GMOs and Economic Development in Peru: A Myth or an Opportunity?

Peru has a 10-year ban on genetically modified (GM) crops and food that was approved by the Peruvian congress in 2011. Is it scientifically justified or is it a cause and effect fallacy that will make Peru fall behind in taking advantage of this technology and its potential benefits to everyone else in the economy? In order to answer this question, a literature review was carried out to examine the three most commonly used arguments against genetically modified organisms (GMOs) by farmers and all those related to the agriculture industry, reaching the conclusion that they are not one hundred percent plausible. Further research showed the multiple, potential economic benefits that GM seeds could bring about to Peru, which are related to increased labor productivity, the development of human capital, and the expansion of renewable energy sources and its implications for trade and employment – the environmental and health benefits of GMO varieties are also discussed. This paper elaborates on such matters by applying different macro and microeconomic concepts, i.e., market structures and competition, the theory of the firm, and scarcity, among others; and provides insights about the different socio-economic realities present in Peru and possible ways to improve them.

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The Potential of Using Renewable Energy Sources in Poland Taking into Account the Economic and Ecological Conditions

Energies ◽

10.3390/en14227525 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (22) ◽

pp. 7525

Author(s):

Mariusz Niekurzak

Keyword(s):

Renewable Energy ◽

Carbon Dioxide Emissions ◽

Fossil Fuels ◽

Renewable Energy Sources ◽

Technical Specification ◽

Economic Benefits ◽

Environmental Benefits ◽

Energy Sources ◽

Renewable Sources ◽

Starting Point

The aim of the manuscript was to present the collective results of research on the profitability of using various renewable sources in Poland with the greatest development potential. In the paper, the economic parameters of various investment projects were determined and calculated, i.e., Net Capital Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and the Period of Return on Invested Capital (PBT). The economic assessment of the use of RES technologies was supplemented with the assessment of environmental benefits. The ecological criterion adopted in the study was the assessment of the potential and costs of reducing greenhouse gas emissions as a result of replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy technologies. On the basis of the constructed economic model to assess the profitability of investments, it has been shown that the analyzed projects will start to bring, depending on their type and technical specification, measurable economic benefits in the form of a reduction in the amount of energy purchased on an annual basis and environmental benefits in the form of reduction of carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere. Moreover, the calculations show a high potential for the use of certain renewable sources in Poland, which contributes to the fulfillment of energy and emission obligations towards the EU. The analyzes and research of the Polish energy market with the use of the presented models have shown that the project is fully economically justified and will allow investors to make a rational decision on the appropriate selection of a specific renewable energy source for their investment. The presented economic models to assess the profitability of investments in renewable energy sources can be successfully used in other countries and can also be a starting point for a discussion about the direction of energy development. Due to the lack of collective, original and up-to-date research on the domestic market, the manuscript provides the reader with the necessary knowledge regarding the legitimacy of using renewable energy sources, investment and environmental profitability.

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Day-Ahead vs. Intraday—Forecasting the Price Spread to Maximize Economic Benefits

Energies ◽

10.3390/en12040631 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (4) ◽

pp. 631 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Katarzyna Maciejowska ◽

Weronika Nitka ◽

Tomasz Weron

Keyword(s):

Decision Process ◽

Renewable Energy Sources ◽

Forecast Accuracy ◽

Weather Conditions ◽

Economic Benefits ◽

Optimal Decision ◽

Energy Sources ◽

Trading Company ◽

Statistical Measures ◽

Price Spread

Recently, a dynamic development of intermittent renewable energy sources (RES) has been observed. In order to allow for the adoption of trading contracts for unplanned events and changing weather conditions, the day-ahead markets have been complemented by intraday markets; in some countries, such as Poland, balancing markets are used for this purpose. This research focuses on a small RES generator, which has no market power and sells electricity through a larger trading company. The generator needs to decide, in advance, how much electricity is sold in the day-ahead market. The optimal decision of the generator on where to sell the production depends on the relation between prices in different markets. Unfortunately, when making the decision, the generator is not sure which market will offer a higher price. This article investigates the possible gains from utilizing forecasts of the price spread between the intraday/balancing and day-ahead markets in the decision process. It shows that the sign of the price spread can be successfully predicted with econometric models, such as ARX and probit. Moreover, our research demonstrates that the statistical measures of forecast accuracy, such as the percentage of correct sign classifications, do not necessarily coincide with economic benefits.

