Energy production and trading: batting average: a composite measure of risk for assessing product differentiation in a simulation model

  • Authors:
  • Daniel M. Hamblin;Brian T. Ratchford

  • Affiliations:
  • Dan Hamblin & Associates, Inc., Fort Wayne, IN;University of Maryland, MD

  • Venue:
  • Proceedings of the 34th conference on Winter simulation: exploring new frontiers
  • Year:
  • 2002

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Abstract

The paper simulates how market power affects electricity retailing to households. A pseudo-random number seeding algorithm creates representative product differentiation in repeated drawings, for an incumbent and seven challengers. A ninth player competitor decides how to distinguish her product. The simulation creates an efficient starting market, adjusted for competitor dominance; and, over a 12-month horizon, uses topology to develop unexploited profit opportunities for all competitors. A best solution criterion punishes nonconformists. Results of repeated drawings varying opposition to the player's constant product differentiation feed a batting average risk assessment. Decision rules reward hits based on profit and year's end market share. The market simulation tool supports conjectural assessment of social policy - household direct access to wholesale power, incentive for product differentiation versus that for mergers and acquisitions, and allocation of deregulation benefits to shareholders versus ratepayers.