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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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How Many EVs Participate in Utility-Managed Charging Programs: the Minnesota PUC’s Solution
Most utility regulators understand that managed charging for light-duty electric vehicles (EVs) is really important. Instead of EVs charging at high-use times when serving customers is more expensive, charging can readily be moved to other times of the day when… View Summary +
Getting Heat Pump Incentives Right: Another Look at the High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Act
In December 2023, RAP and CLASP published “Accelerating Heat Pump Adoption through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Complementary Policies.” Using a modified U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) model, the authors analyzed the impacts of incentives on heat… View Summary +
建筑节能箭在弦上，供热物理“外挂”势在必行
建筑是中国能源消耗和碳排放的主要领域之一。中国既有建筑总量大，能耗和碳排放强度高。中国宏观经济研究院发布的《中国能源转型展望2022》报告中，提出了一条在合理成本和可行技术下实现“双碳”目标的途径。 View Summary +
How to drive industrial electrification for climate and strategic independence
Electrification is the name of the game Heat is a crucial element in almost every manufacturing process, whether it is in the heavy stuff of melting glass and steel or firing ceramics at scorching temperatures (800°C-1,500°C), producing chemicals (100°C-500 °C),… View Summary +
Treat the cause, not the symptom: Preparing for megawatt truck charging uptake in Europe
Unbalanced charging could put unnecessary stress on distribution grids The European Union’s Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), which entered into force mid-April 2024, requires Member States to scale up the buildout of truck charging capacity and density starting in 2025. View Summary +
优化季节电价，推动电气化供暖
近年来，热泵的推广和应用在我国发展较快，与其他国家一样，要实现清洁供暖的目标仍然任重道远，在采购供暖设备时，许多用户与供热商仍存在犹豫，其中认为热泵运行成本较高是主要因素之一。 View Summary +
What’s the Buzz? Ground-Truthing Cold-Climate Heat Pump Performance
I live in Missoula, Montana, a small college town tucked into the Rocky Mountains. We’re known for our outdoor access, not for our burgeoning restaurant scene. So when a new spot opens, there’s usually a lot of buzz. It’s exciting… View Summary +
Heat pumps gained European market share in 2023 despite falling sales
Following several years of strong growth, heat pump markets slowed in Europe in 2023. In previous articles for Carbon Brief, we discussed this initial surge in 2021 and explored the impact of the energy crisis in 2022. Yet, despite… View Summary +
Cold-Climate Heat Pumps Pass the Ultimate Test: a Maine Winter
Heat pumps use electricity to transfer heat, making them an energy-efficient alternative to furnaces and air conditioners. In 2019, the state of Maine made residential heat pumps a core piece of its climate strategy and set a goal… View Summary +
The History of Heat Pumps: Technology Advances to Meet the Cold-Climate Challenge
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 +
