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on Regulation |
| By: | World Bank |
| Keywords: | Infrastructure Economics and Finance-Infrastructure Regulation Public Sector Development-Climate Change Policy and Regulation |
| Date: | 2024–12 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:42290 |
| By: | Doron Sayag; Avichai Snir; Daniel Levy |
| Abstract: | We test the predictions of the sticky information model using a survey dataset by comparing shoppers accuracy in recalling the prices of regulated and comparable unregulated products. Because regulated product prices are capped, they are sold more than comparable unregulated products, while their prices change less frequently and vary less across stores and between brands, than the prices of comparable unregulated products. Therefore, shoppers would be expected to recall the regulated product prices more accurately. However, we find that shoppers are better at recalling the prices of unregulated products, in line with the sticky information model which predicts that shoppers will be more attentive to prices that change more frequently. |
| Date: | 2025–02 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2502.15974 |
| By: | Viktoriya Ereshchenko; Elena Popic |
| Keywords: | Energy-Energy Conservation & Efficiency Energy-Energy Resources Development Energy-Renewable Energy Environment-Environment and Energy Efficiency |
| Date: | 2024–12 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:42581 |
| By: | Eliseo Curcio |
| Abstract: | This study presents a comprehensive techno-economic analysis of gray, blue, and green hydrogen production pathways, evaluating their cost structures, investment feasibility, infrastructure challenges, and policy-driven cost reductions. The findings confirm that gray hydrogen (1.50-2.50/kg) remains the most cost-effective today but is increasingly constrained by carbon pricing. Blue hydrogen (2.00-3.50/kg) offers a transitional pathway but depends on CCS costs, natural gas price volatility, and regulatory support. Green hydrogen (3.50-6.00/kg) is currently the most expensive but benefits from declining renewable electricity costs, electrolyzer efficiency improvements, and government incentives such as the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which provides tax credits of up to 3.00/kg. The analysis shows that renewable electricity costs below 20-30/MWh are essential for green hydrogen to achieve cost parity with fossil-based hydrogen. The DOE's Hydrogen Shot Initiative aims to lower green hydrogen costs to 1.00/kg by 2031, emphasizing the need for CAPEX reductions, economies of scale, and improved electrolyzer efficiency. Infrastructure remains a critical challenge, with pipeline retrofitting reducing transport costs by 50-70%, though liquefied hydrogen and chemical carriers remain costly due to energy losses and reconversion expenses. Investment trends indicate a shift toward green hydrogen, with over 250 billion projected by 2035, surpassing blue hydrogen's expected 100 billion. Carbon pricing above $100/ton CO2 will likely make gray hydrogen uncompetitive by 2030, accelerating the shift to low-carbon hydrogen. Hydrogen's long-term viability depends on continued cost reductions, policy incentives, and infrastructure expansion, with green hydrogen positioned as a cornerstone of the net-zero energy transition by 2035. |
| Date: | 2025–02 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2502.12211 |
| By: | Mohamed Zakaria Kamh; Waleed Tayseer Alhaddad; Doug Bowman |
| Keywords: | Energy-Electric Power Finance and Financial Sector Development-Payment Systems & Infrastructure |
| Date: | 2024–07 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:41921 |
| By: | Cesare Carissimo; Jan Nagler; Heinrich Nax |
| Abstract: | We investigate the dynamics of Q-learning in a class of generalized Braess paradox games. These games represent an important class of network routing games where the associated stage-game Nash equilibria do not constitute social optima. We provide a full convergence analysis of Q-learning with varying parameters and learning rates. A wide range of phenomena emerges, broadly either settling into Nash or cycling continuously in ways reminiscent of "Edgeworth cycles" (i.e. jumping suddenly from Nash toward social optimum and then deteriorating gradually back to Nash). Our results reveal an important incentive incompatibility when thinking in terms of a meta-game being played by the designers of the individual Q-learners who set their agents' parameters. Indeed, Nash equilibria of the meta-game are characterized by heterogeneous parameters, and resulting outcomes achieve little to no cooperation beyond Nash. In conclusion, we suggest a novel perspective for thinking about regulation and collusion, and discuss the implications of our results for Bertrand oligopoly pricing games. |
| Date: | 2025–02 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2502.18984 |
| By: | Zexin Ye |
