THE PRINCIPLE OF EXERCISING OPTIONS ON THE ELECTRICITY MARKET

Abstract

Continual price fluctuations are possible to hedge by using various financial instruments, including options. An option buyer buys the right to the settlement price of an underlying asset such as electricity. Due to the volatility of the asset price, the buyer is not obliged to exercise the option. In such a case, the buyer’s only loss is the purchased right or the option premium, which is equal to the option price. Mathematical models for option pricing have been developed in the last hundred years. These models were very popular during the 1970s, owing to the application of the Black-Scholes formula for the calculation of theoretical option prices. In this article, options are distinguished according to various criteria, specific exercising methods are described and the historical development of option pricing models is reviewed. An example of option exercising with closing out of the margins on the largest Middle European electricity exchange, EEX, is presented.