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Renewable Portfolio Standards: Options from US Experience

By Ryan Wiser, Rachael Terada
China is in the midst of creating a quota system for renewable energy. The policy may resemble that used in many U.S. states known as a renewable portfolio standard (RPS), but China’s electricity market and regulatory structures are unique, as are the challenges it faces to renewable energy development. As China and other countries begin developing renewable... Read More

„Efficiency First“ muss zum Grundpfeiler der europäischen Energieunion werden

By Jan Rosenow, Andreas Jahn
Die deutsche Bundesregierung hat sich „Efficiency First“ auf die Fahnen geschrieben und auch der Koalitionsvertrag der neuen Regierung macht sich dieses Prinzip zu eigen. Andere EU‑Mitgliedsstaaten sind hier offensichtlich noch skeptisch. Laut einem durchgesickerten Dokument des Rates der Europäischen Union widersetzen sich einige Mitgliedsländer den Besc... Read More

Small district heating systems key to improving Poland’s air quality

By Edith Bayer, Richard Cowart
Small, coal-fired district heating systems are a major source of air pollution in Poland. Applying EU regulations would go some way toward solving this problem, write Edith Bayer and Richard Cowart of global energy policy advisors Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP), but more needs to be done. Bayer and Cowart draw four lessons from a new study that looked at pra... Read More

Leveling the Playing Field for Storage Resources in China’s Electricity Markets: A View from the U.S.

By Max Dupuy, Kevin Porter
In February, the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) finalized a historic rule on participation of storage resources in the “ISO/RTO” wholesale electricity markets. ISO/RTO markets cover about two-thirds of the United States and are roughly analogous to the spot markets under development in several Chinese provinces. The ISOs/RTOs are independent... Read More

美国经验：储能资源如何直接参与现货市场竞争？

By Max Dupuy, Kevin Porter
今年2月，美国联邦能源监管委员会(FERC)为确保储能资源能够参与到“ISO/RTO”的批发电力市场竞争中，颁布了具有历史性意义的一部法规。ISO/RTO市场与中国几个省内正在进行试点工作的现货市场具有很大相似性。ISO/RTO是负责监管市场的独立机构，起到了系统运营商（在中国，�... Read More

Energy Efficiency 2.0: New Questions, Same Answer

By Ken Colburn
One of RAP’s longtime mantras is: “Efficiency is the answer. What’s the question?” We’ve demonstrated that energy efficiency provides a “layer cake” of multiple benefits, that it could help us meet almost a third of power system demand over the next decade, and that “Efficiency First” should be the primary guidepost for prioritizing energy syste... Read More

Deutschland muss endlich den europäischen Strommarkt unterstützen

By Philip Baker, Andreas Jahn
Der EU-Energiebinnenmarkt würde enorme Werte schaffen. Verbraucher könnten von Milliardeneinsparungen profitieren, Jahr für Jahr. Doch die Nationalstaaten blockieren. Insbesondere Deutschland muss endlich seiner Verantwortung als zentrales Bindeglied im europäischen Stromnetz nachkommen, fordern Philip Baker und Andreas Jahn vom Regulatory Assistance Project ... Read More

Don’t be fooled: ‘Efficiency First’ is a necessary discipline

By Jan Rosenow, Richard Cowart, Edith Bayer
The idea of “Efficiency First” is on the line in ongoing EU talks. Member States must realise that this is no mere slogan but a real necessity, write Dr. Jan Rosenow, Richard Cowart, and Edith Bayer. According to a leaked document from the Council of the European Union, some members of the Council are resisting the decisions of the Commission and Parliamen... Read More

Regional cooperation and integrated energy markets at risk

By Christos Kolokathis, Philip Baker
A much more interconnected European energy market, ensuring regional cooperation and cutting out waste, makes so much sense for consumers, for security of supply, and for decarbonisation.  When the European Commission first outlined its vision for a genuine Energy Union nearly three years ago, vice president for the Energy Union Maroš Šefčovič, painted in... Read More

A step backward – European Member States threaten to reverse progress on Single Electricity Market

By Philip Baker, Christos Kolokathis
The European Council’s proposals on the internal energy market fundamentally weaken the framework that is needed to deliver an integrated market that will benefit European energy consumers, write Philip Baker and Christos Kolokathis from the global energy policy advisors Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP). The proposals may even legalise practices that are cur... Read More

The Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP)® is an independent, non-partisan, non-governmental organization dedicated to accelerating the transition to a clean, reliable, and efficient energy future.