| Abstract: | When the current demand shock is observable, with a high discount factor, Q-learning agents predominantly learn to implement symmetric rigid pricing, i.e., they charge constant prices across demand states. Under this pricing pattern, supra-competitive profits can still be obtained and are sustained through collusive strategies that effectively punish deviations. This shows that Q-learning agents can successfully overcome the stronger incentives to deviate during the positive demand shocks, and consequently algorithmic collusion persists under observed demand shocks. In contrast, with a medium discount factor, Q-learning agents learn that maintaining high prices during the positive demand shocks is not incentive compatible and instead proactively charge lower prices to decrease the temptation for deviating, while maintaining relatively high prices during the negative demand shocks. As a result, the countercyclical pricing pattern becomes predominant, aligning with the theoretical prediction of Rotemberg and Saloner (1986). These findings highlight how Q-learning algorithms can both adapt pricing strategies and develop tacit collusion in response to complex market conditions. |
| Date: | 2025–02 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2502.15084 |
| By: | Anne de Bortoli; Adelaide Feraille |
| Abstract: | Long-distance mobility sustainability, high-speed railways (HSR) decarbonization effect, and bans for short-haul flights are debated in Europe. Yet, holistic environmental assessments on these topics are scarce. A comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted on the Paris-Bordeaux transportation options in France: HSR, plane, coach, personal car, and carpooling. The overall ranking on four environmental indicators, from best to worst, is as follows: coach, HSR, carpooling, private car, and plane. Scenario analyses showed that increasing train occupancy decreases the environmental impact of the mode (-12%), while decreasing speed does not. Moreover, worldwide carbon footprints of electric HSR modes range 30-120 gCO2eq per passenger-kilometer traveled. Finally, a consequential LCA highlighted carbon paybacks of the HSR project. Under a business-as-usual trip substitution scenario, the HSR gets net-zero 60 years after construction. With a short-haul flight ban, it occurs after 10 years. This advocates for generalizing short-haul flight bans and investing in HSR infrastructure. |
| Date: | 2025–01 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2502.05192 |
| By: | Lombana Cordoba Camilo; Gustavo Saltiel; Perez Penalosa Federico |
| Keywords: | Water Supply and Sanitation-Urban Water Supply and Sanitation |
| Date: | 2024–12 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:42493 |
| By: | World Bank; Carbon Markets Infrastructure Working Group |
| Keywords: | Environment-Adaptation to Climate Change Environment-Carbon Policy and Trading Environment-Climate Change Impacts |
| Date: | 2024–11 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:42389 |
| By: | World Bank |
| Keywords: | Water Supply and Sanitation-Water Supply and Sanitation Policy, Legislation and Regulation Water Supply and Sanitation-Water Supply and Sanitation Participation Law and Development-Administrative & Regulatory Law Governance-International Governmental Organizations |
| Date: | 2025–01 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:42602 |
| By: | World Bank |
| Keywords: | Finance and Financial Sector Development-Capital Markets and Capital Flows International Economics and Trade-Capital Flows International Economics and Trade-Access to Markets |
| Date: | 2024–12 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:42496 |
| By: | World Bank |
| Keywords: | Environment-Adaptation to Climate Change Environment-Climate Change Impacts Water Resources-Water Resources Assessment Water Supply and Sanitation-Public Private Partnerships in Water Supply and Sanitation |
| Date: | 2025–01 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:42592 |
| By: | World Bank |
| Keywords: | Information and Communication Technologies-ICT Applications Information and Communication Technologies-Digital Divide Infrastructure Economics and Finance-Infrastructure Regulation |
| Date: | 2024–12 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:42551 |
| By: | World Bank |
| Keywords: | Energy-Renewable Energy |
| Date: | 2024–12 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:42516 |
| By: | World Bank |
| Keywords: | Finance and Financial Sector Development-Capital Markets and Capital Flows Macroeconomics and Economic Growth-Economic Growth Macroeconomics and Economic Growth-Investment and Investment Climate International Economics and Trade-Trade Finance and Investment |
| Date: | 2025–01 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:42649 |
| By: | World Bank |
| Keywords: | Information and Communication Technologies-ICT Applications Infrastructure Economics and Finance-Infrastructure Regulation |
| Date: | 2024–12 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:42555 |
| By: | World Bank |
| Keywords: | Water Resources-Drought Management Water Resources-Freshwater Resources Water Resources-Water Resources Assessment |
| Date: | 2025–01 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:42613 |
| By: | World Bank |
| Keywords: | Finance and Financial Sector Development-Finance and Development Infrastructure Economics and Finance-Infrastructure Finance Macroeconomics and Economic Growth-Economic Growth |
| Date: | 2024–10 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:42235 |