Demand Subsidies vs. Funding R&D - Characterizing the Uncertain Impacts of Policy for Pre-commercial, Low-Carbon Technologies
This is a seminar presented by DOE/EERE’s Office of Planning, Budget, and Analysis and NREL’s Strategic Energy Analysis Center, featuring Gregory Nemet, Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin.
Demand subsidies or funding R&D – which works best? During this “bonus” seminar, Gregory Nemet of the University of Wisconsin will talk about his analysis combining an expert elicitation and a bottom-up manufacturing cost model to compare the effects of R&D and demand subsidies. In his work, he modeled the effects on the future costs of a low-carbon energy technology that is not currently commercially available, purely organic photovoltaics (PV). His research found that (1) successful R&D programs reduced costs more than did subsidies, (2) successful R&D enabled PV to achieve a cost target of 4c/kWh, and (3) the cost of PV did not reach the target when only subsidies, and not R&D, were implemented. He’ll also discuss how these results are insensitive to two levels of policy intensity, the level of a carbon price, the availability of storage technology, and uncertainty in the main parameters used in the model. However, a case can still be made for subsidies: comparisons of stochastic dominance show that subsidies provide a hedge against failure in the R&D program.
Gregory Nemet is an assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin in the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies and in the La Follette School of Public Affairs. He is also a member of the university’s Energy Sources and Policy Cluster and a senior fellow at the Center for World Affairs and the Global Economy. His research and teaching focus on improving understanding of the environmental, social, economic, and technical dynamics of the global energy system. He also teaches courses in international environmental policy and energy systems analysis. He holds a master’s degree and doctorate in energy and resources, both from the University of California, Berkeley. His undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College is in geography and economics.
National Renewable Energy Laboratory 901 D Street SW (adjacent to the Forrestal Building) or 370 L’Enfant Promenade; Ninth Floor.
Please contact Wanda Addison, of Midwest Research Institute (MRI), at [email protected] or 202-488-2202
CAFE Regulation and New Vehicle Characteristics
Resources for the Future 1616 P St. NW 7th Floor Conference Room Washington, DC 20036
Presented By: John Linn University of Illinois, Chicago
If you have any questions, please contact Joe Aldy at [email protected] and 202-328-5091.
Energy Policy Challenges - Is the Past Prologue?
In the late 1970s, a series of studies was produced that surveyed America’s energy situation, including the landmark book “Energy in America’s Future” by scholars at Resources for the Future. Thirty years later, this symposium will provide a retrospective assessment of the 1970s experience in order to extract lessons for current policy. In what ways is the past a prologue? Which projections materialized and which policy concerns proved justified? Which did not? With what confidence or humility should this retrospective inform current visions of our energy future, given the emerging challenges of energy security and global climate change?
A distinguished group of academics and policymakers will draw on their extensive experience with U.S. energy policy to put the current energy landscape into historical perspective. Panelists include:- Professor John Deutch (MIT)
- Robert Fri (former RFF President)
- Professor William Hogan (Harvard University)
- Milton Russell (Emeritus – University of Tennessee)
- Phil Sharp (RFF President)
Note: Registration for this event is closed. We invite you to view the live webcast available via this page on October 29th
Registration and continental breakfast will begin at 8:30 a.m.
Resources for the Future 1616P Street, NW First Floor Conference Center Washington, DC 20036
Guidelines for CO2 Capture, Transport and Storage
The World Resources Institute will hold a press briefing of WRI’s upcoming Guidelines for CO2 Capture, Transport and Storage. The report, the result of a two-year stakeholder process led by WRI with contributions from 88 leading CCS experts, lays out specific recommendations for policy-makers, regulators and project developers (see full report details below) and argues that sufficient technical knowledge exists to begin full-scale demonstrations of the technology in the US today.
The briefing will feature:
- Dr. Jonathan Pershing, Director, Climate and Energy Program, WRI
- Dr. S. Julio Friedmann, Carbon Management Program Leader, Lawrence Livermore Laboratory
- Sarah Forbes, Senior Associate, WRI
Contact:Stephanie Hanson, Communications Associate: 202-729-7641; [email protected]
World Resources Institute 10 G Street NE Suite 800 Washington, DC 20002
EcoTuesday October
- John Friedman, Vice Chair, Board of Directors at Sustainable Business Network of Washington (SB NOW)
John Friedman’s 25 year background includes both employee and external communications for Fortune 500, Global 500 and not-for-profit organizations. He is a sought after presenter, and author on CSR-related subjects. Some of his writings and thoughts on sustainability can be read on SB NOW’s blog.
Location
Tabaq Lounge @ Cafe Tabaq, 1336 U St NW
We’ll be closing the doors at 6:30 and we will begin the speaking portion of the evening shortly thereafter. Feel free to forward the EcoTuesday event information to all of your friends in the sustainable business world. Each person must RSVP for themselves. If you RSVP and find that you can’t make the event, please let us know so someone else can enjoy EcoTuesday.
Please note 6:00 start time. Additionally, we encourage public transportation.
