Articles tagged with Energy Policy
A new study suggests that exporting US coal to power plants in South Korea could lead to a 21 percent drop in greenhouse gas emissions. However, the economic benefits of such exports would come with increased water use, land degradation, and potential harm to fish and wildlife habitats.
Six new research projects will use technology, data, and information to create better energy strategies and behaviors in public and private non-domestic buildings. The projects aim to reduce UK carbon emissions from such buildings by 18% and final energy consumption by 13%.
A new study by the American Cancer Society found that eating at both fast-food and full-service restaurants is associated with significant increases in calorie intake, sugar, saturated fat, and sodium. Adults who ate at restaurants consumed approximately 200 additional calories per day, regardless of whether they dined at fast-food or ...
A new study estimates that low-carbon energy options require additional investments of around $800 billion a year from now to mid-century. The researchers found that much of this capital could come from shifting subsidies and investments away from fossil fuels.
A global study suggests that capturing CO2 emissions is essential to meet ambitious climate targets. Bioenergy and Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technologies can help reduce non-electric energy-related emissions, but their risks need to be investigated further.
Net energy analysis provides a quantitative way to compare energy production with energy required for technology development and maintenance. The technique can identify potential costs and barriers to technology development that conventional financial analysis might not reveal.
The report examines RPS costs and benefits in US states with most policies in effect for over five years. States have deployed approximately 46,000 MW of new renewable energy capacity through 2012, with estimated incremental RPS cost averaging less than 1% of retail electricity rates.
Renewable energy capacity surged globally, driven by supportive policies in emerging economies. Over 95 nations now have renewable energy growth policies in place, accounting for 56% of net additions to global power capacity. Renewables accounted for 22% of the world's power production and 19% of global final energy consumption.
The UK Energy Research Centre will continue to drive innovation and research into sustainable future energy systems, with a focus on addressing climate change and increasing energy security. The funding is part of the RCUK Energy Programme, which aims to position the UK for a low-carbon future.
A new report highlights the need for improved policy support for grassroots environmental projects in the UK. Community energy initiatives, such as solar panels and wind turbines, have potential to make a significant impact on tackling climate change.
A recent study found that US adults are unwilling to accept soda taxes and portion size restrictions, but support adding front-of-package nutrition labels in schools. The survey of 1,319 adults revealed a strong positive relationship between years of education and policy support for reducing sugar-sweetened beverage consumption.
Carbon markets are emerging at the state and global levels, teaching valuable lessons on what works and what doesn't in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Despite challenges, these markets have expanded to cover a substantial share of global emissions and encouraged modest reductions.
The report analyzes state demographics and policy characteristics to contextualize the impact of various solar policies on photovoltaic installations. Four peer groups reveal different policy effectiveness based on demographic factors such as median household income and community interest in renewable energy.
Dan Arvizu, NREL director, has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering for his leadership in the renewable and clean energy sectors. He was cited for promoting national balanced energy policies and making significant advancements in engineering education.
Researchers created a model that projects how much energy can be saved with changes to China's building energy codes, which could reduce fossil fuel use and carbon dioxide emissions. The study found that improvements to codes could reduce building energy consumption by up to 22 percent by the end of this century.
A new study by UC Berkeley researchers finds that suburban sprawl cancels out the carbon footprint savings of densely populated cities, with suburbs accounting for 50% of household emissions. Interactive maps show striking differences between urban cores and surrounding suburbs, highlighting the need for tailored climate action plans.
A new study by MIT researchers suggests that a segmental approach to emissions policies, focusing on separate targeting of energy choices and consumption through regulations or incentives, can play an important role in achieving emission reductions. This approach allows for targeted policy-making, addressing specific areas of concern w...
A new study from the University of Illinois researchers suggests that the Renewable Fuel Standard should be modified, not repealed. The RFS mandates ought to be adjusted to reflect current and predicted biofuel commercialization realities.
The new journal aims to cover topics where technology, fuels, and resources intersect with social processes and influences. It will examine communities of energy users, people affected by energy production, and social institutions.
A University of Michigan researcher challenges the widely held notion that biofuels like ethanol are carbon neutral, arguing that plants used to make fuel do not remove additional CO2 from the atmosphere. He suggests reforestation and protecting forests as more effective ways to address climate change.
