Using Binomial Decision Trees and Real Options Theory to Evaluate System Dynamics Models of Risky Projects (original) (raw)

Compound real options valuation of renewable energy projects: The case of a wind farm in Serbia

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2017

Renewable energy sources have become a very important issue due to environmental and sustainability concerns. In addition, most renewable energy electricity generation (RES-E) projects are characterized by considerable uncertainty and sequential decision-making. These projects' net present value (NPV) is very often close to zero, which renders them a good candidate for the application of real options valuation methodology of investment project appraisal. This paper examines the real options valuation of a potential onshore wind farm project in Serbia. The binomial tree model spans a 15 year period consisting of a 2 year investment period and a 13 year operating period, the first 12 years of which are protected by Feed-in-Tariffs according to local renewable energy regulations. The authors examine a multi-phased compound (nested) path-dependent real option consisting of mutually exclusive options-a sequential option to invest as well as expand, repower, contract and abandon options. Volatility, which is calculated by means of a Monte Carlo simulation according to the logarithmicpresent-value-returns approach, shows predominant sensitivity to the capacity factor simulated with the rescaled Weibull's probability distribution. The final binomial tree results show that the proposed sequence of options increases project value by transforming higher risk and lower return in the initial discounted cash flow model, to lower risk and higher return in the RO model. This paper contributes to the existing literature in at least two ways: it presents in-depth analysis of the real option application to the RES-E project and provides decision-makers with sophisticated tool for improving strategic thinking, capital budgeting and decision-making processes.

Investment evaluation in renewable projects under uncertainty, using real options analysis: the case of wind power industry

Investment Management and Financial Innovations, 2017

Investment analysis is a crucial process for any investment’s success. This process can be supported by both the discounted cash flow analysis and the real options analysis. Many researchers have point out restrictions for the first one, in cases of uncertainty in the entrepreneurial environment. The main types of uncertainty, concerning the wind energy sector, include uncertainties related to the price of electriticity by RES, the public policy regulatory policies, the demand, the initial capital costs, the technological progress, the weather conditions, the political and economical situations and generally the RES market structure. In this paper, we try to find the optimal investment strategy in a liberalized global electricity market, where the price of electricity is uncertain while the other parameters are configured separately in each country. The authors consider about the factors of the time for investment and the electricity’s price level, in wind energy by using the real o...

Valuation of Wind Energy Projects: A Real Options Approach

Energies, 2014

We address the valuation of an operating wind farm and the finite-lived option to invest in it under different reward/support schemes: a constant feed-in tariff, a premium on top of the electricity market price (either a fixed premium or a variable subsidy such as a renewable obligation certificate or ROC), and a transitory subsidy, among others. Futures contracts on electricity with ever longer maturities enable market-based valuations to be undertaken. The model considers up to three sources of uncertainty: the electricity price, the level of wind generation, and the certificate (ROC) price where appropriate. When analytical solutions are lacking, we resort to a trinomial lattice combined with Monte Carlo simulation; we also use a two-dimensional binomial lattice when uncertainty in the ROC price is considered. Our data set refers to the UK. The numerical results show the impact of several factors involved in the decision to invest: the subsidy per MWh generated, the initial lump-sum subsidy, the maturity of the investment option, and electricity price volatility. Different combinations of variables can help bring forward investments in wind generation. One-off policies, e.g., a transitory initial subsidy, seem to have a stronger effect than a fixed premium per MWh produced.

