The Optimal Investment Strategy of P2G Based on Real Option Theory

Abstract

This paper initially proposes a real options model for the investment of the Power-to-gas (P2G) plant based on uncertain operating cost which mainly refers to the price of electricity. Through the analysis of the uncertainty parameters affecting the operation of the P2G project, the mathematical model expressing the relations between the parameters of P2G operation cost, electricity price, sunk cost, and other parameters are established. The Brownian motion is utilized to describe the operation cost, based on which, the option value and the project value models of P2G are derived in detail. According to these two models, the optimal investment timing of the P2G device and the corresponding optimal investment capacity can be determined. The above models are verified by numerical simulation. In addition, the influence of the change of parameters on the investment timing and investment capacity in the real options model is studied. The results show that the volatility of electricity price has a greater impact on the option value of P2G project than that of other parameters. When there is a high operating cost uncertainty, waiting is a better option, and the investment can be performed when the operating cost falls to the cost with reference to the optimal investment timing.

Keywords

• Power-to-gas
• real option
• investment opportunity
• investment capacity
• operation cost uncertainty