Energy Economics

During the last two decades, the energy sectors have experienced radical regulatory changes. Drawing on economic analysis, in this course we study specific regulatory experiences, and discuss the business and public policy issues that they have raised. Topics include the development and organization of spot and futures markets in energy; the determinants of industry structure, investment and entry in these industries; competition in wholesale electricity markets; or the economics of renewable energy. Students learn to apply the most recent theories to analyze the performance of these markets, as well as to understand empirical and simulation analysis that are frequently used by both regulators and firms to assess the effects of changes in market design or market structure. This course is useful to those who aim at working in energy regulatory institutions, energy firms, consultancy companies, or to anyone interested in putting economic theory to work.

This course has been created by Natalia Fabra, Associate Professor of Economics at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. She currently teaches this course at the PhD in Economics at Universidad Carlos III, as well a in the Master in Competition and Market Regulation at the BGSE.