Università della Svizzera italiana

Resource rent taxation and benchmarking : a new perspective for the Swiss hydropower sector

Banfi, Silvia ; Filippini, Massimo ; Svizzera

The electricity generation in Switzerland is mainly based on hydropower (55% of total production). The exploitation of water in the hydropower sector can generate significant so-called resource rents. These are defined by the surplus return above the value of capital, labor, materials and energy used to exploit hydropower. In Switzerland, hydropower producers pay to the State a fixed fee per...

Università della Svizzera italiana

An empirical analysis of child care demand in Switzerland

Banfi, Silvia ; Farsi, Mehdi ; Filippini, Massimo

This paper analyses the demand of Swiss families for child care facilities. A choice experiment has been used to study the effects of the facilities’ characteristics as well as socioeconomic factors on the selected child care mode. The experimental data have been analysed using a discrete choice model with multinomial logit specification. The results suggest that the stated demand for...

Università della Svizzera italiana

Estimating the benefits of low flow alleviation in rivers

Buchli, Loa ; Filippini, Massimo ; Banfi, Silvia

In Switzerland 60% of electricity is produced by hydropower plants. The construction and operation of these plants determine some negative environmental externalities, such as diminishing groundwater levels and spring flows, and a reduction in river flow, which can severely curtail recreational and fishing activities. This study concentrates on an ex-ante appraisal of the monetary benefits...