Introduction to Ronald D. Ripple：

Professor Ripple joined Curtin University in August 2008 following six years with the Department of Economics at Macquarie University in Sydney, including one year as Head of Department. Ron has studied the economics of energy markets and the financial derivatives markets that play such an important role in this vital sector of the economy. Professor Ripple has published numerous academic papers, trade press articles, energy industry reports, and book chapters. A select few include recent publications: “Energy consumption and real income: A panel cointegration multi-country study,” with Roselyne Joyeux,The Energy Journal, 2011, 32:2, pp. 107-141; “International steam coal market integration,” with Raymond Li and Roselyne Joyeux, The Energy Journal, 31:3, (2010), pp. 181-202; “The effect of maturity, trading volume, and open interest on crude oil futures price range-based volatility,” with Imad A. Moosa, Global Finance Journal, 20:3, (2009), pp. 206-219; and “International energy derivatives markets,” Chapter 30 in International Handbook on the Economics of Energy, editors: L. Hunt and J. Evans, Edward Elgar, 2009, pp. 707-739. He has also studied the energy markets and systems of the Asian region authoring Natural Gas in Asia, 2nd Edition, Financial Times Energy Publishing, November, 1999, and co-authoring Independent Power Producers in Asia: Past, Present and Future, co-authored with Emiko Takahashi, Financial Times Energy Asia Pacific, July 1997.