The report identifies substantial opportunities for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and conserving scarce water resources by generating renewable energy. It highlights the potential for water sector innovation to increase renewable energy capacity, particularly in states like California.
Elsevier has launched a new journal dedicated to publishing fundamental and applied research on marine and ocean energy. The first volume is now available for free on ScienceDirect, covering topics such as fluid mechanics, design, and environmental assessment.
Frontiers' new journal in Energy Research will publish rigorously peer-reviewed articles on various topics related to energy systems, including nanotechnology solutions, policies, and storage. The journal aims to provide a free-to-access platform for researchers to share their findings with the scientific community.
Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed a new open-source energy economy optimization (EEO) model called Temoa. The model provides transparency into its workings, allowing anyone to check its accuracy and replicate findings. With this advancement, policymakers can make more informed decisions about energy policy...
A new analysis suggests that Greece's renewable energy programs, particularly solar, could lower domestic energy costs and provide an export commodity to aid in the country's economic recovery. However, addressing public concerns about foreign involvement is crucial for realizing solar's potential.
Ellen Anderson, a champion of sustainability and environmental policy, will receive the ESA Regional Policy Award. She has promoted renewable energy, clean water, and parks, and works on clean energy and public outreach for the Governor's office.
A recent study by Oregon State University researchers suggests that small hydropower projects supported by the Kyoto Protocol can have significant losses of habitat and biodiversity. The cumulative damage caused by small dams is worse than their larger counterparts in certain environmental impacts.
The E2e Project, a joint initiative of the Energy Institute at Haas and MIT's Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research, aims to evaluate and improve energy-efficiency policies and technologies. The project seeks to provide valuable guidance to government and industry leaders, as well as consumers, on how to make smart choices.
The collaboration aims to develop capabilities for integrated cyber and physical security systems to protect critical infrastructure in the oil and gas industry. The program will focus on complex system integration, convergence of cyber and physical security technologies, and field demonstrations with key partners.
Universal access to modern energy could be achieved with an estimated investment of $65-86 billion per year up until 2030. The proposed investments equate to just 3-4% of current global energy system investments. Improved access to clean-cooking fuels and stoves could avert between 0.6 and 1.8 million premature deaths in 2030.
A mathematical model analyzes the spread of energy-efficient technologies in a community, highlighting the role of social networks and personal factors. The study provides tools for local authorities to assess the success of intervention strategies and reduce household energy bills and carbon emissions.
Spending on utility-funded energy efficiency programs will double by 2025, reaching $9.5 billion, as states in the Midwest and South expand their programs, driven by policies requiring cost-effective energy savings and energy efficiency resource standards.
The U.S. Department of Energy's NREL has created the Buildings, Industry, Transportation, Electricity, and Transportation Scenarios (BITES) tool to help users understand the complex issues surrounding cleaner energy. Users can adjust inputs to explore 'what-if' scenarios and compare outcomes to baseline cases.
Global carbon dioxide emissions are projected to rise by 2.6% in 2012, reaching a record high of 35.6 billion tonnes, with China contributing 28% and the US 16%. The analysis highlights the urgent need for radical emission reductions to keep global warming below 2 degrees.
A team of three from Case Western Reserve University will demonstrate their 'Budget It Yourself' app, which tracks home electricity use and costs, at the Department of Energy's Energy Datapalooza. The app, developed with Android devices in mind, aims to help users budget their power consumption and costs via a smartphone.
The study highlights the challenges of recycling specialty metals, which are essential for precise technological applications. Improving design for recycling, depositing targets, and financial incentives can enhance metal recovery.
Researchers found that more efficient lighting leads to increased productivity, rather than lower energy consumption. Historically, improvements in lighting have resulted in higher light consumption, not savings.
The Global Energy Assessment outlines 41 alternative sustainable energy pathways that offer viable, cost-effective choices for policy makers. The study finds that a rapid transformation to clean energy technologies is economically viable and can deliver clean energy to 1.4 billion people without increasing greenhouse gas emissions.
A Yale University study found that most Americans are willing to pay a premium for electricity in support of a national clean-energy standard. The average U.S. citizen is willing to pay $162 per year in higher electricity bills to support an 80% clean energy goal by 2035, but support varies among different demographics.
The US approach to clean energy needs a reality check, according to Stanford researchers. Drs. Jeffrey Ball and Kassia Yanosek recommend driving down costs of key technologies and speeding up deployment to make renewable power economically viable. This will require targeted government policy and private sector investment.
