Università della Svizzera italiana

Using a choice experiment to estimate the benefits of a reduction of externalities in urban areas with special focus on electrosmog

Banfi, Silvia ; Filippini, Massimo ; Horehájováa, Andrea

In: Applied economics, 2012, vol. 44, no. 3, p. 387-397

Traffic noise, air pollution and electromagnetic pollution (i.e. non-ionizing radiation, also called electrosmog) are typical negative local externalities in urban areas. They are side-effects of human and economic activity (e.g. road transport, telecommunication) and they affect individuals’ well-being negatively without compensation. In recent years, the increased number of mobile phone...

Università della Svizzera italiana

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

Banfi, Silvia ; Filippini, Massimo

In: Energy policy, 2010, vol. 38, no. 5, p. 2302-2308

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

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

In: Annals of public and cooperative economics, 2009, vol. 80, no. 1, p. 37-66

This paper analyzes the demand of Swiss families for child care facilities. A choice experiment is used to study the effects of the facilities’ characteristics as well as socio-economic factors on the selected child care mode. The experimental data are analyzed using a discrete choice model with multinomial logit specification. The results suggest that the demand for extra-familial day care...

Università della Svizzera italiana

Willingness to pay for energy-saving measures in residential buildings

Banfi, Silvia ; Farsi, Mehdi ; Filippini, Massimo ; italiana, Svizzera ; Jakob, Martin

In: Energy Economics, 2008, vol. 30, no. 2, p. 503-516

This paper uses a choice experiment to evaluate the consumers' willingness to pay for energy-saving measures in Switzerland's residential buildings. These measures include air renewal (ventilation) systems and insulation of windows and facades. Two groups of respondents consisting respectively of 163 apartment tenants and 142 house owners were asked to choose between their housing status quo...

Università della Svizzera italiana

Fuel tourism in border regions : the case of Switzerland

Banfi, Silvia ; Filippini, Massimo ; Hunt, Lester C.

In: Energy Economics, 2005, vol. 27, no. 5, p. 689-707

This paper explores the issue of ‘fuel tourism’ in Switzerland. For the period 1985 to 1987, a panel data model for the border regions of Switzerland, (Italy, France, and Germany) is estimated. The results show a significant impact of the gasoline price differential on demand, suggesting that a decrease of 10% in the Swiss gasoline price leads to a reduction in demand in the border areas of...

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...

Università della Svizzera italiana

La deregolamentazione del mercato elettrico svizzero e implicazioni a breve termine per l’industria idroelettrica

Antonioli, Barbara ; Banfi, Silvia ; Filippini, Massimo

In many European countries, including England, Norway and Germany, the electricity sector has been deregulated. In Switzerland also the Parliament has adopted a new law – the Swiss Electricity Market Law (EML) -, which proposes to institute changes in the electricity market and therefore open the market to greater competition. The Swiss population will have to vote on the EML in September 2002....