Regional forecasting of the demand for fossil fuels by electric utilities in the United States

The possibility of interfuel substitution in the generation of electrical energy exists. Given this fact, a demand model for various fossil fuels by electric utilities in the United States is developed. Using regional data, the results suggest that the responsiveness of the demand for coal, residual fuel oil, distillate fuel oil, and natural gas by electric utilities to relative price changes is significant. In a forecasting setting, the demand model performs remarkably well when actual and forecast values for 1979 are compared.     

Energy consumption and economic growth: evidence from non-OPEC oil producing states

According to the US EIA (2009, www.eia.doe.gov), out of the 15 largest oil producing nations in the world, 7 are not OPEC members, namely Brazil, Canada, China, Mexico, Norway, the Russian Federation, and the United States of America (USA). This paper investigates the causal relationship between energy consumption and economic growth for these non-OPEC oil producing countries. Real GDP per capita is used to measure economic growth; whereas; energy consumption is represented by four sub-variables (electric power, oil, natural gas, and coal energy). Using a panel data covering (1969–2009), this study employs the Pedroni (Econometric Theory, 20, 597–627, 2004) approach to determine cointegration and the (Econometrica, 55, 251–276, 1987) two-step procedure to explore short and long run causal effects. The results suggest that there are long run relationships between the real GDP, labour force, real capital, oil consumption, electricity consumption, gas consumption and coal consumption. Further analyses show that real GDP and oil consumption Granger cause real gross capital formation in the short run; real gross fixed capital and electricity consumption cause oil consumption in the short run; and also oil consumption and gas consumption cause electricity consumption in the short run.     

An identification‐robust test for time‐varying parameters in the dynamics of energy prices

We test for the presence of time‐varying parameters (TVP) in the long‐run dynamics of energy prices for oil, natural gas and coal, within a standard class of mean‐reverting models. We also propose residual‐based diagnostic tests and examine out‐of‐sample forecasts. In‐sample LR tests support the TVP model for coal and gas but not for oil, though companion diagnostics suggest that the model is too restrictive to conclusively fit the data. Out‐of‐sample analysis suggests a random‐walk specification for oil price, and TVP models for both real‐time forecasting in the case of gas and long‐run forecasting in the case of coal. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Acknowledgement

On the basis of estimates of four input translog production and cost functions using data for Irish manufacturing, different inferences are obtained about price elasticities and the elasticities of substitution between inputs, indicating sensitivity to the primal or dual representation of the technology. the results strongly reinforce the findings of Burgees (1975) and Appelbaum (1978) from U.S. data.     

能源价格对能源强度的影响——以国内制造业为例

本文运用1985-2003年的时间序列数据，对我国制造业、能源价格和能源强度之间的关系作了实证研究。计量检验的结果表明，能源相对价格的上升对于降低总能源强度、石油强度、电力强度和煤炭强度具有积极的贡献。提高能源价格是改善能源效率的一个有效政策工具。     

Residential energy demand in the United States: A regional econometric analysis

A static equilibrium and a dynamic partial adjustment model of residential demand for electricity and natural gas are presented and estimated for the United States over a recent period characterized by sharply increasing energy prices. The static model is estimated using Ordinary Least Squares while the instrumental variables method is used for the dynamic partial adjustment model. The estimates of long-run elasticities suggest the residential demand for electricity and natural gas are price and income elastic. Intercept and slope dummies used in the models identify significant regional differences in demand functions.     

Quasi‐fixed inputs and long‐run equilibrium in production: a cointegration analysis

This paper proposes a cointegration approach to testing the validity long‐run equilibrium in production, where capital and labour are taken as quasi‐fixed inputs. Previous studies consider only capital as the quasi‐fixed input and do not take account of the time series properties of the variables, assuming implicitly that they are stationary. The canonical cointegrating regressions (CCR) procedure is employed to test for cointegration in both the single‐equation and the seemingly unrelated regressions framework, and long‐run equilibrium conditions are tested. The evidence from US manufacturing reveals that capital and labour are not fully adjusted to their long‐run optimal values, casting doubt on the long‐run equilibrium hypothesis. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Demand for electricity in Nigeria: Some empirical findings

This paper presents the findings from an econometric model of Nigerian electricity demand. Electricity consumers are partitioned into three classes-namely. Residential, Commercial and Industrial. It shows that over the last two decades there has been tremendous increase in both the supply and demand for electric energy. Although supply has increased, it has not been able to keep pace with demand. Various explanatory variables that determine changes in demand are analysed for each of the three consuming sectors. The findings are as follows.(i) Per capital income, previous level of electricity consumption and urbanization are the most significant explanatory variables for the Residential sector's electricity consumption. The short and long-run income elasticities are found to be below unity, while whose of urbanization are above unity. The average price of electricity, though rightly signed, was found to be insignificant.(ii) As regards the commercial sector, the significant explanatory variables were previous level of electricity consumption, income, average price of electricity and urbanization. Urbanization was, however, found to be the most sensitive variable in respect to changes in the sector's electricity demand.(iii) Previous level of industrial electricity consumption and degree of urbanization were the main explanatory variables for changes in the Industrial sector's demand for electricity. Industrial output and income were not found to be significant variables in explaining changes in the Industrial sector's demand for electricity.     

