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The performance of coal‐burning electric generating units in the United States: 1960–1980
Author(s) -
Joskow Paul L.,
Schmalensee Richard
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
journal of applied econometrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.878
H-Index - 99
eISSN - 1099-1255
pISSN - 0883-7252
DOI - 10.1002/jae.3950020203
Subject(s) - coal , unit (ring theory) , reliability (semiconductor) , quality (philosophy) , scale (ratio) , set (abstract data type) , environmental economics , computer science , econometrics , environmental science , reliability engineering , industrial engineering , economics , engineering , mathematics , power (physics) , waste management , geography , philosophy , physics , mathematics education , epistemology , quantum mechanics , programming language , cartography
This paper studies determinants of the thermal efficiency and reliability of coal‐burning electric generating units using a new, comprehensive, unbalanced panel data set. For two major technological groups consistent and efficient estimates are obtained of the effects of unit age, vintage, scale, operating practices, and coal quality. Large utilities integrated into design and engineering appear to obtain superior unit performance. Implications of our results for life‐cycle generation costs, regulators' performance norms, and the complex pattern of technological change in this industry are discussed.