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Analysis of the Return on Investment in Solar Collectors on the Example of a Household: The Case of Poland

Frontiers in Energy Research ◽

10.3389/fenrg.2021.660140 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Mariusz Niekurzak ◽

Ewa Kubińska-Jabcoń

Keyword(s):

Renewable Energy ◽

Carbon Dioxide Emissions ◽

Return On Investment ◽

Renewable Energy Sources ◽

Economic Benefits ◽

Green Energy ◽

Environmental Benefits ◽

Energy Sources ◽

Solar Collectors ◽

The Impact

Background: The growing consumption is what drives the development of unsustainable energy and material-intensive production technologies that emit large quantities of pollutants into the atmosphere, water, and land. Obtaining green energy allows reduction of the interference with the environment and, consequently, fits into a sustainable energy development strategy. In order to achieve the emission targets set by the EU for Poland, it is necessary to prioritize the development of renewable energy sources (RES) technologies within the energy sector.Methods: The purpose of the study was to present the results of the research relating to the return on investment of solar collectors for single-family houses in Poland. The research was presented on the basis of the legal conditions applicable to micro installations in the light of the amendment of the RES Act, and the impact of these amendments on the aspects of such investment was determined.Results: On the basis of the constructed economic model used to assess the return on investment of increasing the area of solar collectors, it has been shown that an operating installation will bring measurable economic benefits in the form of reduction in the amount of energy purchased annually in the amount of 6,756 kWh and environmental benefits in the form of reduction of carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere 2.4–3.6 Mg per year. An installation subsidized under the “My Electricity” program can reach an NPV of EUR 6,000 over 20 years at a discount rate r = 0 and assuming that the electricity is EUR 0.15/kWh. If the price rises to 0.2 EUR/kWh, the NPV will be 10,000 EUR. For the analyzed installation, the investment consisting in increasing the collector area in accordance with NPV is economically effective for the absorber area in the range of 5.6–7.6 m2 and reaches the maximum value for the absorber area of 6.6 m2, while the absorber area above 7 m2 contributes to reduce the value of the economic return on investment. The obtained results have been generalized, which allows to use them in the process of selecting the size of collector area for similar installations.Conclusion: The return on investment analysis carried out in respect of a detached house allowed to demonstrate that this project is fully justified. Furthermore, pursuant to the Renewable Energy Sources Act in force in Poland, treating a small entrepreneur as a prosumer who may generally take advantage of favorable conditions for discounting the produced energy leads to very favorable possibilities of settling electricity. Considering an entrepreneur as a prosumer who may use one-off depreciation of a solar collectors installation as a fixed asset and request for VAT refund is what makes such an investment very attractive in financial terms and makes it difficult to find a safe investment alternative characterized by such a high rate of return.

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Farmers’ Willingness to Adopt Late Blight-Resistant Genetically Modified Potatoes

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy9060280 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (6) ◽

pp. 280 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Hans De Steur ◽

Ellen J. Van Loo ◽

Jasmien Maes ◽

Godelieve Gheysen ◽

Wim Verbeke

Keyword(s):

Late Blight ◽

Genetically Modified Organisms ◽

Genetically Modified ◽

Potato Cultivar ◽

Economic Benefits ◽

Gm Crops ◽

The European Union ◽

Environmental Benefit ◽

Willingness To Adopt ◽

Gm Potato

The commercialization of genetically modified (GM) crops remains highly contested in the European Union (EU). While research has mainly focused on public and consumer opinions, few studies have investigated farmers’ reactions towards such crops. This study aims to determine farmers’ willingness to adopt a late blight-resistant (LBR) GM potato cultivar (Bintje) in Flanders, Belgium (n = 384). The findings demonstrate that more than half (54.7%) of the farmers have the intention to adopt this GM potato if it becomes available. Farmers’ willingness to adopt is mainly influenced by ethical concerns about Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) (negative) and perceived economic benefits of LBR GM potatoes (positive). Knowledge about GM technology decreases the likelihood of being indifferent, as compared to being willing to adopt or being opposed. As such, efforts to improve knowledge alone would not be considered an effective strategy to improve adoption rates among farmers. Socio-economic concerns about GMOs, environmental benefit perceptions of LBR GM potatoes, and socio-demographic and farm variables were not significant as potential determinants of farmers’ likelihood to adopt this GM potato. Our findings lend support to a potentially favorable climate to introduce this GM potato in Flanders, Belgium, an EU region where opt-out measures to restrict cultivation of approved GM crops were not taken.