A study published in Nature Climate Change finds that climate change's impact on corn price volatility could far outweigh other influences. Even moderate global warming could lead to damaging heat waves and more price fluctuations.
The report assesses technical, economic, financial, and social uncertainties facing CCS technologies, concluding that most can be resolved in principle. However, difficult choices remain for government and industry regarding technology development, financial support, deployment timing, and storage liabilities.
A new study from the University of Illinois concludes that learning-by-doing played a significant role in reducing the processing costs of corn ethanol in the US. The study found that biofuel policies, which induced ethanol production beyond free-market levels, contributed to increased industry competitiveness over time.
Researchers found that replacing coal with renewable energy sources like nuclear power and wind/solar energy would be the least expensive way to meet greenhouse gas emissions goals. The study suggests a moderate increase in consumer cost of electric power, at most 20 percent.
SMU's David Blackwell presented on nationwide geothermal energy opportunities, highlighting unconventional techniques as a game changer for US energy policy. The presentation revealed vast geothermal resources across the US, accessible via current technology, and demonstrated synergy with the oil and gas industry.
A new study by University of Oregon sociologist Richard York finds that it takes more than 10 units of alternative energy to displace a single unit of fossil fuel-generated power. The research highlights the need for a shift in political and economic policies to address human behavior, rather than just technological solutions.
The High Level Panel will discuss a 'nexus' approach to water management, planning projects with input from stakeholders in the food, water, and energy sectors. This approach aims to reduce conflicts between these sectors over dwindling water resources as global food and energy production intensify.
A life cycle assessment study reveals that bioethanol from energy crops has considerable potential to render society more sustainable by substituting gasoline. The study's findings suggest that regional biomass utilization systems can significantly reduce fossil fuel resources and greenhouse gas emissions.
A new study by Columbia Engineering estimates average annual energy use for every building in NYC, providing an interactive web map that shows energy type, purpose, and quantity. This information will enable building owners to compare their consumption with the average and explore possibilities of sharing resources and infrastructure.
A world-first study conducted by QUT and CSIRO found that temperature-related deaths in Brisbane account for 6,572 years of life lost annually. Improving housing conditions through better insulation can help mitigate this issue.
Mildred S. Dresselhaus and Burton Richter are recognized for their pioneering research and scientific leadership in various fields, including condensed matter systems and particle physics. The award acknowledges their contributions to energy and economic security, as well as their efforts to promote diversity and gender equity in science.
A new study suggests that small modular reactors (SMRs) could play a significant role in the future of US nuclear power generation. The report concludes that SMRs would be highly advantageous for various sectors in the US, stimulating high-valued job growth and restoring US leadership in nuclear reactor technology.
A new report by the University of Victoria finds that most eco-labels for farmed marine fish offer less than a 10% improvement in environmental performance compared to conventional practices. The study evaluates 20 eco-labels, ranking them based on numerical scores derived from a well-established quantitative methodology.
A new study by Duke University and Georgia Tech researchers found that energy efficiency and renewable energy can work together to meet projected growth in the South. The study debunks six common myths about clean energy, including those that claim it cannot meet demand or will increase electricity rates.
A new OSU study suggests that existing biofuel policies have been costly and ineffective in reducing fossil fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions. The researchers found that alternative energy efficiency improvements would be more effective in reducing emissions.
The study highlights the human cost of biomass burning, with over 2 million premature deaths in 2005, and the environmental impact on deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions. The research agenda proposes cleaner cooking fuels and technologies to improve access and adoption.
The article finds that integrating climate policy with energy sustainability objectives can lead to significant synergies and cost savings. By adopting an integrated approach, major benefits can be achieved in terms of reduced carbon emissions and improved air quality.
The increasing demand for rare earth elements and critical minerals poses significant geopolitical challenges, threatening the global clean energy economy. The US, China, and other countries are exploring strategies to secure domestic supplies and mitigate supply risks.
The California Energy Commission awards Calit2 at UCI a $1 million grant to research plug-load devices, which consume 20% of building electrical power. The project aims to create more energy-efficient appliances and provide data for future standards by 2030.
A joint program between Shell and the University of Texas at Austin aims to address challenges in the unconventional oil and gas industry through research and collaboration, focusing on developing safe and responsible methods for harnessing shale gas resources.