A Non‐parametric Examination of Capital–Skill Complementarity*

This paper uses non‐parametric kernel methods to construct observation‐specific elasticities of substitution for a balanced panel of 73 developed and developing countries to examine the capital–skill complementarity hypothesis. The exercise shows some support for capital–skill complementarity, but the strength of the evidence depends upon the definition of skilled labour and the elasticity of substitution measure being used. The added flexibility of the non‐parametric procedure is also capable of uncover ing that the elasticities of substitution vary across countries, groups of countries and time periods.     

Long‐run relations in European electricity prices

This paper analyses the interdependencies existing in wholesale electricity prices in six major European countries. The results of a robust multivariate long‐run dynamic analysis reveal the presence of four highly integrated central European markets (France, Germany, the Netherlands and Austria). The trend shared by these four electricity markets appears to be common also to gas prices, but not to oil prices. The existence of a common long‐term dynamics among electricity prices and between electricity prices and gas prices can be explained by the similarity of the market design across Europe and by the same marginal generation technology. Since standard unit root and cointegration tests are not robust to the peculiar characteristics of electricity prices time series, we also develop a battery of robust inference procedures that should assure the reliability of our results. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An empirical analysis of the effect of volunteer labor on public library employment

This study is an empirical investigation of the effect of library volunteers on public library demand for paid workers. Unlike previous studies, it estimates the impacts on different types of paid labor. The main purpose is to test whether volunteer labor replaced or complemented paid employees. A translog cost function is used to derive cost shares and elasticities of substitution for Pennsylvania public libraries. Cross‐elasticity estimates of substitution and input demand suggest a strong complementary relation between volunteers and professional workers. Most of the other Allen cross elasticities were not statistically significant. None of the estimates indicate that paid labor was being replaced by volunteers. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Is Stock Price Correlated with Oil Price? Spurious Regressions with Moderately Explosive Processes

This study explores the spurious effects in linear regressions with moderately explosive processes. Asymptotic results are developed for the least square estimator, the typical t‐statistic, the Durbin–Watson statistic, and the coefficient of determination. The typical t‐statistic is unable to detect the presence of a spurious relationship, due to the presence of nuisance parameters that characterize deviations from unity. Moreover, the t‐statistic for common explosive processes has different asymptotics compared to that for distinct explosive processes. Such differences further complicate the use of the t‐statistic. We demonstrate that two popular methods available in the literature are incapable for this purpose due to similar difficulties. To overcome these limitations, we propose a t‐test based upon balanced regressions that induces asymptotic inference based on the standard normal distribution, which is therefore robust to deviations from unity. These results are further generalized to spurious regressions with multivariate mildly explosive processes. Simulation results confirm that our test is effective in finite samples, while other alternatives are not. An empirical example that demonstrates the phenomenon of spurious correlation between the NASDAQ stock index and crude oil price in the US is provided to show the practical merit of our proposed method.     

异质性能源消费与经济增长的非线性动态驱动机制

研究目标：测度改革开放近40年来,中国异质性能源消费与经济增长的非线性动态驱动机制。研究方法：基于煤炭、石油、天然气、电力消费以及GDP年度数据,运用马尔科夫区制转移因果(MSC) 模型开展实证研究。研究发现：经济增长能够促进煤炭、石油、天然气和电力等异质性能源消费的提高,其中,石油和天然气消费的增加能够推动经济增长。经济增长对煤炭和石油消费的驱动作用持续期较长,对天然气和电力消费的驱动作用持续期较短,四种能源消费对经济增长驱动作用的时间长度大致相同。近年来,石油消费能够表现出对经济增长的非线性动态驱动作用,经济增长能够对石油和煤炭消费发挥非线性动态驱动作用。在金融危机时期,难以表现出经济增长对能源消费的单向时变因果影响,其中,煤炭、石油和天然气消费无法表现出对经济增长的单向时变因果影响,而电力消费对经济增长存在单向时变因果影响。研究创新：基于MSC模型,判断不同时段内异质性能源消费与经济增长的时变因果关系,进而揭示两者之间的非线性动态驱动机制。研究价值：为中国完成能源产业结构转型以及构建新时代能源产业体系提供经验证据。     

