Syllabus

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The objective is to develop understanding of the basic problems in environmental, resource and energy economics. Tools developed for analyzing market failures and instruments for solving them. Familiarize the student with the main challenges in the energy sector, including those related to the environment.

Credits: 6

Schedule: 22.04.2024 - 06.06.2024

Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Iivo Vehviläinen

Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):

Teacher in charge: iivo.vehvilainen@aalto.fi

For practical questions: Consult course policies in MyCourses first.

CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period):

Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):

Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  Common pool resource use in theory and practice; description and analysis of resource and energy commodity markets; pollution control in theory and practice, with particular emphasis on climate change, energy and environmental policy. Main empirical cases include: investments in nuclear power; emissions trading; pricing and investments in the electricity sector.

Assessment Methods and Criteria

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  Exercises, group work, case study, exam

• applies in this implementation

  A part of the course is graded on the basis of your work in a small team, 1-3 persons.

  • Team formed and case study topic selected, mandatory.
  • 5 returned (and passed) Reading assignments mandatory. Passing an assignment requires having at least half of the answers correct.
  • 5 returned (and passed) Electricity market games mandatory. Passing a round requires having at least half of the answers correct.
  • Case study returned, 40 % of the grade 
  
  

Workload

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  The course has 4 learning elements: lectures, exercises, reading assignments, and case study.

  Lectures (24 h)
  Conceptual background
  Main empirical cases

  Reading assignments (30 h)
  Readings and own source search
  3-5 questions to be analyzed
  Presenting and debating the outcome in the class

  Problem sets (24 h)
  Learning methods for analysis
  Introduced and discussed in groups during the class
  3 x 1 compulsory home exercises, returned next week

  Case study (66 h)
  Analyze a case in the energy and environment field
  Write a 5-10-page report

DETAILS

Study Material

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  Lecture notes.

  Other readings assigned during the course.

• applies in this implementation

  There is no text book. Reading materials are assigned during the course.

  Lecture slides as well as lecture notes on selected topics are provided.

  
  

Substitutes for Courses

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  Substitutes for Courses

Prerequisites

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  Prerequisites

SDG: Sustainable Development Goals

8 Decent Work and Economic Growth

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  Teaching Language : English

  Teaching Period : 2022-2023 Spring V
  2023-2024 Spring V

• applies in this implementation

  The course is lectured in classroom only, there is no online option.

  Participation to the lectures is not mandatory. It is possible to do all assignments online. 

  Exam is traditional and will require physical attendance. Retake exam will be held in the Autumn 2024.

  
  

  
  

Details on the schedule

• applies in this implementation

  ––– Week 1 ––––––––––––––––––––

  Lecture 1     PERFECT COMPETITION 

  • Perfect market benchmark 

  Lecture 2     ELECTRICITY MARKETS 

  • Market institutions 

  • How does the available generation shape the supply curve 

  ––– Week 2 ––––––––––––––––––––

  Lecture 3     EXTERNALITIES 

  • Pigou and Coase, strategic behavior 

  Lecture 4     COSTS VS. BENEFITS 

  • Measuring externalities, cost-benefit analysis 

  ––– Week 3 ––––––––––––––––––––

  Lecture 5     POLICY PRINCIPLES 

  • Policy menu 

  • Best choices: Prices vs. Quantities  

  Lecture 6     POLLUTION TRADING 

  • Example: EU Emission Trading Scheme 

  ––– Week 4 ––––––––––––––––––––

  Lecture 7     RENEWABLE ENERGY SUBSIDIES 

  • Renewable energy subsidies 

  Lecture 8     INVESTMENTS 

  • Basics of investment analysis 
    

  ––– Week 5  ––––––––––––––––––––

  Lecture 9     STORAGE AND EXHAUSTIBLE RESOURCES 

  • Storage and time dynamics 

  • Exhaustible resource theory, Hotelling rule 

  Lecture 10   CLIMATE CHANGE ECONOMICS 

  • Social cost of carbon 

  • Integrated assessment models 

  ––– Week 6 ––––––––––––––––––––

  Lecture 11   CONSUMER BEHAVIOR 

  • Policy impacts on consumer choice 

  Lecture 12   NEW TECHNOLOGIES 

  • Innovations 

  
  

Description