The OurEnergyLibrary aggregates and indexes publicly available fact sheets, journal articles, reports, studies, and other publications on U.S. energy topics. It is updated every week to include the most recent energy resources from academia, government, industry, non-profits, think tanks, and trade associations. Suggest a resource by emailing us at info@ourenergypolicy.org.
Resource Library
A new study jointly prepared by economists at The Brattle Group and the State of Rhode Island’s Office of Energy Resources (OER) analyzes the key factors that will guide Rhode Island to meeting 100% of the state’s electricity demand with renewable electricity by 2030. Based on the study’s analysis, achieving this goal is attainable, with renewable resources available within the state and the surrounding areas to support this target. Rhode Island can maximize the benefits to its state by leveraging market-based approaches to procuring additional renewable electricity, proactively planning Rhode Island and New England infrastructure, and identifying opportunities to develop …
View Full ResourceEnergy efficiency (EE) is widely considered a least-cost option for meeting energy demand while reducing energy costs and carbon emissions. While EE has experienced slow and steady growth in South Carolina, much more can be done to maximize the full potential of this least cost resource. The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) estimates that South Carolina has 16,902 GWh of cost-effective electric energy efficiency economic potential by 2035. To explore this opportunity, leading EE and energy experts—including academic experts, consumer advocates, environmental nonprofits, commercial entities, state agencies, and utilities—participated in a series of meetings to determine where and how to …
View Full ResourceTraditional ratemaking encourages utilities to over-invest in facilities, underspend on operations and maintenance, and promote wasteful use of energy. Some states are exploring a performance-based ratemaking framework to align utility performance with goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase distributed energy resources. But designing effective incentives requires comprehensive study, analysis and enforcement. This paper outlines key considerations for policymakers and provides examples of unintended consequences of past utility reward programs. Author Steve Weissman, a senior policy adviser at CSE, teaches at the UC Berkeley Goldman School of Public Policy, created and directed the Energy Law program at Berkeley Law, …
View Full ResourceThis technical notes details the methodology behind the Electric Vehicles on the Grid Simulator. This tool is intended to help individual building energy managers, facility owners, distribution service operators, charging point operators, and fleet operators. This model-based simulator enables users to evaluate the potential electric vehicle load impacts on the low-voltage distribution grid at specific sites and plan for future capacity upgrades. Additionally, the tool can be used to quantify the effects of different vehicle-grid integration technologies to alleviate the peak capacity stress.…
View Full ResourceNew technologies, such as air source heat pumps and smart thermostats, are changing the way we produce and use energy — making it cheaper and more efficient to electrify heat and hot water in buildings. As the power grid gets cleaner by adding more renewable energy, it will make home electricity use cleaner too. This reality presents an opportunity for buildings’ energy use to take advantage of the power grid’s flexibility. Home energy technologies can in effect turn a building into a thermal battery, precooling or preheating spaces and water supply, and can help shift electricity demand away from more …
View Full ResourceThis is a strategic vision from the Office of Nuclear Energy to achieve the United States Department of Energy’s mission of advancing nuclear energy science and technology to meet U.S. energy, environmental, and economic needs.…
View Full ResourceThis literature review surveys recent developments in competitive procurements and centralized resource planning through Integrated Resource Planning and their role helping states and utilities meet ambitious clean energy goals.…
View Full ResourceIn June 2019, Governor Janet Mills signed LD 1679 into law, with strong support from the Maine Legislature, to create the Maine Climate Council. The Council — an assembly of scientists, industry leaders, bipartisan local and state officials, and engaged citizens — was charged with developing this four-year Climate Action Plan to put Maine on a trajectory to decrease greenhouse gas emissions by 45% by 2030 and 80% by 2050, and achieve carbon neutrality by 2045. Starting in September of that year, the Council and six working groups and a subcommittee — totaling more than 200 Maine people with a …
View Full ResourceThe recommendations found in this report are intended to lay the foundation for the state to better adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change, while also seeking economic opportunities in renewable energy and conservation. This report provides an array of policy options, along with a variety of implementation strategies. Because the economic and human costs of climate change are far too great to ignore, it is imperative that the Governor, his administration, and the state legislature all take meaningful action to combat the climate crisis. While the COVID-19 pandemic has created significant barriers for our state, including fiscal …
View Full ResourceThe 12th annual California Green Innovation Index finds that California’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2018—the latest year for which data are available—rose overall for the first time since 2012, driven by increases in the power and commercial sectors. …
View Full Resource