Julian Sagebiel

From meta-studies to modeling: Using synthesis knowledge to build broadly applicable process-based land change models

This paper explores how meta-studies can support the development of process-based land change models (LCMs) that can be applied across locations and scales. We describe a multi-step framework for model development and provide descriptions and examples of how meta-studies can be used in each step. We conclude that meta-studies best support the conceptualization and experimentation phases of the model development cycle, but cannot typically provide full model parameterizations. Moreover, meta-studies are particularly useful for developing agent-based LCMs that can be applied across a wide range of contexts, locations, and/or scales, because meta-studies provide both quantitative and qualitative data needed to derive agent behaviors more readily than from case study or aggregate data sources alone. Recent land change synthesis studies provide sufficient topical breadth and depth to support the development of broadly applicable process-based LCMs, as well as the potential to accelerate the production of generalized knowledge through model-driven synthesis.

Holistische Bewertung von Ökosystemleistungen - Äpfel, Birnen und Biodiversität

Entscheidungen zum Landmanagement haben stets vieldimensionale Auswirkungen. Das Konzept der Okosystemleistungen erleichtert die Verstandigung in interdisziplinaren Teams und kann so dabei helfen, diese Auswirkungen besser zu verstehen.

The structural effect of cooperatives on price volatility in the European dairy sector

ABSTRACT Theoretical models and empirical evidence suggest that high market shares of cooperatives can force investor-oriented firms to pay higher producer prices within a region. In the same vein, cooperatives may force investor-oriented firms to reduce price volatility. We use panel data from 27 European Union member states over the period 2001–2015 to investigate how the market share of cooperatives in a country affects milk price volatility. Our key finding is that a higher market share of cooperatives reduces price volatility at the national level. Volatility is influenced by a number of other variables, such as fluctuation in raw milk production, oil price volatility spillover and the number of dairy processors. Policymakers should consider that the promotion of cooperatives might positively affect price stability in the dairy sector.

Valuing improvements in electricity supply using discrete choice experiments

In order to design electricity markets to simultaneously reduce the share of fossil fuels in energy production and meet the increasing demand for electricity, knowledge on consumer preferences is necessary. The goal of this cumulative dissertation is to contribute to the understanding of preferences of private households for electricity supply attributes in different contexts. The guiding research questions are 1) what attributes of electricity determine private household electricity supply preferences and 2) how do electricity preferences differ between people and contexts. I address the research questions in four papers which have in common the application of the discrete choice experiment method to elicit preferences: In Paper 1 I review statistical methods to compare two frequently applied models, the random parameters logit and the latent class logit. The methods presented here can be readily used by other researchers and practitioners to better understand model performance which ultimately contributes to improving model choice in applied energy research. Based on the empirical findings of Paper 1, Paper 2 identifies preferences of private households in Hyderabad in India for electricity supply quality. The results indicate that willingness to pay for improvements are, on average, rather low. However, the preferences strongly vary between subjects. Papers 3 and 4 investigate preferences of German private households. In Paper 3, the respondents stated their preferences for the organization of the electricity distribution company under different renewable energy scenarios. It turned out that most people are willing to pay more for electricity supplied by municipally-owned companies and cooperatives. This additional willingness to pay increases disproportionally when the share of renewable energy is high. The paper identifies non-profit orientated distribution companies as potential drivers of the energy transition. Paper 4 investigates the determinants for the success of energy cooperatives in Germany. The results indicate that the governance of distribution companies impacts the choices of private households for electricity supply contracts. Especially, people preferred cooperativelike governance attributes. However, the willingness to pay for governance attributes was significantly lower than the willingness to pay for increases in renewable energy.

Project Steps in Detail

This chapter illustrates relevant steps within the pilot project’s chronology, the timeframe of which ranged from October 2011 to June 2013. The sections are organised into three chronological phases: preparation and planning, implementation and evaluation.

Strategies and Existing Projects

There have been various attempts, mostly put into practice through projects, to break the vicious circle of problems in Indian agricultural electrical energy supply. Such projects may be initiated by state governments, foreign development agencies, or are community driven. Projects with high budgets have often focused on large-scale technical interventions, where participation of local stakeholders is not required. In contrast, projects with low budgets have often involved local stakeholders and yielded low-cost technical solutions that can be implemented by farmers. In this chapter, we review recent and ongoing projects and discuss different implementation strategies.

Background of the Agricultural Power Supply Situation in India and Andhra Pradesh

In this chapter, we discuss the power supply situation in India and Andhra Pradesh, beginning with a brief historical outline and then describing the current state and structure of the power sector, including its main challenges. We focus on agricultural power supply, exemplifying its major issues and discussing the existing low-equilibrium trap of power quality.

Nachhaltige Entwicklung von Megacities am Beispiel Südindien – Was können Einspeisetarife dazu beitragen?

Die nachhaltige Entwicklung von urbanen Zentren hat in den letzten zehn Jahren enorm an Bedeutung gewonnen. Das liegt auch daran, dass seit 2009 erstmals weltweit mehr Menschen in Stadten leben als auf dem Land. Auch das rasante Wachstum von urbanen Zentren mit mehr als funf Millionen Einwohnern und der oft unkontrollierte Flachenverbrauch erfordern nationale und internationale Masnahmen zur Entwicklung von nachhaltigen und effizienten Systemlosungen. Besonders in Megacities in Schwellen- und Entwicklungslandern konzentrieren sich die typischen Probleme einer schnell wachsenden Bevolkerung. Wachstumsraten z. B. in Sudindien von bis zu vier Prozent pro Jahr bei einer schlecht ausgebauten Infrastruktur verursachen zahlreiche Folgeprobleme. Ein zentraler Bereich ist hierbei die Energieversorgung, da fossile Brennstoffe zur Stromerzeugung den stark zunehmenden Bedarf dauerhaft nicht werden decken konnen und das Bewusstsein fur erneuerbare Energien in der Politik sich erst langsam zu etablieren beginnt. Verstarkt wird diese Problematik auch dadurch, dass die technische Entwicklung in diesen Regionen den Strombedarf zusatzlich erhoht. Ein eindruckliches Beispiel sind Klimaanlagen, deren Anteil an der Stromversorgung stetig steigt und auch das Problem der Spitzenlastdefizite verstarkt.