The need for a timely transition to renewables has been described by commentators as one of ‘Herc... more The need for a timely transition to renewables has been described by commentators as one of ‘Herculean dimensions’. Although public intervention in electricity markets is now broadly accepted, there is growing recognition of the need for government intrusion to be targeted and proportionate, minimising market distortions. This essay explores a number of obstacles to renewable energy deployment, as well as various available policy mechanisms. The essay then focuses on the use of competitive bidding arrangements to award long-term contracts, by reference to the case study of Brazil, where the method has been employed extensively over the past decade to facilitate development in non-conventional renewable energy sources. The benefits of this approach vis-à-vis other regulatory mechanisms are considered, as well as the potential risks and key design features of auction schemes. Additionally, the essay outlines a Grattan Institute proposal for the use of reverse auctions in Australia and considers how such a proposal might fit within Australia’s overall regulatory framework. Finally, it describes the Australian Capital Territory’s reverse auction scheme, which is already providing promising results for the deployment of wind power in Australia.
Climate change poses a substantial threat to water security in the Krishna Basin, particularly gi... more Climate change poses a substantial threat to water security in the Krishna Basin, particularly given the rising population and economic importance of agriculture in the region. This project involved the development of medium-term projections of both water supply and demand under a variety of climate change scenarios. A hydrological model, the Soil Water Assessment Tool, was calibrated using observed data and employed for projections of water flow into the Osman Sagar reservoir. The three climate change datasets were outputs from a high-resolution regional climate model, PRECIS. The results suggest an increasing shortfall between demand and supply, with rising demand and inter-annual variability raising serious concerns for water security. Over the next thirty years in particular, the megacity of Hyderabad is likely to face considerable shortages in water supply. Addressing competing demands for declining water resources will require the formulation and implementation of effective water allocation strategies, which integrate economic and environmental considerations. Supply- and demand-side solutions could be explored, including the construction of additional reservoirs to capture peak flows. Further studies could be expanded to include considerations of watershed development and alterations to land use under climate change.
The patent system is essentially about incentives to promote innovation. Recently, the system has... more The patent system is essentially about incentives to promote innovation. Recently, the system has seen the rise of the ‘patent marketplace’, with a proliferation of commonly overlapping patent rights and increased instances of defensive patenting and rent-seeking behaviour. These trends are particularly apparent in high technology industries characterised by rapid technological advances and cumulative innovation. In addition, they are often home to the vilified ‘patent troll’. This essay explores several rationales for the patent system as well as a number of subsisting problems including patent thickets and a tendency for ‘holdup’. In this respect, the potential for permanent injunctive relief is a pivotal bargaining tool for patentees, especially upstream specialists. The case of eBay v MercExchange and its implications for patent trolls are considered, as well as the appropriateness of property or liability rules in the patent system. Finally, the war between Apple and Samsung is examined in the Australian context, with a particular focus on the ‘practical consequences’ of interlocutory injunctive relief on products with a short commercial life.
The need for a timely transition to renewables has been described by commentators as one of ‘Herc... more The need for a timely transition to renewables has been described by commentators as one of ‘Herculean dimensions’. Although public intervention in electricity markets is now broadly accepted, there is growing recognition of the need for government intrusion to be targeted and proportionate, minimising market distortions. This essay explores a number of obstacles to renewable energy deployment, as well as various available policy mechanisms. The essay then focuses on the use of competitive bidding arrangements to award long-term contracts, by reference to the case study of Brazil, where the method has been employed extensively over the past decade to facilitate development in non-conventional renewable energy sources. The benefits of this approach vis-à-vis other regulatory mechanisms are considered, as well as the potential risks and key design features of auction schemes. Additionally, the essay outlines a Grattan Institute proposal for the use of reverse auctions in Australia and considers how such a proposal might fit within Australia’s overall regulatory framework. Finally, it describes the Australian Capital Territory’s reverse auction scheme, which is already providing promising results for the deployment of wind power in Australia.
Climate change poses a substantial threat to water security in the Krishna Basin, particularly gi... more Climate change poses a substantial threat to water security in the Krishna Basin, particularly given the rising population and economic importance of agriculture in the region. This project involved the development of medium-term projections of both water supply and demand under a variety of climate change scenarios. A hydrological model, the Soil Water Assessment Tool, was calibrated using observed data and employed for projections of water flow into the Osman Sagar reservoir. The three climate change datasets were outputs from a high-resolution regional climate model, PRECIS. The results suggest an increasing shortfall between demand and supply, with rising demand and inter-annual variability raising serious concerns for water security. Over the next thirty years in particular, the megacity of Hyderabad is likely to face considerable shortages in water supply. Addressing competing demands for declining water resources will require the formulation and implementation of effective water allocation strategies, which integrate economic and environmental considerations. Supply- and demand-side solutions could be explored, including the construction of additional reservoirs to capture peak flows. Further studies could be expanded to include considerations of watershed development and alterations to land use under climate change.
The patent system is essentially about incentives to promote innovation. Recently, the system has... more The patent system is essentially about incentives to promote innovation. Recently, the system has seen the rise of the ‘patent marketplace’, with a proliferation of commonly overlapping patent rights and increased instances of defensive patenting and rent-seeking behaviour. These trends are particularly apparent in high technology industries characterised by rapid technological advances and cumulative innovation. In addition, they are often home to the vilified ‘patent troll’. This essay explores several rationales for the patent system as well as a number of subsisting problems including patent thickets and a tendency for ‘holdup’. In this respect, the potential for permanent injunctive relief is a pivotal bargaining tool for patentees, especially upstream specialists. The case of eBay v MercExchange and its implications for patent trolls are considered, as well as the appropriateness of property or liability rules in the patent system. Finally, the war between Apple and Samsung is examined in the Australian context, with a particular focus on the ‘practical consequences’ of interlocutory injunctive relief on products with a short commercial life.
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Papers by Jennifer Meek