a- The Western U.S. saw record heat waves in August, 2021. Electricity is heavily used in air conditioning leading to very high demand for electricity then. Would you expect the marginal costs of generating electricity to be similar to in May, 2021, lower orhigher? Why? b- Suppose California could add 1000 MWh of wind generation—which produces for four hours during the nighttime when temperatures are relatively low—or 1000 MWh of solar generation—which produces for four hours in the daytime when temperatures are relatively high. Which one would you have expected to lower total costs of electricity generation more in the summer? Why? Please explain by sketching the daytime and nighttime marginal cost curve for electricity and showing the size of the cost reductions.

Economics (MindTap Course List)
13th Edition
ISBN:9781337617383
Author:Roger A. Arnold
Publisher:Roger A. Arnold
Chapter21: Production And Costs
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 16QP
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a- The Western U.S. saw record heat waves in August, 2021. Electricity is heavily used in air conditioning leading to very high demand for electricity then. Would you expect the marginal costs of generating electricity to be similar to in May, 2021, lower orhigher? Why?


b- Suppose California could add 1000 MWh of wind generation—which produces for four hours during the nighttime when temperatures are relatively low—or 1000 MWh of solar generation—which produces for four hours in the daytime when temperatures are relatively high. Which one would you have expected to lower total costs of electricity generation more in the summer? Why? Please explain by sketching the daytime and nighttime marginal cost curve for electricity and showing the size of the
cost reductions.

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