Investment in Energy Assets Under Uncertainty ― Numerical Methods in Theory and Practice

This book aims to provide a rigorous yet pragmatic approach to the valuation and management of investments in the energy sector. Time and uncertainty pervade most if not all issues relevant to energy assets. They run from the early stage of prototype and demonstration to the ultimate abandonment and decommissioning. Risk in particular appears in several areas; thus, one can distinguish technical risk from financial risk. Furthermore, the extent to which one can react to them is different (just think of price risk and regulation risk). Markets in general and financial markets in particular, regularly put a price on a number of assets which differ in their return/risk characteristics. An academia has developed sound financial principles for valuation purposes in a number of contexts. Nonetheless, the physical characteristics of the assets involved also play a key role in their valuation if only because of the restrictions that they entail.

There are some instances in which the practitioner/researcher is able to come up with an analytical solution to the valuation problem. Typically, however, these instances are limited because of their relying on stylized facts or idealized frameworks. Unfortunately, many relevant instances lack analytical solutions, so one must resort to numerical methods. The book clearly explains how to implement them in a meaningful way. Their usefulness is further enhanced when numerical estimates of relevant parameters are derived from actual market prices (as long as these are available and reliable).

The book starts from the basics of valuation in a dynamic, certain context. The second part then considers uncertainty and introduces a number of useful results and tools to grapple effectively with it. The last part applies these tools to the valuation of energy assets in a sequential manner, i.e. by considering one, two and three sources of risk. The last chapter provides examples of joint optimal management and value maximization in conventional power plants.

Professor Luis Maria Abadie graduated with a Ph.D. in Economics from University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU in 2007. He is also a graduate in Industrial Engineering (UPV/EHU, 1979), in Computer Science (University of Deusto, 1985), and has a Master's degree in Public Economics (UPV/EHU, 1987). Prof. Abadie was awarded the Extraordinary Doctorate Award of the University of the Basque Country in Social and Legal Sciences. He is also a member of International Association for Energy Economics (IAEE). He has published extensively in the fields of energy and climate economics, in journals such as Energy Economics, Energy Policy, Energy, The Energy Journal, Review of Financial Economics, Energies, Journal of Environmental Management, Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, and Climate Change Economics.

Professor Jose Manuel Chamorro holds a Ph.D. in Economics (University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 1991), Master in Public Economics (UPV/EHU, 1986), Graduate in Economics (UPV/EHU, 1984). He is a Tenured Professor at the UPV/EHU since 1994. He has lectured extensively on Macroeconomics and Finance, and occasionally on Environmental and Resource Economics. He has held an appointment of Visiting Scholar at the Engineering Systems Division of MIT. He has published in academic journals such as the Spanish Economic Review, Insurance Mathematics & Economics, Environmental and Resource Economics, Energy Economics, Energy Policy, Review of Financial Economics, Energy Journal, Energies, and Energy. He is also a contributing author of several books and handbooks.