Author: Anant Sudarshan
Publisher: Stanford University
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 198
Book Description
California's energy efficiency policies and energy use patterns have attracted widespread national and international interest. Over the last three decades, the state has implemented a variety of regulatory and legislative measures aimed at reducing the demand for energy, through encouraging more efficient consumption. In a startling contrast to the nation as a whole, the state electricity consumption per capita has stayed relatively steady since 1970. A comparative graph of the state and national electricity intensities is called the Rosenfeld Curve, named after the influential former Commissioner of the California Energy Commission. This thesis examines the structural determinants of electricity consumption with a view to answering the question -- What fraction of the state-nation difference in electricity consumption intensity might reasonably be attributed to policy interventions? I begin with a simple decomposition analysis of the residential, industrial and commercial sectors, using empirical data from a variety of sources. I find that over two-thirds of the difference between state and national energy intensity may be attributed to structural factors that are independent of policy interventions, leaving a smaller, unexplained portion that could owe to program interventions (a share that has increased over time). I next consider the residential sector in detail, a topic that is the primary focus of my thesis. I describe residential consumption of electricity and secondary heating fuels, using a structural model of household energy demand estimated using micro-data from the period between 1993 and 2005. In doing so, I account for heterogeneity in household types in the population. After controlling for structural factors such as climate, I find evidence suggesting that policy may have been particularly effective in reducing the energy needed for heating and cooling end uses. I also find evidence of increasing policy effects over the ten years between 1995 and 2005. Additionally, the model suggests that incentive compatibility considerations may have resulted in inefficiently high energy consumption in rented dwellings. Overall, the econometric model indicates about 20 percent of the state nation difference in the residential sector may owe to program effects. These results are interesting as a retrospective look at the California experience, but more importantly as a benchmark of what might reasonably be expected from energy efficiency elsewhere in the world. They also underline the importance of using counterfactual policy evaluation techniques instead of comparisons of aggregate statistics in understanding policy impact.
Deconstructing the Rosenfeld Curve
Author: Anant Sudarshan
Publisher: Stanford University
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 198
Book Description
California's energy efficiency policies and energy use patterns have attracted widespread national and international interest. Over the last three decades, the state has implemented a variety of regulatory and legislative measures aimed at reducing the demand for energy, through encouraging more efficient consumption. In a startling contrast to the nation as a whole, the state electricity consumption per capita has stayed relatively steady since 1970. A comparative graph of the state and national electricity intensities is called the Rosenfeld Curve, named after the influential former Commissioner of the California Energy Commission. This thesis examines the structural determinants of electricity consumption with a view to answering the question -- What fraction of the state-nation difference in electricity consumption intensity might reasonably be attributed to policy interventions? I begin with a simple decomposition analysis of the residential, industrial and commercial sectors, using empirical data from a variety of sources. I find that over two-thirds of the difference between state and national energy intensity may be attributed to structural factors that are independent of policy interventions, leaving a smaller, unexplained portion that could owe to program interventions (a share that has increased over time). I next consider the residential sector in detail, a topic that is the primary focus of my thesis. I describe residential consumption of electricity and secondary heating fuels, using a structural model of household energy demand estimated using micro-data from the period between 1993 and 2005. In doing so, I account for heterogeneity in household types in the population. After controlling for structural factors such as climate, I find evidence suggesting that policy may have been particularly effective in reducing the energy needed for heating and cooling end uses. I also find evidence of increasing policy effects over the ten years between 1995 and 2005. Additionally, the model suggests that incentive compatibility considerations may have resulted in inefficiently high energy consumption in rented dwellings. Overall, the econometric model indicates about 20 percent of the state nation difference in the residential sector may owe to program effects. These results are interesting as a retrospective look at the California experience, but more importantly as a benchmark of what might reasonably be expected from energy efficiency elsewhere in the world. They also underline the importance of using counterfactual policy evaluation techniques instead of comparisons of aggregate statistics in understanding policy impact.