方法、数据与全要素生产率测算差异

研究目标：检验不同方法之间TFP测算结果的“一致性”和“稳健性”,探讨测算方法和数据选取问题。研究方法：以中国2004~2012年总量分行业面板数据为例,从多个角度比较TFP测算结果,以及通过统计检验选取适用测算方法。研究发现：第一,研究的问题不同,测算方法之间“一致性”的检验结论不同;第二,在选择测算方法时,进行相关统计量检验是必要的,这有助于鉴别模型设定是否合理,缩小可选模型范围;第三,测算方法的选择,要符合数据本身的特征,基于宏观分行业面板数据,DEA是更为适用的TFP测算方法,而劳动力投入应选取全社会从业人员指标。研究创新：多种测算方法和统计检验的应用。研究价值：本文尝试构建如何选择TFP测算方法的一般框架。     

Indeterminacy in discrete-time infinite-horizon models with non-linear utility and endogenous labor

We consider a discrete-time two-sector model with sector specific externalities in which the technologies are given by CES functions with asymmetric elasticities of capital–labor substitution, and the preferences of the representative agent are given by a CES additively separable utility function defined over consumption and leisure. We first show that when the labor supply is infinitely elastic, the steady state is always saddle-point stable, no matter what the elasticity of intertemporal substitution in consumption and the size of externalities are. We then prove that when the elasticity of intertemporal substitution in consumption is sufficiently large, local indeterminacy requires a low enough elasticity of the labor supply.     

Sectoral labour supply,choice restrictions and functional form

In this paper we discuss a general framework for analysing labour supply behaviour in the presence of complicated budget and quantity constraints, of which some are unobserved. The individual's labour supply decision is viewed as a choice from a set of discrete alternatives (jobs). These jobs are characterized by attributes such as hours of work, sector‐specific wages and other sector‐specific aspects of the jobs. The labour supply model for married women is estimated on Norwegian data. Wage elasticities and the outcome of a tax reform experiment show that overall labour supply is moderately elastic, but these modest overall responses shadow for much stronger inter‐sectoral changes. Our model is compared with a discrete choice model in which the utility is assumed to be a polynomial. We show that our estimated model has a more economically sensible interpretation and fits the data as well as the alternative approach. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evaluating food retailers using dual elasticities of substitution

Dual elasticities of substitution from a distance function model of the food retailing establishment are developed based on multiple performance measures integrated with store characteristics, staffing decisions, and employee benefits and incentives. The impacts of organizational and competitive conditions such as store format, membership in a self-distributing chain, and the presence of a supercenter on store management decisions are evaluated. Technical substitution relationships implied by the dual Morishima elasticities confirm that moderate changes in relative shadow factor prices are associated with input adjustments in retail operations, implying that the costs of adjusting input allocations are small. Both value added and service offerings decline in the presence of a supercenter, with food retailers relying on price adjustments as a primary strategy.     

Bilateral trade flows and exchange rate sensitivity: Evidence from likelihood-based panel cointegration

This paper estimates price and income elasticities for bilateral trade equations between Sweden and her eight major trading partners for the period 1960–2001. The methodology used here is the likelihood-based panel cointegration recently developed in the literature. Evidence is found that depreciation of the SEK is expected to improve the Swedish export sector towards six of her eight major trading partners. Regarding Swedish imports, only in four of the eight cases, the price elasticity indicates that depreciation of the SEK decreases Swedish imports. Considering the Marshall–Lerner condition, this is fulfilled for two of the eight countries in the sample. The income elasticities are found to be positive for all countries in the sample. The policy implications of our results are discussed.     

THE ROLE OF TIME‐VARYING PRICE ELASTICITIES IN ACCOUNTING FOR VOLATILITY CHANGES IN THE CRUDE OIL MARKET

There has been a systematic increase in the volatility of the real price of crude oil since 1986, followed by a decline in the volatility of oil production since the early 1990s. We explore reasons for this evolution. We show that a likely explanation of this empirical fact is that both the short‐run price elasticities of oil demand and of oil supply have declined considerably since the second half of the 1980s. This implies that small disturbances on either side of the oil market can generate large price responses without large quantity movements, which helps explain the latest run‐up and subsequent collapse in the price of oil. Our analysis suggests that the variability of oil demand and supply shocks actually has decreased in the more recent past, preventing even larger oil price fluctuations than observed in the data. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Estimation of the elasticity of substitution in the presence of errors of measurement

Under certain circumstances an estimate of the elasticity of substitution for competitive exports in international trade may be bracketed when prices are not directly measured. Often only value and quantity data are available. In this case regressing value ratios on quantity ratios and vice versa will bracket the estimate as the asymptotic biases will have opposite signs. If values are divided by quantities to generate a price series, and then regressions are run, both estimates will be biased towards zero and not provide the bounds sought.