Nikolaos Kalyviotis (p), Alfredo Cartone , André Carrascal-Incera , Giorgos Stamatopoulos

Felix Pot

The cost-benefit analysis for solar parks and energy storage infrastructures encompasses multiple components, each with its own considerations. The superstructure of the solar systems, composed of primary and secondary elements, necessitates a multilevel evaluation, inclusive of a geotechnical study to ascertain the foundation methodology. Cost-effective solar systems’ foundation types, such as direct ramming, are favored for soft soils, whereas pre-drilling is appropriate for rocky terrains. Corrosion protection is crucial, with Batch Hot-Dip Galvanizing (HDG) offering superior protection for piles in extreme soil corrosion conditions, while pre-galvanized elements provide a more cost-effective, albeit less durable, solution. Inverters, whether centralized or decentralized, should be assessed based on site layout, grid agreement, and owner preferences. Larger transformers in production substations are more cost-effective for projects exceeding 10MWp. The selection of earthing materials is driven by considerations of corrosion between metals, with galvanized steel being cost-effective for pile ramming and copper or copper-plated solutions recommended for concrete micro piles. Cost-efficient earthing solutions are based on the material used; however, local regulations, insurance policies, and owner requirements must be taken into account. Energy batteries are cost-effective for capacity market applications, whereas power batteries are suitable for grid support services. These comprehensive evaluations ensure that each component of the solar park and energy storage system is optimized for cost-effectiveness while maintaining functionality, safety, and compliance with technical standards and local regulations.
The market is trending towards larger storage systems utilizing energy batteries, which are more standardized and cost-effective. Batteries facilitate price stabilization by absorbing energy during low-price periods and releasing it during high-price periods (price arbitrage). This function stabilizes prices during high demand by substituting high-cost thermal units and supports clearing prices by mitigating discharges during overproduction conditions through increased demand. The energy simulation for Greece highlighted the necessity to develop storage stations to absorb the energy produced within the domestic energy system. The supply-demand mismatch caused by high levels of solar-generated electricity, known as the 'duck curve,' can be mitigated by energy storage.
The objective of this research is to evaluate the participation of energy storage infrastructures in energy markets for system balancing and to model the economic relationships engendered by the significant fluctuation of the residual load curve in relation to the performance characteristics of Energy Storage Systems. Ultimately, the characteristics of an economic limit must be defined to prevent the creation of inflation due to energy storage, either at specific times or overall.

Felix Pot (p), Taede Tillema

Danny Ben-Shahar

Infrastructure investments are traditionally assessed based on estimated economic benefits under ceteris paribus conditions, isolating their effects from contextual changes. Mainstream spatial-economic theories suggest that large-scale interregional transport infrastructure primarily benefits already strong regions at the expense of weaker economic areas. From a cost-benefit analysis (CBA) perspective, such projects are often deemed unviable due to low projected passenger numbers, while agglomeration effects reinforce economic concentration rather than regional redistribution. Consequently, infrastructure development remains focused on forecasted growth areas. However, the spatial structure of many countries face significant transformations in the coming decades, as factors beyond economic growth (such as climate adaptation, housing demands, and regional disparities) are becoming increasingly relevant. major spatial transformation efforts underway, infrastructure may play a crucial role in ensuring spatial and economic balance that is overlooked in ceteris paribus evaluations. These changing long-term conditions and associated uncertainty with context raises fundamental questions regarding the feasibility of applying traditional spatial economic paradigms based on ceteris paribus focused on economic benefits.

This exploratory study investigates how the large-scale transformation of the Netherlands influences perspectives on the spatial structuring role of infrastructure. The research focuses on two key questions: (1) How do different spatial-economic theories interpret the effects of large infrastructure investments on economically weaker regions, and what terminology is used across disciplines? (2) How do experts from different fields (spatial economics, planning, design, and future studies) assess the structuring effects of major transport infrastructure under conditions of uncertainty and spatial equity concerns? The findings will contribute to a better understanding of whether alternative evaluative frameworks are needed to assess the role of infrastructure investments within large-scale spatial transformations, where the evolving context shapes their role and effectiveness rather than the other way around.

Danny Ben-Shahar (p), Stuart Gabriel, Dana Nayer

Euijune Kim

We utilize unique information on traffic citations to explore the role of political belief in risk-taking behaviors. Information on this little-explored measure of risky behaviors while driving is obtained from the Israel Police for 2019–2022. We identify political belief based on voting outcomes by small statistical area for the 2019 Israel parliament elections. Controlling for local area socio-economic and demographic characteristics, geographic centrality and access, and police enforcement, results indicate substantial variation in risk-related traffic violations by political belief. Consistent with findings in the finance and public health literatures, results show that liberal voters, compared with politically conservative voters, are associated with fewer risky behaviors behind the wheel, as indicated in an average 20–25 percent lower number of risk-related traffic citations. Outcomes are robust across various sample selection and test design specifications.

Euijune Kim (p), I Re Chung

Nikolaos Kalyviotis

This study examines the case of High-Speed Railroad (HSR), a core transportation infrastructure with a pronounced impact on accessibility, to analyze how the development of such infrastructure affects regional economies from the perspective of population dynamics. The analysis focuses on changes in migration patterns between metropolitan and underdeveloped regions and explores shifts in both residential and staying populations. Here, the staying population encompasses individuals temporarily residing in an area for purposes such as commuting, leisure activities, or tourism, regardless of official residency registration. For instance, even if changes in residential population are minimal, an increase in commuting rates from underdeveloped regions to metropolitan areas might indicate a backwash effect due to the expansion of metropolitan labor markets. Conversely, an increase in staying populations – for instance, tourists from metropolitan areas visiting underdeveloped regions – could signify a spread effect, reflecting regional economic revitalization. In demographic contexts such as South Korea and Japan, where stagnant population growth due to low birthrates exacerbates concerns about regional depopulation and economic shrinkage, policy approaches increasingly emphasize attracting staying or relational populations rather than solely focusing on boosting residential population growth (Ha and Im, 2024). Therefore, analyzing changes in staying populations holds significant academic and policy relevance for evaluating regional economic revitalization and sustainability.
This study explores two main research questions: First, how does the construction of HSR connecting metropolitan and underdeveloped regions affect changes in residential and staying populations, as well as regional economic growth? Second, what are the implications of these changes for addressing regional inequality and urban shrinkage? To investigate these questions, this study examines the East-West High-Speed Railroad project in South Korea as the case study, focusing on its potential to bridge disparities between the Seoul metropolitan area and the underdeveloped Gangwon region. The study employs a Spatial Computable General Equilibrium (SCGE) model, which extends traditional CGE models by incorporating spatial accessibility changes and interregional interactions resulting from transportation infrastructure investments at the city and county levels (Kim et al., 2023). Using the SCGE model, the study quantitatively evaluates the spatial spillover effects and indirect benefits of the Chuncheon-Sokcho East-West HSR on population shifts and their impacts on regional economies.