New methods for cost/benefit analysis applied to the electrical infrastructure for generation, transmission and distribution.

The present study focuses on three main topics: current state of the Electricity Supply Industry, project evaluation and Cost-Benefit Analysis. In fact, the coexistence of natural monopolies and competitive players in this industry raises the challenge to find efficient evaluation methods suitable for decision makers: such methods have been investigated in the existing literature, but there are still some undefined areas, which this work intends to analyse. In particular, the appropriate coupling between the numerous available evaluation tools and the different sectors is the target of the present work. In order to achieve the mentioned objective, the work comprises an initial theoretical section, followed by a more applicative part. In more detail, the work starts with a review of the current structure of the Electricity Supply Industry through an accurate study of the evolution of the power sector. The focus is on the development of the regulation of natural monopolies in the electricity system, in order to describe the peculiarities of the different sectors and their interactions. Principally, two categories in this industry emerge: regulated and private sectors. Moreover, the recent evolution of the Electricity Supply Industry both in North America and Europe is based on the creation of National Regulatory Authorities and International Bodies and Agencies. Once identified the characteristics of the sectors, the need for differentiated evaluation methods for the feasibility of projects arises. Thus, the methodologies already in use are scrutinized, together with the decision-making processes of the main international agencies and organizations. The outcome of this analysis is a list of the most common decision-making tools, which can be split into two groups, corresponding to the above-mentioned categories. After the theoretical analysis of the decision-making tools, they are applied to four case studies: three project appraisals and one evaluation (or peer review). Through this practical application of the Cost- Benefit Analysis and other simpler evaluation tools, observations about the strengths and weaknesses of the different methods are derived. Finally, utilizing the outcomes of the previous points, a definition of the most suitable evaluation tools for each sector in the Electricity Supply Industry is proposed, with the final objective of coupling the most appropriate project evaluation methods with the different sectors (and relevant players). For each segment, the analysis identifies the type of players, market type, main goal and characteristics, and their most appropriate decision-making tools.

Nuovi metodi per l´analisi costi benefici per infrastrutture elettriche.