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Power systems with increasing shares of wind and solar power generation have higher capital costs and lower operational costs than power systems based on fossil fuels. This increases the importance of the financing costs for total system cost. We quantify how renewable energy support policies can affect the financing costs by addressing regulatory risk and facilitating hedging. We use interview data on wind power financing costs from the EU and model how long-term contracts signed between project developers and energy suppliers impact financing costs. Regression analysis of investors’ financing costs and an analytical model of off-takers financing costs reveal that between the support policies, the costs of renewable energy deployment differ by around 30 percent, but can be significantly lower or higher, depending on the financial situation of energy suppliers.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) includes inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity as core symptoms and is associated with increased self-perceived stress. This article evaluates the impact of acupuncture (provided in addition to regular pharmacological treatment with Atomoxetine) on self-perceived stress and ADHD core symptomatology, compared to atomoxetine (ATX) alone. In-depth single case study, involving a mixed methods approach with questionnaires and interviews was used. The participant completed two rating scales. Additionally, semi-structured interviews were held. Qualitative data were subjected to content analysis and both sets of data were triangulated. Data collection/intervention (treatments) took place at an Acupuncture clinic in Hamburg, Germany, EU. One adult, atomoxetine-taking ADHD participant. Acupuncture according to Chinese medicine-diagnosis twice/week, over the course of eight weeks, following a pre-defined but flexible point protocol. 1) The Current Symptom Scale (CSS) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). 2) Semi-structured interviews. Acupuncture treatments in addition to regular ATX intake positively affected the participant's ADHD symptoms (PSS - 31%, total score of the CSS - 47%). There was a considerable decrease in subgroup scores (attention deficit - 39%; functionality impairment - 55%; hyperactivity/impulsivity - 53%; impulsivity - 30%). Post-interventional interviews showed perceived increased self-control, (self-) awareness and centeredness. Combined treatment was perceived as more beneficial than pharmaceutical treatment alone. Acupuncture treatment appears to have a positive impact on both self-perception of stress and ADHD core symptomatology. Findings were partially congruent with the reviewed research literature but due to limitations/risks of bias (ROBs) associated with the design, no concrete conclusions regarding a potential method-related specificity can be drawn. Further research with larger samples and a more robust design is recommended.

Background: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) includes inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity as core symptoms and is associated with increased self-perceived stress. Primary Study Objective: This article evaluates the impact of acupuncture (provided in addition to regular pharmacological treatment with Atomoxetine) on self-perceived stress and ADHD core symptomatology, compared to atomoxetine (ATX) alone. Methods/Design: In-depth single case study, involving a mixed methods approach with questionnaires and interviews was used. The participant completed two rating scales. Additionally, semi-structured interviews were held. Qualitative data were subjected to content analysis and both sets of data were triangulated. Setting: Data collection/intervention (treatments) took place at an Acupuncture clinic in Hamburg, Germany, EU. Participant(s): One adult, atomoxetine-taking ADHD participant. Intervention: Acupuncture according to Chinese medicine-diagnosis twice/week, over the course of eight weeks, following a pre-defined but flexible point protocol. Primary Outcome Measures: 1) The Current Symptom Scale (CSS) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). 2) Semi-structured interviews. Results: Acupuncture treatments in addition to regular ATX intake positively affected the participant's ADHD symptoms (PSS - 31%, total score of the CSS - 47%). There was a considerable decrease in subgroup scores (attention deficit - 39%; functionality impairment - 55%; hyperactivity/impulsivity - 53%; impulsivity - 30%). Post-interventional interviews showed perceived increased self-control, (self-) awareness and centeredness. Combined treatment was perceived as more beneficial than pharmaceutical treatment alone. Conclusion: Acupuncture treatment appears to have a positive impact on both self-perception of stress and ADHD core symptomatology. Findings were partially congruent with the reviewed research literature but due to limitations/risks of bias (ROBs) associated with the design, no concrete conclusions regarding a potential method-related specificity can be drawn. Further research with larger samples and a more robust design is recommended.

This study focuses on the local economic impacts of wind power deployment. Wind power deployment is not necessarily driven by locally accruing economic payoffs only, but potentially also by other factors, such as emphasis on environmentally friendly energy production and its associated benefits. Thus, the local economic impacts of wind power deployment are ambiguous. We empirically test the existence of such impacts using German county-level panel data. After controlling for a set of observable and unobservable factors, the results show that wind power installation does not have a statistically significant impact on GDP per capita. The findings suggest that local economic impacts alone cannot explain the observed increase in wind power capacity.

Several countries and regions have introduced mandatory minimum distances of wind turbines to nearby residential areas, in order to increase public acceptance of wind power. Germany’s largest federal state Bavaria introduced such separation distances of ten times the height of new wind turbines in 2014. Here, we provide a novel monthly district-level dataset of construction permits for wind turbines constructed in Germany between 2010 and 2018. We use this dataset to evaluate the causal effect of introducing the Bavarian minimum distance regulation on the issuance of construction permits for wind turbines. We find that permits decreased by up to 90 percent. This decrease is in the same order of magnitude as the reduction of land area available for wind turbines. The results are in line with findings indicating that minimum distances do not increase the public acceptance of wind power, but harm the expansion of onshore wind power.

Germany changed renewable remuneration for wind power from a fixed Feed-In Tariff (FIT) to a floating Market Premium Scheme (MPS) in 2012. One aim of this adjustment was to better align the supply of generated wind electricity with the demand for it, e.g. through more system-friendly wind turbine technology choices. In energy systems with a high share of variable renewable energies, such turbines produce a higher share of their production at lower wind speeds and thus can reduce the need for alternative flexibility options like back-up capacity, storage, grid extensions and demand side measures. However, based on a wind power investment model, I show that the MPS fails to convey strong enough incentives to project developers to significantly alter their investment decisions as long as these base their investments on current electricity market price profiles and are limited by their access to risk-averse project finance. One reform proposal to support the installation of system-friendly turbines is a change in the production volume-based benchmark approach which plays an integral part in both the fixed FIT and the MPS. The investment model indicates that such a revised policy can incentivize the deployment of moderately more system-friendly wind power technologies at some locations. An alternative option is to shift to a production value-based benchmark approach. It directly reflects the future additional market value of system-friendly turbines in today's remuneration structure. Thus, this approach sets incentives also for investors without perfect foresight - or with financing constraints - to deploy more systemfriendly turbines that meet the requirements of power systems with increasing shares of wind power.

The transition towards low-carbon economies requires massive investments into renewable energies, which are commonly supported through regulatory frameworks. Yet, governments can have incentives - and the ability - to deviate from previously-announced support once those investments have been made, which can deter investments. We analyze a renewable energy regulation game, apply a model of time-inconsistency to renewable energy policy and derive under what conditions governments have incentives to deviate from their commitments. We analyze the effects of various support policies and deployment targets and explain why Spain conducted retrospective changes in the period 2010-2013 whereas Germany stuck to its commitments.