Publication Type

Journal Article

Version

submittedVersion

Publication Date

8-2016

Abstract

The adoption of small-scale electricity generation has been hindered by uncertain electricity and gas prices. In order to overcome this barrier to investment, we develop a mean-risk optimization model for the long-term risk management problem of an energy consumer using stochastic programming. The consumer can invest in a number of generation technologies, and also has access to electricity and gas futures to reduce its risk. We examine the role of on-site generation in the consumer's risk management strategy, as well as interactions between on-site generation and financial hedges. Our study shows that by swapping electricity (with high price volatility) for gas (with low price volatility), even relatively inefficient technologies reduce risk exposure and CO 2 emissions. The capability of on-site generation is enhanced through the use of combined heat and power (CHP) applications. In essence, by investing in a CHP unit, a consumer obtains the option to use on-site generation whenever the electricity price peaks, thereby reducing its financial risk. Finally, in contrast to the extant literature, we demonstrate that on-site generation affects the consumer's decision to purchase financial hedges. In particular, while on-site generation and electricity futures may act as substitutes, on-site generation and gas futures can function as complements.

Discipline

Business Administration, Management, and Operations

Research Areas

Operations Management

Publication

IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management

Volume

63

Issue

4

First Page

462

Last Page

474

ISSN

0018-9391

Identifier

10.1109/TEM.2016.2592805

Publisher

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

Embargo Period

8-29-2021

External URL

https://doi.org/10.1109/TEM.2016.2592805

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