Records |
Author |
Maes, D.; Vancauteren, M.; Van Passel, S. |
Title |
Investigating market power in the Belgian pork production chain |
Type |
A1 Journal Article |
Year |
2019 |
Publication |
Review of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Studies |
Abbreviated Journal |
Rev Agric Food Environ Stud |
Volume |
100 |
Issue |
1-4 |
Pages |
93-117 |
Keywords |
A1 Journal Article; Engineering Management (ENM) ; |
Abstract |
Belgian pork production has faced stagnating prices for decades. It remains unclear whether excessive market power from slaughterhouses or meat retailers has played a role in this trend. While market power studies can reveal some of the market dynamics in this setting, this type of research has not yet been applied to the Belgian pork market. The present paper investigates oligopolies and oligopsonies in the pork production sector. We build a new model that focuses on market power dynamics in the market for live pigs and distinguishes horizontal and vertical market power parameters, both for pig farmers and for slaughterhouses. The results follow from an empirical application using unique slaughterhouse data for 2001–2015. The results indicate that the farmers benefit from a significant power advantage in the live pig market, when very modest price demands are taken as a reference. The final market price of live pigs approaches the price requested by the farmers. On the other hand, the measured vertical market power also suggests that a pig farmer does not receive the (modest) full-wage-based salary. The market power of the slaughterhouses is also limited. Market power as a result of collusion—that is, horizontal market power—is present, but is not strong. However, there are significant differences between the slaughterhouses in terms of mark-up on the input prices. These differences reflect differences in company strategy, and this diversity further reduces the possibility to create sector-wide collusive behaviour. |
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Publication Date ![sorted by Publication Date field, descending order (down)](img/sort_desc.gif) |
2019-11-27 |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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ISSN |
2425-6870 |
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Impact Factor |
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Times cited |
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Open Access |
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Notes |
H2020 Food, 635577 ; TUL Impuls (transnational university Limburg) Interuniversity fund; |
Approved |
no |
Call Number |
ENM @ enm @ |
Serial |
6377 |
Permanent link to this record |
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Author |
Maes, D.; Van Passel, S. |
Title |
Effective bioeconomy policies for the uptake of innovative technologies under resource constraints |
Type |
A1 Journal article |
Year |
2019 |
Publication |
Biomass & Bioenergy |
Abbreviated Journal |
Biomass Bioenerg |
Volume |
120 |
Issue |
120 |
Pages |
91-106 |
Keywords |
A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Engineering Management (ENM) |
Abstract |
The bioeconomy is a shared vision for a future European industry entirely based on organic matter. Authorities support this technological development with subsidies and policies stimulating R&D. One major limitation for the bioeconomy is that R&D and industrial growth require the continuous availability of biomass as a primary resource. This resource dependence is already present during the formative years of new biobased innovations and influences the pilot and demonstration phase of the development. Traditionally, it is assumed that public support for pilot and demonstration initiatives may overcome this hurdle. In this paper, we investigate how this resource constraint limits the effectiveness of bioeconomy policies. The future development of the biobased sector is simulated including the inherent dependence of industrial activity on biomass. We simulate the future growth and technological diversity of an emerging biotechnological sector: the sector of manure transformation in Belgium. The paper reports the evolutions for three policy scenarios. The model explicitly accounts for endogenous innovation and knowledge transfer mechanisms. The results show that policies may have an important impact on the sector structure in the long run, but the sector growth remains ultimately constrained by the availability of inputs. So bioeconomy policies to promote innovation will be less effective, unless mechanisms are included to alleviate the resource constraint. |
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Wos |
000454887700011 |
Publication Date ![sorted by Publication Date field, descending order (down)](img/sort_desc.gif) |
2018-11-22 |
Series Editor |
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Series Title |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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Series Volume |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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ISSN |
0961-9534 |
ISBN |
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Additional Links |
UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles |
Impact Factor |
3.219 |
Times cited |
3 |
Open Access |
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Notes |
; ; |
Approved |
Most recent IF: 3.219 |
Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:156757 |
Serial |
6191 |
Permanent link to this record |
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Author |
Biely, K.; Maes, D.; Van Passel, S. |
Title |
Market power extended : from Foucault to Meadows |
Type |
A1 Journal article |
Year |
2018 |
Publication |
Sustainability |
Abbreviated Journal |
Sustainability-Basel |
Volume |
10 |
Issue |
8 |
Pages |
2843-23 |
Keywords |
A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering sciences. Technology; Engineering Management (ENM) |
Abstract |
Market power is a complex matter that is approximated with quantitative indicators within economics. However, these indicators may not fully capture market power, or they may fail to identify it, although it may be present. Moreover, a quantitative approach restricts market power as a concept, impeding the ability to discuss its relationship with other concepts, such as sustainability. This paper extends the definition of market power, following Foucaults understanding of power and the associated theoretical discussions of power from different disciplines. We extended Foucaults work by including systems thinking to capture the importance of the prevalent systems paradigm, which is the ultimate initiator of action. Apart from distinguishing different elements of power, we also integrate an instrumental view on the elements of power. The developed frame allows us to understand the dynamic character of power as a force that strives to maintain or ameliorate the position of the paradigm that it serves. Based on this frame, we outline how this extended understanding of power can be used to analyze market power itself, and its relation with sustainability. |