Article Valuation of Wind Energy Projects: A Real Options Approach

2014

We address the valuation of an operating wind farm and the finite-lived option to invest in it under different reward/support schemes: a constant feed-in tariff, a premium on top of the electricity market price (either a fixed premium or a variable subsidy such as a renewable obligation certificate or ROC), and a transitory subsidy, among others. Futures contracts on electricity with ever longer maturities enable market-based valuations to be undertaken. The model considers up to three sources of uncertainty: the electricity price, the level of wind generation, and the certificate (ROC) price where appropriate. When analytical solutions are lacking, we resort to a trinomial lattice combined with Monte Carlo simulation; we also use a two-dimensional binomial lattice when uncertainty in the ROC price is considered. Our data set refers to the UK. The numerical results show the impact of several factors involved in the decision to invest: the subsidy per MWh generated, the initial lump-sum subsidy, the maturity of the investment option, and electricity price volatility. Different combinations of variables can help bring forward investments in wind generation. One-off policies, e.g., a transitory initial subsidy, seem to have a stronger effect than a fixed premium per MWh produced.

Integrating Real Options Analysis with Long-Term Electricity Market Models

Energy Economics, 2019

In liberalized electricity markets, ongoing uncertainties play a major role to delay the decision-making of new power generation investments.  A valuation framework of power plant investments, based on Real Options Analysis, is integrated with a long-term electricity market model.  The decision-making model considers that the addition of new power capacity is guided by the economic value of the option to defer projects under uncertainty.  The main contribution is the integration of decision and option valuation theory in a long-term model for reproducing investment cycles observed in electricity markets.

Options for real options Dealing with uncertainty in investment decisions for electricity networks

2005 IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man and Cybernetics, 2005

Part of the liberalization effort in the Netherlands was to regulate the income of the network companies. Although the reduction in income was not as dramatic as in the United Kingdom, it still forced the network companies to review their expenditures. Complicating the challenge was the silent requirement that the cost reduction should not result in more risk. This required a change in the valuation methods. So far these valuation methods have changed from purely technical criteria into a more risk based, net present value alike approach. The real option theory is not commonly used in the decisions. This seems a bit odd, as major uncertainties influence the valuation process. In this paper a few options in which the real option theory might be valuable are presented. It is an invitation to the real option specialists to show the network companies how real options could be of value.

Real options valuation of international railway construction projects: a case study

International Journal of Business Continuity and Risk Management, 2014

This paper aims to analyse an actual complex, real-life international railway construction project by using real option approach (ROA), namely, the Mecca Railway Construction Project conducted by the China Railway Construction Corporation Limited (CRCC) in 2009, in which the company had made a huge financial loss. This research tries to retrieve the company's decision process by calculating the net present value (NPV) of the project, and further evaluate the real options embedded in the project by using binomial tree method and Black-Scholes option pricing model. The employed methods help to have evaluated two types of real options in the project, i.e., option to abandon and option to defer. We have shown that the embedded options in the project contract could have reduced the company's financial loss by adopting flexible strategies in decision-making.

Real Option Pricing Model Based on Mean Reversion Applied in a Wind Power Project

2016

This paper evaluates the market value of a wind power project in China through a real option method which considers the uncertainty of on-grid electricity. The evaluating model assumes that the wind power project revenue follows a mean-reverting process of the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck (O-U) typeand discusses the effect of cost and parameters of mean-reverting process on the project value.This study proposes to use Monte Carlo simulation method to price the wind power project market value and presents that this real option method can allowwind power project investors to decide whether to invest in many different scenarios.

Economic Risk of Wind Farm Investments in UAE: Evaluation through Real Options Approach

International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy

This study examines the potential of business investments in wind offshore farm in the United Arab Emirates through projection of five different possible scenarios. The evaluation was done by using real option approach and Monte Carlo simulation imbibing the potential risk on investment with the source of funds used. Our analysis indicates that the return on investments and the risk on delay option remain at the highest degree if the project is financed with 50% government support and 50% investor’s own equity. On the contrary, a 100% bank-financed project yields lowest investments return and lowest risk option to delay. This implies that the financial leverage and the high bank interest rate are significant factors in influencing the economic risk and return of the wind farm project. This research contributes to the existing literature by highlighting the significance of real options application in the most-sought energy sector – wind farm. Moreover, this will pave way for small an...