ACADEMIC CONFERENCE
The Economics of Energy Markets and Energy Access
Friday, April 8, 2022 · David Rubenstein Forum, University of Chicago
Energy powers the modern world, fueling innovation and improving people’s lives. But humanity’s energy usage is also generating levels of pollution that are substantially shortening human lifespans and causing disruptive climate change. Finding a way to supply the energy needed for human development without risking health or the environment is one of the world’s most important challenges: the Global Energy Challenge.
To promote and discuss current research on these issues, the Kenneth C. Griffin Applied Economics Incubator and the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) will host a series of academic conferences this spring on each component of the Global Energy Challenge: energy access and markets, air pollution, and climate change.
We would like to invite you to join us for the first conference in this series on April 8 at the University of Chicago. The conference will feature the latest research on “The Economics of Energy Markets and Energy Access.”
Agenda
| 8:00am–9:00am | Breakfast |
| 9:00am–10:30am | Session 1: Electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure • Fiona Burlig, Louis Preonas, Akshaya Jha; “Transmission constraints and electricity trade in India” • Robyn Meeks, Husnain F. Ahmad, Ayesha Ali, Zhenxuan Wang, Javed Younas; “The Economic Effects of Electricity Infrastructure Improvements and Institutional Innovations: Evidence from Loss Reduction Efforts in Pakistan” |
| 10:30am–11:00am | Break |
| 11:00am–12:30pm | Session 2: Wholesale markets, dynamics, and storage • Jackson Dorsey, Andrew Butters, Gautam Gowrisankaran; “Soaking Up the Sun: Battery Investment, Renewable Energy, and Market Equilibrium” • Christoph Graf, Federico Quaglia, Frank Wolak; “Market Performance Assessment in Locational Markets with Non-Convexities” |
| 12:30pm–1:30pm | Lunch |
| 1:30pm–3:00pm | Session 3: Retail electricity demand policies • Kelsey Jack, Jeffrey Cross, Anders Jensen; “Collateral accounts: Prepaid technology and the recovery of municipal debts” • Koichito Ito, Takanori Ida, Takunori Ishihara, Daido Kido, Toru Kitagawa, Shosei Sakaguchi, Shusaku Sasaki; “Paternalism, Autonomy, or Both? Experimental Evidence from Energy Saving Programs” |
| 3:00pm–3:30pm | Break |
| 3:30pm–5:00pm | Session 4: Decarbonization of electricity generation • Stephen Holland, Erin Mansur, Andrew Yates; “Electrification in the Long Run” • Nicholas Ryan; “Holding Up Green Energy” |
| 5:00pm–5:30pm | Reception |
Co-Sponsor
This convening is open to all invitees who are compliant with UChicago vaccination requirements and, because of ongoing health risks, particularly to the unvaccinated, participants are expected to adopt the risk mitigation measures (masking and social distancing, etc.) appropriate to their vaccination status as advised by public health officials or to their individual vulnerabilities as advised by a medical professional. Public convening may not be safe for all and carries a risk for contracting COVID-19, particularly for those unvaccinated. Participants will not know the vaccination status of others and should follow appropriate risk mitigation measures.
This is a mask-optional convening. We strongly encourage unvaccinated individuals and those preferring to wear masks to do so.