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Measuring Gains from Regional Dispatch: Coal-Fired Power Plant Utilization and Market Reforms

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  • Stratford Douglas

Abstract

This paper examines changes in the utilization rates (annual capacity factors) of coal-burning power plants in the eastern United States after 1996, when federal regulators opened the transmission system to wholesale power markets. This and other accompanying market-oriented reforms were intended to improve efficiency by encouraging regional dispatch by independent system operators. If the reforms made dispatch more efficient, then utilization rates of high-cost plants should have fallen relative to those of low-cost plants since 1996. A difference-in-difference model using plant-level panel data indicates that relative utilization rates of high-cost plants did indeed fall after 1996, but only in regions with independent system operators. Simulations indicate cost savings on the order of two to three percent.

Suggested Citation

  • Stratford Douglas, 2006. "Measuring Gains from Regional Dispatch: Coal-Fired Power Plant Utilization and Market Reforms," The Energy Journal, , vol. 27(1), pages 119-138, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:enejou:v:27:y:2006:i:1:p:119-138
    DOI: 10.5547/ISSN0195-6574-EJ-Vol27-No1-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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