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Incentive Regulation and Utility Benchmarking for Electricity Network Security

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  • Tooraj Jamasb
  • Rabindra Nepal
Abstract
The incentive regulation of costs related to physical and cyber security in electricity networks is an important but relatively unexplored and ambiguous issue. These costs can be part of a cost efficiency benchmarking or alternatively dealt separately. This paper discusses the issues and proposes on the options for incorporating network security costs within incentive regulation in a benchmarking framework. The relevant concerns and limitations associated with network security costs accounting and classification, choice of cost drivers, data adequacy and quality and the relevant benchmarking methodologies are discussed. The discussion suggests that the present regulatory treatment of network security costs using benchmarking is rather limited to being an informative regulatory tool than being deterministic. We discuss how alternative approaches outside of the benchmarking framework such as the use of stochastic cost-benefit analysis and cost-effectiveness analysis of network security investments can complement the results obtained from benchmarking.

Suggested Citation

  • Tooraj Jamasb & Rabindra Nepal, 2014. "Incentive Regulation and Utility Benchmarking for Electricity Network Security," Cambridge Working Papers in Economics 1434, Faculty of Economics, University of Cambridge.
    • Handle: RePEc:cam:camdae:1434
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Pavala Malar Kannan & Govindan Marthandan & Rathimala Kannan, 2021. "Modelling Efficiency of Electric Utilities Using Three Stage Virtual Frontier Data Envelopment Analysis with Variable Selection by Loads Method," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-21, June.
    2. Lavarenne, Jean & Shwageraus, Eugene & Weightman, Michael, 2016. "Accountability feedback assessments for improving efficiency of nuclear regulatory institutions," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 274-288.
    3. Yuan, Peng & Pu, Yuran & Liu, Chang, 2021. "Improving electricity supply reliability in China: Cost and incentive regulation," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 237(C).
    4. Nepal, Rabindra & Zhao, Xiaomeng & Liu, Yang & Dong, Kangyin, 2024. "Can green finance strengthen energy resilience? The case of China," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 202(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    benchmarking; network security; incentive regulation; exceptional events;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L94 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Electric Utilities
    • L51 - Industrial Organization - - Regulation and Industrial Policy - - - Economics of Regulation
    • L98 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Government Policy

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