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Recommended Reading
Not sure where to begin? Check out RAP’s Recommended Reading List to see our selection of must-read publications and presentations.
Recent Publications
Best Practices in Designing and Implementing Energy Efficiency Obligation Schemes
- Date:
- Authors:
- David Crossley, John Gerhard, Brenda Hausauer, Eoin Lees, Camille Kadoch, Edith Pike-Biegunska, Wang Xuan, Elizabeth Wat...
Document Summary
Best Practices in Designing and Implementing Energy Efficiency Obligation Schemes
An energy efficiency obligation (EEO) is a regulatory mechanism that requires obligated parties to meet quantitative energy saving targets by delivering or procuring eligible energy savings produced by implementing approved end-use energy efficiency measures. Governments in various jurisdictions around the world have endeavored to improve end-use energy efficiency, and in some cases also achieve other objectives, by designing and implementing EEO schemes. These schemes require energy providers, such as electricity and gas companies, to meet quantitative energy saving targets through assisting their customers to implement energy efficiency measures. This report includes detailed case studies of 19 EEO schemes implemented in a range of jurisdictions around the world. A table in the Appendix summarises and compares key design parameters among the schemes. The table and the case studies themselves demonstrate that there are many different ways to design and implement EEO schemes. Through a comparative analysis of the information in the case studies, the report identifies best practices in designing and implementing an EEO scheme. Adopting these best practices in designing and implementing new schemes, and updating existing ones, should improve the effectiveness of EEO schemes in delivering cost-effective energy efficiency.
- Authors:
- David Crossley
- John Gerhard
- Brenda Hausauer
- Eoin Lees
- Camille Kadoch
- Edith Pike-Biegunska
- Wang Xuan
- Elizabeth Watson
- Date:
- Filetype:
- Size:
- 82 kB
Technical Assistance for the New Jersey Renewable Energy Task Force
Document Summary
Technical Assistance for the New Jersey Renewable Energy Task Force
This report describes the technical assistance provided to New Jersey as the state further developed its renewable energy policies. In late 2002, Governor James E. McGreevey created the New Jersey Renewable Energy Task Force. The Task Force represented a broad spectrum of views on renewable energy and the state’s electric industry and was directed to increase the deployment of renewable energy in New Jersey. The National Council asked the Regulatory Assistance Project to assist New Jersey in addressing renewable energy credit concerns. This report recounts the issues and challenges faced by the Task Force. Where appropriate, the report identifies lessons applicable to other states and situations.
- Authors:
- Rich Sedano
- Date:
- Filetype:
- Size:
- 276 kB
A Comprehensive View of the U.S. Electric Restructuring with Policy Options for the Future
Document Summary
A Comprehensive View of the U.S. Electric Restructuring with Policy Options for the Future
Over the preceding decades, state and federal policymakers invented a host of new devices intended to bring market forces to the electric industry at all points, from generation to consumption. To a large extent, the major goals of wholesale and retail competition are still elusive. This report concludes that there is an urgent need for state policymakers to develop long-term and coordinated plans for the electric industry. However, each state faces unique circumstances that require individualized solutions. This report does not recommend specific solutions, since circumstances will vary a great deal in each state. State policymakers must however work together and with their federal counterparts as the electric industry becomes more regional.
- Authors:
- Rich Sedano
- Date:
- Filetype:
- Size:
- 775 kB
Dimensions of Reliability: Electric System Reliability for Elected Officals
Document Summary
Dimensions of Reliability: Electric System Reliability for Elected Officals
Policymakers looking for a more robust way to appreciate reliability and to assess what influence they can have over the outcome will find help in this report. This paper will review what reliability is, and encourage broad thinking about how to achieve the levels of reliability society expects in sensible ways that limit both cost and risk. This paper was commissioned to assist policymakers, notably elected officials, in appreciating the issues that will affect reliability as they consider changes in utility statutes and oversee regulatory processes in their jurisdictions.
