Market power analysis in the Italian electricity market using a supply function equilibrium model

TitleMarket power analysis in the Italian electricity market using a supply function equilibrium model
Publication TypeConference Paper
Year of Publication2009
AuthorsAbeygunawardana, A, Bovo C, Berizzi A
Conference NameProceedings of the 44th International Universities Power Engineering Conference
Date PublishedSeptember
Conference LocationUniversity of Strathclyde
KeywordsElectricity markets Power System Operation and Control
Abstract

Market power is one of the main concerns in the Italian electricity market. Transmission constraints and highly concentrated ownership structure in the market have been allowing firms to exercise market power and raise electricity prices above marginal cost. This paper presents a supply function equilibrium (SFE) model for analyzing the exercise of potential market power in the Italian electricity market. A coevolutionary genetic algorithm is used to calculate the oligopolistic price equilibria of the SFE model, while considering the transmission constraints in the network using a 3 area approximation of the Italian grid. Demand is assumed to be perfectly inelastic.