Title: Decentralised and centralised energy: a property rights analysis

Authors: Sopitsuda Jiab Tongsopit, Brent M. Haddad

Addresses: Environmental Studies Department, University of California, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, 95064 California, USA. ' Environmental Studies Department, University of California, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, 95064 California, USA

Abstract: Interconnection between centralised and decentralised electrical power sources remains a contentious issue on technical, economic, and policy grounds. This paper considers the problem of interconnection as a property rights problem – one that involves allocation conflicts and pressures for institutional change. We argue that the current policy approach to interconnection problems between distributed-generation power sources and the distribution grid in California should take more careful account of changing property rights characteristics of the distribution grid. We review two emerging property rights frameworks – community choice aggregation and public power cooperatives/municipalities, which may help overcome such interconnection barriers.

Keywords: distributed generation; electricity governance; property rights; interconnection barriers; electric distribution systems; electricity restructuring; microgrid; decentralised energy; centralised energy; electrical power sources; community choice aggregation; public power cooperatives; municipalities.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGEI.2007.014351

International Journal of Global Energy Issues, 2007 Vol.27 No.3, pp.323 - 338

Published online: 03 Jul 2007 *

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