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Incisive commentary from RAP experts
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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August 29, 2017
Energy efficiency loopholes risk to Paris Agreement
Energy efficiency is key to achieving the ambitious carbon reduction goals set out in the Paris Agreement. The International Energy Agency (IEA) created a model scenario, aligned with the Agreement, which indicates that half of global emission reductions… View Summary +
August 29, 2017
Utility “Shadow Billing” Can Shed Light on Rate Options
- Janine Migden-Ostrander
Could two electricity bills really be better than one? Just maybe, if the second is a “shadow bill,” provided to educate customers about alternatives to the rates they are charged. Specifically, for electricity customers interested in saving money and… View Summary +
August 23, 2017
Effizienzziele nur mit ambitionierten Politikansätzen zu erreichen
Ohne Energieeffizienz gäbe es keine Energiewende. Die Kosten für den Umbau des Energiesystems insbesondere im Wärmebereich liefen sonst einfach aus dem Ruder. Daher hat Deutschland über die letzten Jahre systematisch viele Maßnahmen zur Steigerung der Energieeffizienz ergriffen. Allerdings reicht das… View Summary +
August 11, 2017
要实现蓝天常在,环境和能源政策应相得益彰
- Christopher James
作为一名曾任职于美国大气环境部门的“监管者”,我认为,中国为了实现能源和环境的宏伟目标,须在制定政策时将二者相结合。尽管任何一个“五年计划”都没有设定通往清洁空气和高效电力市场的途径,中国的决策部门还是应该把握机会提出综合的解决方案。 我最近在北京能源网络(Beijing Energy Network,… View Summary +
August 10, 2017
Effective Leadership During Times of Change: Start by Talking to Stakeholders
- Jake Brown
For years, most utilities have operated quietly, keeping the grid humming along while providing reliable and affordable electricity. That system has served us well. Today, transformational change is sweeping through the power sector, challenging utilities to not only provide energy,… View Summary +
August 7, 2017
With Sinking Storage Costs, Big-Box Solar Could Really Take Off
- Jim Lazar
We know that Target, Wal-Mart, Costco, Ikea, Kohl’s, and other big-box retailers have installed a lot of rooftop solar. They’ve mostly been doing so under net metering rules, and paying the demand charges for their net load on utilities… View Summary +
August 4, 2017
To Achieve Blue Skies, China Needs Common-Sense Energy Policies
- Christopher James
As a former air regulator, I’ve come to the conclusion that China must integrate its energy and environmental policymaking in order to meet its ambitious goals in both areas. Although the path to clean air and efficient electricity markets extends… View Summary +
July 17, 2017
Industrial Energy Efficiency Can Improve Air Quality
- Sara Shapiro-Bengtsen ,
- Christopher James
Despite the Chinese government’s extensive efforts to improve air quality per the State Council’s “Ten Measures” Action Plan and implementation of regional air quality control measures, air pollution recently worsened in the Jing-Jin-Ji region (Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei). After… View Summary +
July 17, 2017
工业能效会是大气治理的任督二脉吗?
- Sara Shapiro-Bengtsen ,
- Christopher James
尽管中国政府为治理空气污染竭尽全力,国务院还出台了《大气污染防治行动计划》( 简称“大气十条”),并实施了区域空气质量控制措施,但京津冀地区空气质量的改善趋势今年一度还是出现了反复。 在去年几个月空气质量好转之后,去年秋天空气质量改善的步伐开始放缓并最终停滞。2017年头两个月,京津冀地区空气质量大幅下滑,PM2.5浓度同比增长48%。PM2.5水平不仅已经超过世界卫生组织每立方米10微克标准的十倍,也远高于北京计划在2017年底要达到的每立方米60微克的目标。… View Summary +
July 12, 2017
Blick über den Atlantik (II): Wie sind die Energiemärkte in den USA aufgebaut?
- Andreas Jahn ,
- Raffaele Piria
Deutschland – wie auch Europa – hat sich ambitionierte Energiewendeziele gesetzt, die auf Basis eines wettbewerblichen Energiemarkts erreicht werden sollen. Bezüglich der Frage des Marktdesigns befindet sich Europa mit dem sogenannten Winterpaket sowie Deutschland mit dem „Energy-Only-Markt“ (EOM) 2.0 (plus… View Summary +