The impact of convexity on expansion planning in low‑carbon electricity markets

13.09.2022

A paper by Sonja Wogrin et al. on the impact of convexity on expansion planning in low‑carbon electricity markets.

Expansion planning models are tools frequently employed to analyze the transition to a carbon-neutral power system. Such models provide estimates for an optimal technology mix and optimal operating decisions, but they are also often used to obtain prices and subsequently calculate profits. This paper analyzes the impact of modeling assumptions on convexity for power system outcomes and, in particular, on investment cost recovery. Through a case study, we find that although there is a long-term equilibrium for producers under convex models, introducing realistic constraints, such as non-convexities/lumpiness of investments, inelastic demand or unit commitment constraints, leads to profitability challenges. We furthermore demonstrate that considering only short-term marginal costs in market-clearing may potentially create a significant missing-money problem caused by a missing-market problem and dual degeneracy in a 100 percent renewable system.

The complete article is available as open access:

• The impact of convexity on expansion planning in low-carbon electricity markets
  S. Wogrin, D. Tejada-Arango, S. Delikaraoglou, A. Lamadrid, A. Botterud
  https://doi.org/10.1007/s11750-022-00626-4