This Seminar reviews economic and policy aspects of global energy issues. We explore the geopolitics of energy in four dimensions: energy security, energy markets, energy sustainability, and energy poverty. First, we look into different countries energy needs, available resources and how they shape their strategies to accomplish energy security. We will begin the course analyzing the price, cost and market structure of fossil fuels and analyze future scenario projections. We will examine notions as energy crisis, strategic commodities, resource curse, resource nationalization. Why do countries liberalize their electricity and gas markets? What are the benefits/problems of electricity liberalization in the Global North in the Global South? We will turn our attention to different geographies and examine policies to combating climate change. Finally, we will study the benefits that international energy transition is delivering, but we will also analyze the new inequalities and risks that can impact developing countries. We will use insights from economic theory to understand the involved trade-offs and to wisely quantify data. We will read some excerpts of energy policies and turning points in history. In the end, global energy economics is a complex topic that will require interdisciplinary approaches.
On the first class, you are expected to choose a topic. Read the corresponding given articles and schedule a presentation. Moreover, you are expected to actively participate in all seminar discussions, and write an essay answering the central questions of your chosen topic.