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Wos |
000446767700259 |
Publication Date ![sorted by Publication Date field, descending order (down)](img/sort_desc.gif) |
2018-08-10 |
Series Editor |
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Series Title |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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Series Volume |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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ISSN |
2071-1050 |
ISBN |
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Additional Links |
UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles; WoS full record; WoS citing articles |
Impact Factor |
1.789 |
Times cited |
1 |
Open Access |
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Notes |
; This research was performed within the frame of the HORIZON 2020 project SUFISA with the grant agreement number 635577. ; |
Approved |
Most recent IF: 1.789 |
Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:154139 |
Serial |
6224 |
Permanent link to this record |
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Author |
Biely, K.; Maes, D.; Van Passel, S. |
Title |
The idea of weak sustainability is illegitimate |
Type |
A1 Journal article |
Year |
2018 |
Publication |
Environment, development and sustainability |
Abbreviated Journal |
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Volume |
20 |
Issue |
1 |
Pages |
223-232 |
Keywords |
A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering sciences. Technology; Engineering Management (ENM) |
Abstract |
Since the introduction of the sustainability challenge, scientists disagree over the interpretation of the term sustainability. Weak and strong sustainability are the two main interpretations of sustainability, which are opposing each other. Some researchers stated that the interpretation of the term depends on the context; others disagree pointing out that it always implies the meaning of continuation. The term sustainability can be used as attribute, which adds a certain characteristic to the noun. If something can be attributed as being sustainable, it can also be unsustainable. The sustainability challenge consists of shifting from the current unsustainable towards a sustainable system. This paper outlines that the weak sustainability term is illegitimate, as it leads to a contradiction with the acknowledged assumption that the current state is unsustainable. This contradiction is revealed through an analysis of the occurrence of decoupling in agriculture: Agricultural land use could be decoupled from agricultural production, but only with the trade-off of massive increases in fertilizer, pesticide, energy and water usage. This paper outlines an inherent inconsistency within the ongoing discussion about the interpretation of sustainability. Through identifying the invalidity of the weak sustainability interpretation the focus can be shifted form the discourse to the sustainability challenge itself. |
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Wos |
000423142700011 |
Publication Date ![sorted by Publication Date field, descending order (down)](img/sort_desc.gif) |
2016-10-31 |
Series Editor |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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Series Volume |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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ISSN |
1387-585x |
ISBN |
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Additional Links |
UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles |
Impact Factor |
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Times cited |
1 |
Open Access |
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Notes |
; The authors would like to thank the reviewers for their time and their comments on the draft version. This paper was supported by the Horizon 2020 project SUFISA (Grant Agreement No. 635577). ; |
Approved |
Most recent IF: NA |
Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:149043 |
Serial |
6212 |
Permanent link to this record |
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Author |
Maes, D.; Van Passel, S. |
Title |
An agent-based model of farmer behaviour to explain the limited adaptability of Flemish agriculture |
Type |
A1 Journal article |
Year |
2017 |
Publication |
Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions |
Abbreviated Journal |
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Volume |
22 |
Issue |
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Pages |
63-77 |
Keywords |
A1 Journal article; Engineering Management (ENM) |
Abstract |
Transition projects have been implemented for Flemish agriculture since 2003, but these did not enable a transformation of the agricultural sector. This paper looks at pre-transition scenarios that have been collectively designed by stakeholders of the agricultural sector in 2002. These foresaw decreases in the regional animal stocks in Flanders. However, the real evolution of the sector did not reveal such a decrease. It is assumed that the individual adaptive behaviour of farmers can explain the unexpected stability of the Flemish agricultural sector. A detailed agent-based model has been built to replicate the past evolution, accounting for structural diversity of farmers, heterogeneity in behaviour, and natural resource constraints. The results indicate that different forms of rigidity in the individual behaviour of farmers slow down the adaptation of the agricultural sector. Future transition scenarios should account for these elements in order not to overestimate the speed of change in the sector. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. |
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Wos |
000400269900006 |
Publication Date ![sorted by Publication Date field, descending order (down)](img/sort_desc.gif) |
2016-07-17 |
Series Editor |
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Series Volume |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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ISSN |
2210-4224 |
ISBN |
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Additional Links |
UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles |
Impact Factor |
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Times cited |