- Authors:
- Rich Sedano
- Date:
- Filetype:
- Size:
- 1 MB
Synthesis Report: A Summary of Research on Information Disclosure
Document Summary
Synthesis Report: A Summary of Research on Information Disclosure
In November 1996, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissions (NARUC) adopted a Resolution in Support Of Customer Right-To-Know and Product Labeling Standards for Retail Marketing Of Electricity and identified the need to provide retail consumers with clear and uniform disclosure to compare price, price variability, resource mix and environmental characteristics of their electricity purchases. Following NARUCs resolution, the National Council on Competition and the Electric Industry (the National Council), a joint undertaking of state utility regulators and state legislators, initiated a major research effort to provide the consumer and policy research needed by states and others to implement the resolution. This report summarizes the results of the National Council’s research. The research had many facets, but the core of it was very simple: researchers employed modern consumer research techniques to ask customers what information would be useful. Customers said that the critical issues for them were the price they would be charged and the environmental characteristics of the electricity generation they would be purchasing. This research and report focuses not only on customers desires, but also on related issues, including how could the information customers were requesting could be developed, and what would be an effective means to convey that information. The research also solicited, and this report summarizes, input on information disclosure from a broad variety of other stakeholders, including utility and nonutility suppliers, customer representatives, environmental organizations, and utility regulators, and other policymakers.
- Authors:
- David Moskovitz
- Cheryl Harrington
- Date:
- Filetype:
- Size:
- 334 kB
Emissions Trading as an Air Quality Management Tool
Document Summary
Emissions Trading as an Air Quality Management Tool
Emissions trading is an established practice in air quality management programs around the world. China has been evaluating emission trading schemes since the 1980’s and is now planning major expansion in geographical scope and depth. Specifically, China is considering emissions trading as a way to achieve the Total Emission Control limits in the 12th Five Year Plan, and as a way of mitigating new industrial growth. Previously, China experimented with emissions trading for sulfur dioxide (SO2) and water borne pollutants. This paper examines emissions trading as an air quality management tool and discusses how to apply that tool effectively. No emission trading system is perfect but it is possible to keep defects to a minimum, so that the economy and environment both prosper.
- Authors:
- Catherine Witherspoon
- Chris James
- Max Dupuy
- Zhao Lijian
- Date:
- Filetype:
- Size:
- 2 MB
Energy Efficiency Feed-in-Tariffs: Key Policy and Design Considerations
Document Summary
Energy Efficiency Feed-in-Tariffs: Key Policy and Design Considerations
Energy efficiency feed-in-tariffs (FiTs) are an intriguing new concept for accelerating investment in end-use energy efficiency. By offering a significant new revenue stream for any business that can generate savings, they have the potential to unearth and harness innovations in delivering cost-effective energy savings that have not been seen to date. However, that promise has not yet been tested. Drawing on experience in the United States with related programmes and policies, this white paper identifies, explores and provides recommendations on a variety of design and implementation challenges that will need to be effectively addressed if the potential benefits of efficiency FiTs are to be realized.
- Authors:
- Chris Neme
- Richard Cowart
- Date:
- Filetype:
- Size:
- 836 kB
Practicing Risk Awareness: What Every State Regulator Needs to Know
Document Summary
Practicing Risk Awareness: What Every State Regulator Needs to Know
Over the next decade or two, state regulatory utility commissions will preside over some of the most important investments in the history of the U.S. electric power sector during perhaps its most challenging and tumultuous period. This report seeks to provide regulators with a thorough discussion of risk, and to suggest an approach—“risk-aware regulation”—whereby regulators can explicitly and proactively seek to identify, understand and minimize the risks associated with electric utility resource investment. It is hoped that this approach will result in the efficient deployment of capital, the continued financial health of utilities, and the confidence and satisfaction of the customers on whose behalf utilities invest.