A Unique Format:
- Quickly introduce yourself and your business or interest
- Be a part of a dynamic, interactive dialogue
- Learn about the cutting edges of sustainable business
- Network with new friends and drink tasty beverages
The Energy Economy in Transition: Mega Trends for the Year Ahead
- Scott Barrett, director of the SAIS International Policy Program, will discuss “Prospects for a New Carbon Regime”
- Michelle Billig, senior director of political risk at PIRA Energy Group and member of GEEI’s advisory board, will discuss “Political Risks on the Rise”
- Adam Sieminski, chief energy economist at Deutsche Bank and a member of GEEI’s advisory board, will discuss “New Dynamics in the Markets.”
Sponsored by the SAIS Global Energy and Environment Initiative.
For more information and to RSVP, contact 202.663.5786 or [email protected].
Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies Kenney Auditorium 1740 Massachusetts Ave., N.W. Washington, D.C.
High-Performance Green Schools: How to Get Them in Your District 1
As a new year gets underway for the nation’s school children, the High-Performance Buildings Congressional Caucus Coalition invites you to a briefing to learn how some school districts are building facilities that save thousands of dollars a year on energy costs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impact, and are “healthier” and safer than conventional schools. The following speakers will also discuss measures the 110th Congress has advanced to provide funding for “high-performance,” “green” public school construction and renovation:
- Phil Page, Legislative Fellow, Rep. Russ Carnahan (D-MO)
- Cade Clurman, Legislative Director, Rep. Judy Biggert (R-IL)
- Deane Evans, FAIA, Executive Director, Center for Architecture and Building Science Research, New Jersey Institute of Technology: If you want to make a real difference in the quality and affordability of education today, designing high-performance schools is the place to start. Deane Evans will explain the elements of high-performance schools, why they are valuable, and how they can be procured.
- Anja Caldwell, LEED AP, Principal of ecoipso LLC: With a focus on meeting the demand for new and updated facilities, Anja Caldwell will discuss the first green school project in Maryland and options for greening existing school buildings.
- Lloyd Horwich, Education Counsel and Policy Advisor, Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education, Committee on Education and Labor: Lloyd Horwich will discuss legislative options for supporting green school buildings.
This briefing is free and open to the public. No RSVP required. For more information, please contact Ellen Vaughan at [email protected] or (202) 662-1893.
The High-Performance Buildings Congressional Caucus Coalition (HPBCC) is a private sector coalition providing guidance and support to the High-Performance Buildings Caucus, which is co-chaired by Reps. Carnahan and Biggert. The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI), Sustainable Buildings Industry Council (SBIC), and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) are lead sponsors of this briefing and members of the HPBCCC. Co-sponsors of this briefing include the American Institute of Architects (AIA), Carpet and Rug Institute, American National Standards Institute, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), Ecobuild America, American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), Green Building Initiative (GBI), International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), Center for Environmental Innovation in Roofing, National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), Green Mechanical Council, National Institute of Building Sciences, Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA), Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC), and Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance.
A Reception for a Renewable Future/la Recepción para un Futuro Sostenible
NRDC, Organization of American States and PODER Magazine
- José Miguel Insulza, Organization of American States Secretary General
- Alvaro Umana, UN Energy and Environment Group Leader
- Peter Lehner, NRDC Executive Director
- Maria Hinojosa, NPR Award-winning Journalist
Cocktail reception, live Latin jazz and a special dance presentation
OAS Historic Building – 17th & Constitution Avenue NW
RSVP: Richard Ackerman [email protected]
Climate Change and the World Bank – Help or Hindrance?
With the launch of the Climate Investment Funds, the World Bank has positioned itself as a major player in international climate funding and policy. Speakers on this panel will discuss the World Bank’s past, current, and potential future role in climate change, including examinations of the Bank from Southern country perspectives. The implications of the World Bank’s role for both U.S. climate policy and the financing mechanism of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change will also be discussed.
Speakers may include:- Elena Gerebizza, Campagna per la Riforma della Banca Mondiale (Italy)
- Lidy Nacpil, Jubilee South Asia Pacific Movement on Debt and Development (Philippines)
- Chima Williams, Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth-Nigeria
- Vice Yu, Global Governance for Development Programme, South Centre
Moderator: Karen Orenstein, Friends of the Earth-US
Sponsored by ActionAid USA, Campagna per la Riforma della Banca Mondiale, Friends of the Earth International, Jubilee USA, Oil Change International, and Sustainable Energy and Economy Network.
Location: Friends of the Earth-US, 1717 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC
For more information, please contact Karen Orenstein, International Finance Campaign Coordinator, Friends of the Earth US, [email protected], 202-222-0717.
Green Jobs Now National Conference Call
Last Saturday, September 27, tens of thousands of Americans organized nearly 700 Green Jobs Now events in all 50 states calling upon their elected officials to make an inclusive green economy a top priority. The national day of action may now be over, but our movement is just beginning! Join 1Sky Campaign Director Gillian Caldwell, Green for All President and Founder Van Jones, and We Campaign CEO Cathy Zoi for a national conference call this Friday to discuss how we can build upon the momentum from September 27.
Please RSVP here for this call. You will receive the call in number via e-mail upon completion of the form.
Have questions for the guest speakers? Email them in advance to [email protected].