1 |
Open Access |
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Notes |
; This project was financed by the Impuls-project of the Transnational University Limburg (TUL, Belgium and theNetherlands). A prior version of the results was presented in September 2014 at the 10th annual meeting of the European Social Simulation Association (ESSA) in Barcelona; the remarks from participants improved this manuscript. Thecomputational resources and services in support of this study were provided by the Hercules Foundation and the Flemish Government-department EWI. Prof. Steven Van Passel thanks DG Agriculture (European Commission) for access to theFarm Accountancy Data Network (FADN). All remaining errors are the sole responsibility of the authors. ; |
Approved |
Most recent IF: NA |
Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:143721 |
Serial |
6150 |
Permanent link to this record |
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Author |
Maes, D.; Van Dael, M.; Vanheusden, B.; Goovaerts, L.; Reumerman, P.; Luzardo, N.M.; Van Passel, S. |
Title |
Assessment of the sustainability guidelines of EU Renewable Energy Directive : the case of biorefineries |
Type |
A1 Journal article |
Year |
2015 |
Publication |
Journal Of Cleaner Production |
Abbreviated Journal |
J Clean Prod |
Volume |
88 |
Issue |
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Pages |
61-70 |
Keywords |
A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering Management (ENM) |
Abstract |
Sustainability guidelines can help to safeguard the sustainable use of biological materials. When these guidelines are legally prescribed, their influence on the economic viability of bioenergy, biofuel and bioliquid projects is increased substantially, through their impact on national subsidy regimes and international trade. One of the key examples is the European directive 2009/28/EC, or the Renewable Energy Directive (RED), and the related COM/2010/11 that integrate guidelines for calculating greenhouse gas impact for various bioenergy pathways. This paper looks further into the sustainability results when influenced by principal decisions that are legally open for debate. Therefore, a concise review is conducted of the legal state-of-the-art on whether a product is waste or not. The review pinpoints uncertainty, leading to four potential legal scenarios. The sustainability of a complex biorefinery is analysed for each scenario. The results show (i) a high sensitivity to the principal decisions on the nature of waste materials in the scenarios, and (ii) to the definition of boundaries between the processes. More detailed rules for the application of the RED guidelines are needed, and should be complemented with methods specifically targeting all relevant sustainability aspects, thereby enhancing the overall understanding of the sustainability of the process. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. |
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Corporate Author |
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Editor |
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Language |
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Wos |
000347771100007 |
Publication Date ![sorted by Publication Date field, descending order (down)](img/sort_desc.gif) |
2014-04-30 |
Series Editor |
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Series Title |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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Series Volume |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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ISSN |
0959-6526 |
ISBN |
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Additional Links |
UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles |
Impact Factor |
5.715 |
Times cited |
25 |
Open Access |
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Notes |
; We would like to thank the editor and the anonymous referees for their helpful suggestions and insightful comments that have significantly improved the paper. The 'Energy Conversion Parks' (ECP) project is funded as Project nr IVA-VLANED-2.39 by the Interreg IVa-Flanders-Netherlands program from the European Fund for Regional Development that stimulates cross border projects. Also the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Flemish Government, the Provinces of Noord-Brabant (NL), Zeeland (NL), Limburg (BE) and the partners (VITO, Avans University of Applied Sciences, Wageningen University and Research, Hasselt University, and Zeeland University of Applied Sciences) themselves are co-financing the project. Finally, we would like to express our gratitude towards the organization of the eighth Conference on Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment systems in Dubrovnik (Croatia) for giving us the opportunity to present and thereby fine-tune our work. ; |
Approved |
Most recent IF: 5.715; 2015 IF: 3.844 |
Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:127538 |
Serial |
6157 |
Permanent link to this record |
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Author |
Maes, D.; Van Passel, S. |
Title |
Advantages and limitations of exergy indicators to assess sustainability of bioenergy and biobased materials |
Type |
A1 Journal article |
Year |
2014 |
Publication |
Environmental Impact Assessment Review |
Abbreviated Journal |
Environ Impact Asses |
Volume |
45 |
Issue |
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Pages |
19-29 |
Keywords |
A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Engineering Management (ENM) |
Abstract |
Innovative bioenergy projects show a growing diversity in biomass pathways, transformation technologies and end-products, leading to complex new processes. Existing energy-based indicators are not designed to include multiple impacts and are too constrained to assess the sustainability of these processes. Alternatively, indicators based on exergy, a measure of “qualitative energy”, could allow a more holistic view. Exergy is increasingly applied in analyses of both technical and biological processes. But sustainability assessments including exergy calculations, are not very common and are not generally applicable to all types of impact. Hence it is important to frame the use of exergy for inclusion in a sustainability assessment. This paper reviews the potentials and the limitations of exergy calculations, and presents solutions for coherent aggregation with other metrics. The resulting approach is illustrated in a case study. Within the context of sustainability assessment of bioenergy, exergy is a suitable metric for the impacts that require an ecocentric interpretation, and it allows aggregation on a physical basis. The use of exergy is limited to a measurement of material and energy exchanges with the sun, biosphere and lithosphere. Exchanges involving services or human choices are to be measured in different metrics. This combination provides a more inclusive and objective sustainability assessment, especially compared to standard energy- or carbon-based indicators. Future applications of this approach in different situations are required to clarify the potential of exergy-based indicators in a sustainability context. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. |