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Treatment of Biogas for Use as Energy

Acta Polytechnica ◽

10.14311/1173 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 50 (2) ◽

Author(s):

J. Koller

Keyword(s):

Renewable Energy ◽

Czech Republic ◽

Natural Gas ◽

Biogas Production ◽

Renewable Energy Sources ◽

Energy Sources ◽

The Czech Republic ◽

Agriculture Industry ◽

Biogas Plants ◽

Near Future

The biogas generated in biogas plants offers significant potential for the production of energy from renewable energy sources. The number biogas plants in the Czech Republic is expected to exceed one hundred in the near future. Substrates from agriculture, industry and municipal wastes are used for biogas production. Biogas plants usually use co-generation units to generate electricity and heat. Increased effectiveness can be achieved by using heat as a source of energy for producing renewable natural gas.

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Organisms, Modified, Genetically

Sacred Bovines ◽

10.1093/oso/9780190490362.003.0037 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Douglas Allchin

Keyword(s):

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Genetically Modified Organisms ◽

Genetically Modified ◽

Economic Benefits ◽

Natural State ◽

Class Discussion ◽

Implicit Assumption ◽

Body Parts ◽

The Common ◽

The Guardian

GMOs. Genetically modified organisms. They conjure the specter of “Frankenfoods.” Monstrous creations reflecting human hubris. Violations of nature. And their very unnaturalness alone seems reason to reject the whole technology. But one may challenge this sacred bovine: the common image that GMOs cross some new threshold, dramatically changing how humans relate to nature. Or even that such a view can properly inform how we assess the value or risks of GMOs. Rather, biologically, GMOs are modest variants. As I will elaborate, “conventional” corn is probably more deeply shaped by human intervention than any addition of, say, a single Bt gene for a pesticide-resistant protein. Many crops promoted as “natural” alternatives are themselves dramatically modified genetically, like the cats and dogs we enjoy as pets. And this perspective—the context of GMOs—should inform views on policy. Without resolving the question of ultimate risks, we should at least recognize and dismiss as irrelevant the claim that GMOs are “unnatural.” While criticisms of GMOs vary, one recurrent theme is the assertion—or the implicit assumption—that they are inherently unnatural. For example, one high school student commented in a class discussion on genetically modified salmon, “Even though it definitely has many economic benefits, I think that shaping the way in which other organisms grow and live is not something that we as humans should be taking into our own hands.” As rendered recently for young readers, a cartoon princess of the Guardian Princess Alliance scolds a grower of GMOs: “These fruits and vegetables are not natural.” Many seem to believe that for humans to alter something living is to thereby taint it. Organisms should remain “pure.” Nature seems to exhibit its own self-justified purpose, not to be disrupted. What does this mean for all the other ways that humans modify organisms from their “natural” state? For example, we adorn our skin with tattoos and pierce various body parts. In certain cultures, at certain times, we have bound feet and elongated skulls.

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Wind is an alternative source of energy

Power and Autonomous equipment ◽

10.32464/2618-8716-2019-2-1-40-49 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 40-49

Author(s):

J. S. Gribach ◽

O. O. Egorychev ◽

E. V. Kurguzova

Keyword(s):

Carbon Dioxide ◽

Renewable Energy ◽

Wind Power ◽

Wind Turbines ◽

Carbon Dioxide Emissions ◽

Alternative Energy ◽

Mechanical Energy ◽

Renewable Energy Sources ◽

Economic Benefits ◽

Energy Sources

Introduction: today, one of the most important problems of the world economy is a limited amount of traditional fuels, due to the consumption of which the needs of humanity for energy are being met. The chapter “Introduction” contains the definition of the term “alternative energy”, which is a set of ways to generate energy when using renewable energy sources. This chapter presents the need to search for renewable energy sources that will increase the ecological potential of the territories, as well as the energy and economic component. The prospects for the use of renewable energy sources have been highlighted, among which one of the most common alternative energy sources is wind. Methods: the chapter “Methods” describes the principles of operation of wind turbines. This chapter describes in detail the process of converting wind energy into mechanical energy. Also in the chapter “Methods” is a classification of existing installations along the axis of rotation with a description of the operation of each of them and highlighted four main ways to transfer wind power to the consumer. Results and discussions: the chapter “Results and Discussions” contains information on the economic benefits of using wind turbines in Russia, as well as a list of favorable regions for the creation of wind power stations. The structure of this chapter includes information on the environmental feasibility of the use of wind power plants, since wind generators compensate for carbon dioxide emissions. Conclusion: in the “Conclusion” presents conclusions that allow you to determine the positive aspects of the use of wind turbines, which include environmental friendliness, efficiency and affordability. It should be emphasized that the wind generator compensates for carbon dioxide emissions associated with its production, so that the use of this type of installation will create the most clean environment.

