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RAP experts keep their finger on the pulse of the energy sector and provide timely analysis of topics impacting stakeholders TODAY.
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April 4, 2024
A New Chapter of Growth for RAP
- Regulatory Assistance Project
The Regulatory Assistance Project is beginning a new chapter of growth and thought leadership as we continue bringing clarity to the complexity of the clean energy transition. After thoughtful discussions between Richard Sedano and the RAP board of directors, Sedano… View Summary +
April 11, 2024
The History of Heat Pumps: Technology Advances to Meet the Cold-Climate Challenge
- Vivian Cox
Heat pumps — all-electric, super-efficient temperature control appliances that can both heat and cool indoor spaces — are a key to decarbonizing heating, especially as the grid is served increasingly by carbon-free resources. The 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the… View Summary +
March 11, 2024
What is a feasible pathway to full building sector decarbonisation for China?
Our global team at RAP spends a lot of time working on the deep details of building sector energy policy and regulation, grappling with the next policymaking steps in various places around the world. To calibrate our efforts and to… View Summary +
December 21, 2023
Boiler alert: Predicting boiler breakdowns benefits households and reduces harmful emissions
Policymakers can provide stronger tools to avoid households becoming locked into new gas boiler systems We do not get to choose when our boiler breaks down. It could be at the start of the weekend, when a houseful of relatives… View Summary +
December 20, 2023
China’s coal power capacity payment policy: What it means and what’s next
The possibility of establishing a new capacity payment for power plants has been under debate in China for years. If well-designed and open to competing clean-energy resources, a capacity payment mechanism could be a workable part of a broad power… View Summary +
December 13, 2023
RGGI’s 2023 Program Review: An Opportunity for Frontline Communities (Part 2)
Part 1 of this blog highlighted the foresight of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative founders. These air and energy regulators acknowledged their uncertainty as to all the effects this new program might have on electricity ratepayers, and developed an… View Summary +
December 12, 2023
RGGI’s 2023 Program Review: An Opportunity for Frontline Communities (Part 1)
When the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative’s program review comes around, many of us at RAP think of it as a cause for celebration. Now, that may be because we are environmental protection and administrative law nerds. View Summary +
November 30, 2023
Getting the Job Done: Insights on Developing the Heat Pump Workforce
In the coming years, states will need to expand their skilled workforce in order to meet the increasing demand for heat pumps and other electrification measures, especially as new federal funds become available. To help state decision-makers determine which approaches… View Summary +
November 27, 2023
Will EU’s buildings directive bring benefits for low-income households?
Louise Sunderland highlights that flexible household energy use is pivotal to the energy transition. The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive provides an essential gateway to citizen participation in the smart energy system and to cheaper energy for low-income households —… View Summary +
August 28, 2023
发掘分时电价潜力:考虑全面系统成本
自2021年7月,国家发改委发布《关于进一步完善分时电价机制的通知》(《通知》)以来,全国各省都积极响应了国家号召。截止到2023年1月,全国32个省级行政区都已经逐渐推出了符合地方负荷及电力资源特性的分时电价(云南、福建处于征求意见阶段)。如此大规模地在全国范围内推广分时电价,中国已在施行范围内走在了世界前列。除此之外,各省也按照《通知》的指示,扩大峰谷比,并且个别省份(如广西)会根据省内电力系统情况,灵活调整分时电价执行。以上几点都能够看出,中国的分时电价整体来看在朝着不断完善的方向发展。 然而,分时电价的成效取决于实施细节。一个研究对美国国内163个试点时变电价设计(time-varying… View Summary +
August 16, 2023
The IRA Includes a Big Push for Heat Pumps, But States Can Do Even More
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) became law one year ago, on August 16, 2022. Its billions in investment for the clean energy transition includes considerable resources to spur heat pump adoption across the country. But how much of an… View Summary +