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Wos |
000331924600003 |
Publication Date ![sorted by Publication Date field, descending order (down)](img/sort_desc.gif) |
2013-12-05 |
Series Editor |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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Series Volume |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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ISSN |
0195-9255 |
ISBN |
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Additional Links |
UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles |
Impact Factor |
3.094 |
Times cited |
18 |
Open Access |
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Notes |
; ; |
Approved |
Most recent IF: 3.094; 2014 IF: 2.400 |
Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:127545 |
Serial |
6147 |
Permanent link to this record |
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Author |
Maes, D.; Van Passel, S. |
Title |
Interference of regional support policies on the economic and environmental performance of a hybrid cogeneration-solar panel energy system |
Type |
A1 Journal article |
Year |
2012 |
Publication |
Energy Policy |
Abbreviated Journal |
Energ Policy |
Volume |
42 |
Issue |
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Pages |
670-680 |
Keywords |
A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Engineering Management (ENM) |
Abstract |
This paper assesses unintentional interference between different public policies promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy. The paper develops a methodology to study the interference by analysing the economic and technical behaviour of a hybrid energy system. The hybrid energy system in this case consists of an existing cogeneration unit extended with a new installation of thermal solar panels. This puts two complementary heating technologies in juxtaposition. The two technologies are supported with distinct regional support instruments in each region. The design and operation of the energy system is optimised from the point of view of the investor according to the different support instruments. The optimal configuration is analysed as well as its effect on reduced CO2-emissions during the lifetime of the project. The methodology is applied to a case-study for two neighbouring regions, the Netherlands and Flanders. The policies in the Netherlands show a beneficial synergy. In Flanders, the hybrid energy system is not interesting, indicating unbalanced high support for cogeneration in this case. From the point of view of the authorities, a more balanced regional policy as in the Netherlands provides a larger CO2-emission reduction for a smaller cost. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. |
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Wos |
000301616000066 |
Publication Date ![sorted by Publication Date field, descending order (down)](img/sort_desc.gif) |
2012-01-14 |
Series Editor |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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Series Volume |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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ISSN |
0301-4215; 1873-6777 |
ISBN |
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Additional Links |
UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles |
Impact Factor |
4.14 |
Times cited |
4 |
Open Access |
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Notes |
; The authors would especially like to thank Davy Duelen for the excellent case-study and data collection that enabled the present paper. The help and information provided by Pierre Gijsen also made the detailed assessment possible. We are also indebted to two anonymous reviewers, whose remarks strongly improved the paper. This project has been financed by the Impulse-project of the tUL (transnational University Limburg). ; |
Approved |
Most recent IF: 4.14; 2012 IF: 2.743 |
Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:127558 |
Serial |
6220 |
Permanent link to this record |
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Author |
Petitclerc, E.; Welkenhuysen, K.; Van Passel, S.; Piessens, K.; Maes, D.; Compernolle, T. |
Title |
Towards geological-economic modelling to improve evaluating policy instruments for geothermal energy : case study for Belgium (Campine Basin) |
Type |
A3 Journal article |
Year |
2017 |
Publication |
European Geologist |
Abbreviated Journal |
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Volume |
43 |
Issue |
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Pages |
10-15 |
Keywords |
A3 Journal article; Economics; Economics; Engineering Management (ENM) |
Abstract |
Deep geothermal energy appears to be currently on the edge of a take-off in Belgium. However, the actual emergence of this technology is subject to developments in legislation and incentives from regional governments. Different risk/return expectations across stages of the investment continuum exist and the financial structures that are employed at each stage may require different types of public support. In this context, the ALPI project aims at developing a geological-economic model to calculate the impact of different policy instruments on development of the Belgian geothermal energy sector. Due to the lack of underground information describing the Campine Basin, economic methods are used to deal with these large geological uncertainties. |
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Publication Date ![sorted by Publication Date field, descending order (down)](img/sort_desc.gif) |
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Edition |
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ISSN |
1028-267x |
ISBN |
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Additional Links |
UA library record |
Impact Factor |
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Times cited |
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Open Access |
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Notes |
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Approved |
Most recent IF: NA |
Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:155239 |
Serial |
6273 |
Permanent link to this record |