Fossil Fuels and Renewable Energy: Mix or Match?
Published online on March 25, 2026
Abstract
["The RAND Journal of Economics, Volume 57, Issue 1, Page 140-157, Spring 2026. ", "\nABSTRACT\nThis article investigates the influence of technological ownership on pricing strategies and productive efficiency. Our motivation comes from the evolving landscape of electricity markets where firms are transitioning from diversified to specialized portfolios, focusing on renewable energy or fossil fuels. Our theoretical model demonstrates that diversified firms compete more vigorously than their specialized counterparts. Conversely, specialized firms exhibit higher productive efficiency but only when thermal sources dominate. The magnitude of our theoretical predictions is assessed through simulations using data from the Spanish electricity market. Methodologically, our analysis offers novel insights for studying multi‐unit auctions with cost heterogeneity and privately known capacities."]