Brazil's regulatory framework: predictability or uncertainty?

Este Trabalho Discute as Perspectivas da Regulação Econômica no Brasil. para Tanto, Primeiramente Apresenta-Se a Evolução Histórica da Regulação no País, Discutindo as Principais Questões Relacionadas Às Agências Reguladoras Federais. em Segundo Lugar, os Marcos Regulatórios de Cinco Diferentes Setores (Telecomunicações, Eletricidade, Saneamento Básico, Petróleo e Gás Natural) são Analisados. em Terceiro Lugar, a Questão do Financiamento de Investimentos em Infra-Estrutura é Tratada, Enfatizando o Papel das Parcerias Público-Privadas (Ppps). uma Seção Final Cont~Em um Possível Agenda para a Regulação no Brasil

Probing active galactic nuclei with H2O megamasers.

We describe the characteristics of the rapidly rotating molecular disk in the nucleus of the mildly active galaxy NGC4258. The morphology and kinematics of the disk are delineated by the point-like watervapor emission sources at 1.35-cm wavelength. High angular resolution [200 microas where as is arcsec, corresponding to 0.006 parsec (pc) at 6.4 million pc] and high spectral resolution (0.2 km.s-1 or nu/Deltanu = 1.4 x 10(6)) with the Very-Long-Baseline Array allow precise definition of the disk. The disk is very thin, but slightly warped, and is viewed nearly edge-on. The masers show that the disk is in nearly perfect Keplerian rotation within the observable range of radii of 0.13-0.26 pc. The approximately random deviations from the Keplerian rotation curve among the high-velocity masers are approximately 3.5 km.s-1 (rms). These deviations may be due to the masers lying off the midline by about +/-4 degrees or variations in the inclination of the disk by +/-4 degrees. Lack of systematic deviations indicates that the disk has a mass of <4 x 10(6) solar mass (M[symbol: see text]). The gravitational binding mass is 3.5 x 10(7) M[symbol: see text], which must lie within the inner radius of the disk and requires that the mass density be >4 x 10(9) M[symbol: see text].pc-3. If the central mass were in the form of a star cluster with a density distribution such as a Plummer model, then the central mass density would be 4 x 10(12) M[symbol: see text].pc-3. The lifetime of such a cluster would be short with respect to the age of the galaxy [Maoz, E. (1995) Astrophys. J. Lett. 447, L91-L94]. Therefore, the central mass may be a black hole. The disk as traced by the systemic velocity features is unresolved in the vertical direction, indicating that its scale height is <0.0003 pc (hence the ratio of thickness to radius, H/R, is <0.0025). For a disk in hydrostatic equilibrium the quadrature sum of the sound speed and Alfven velocity is <2.5 km.s-1, so that the temperature of the disk must be <1000 K and the toroidal magnetic field component must be <250 mG. If the molecular mass density in the disk is 10(10) cm-3, then the disk mass is approximately 10(4) M[symbol: see text], and the disk is marginally stable as defined by the Toomre stability parameter Q (Q = 6 at the inner edge and 1 at the outer edge). The inward drift velocity is predicted to be <0.007 km.s-1, for a viscosity parameter of 0.1, and the accretion rate is <7 x 10(-5) M[symbol: see text].yr-1. At this value the accretion would be sufficient to power the nuclear x-ray source of 4 x 10(40) ergs-1 (1 erg = 0.1 microJ). The volume of individual maser components may be as large as 10(46) cm3, based on the velocity gradients, which is sufficient to supply the observed luminosity. The pump power undoubtedly comes from the nucleus, perhaps in the form of x-rays. The warp may allow the pump radiation to penetrate the disk obliquely [Neufeld, D. A. & Maloney, P. R. (1995) Astrophys. J. Lett. 447, L17-L19]. A total of 15 H2O megamasers have been identified out of >250 galaxies searched. Galaxy NGC4258 may be the only case where conditions are optimal to reveal a well-defined nuclear disk. Future measurement of proper motions and accelerations for NGC4258 will yield an accurate distance and a more precise definition of the dynamics of the disk

Análisis comparativo de diferentes esquemas de suficiencia en generación eléctrica: Algunas reflexiones para el mercado eléctrico en Colombia

El Mercado eléctrico colombiano ha venido enfrentando dificultades con la ocurrencia del Fenómeno de El Niño 2015-2016 que evidenciaron fallas en el diseño del mercado. El presente trabajo de grado hace un referenciamiento internacional de diferentes tipos de diseño de mercados eléctricos enfocado principalmente a los mecanismos utilizados para garantizar la suficiencia en capacidad de generación, describe la problemática actual y hace algunas recomendaciones para el mercado colombiano con base en las ventajas, desventajas y adaptabilidad evidenciadas en los mercados analizados de Nord Pool, Alberta, PJM, Chile, Brasil y Panamá.

An Analysis of Colombian Power Market Price Behavior from an Industrial Organization Perspective

We analyze the behavior of spot prices in the Colombian wholesale power market, using a series of models derived from industrial organization theory -- We first create a Cournot-based model that simulates the strategic behavior of the market-leader power generators, which we use to estimate two industrial organization variables, the Index of Residual Demand and the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI) -- We use these variables to create VAR models that estimate spot prices and power market impulse-response relationships -- The results from these models show that hydroelectric generators can use their water storage capability strategically to affect off-peak prices primarily, while the thermal generators can manage their capacity strategically to affect on-peak prices -- In addition, shocks to the Index of Residual Capacity and to the HHI cause spot price fluctuations, which can be interpreted as the generators´ strategic response to these shocks

El Diálogo Competitivo como instrumento para la maduración de proyectos de infraestructura vial

En Colombia, mediante la Ley 1508 de 2102, se estableció el régimen jurídico de las Asociaciones Público Privadas (APP) y con la aprobación de la Ley 1682 de 2013, se regularon los proyectos de infraestructura de transporte. Con la presente tesis se pretende demostrar la figura del Diálogo Competitivo como procedimiento incompleto e insuficiente, apropiado así por nuestro régimen jurídico en la Ley de APP, visto desde la perspectiva de la Unión Europea, especialmente de los modelos español, inglés y francés, porque carece de la mayoría de sus elementos característicos. Posteriormente se realiza una crítica al Diálogo Competitivo colombiano desde la perspectiva de la Unión Europea, ya que se evidencia en la figura interna su precariedad frente a un procedimiento debidamente definido y organizado como el de la Unión Europea. Entre las instituciones jurídicas adoptadas por la Ley de APP, se encuentra el Diálogo Competitivo, que es un procedimiento, verificado en la etapa de estructuración de los contratos APP de iniciativa pública, cuyos antecedentes registran el mayor reconocimiento internacional en la Unión Europea (UE). Ésta introdujo esa figura a su régimen jurídico, a través de la Directiva 2004/18/CE, a su vez derogada por la Directiva 2014/24/UCE. La tesis culmina con una serie de conclusiones y recomendaciones que se estiman útiles para repensar y reestructurar el Diálogo Competitivo en los proyectos de infraestructura vial en Colombia, tarea que le corresponde al Congreso Nacional, pues así lo ha dispuesta la jurisprudencia del Consejo de Estado.