- Authors:
- Ron Binz
- Rich Sedano
- Denise Furey
- Dan Mullen
- Date:
- Filetype:
- Size:
- 4 MB
Recent Presentations
Energy Efficiency Financing: Turning Value into Money
Document Summary
Energy Efficiency Financing: Turning Value into Money
Rich Sedano gave this presentation at the National Council on Electric Policy, Energy Efficiency Financing Workshop, September 15, 2005. This presentation addresses how more financing can be allocated for energy efficiency, including use of system benefit funds, cost of service and performance standards. It also explores value-based reforms, including utility incentives, transmission and distribution deferral and generation replacement, notably through energy efficiency power plants.
- Authors:
- Rich Sedano
- Date:
- Filetype:
- Size:
- 287 kB
Moving the Market Design Discussion "Beyond Capacity Markets"
Document Summary
Moving the Market Design Discussion "Beyond Capacity Markets"
RAP Europe was invited to present its paper on “Beyond Capacity Markets” at the prestigious European Energy Markets conference sponsored by the Florence School of Regulation and IEEE. The theme of reliability for Europe’s power system was a major topic during this three-day conference, and RAP’s key message to policymakers and regulators is reflected in the conference presentation by Meg Gottstein, RAP Principal.
- Authors:
- Meg Gottstein
- Date:
- Filetype:
- Size:
- 3 MB
Risk-Aware Regulation: Risk Mitigation Benefits of Energy Efficiency in Long Term Utility Investment
Document Summary
Risk-Aware Regulation: Risk Mitigation Benefits of Energy Efficiency in Long Term Utility Investment
- Authors:
- Rich Sedano
- Date:
- Filetype:
- Size:
- 488 kB
20 Years of Energy Provider Delivered Energy Efficiency in Europe
Document Summary
20 Years of Energy Provider Delivered Energy Efficiency in Europe
- Authors:
- RAP
- Eoin Lees
- Date:
- Filetype:
- Size:
- 335 kB
Meeting Renewable Energy Targets in the West at Least Cost: The Integration Challenge
Document Summary
Meeting Renewable Energy Targets in the West at Least Cost: The Integration Challenge
At the Western Interstate Energy Board meeting on May 2, 2012, Lisa Schwartz summarized RAP’s paper for Western Governors’ Association on ways to reduce integration costs for wind and solar in the Western U.S., the benefits and implementation barriers, and recommendations for consideration by states. RAP produced the paper in collaboration with Exeter Associates and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
- Authors:
- Lisa Schwartz
- Date:
- Filetype:
- Size:
- 1 MB
Electric Energy Training
Document Summary
Electric Energy Training
Understanding how the electricity system works in the United States is important to understanding environmental benefits and impacts from power generation, and benefits and costs of energy efficiency and renewable energy. This module provides a high level overview of how electricity is generated, transmitted and distributed. The intended audience is environmental regulators, and others who have not been previously exposed to this topic.
- Authors:
- John Shenot
- Chris James
- Date:
- Filetype:
- Size:
- 2 MB
Characterizing Energy Efficiency and Its Benefits
Document Summary
Characterizing Energy Efficiency and Its Benefits
This presentation is a high level overview of design side management. DSM includes energy efficiency, load management and demand response. It is important to articulate clearly on the goal of a particular program or policy. Energy efficiency and load management are sometimes confused. Clean demand response is emphasized, avoiding the use of back-up generators that add emissions to the airshed, and may do so when the air quality is already unhealthy (i.e., peak hours in the summer may coincide with peak pollutant concentrations, especially in the US Eastern Seaboard and California).
- Authors:
- Chris James
- Date:
- Filetype:
- Size:
- 2 MB
Some Facts about Electricity: A Quiz
Document Summary
Some Facts about Electricity: A Quiz
This is an opening quiz to get the audience to think a bit about energy.
- Authors:
- John Shenot
- Date:
- Filetype:
- Size:
- 275 kB
