Economics (GRAPE))

Abstract

Due to surges in gas and electricity prices in Europe, many households will struggle to heat their homes this winter. This paper provides high-level guidance on designing a relief policy in a way that optimally trades off equity and efficiency. We argue that, contrary to conventional economic intuitions, an optimal policy may involve directly controlling prices. Because governments do not have perfect information about households' needs, price controls could improve the targeting of relief through screening out the most vulnerable by offering them discounts for reducing consumption. This could be achieved by ``threshold price caps'' that lower the price of all energy units below some consumption threshold and price units above the threshold at a higher rate.

Suggested Citation

  • Filip Tokarski & Mohammad Akbarpour & Scott Duke Kominers & Piotr Dworczak, 2023. "A market-design response to the European energy crisis," GRAPE Working Papers 81, GRAPE Group for Research in Applied Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:fme:wpaper:81
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    File URL: http://grape.org.pl/WP/81_Tokarski_website.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Piotr Dworczak & Scott Duke Kominers & Mohammad Akbarpour, 2021. "Redistribution Through Markets," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 89(4), pages 1665-1698, July.
    2. Mr. Anil Ari & Mr. Nicolas Arregui & Mr. Simon Black & Oya Celasun & Ms. Dora M Iakova & Ms. Aiko Mineshima & Mr. Victor Mylonas & Ian W.H. Parry & Iulia Teodoru & Karlygash Zhunussova, 2022. "Surging Energy Prices in Europe in the Aftermath of the War: How to Support the Vulnerable and Speed up the Transition Away from Fossil Fuels," IMF Working Papers 2022/152, International Monetary Fund.
    3. Condorelli, Daniele, 2013. "Market and non-market mechanisms for the optimal allocation of scarce resources," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 582-591.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    equity-efficiency trade-off; market design; price control; energy pricing;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C78 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Bargaining Theory; Matching Theory
    • D47 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Market Design
    • D61 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Allocative Efficiency; Cost-Benefit Analysis
    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • D82 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Asymmetric and Private Information; Mechanism Design

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