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Maximizing the Economic Benefits of a Grid-Tied Microgrid Using Solar-Wind Complementarity

Energies ◽

10.3390/en12030395 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (3) ◽

pp. 395 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Aqsa Naeem ◽

Naveed Ul Hassan ◽

Chau Yuen ◽

S. Muyeen

Keyword(s):

Solar Wind ◽

Energy Production ◽

Energy Exchange ◽

Renewable Energy Sources ◽

Economic Benefits ◽

Energy Sources ◽

Cost Of Energy ◽

The Cost ◽

Minimum System ◽

System Power

The increasing use of intermittent, renewable energy sources (RESs) for electricity generation in microgrids (MGs) requires efficient strategies for reliable and economic operation. Complementarity between RESs provides good prospects for integrating several local energy sources and reducing the costs of MG setup and operations. This paper presents a framework for maximizing the economic benefits of a grid-tied MG by exploiting the spatial and temporal complementarity between solar and wind energies (solar-wind complementarity). The proposed framework considers the cost of energy production from different RESs and the cost of bi-directional energy exchange with the main grid. For a given RES mix, a minimum system power loss (SPL) threshold can also be determined. However, at this SPL threshold, MG energy exchange cost is not always minimized. The framework determines the optimized SPL value (above the threshold) at which MG energy exchange cost gets minimized. Through this framework, MG operator can decide appropriate RES mix and can achieve various tradeoffs according to the energy production cost, solar-wind complementarity of the site and its required economic objectives.

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Usability of genetically modified plants based on empirical research

10.37281/drcsf/2.1.9 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 78-82

Keyword(s):

Indirect Effects ◽

Genetically Modified Organisms ◽

Crop Yields ◽

Genetically Modified ◽

Rapid Development ◽

Energy Sources ◽

Direct And Indirect Effects ◽

Fuel Production ◽

Gmo Crops ◽

The Subject

In present genetically modified organisms (GMOs) constitutes a highly controversial procedure, and it is very difficult to restrain its propagation. There are quite a few questions that need to be addressed to take a stand on the subject. Should we play a role in this rapid development or stay in the background? Can this instant solution offer any advantage? Should we get on the GMO “train”? We conducted a survey in Hungary, in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County to show how farmers perceive increased crop yields and cultivation safety of GMO crops. Are GMO crops rejected or considered for cultivation, such as for fuel production? Are farmers aware that direct and indirect effects of GMOs can endanger biodiversity? Is there any reason why one should use genetically modified products instead of naturally grown plants? The motivation may be to produce energy sources, to obtain biomass and biofuels, and possibly to create and preserve more jobs at the national and regional levels. It is still difficult to evaluate how GMO is compatible with environmental protection and sustainable economic development.

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Evaluation of the Profitability of Using Solar Collectors in Single-Family Housing Industry - The Case of Poland

10.21203/rs.3.rs-148682/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Mariusz Niekurzak ◽

Ewa Kubińska-Jabcoń

Keyword(s):

Renewable Energy ◽

Carbon Dioxide Emissions ◽

Renewable Energy Sources ◽

Economic Benefits ◽

Green Energy ◽

Environmental Benefits ◽

Energy Sources ◽

Solar Collectors ◽

Single Family ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background: The growing consumption is what drives the development of unsustainable energy and material-intensive production technologies that emit large quantities of pollutants into the atmosphere, water and land. Obtaining green energy allows to reduce the interference with the environment and, consequently, fits into a sustainable energy development strategy. In order to achieve the emission targets set by the EU for Poland, it is necessary to prioritise the development of Renewable Energy Sources technologies within the energy sector.Methods: The purpose of the study is to present the results of the research relating to the profitability of solar collectors investment for single-family houses in Poland. The research was presented on the basis of the legal conditions applicable to micro installations in the light of the amendment of the RES Act and the impact of these amendments on the aspects of the profitability of such investment was determined. Results: On the basis of the constructed economic model used to assess the profitability of increasing the area of solar collectors, it has been shown that an operating installation will bring measurable economic benefits in the form of reduction in the amount of energy purchased from the current supplier and environmental benefits in the form of reduction of carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere. The obtained results have been generalised, which allows to use them in the process of selecting the size of collector area for similar installations. Conclusion: The cost-effectiveness analysis carried out in respect of a detached house allowed to demonstrate that this project is fully justified. Furthermore, pursuant to the Renewable Energy Sources Act in force in Poland, treating a small entrepreneur as a prosumer who may generally take advantage of favourable conditions for discounting the produced energy leads to very favourable possibilities of settling electricity. Considering an entrepreneur as a prosumer who may use one-off depreciation of a solar collectors installation as a fixed asset and request for VAT refund is what makes such an investment very attractive in financial terms and makes it difficult to find a safe investment alternative characterised by such a high rate of return.

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