Publisher: Stanford University
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 198
Book Description
California's energy efficiency policies and energy use patterns have attracted widespread national and international interest. Over the last three decades, the state has implemented a variety of regulatory and legislative measures aimed at reducing the demand for energy, through encouraging more efficient consumption. In a startling contrast to the nation as a whole, the state electricity consumption per capita has stayed relatively steady since 1970. A comparative graph of the state and national electricity intensities is called the Rosenfeld Curve, named after the influential former Commissioner of the California Energy Commission. This thesis examines the structural determinants of electricity consumption with a view to answering the question -- What fraction of the state-nation difference in electricity consumption intensity might reasonably be attributed to policy interventions? I begin with a simple decomposition analysis of the residential, industrial and commercial sectors, using empirical data from a variety of sources. I find that over two-thirds of the difference between state and national energy intensity may be attributed to structural factors that are independent of policy interventions, leaving a smaller, unexplained portion that could owe to program interventions (a share that has increased over time). I next consider the residential sector in detail, a topic that is the primary focus of my thesis. I describe residential consumption of electricity and secondary heating fuels, using a structural model of household energy demand estimated using micro-data from the period between 1993 and 2005. In doing so, I account for heterogeneity in household types in the population. After controlling for structural factors such as climate, I find evidence suggesting that policy may have been particularly effective in reducing the energy needed for heating and cooling end uses. I also find evidence of increasing policy effects over the ten years between 1995 and 2005. Additionally, the model suggests that incentive compatibility considerations may have resulted in inefficiently high energy consumption in rented dwellings. Overall, the econometric model indicates about 20 percent of the state nation difference in the residential sector may owe to program effects. These results are interesting as a retrospective look at the California experience, but more importantly as a benchmark of what might reasonably be expected from energy efficiency elsewhere in the world. They also underline the importance of using counterfactual policy evaluation techniques instead of comparisons of aggregate statistics in understanding policy impact.
An Unworthy Future
Author: Joseph Toomey
Publisher: Archway Publishing
ISBN: 1480808911
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 571
Book Description
It is difficult to find an area of public policy more plagued by misunderstanding than energy policy. Even worse, every time the subject is raised, we are obligated to get mired in pointless arguments about the weather. This book helps set the record straight. Not convinced? Consider some of these inconvenient truths: The cost of green energy climate remediation is anywhere from 10 to 1,000 times greater than the damage from the climate change it attempts to alleviate. Obama's carbon tax would cost Americans $1.2 trillion over just ten years, but would only reduce the midrange three-degree modeled twenty-second-century global temperature increase by 0.038 degrees Celsius. This is not another skeptical global warming polemic, but an economic evaluation of how and why green energy will fail. A thoroughly researched, heavily documented book by an expert in his field, it will demonstrate in meticulous detail how wasteful and economically inefficient Obama's green energy future will be compared to other worthy alternatives.
Publisher: Archway Publishing
ISBN: 1480808911
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 571
Book Description
It is difficult to find an area of public policy more plagued by misunderstanding than energy policy. Even worse, every time the subject is raised, we are obligated to get mired in pointless arguments about the weather. This book helps set the record straight. Not convinced? Consider some of these inconvenient truths: The cost of green energy climate remediation is anywhere from 10 to 1,000 times greater than the damage from the climate change it attempts to alleviate. Obama's carbon tax would cost Americans $1.2 trillion over just ten years, but would only reduce the midrange three-degree modeled twenty-second-century global temperature increase by 0.038 degrees Celsius. This is not another skeptical global warming polemic, but an economic evaluation of how and why green energy will fail. A thoroughly researched, heavily documented book by an expert in his field, it will demonstrate in meticulous detail how wasteful and economically inefficient Obama's green energy future will be compared to other worthy alternatives.
Powering the Dream
Author: Alexis Madrigal
Publisher: Da Capo Press
ISBN: 0306819775
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 386
Book Description
Few today realize that electric cabs dominated Manhattan's streets in the 1890s; that Boise, Idaho, had a geothermal heating system in 1910; or that the first megawatt turbine in the world was built in 1941 by the son of publishing magnate G. P. Putnam -- a feat that would not be duplicated for another forty years. Likewise, while many remember the oil embargo of the 1970s, few are aware that it led to a corresponding explosion in green-technology research that was only derailed when energy prices later dropped. In other words: We've been here before. Although we may have failed, America has had the chance to put our world on a more sustainable path. Americans have, in fact, been inventing green for more than a century. Half compendium of lost opportunities, half hopeful look toward the future, Powering the Dream tells the stories of the brilliant, often irascible inventors who foresaw our current problems, tried to invent cheap and energy renewable solutions, and drew the blueprint for a green future.
Publisher: Da Capo Press
ISBN: 0306819775
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 386
Book Description
Few today realize that electric cabs dominated Manhattan's streets in the 1890s; that Boise, Idaho, had a geothermal heating system in 1910; or that the first megawatt turbine in the world was built in 1941 by the son of publishing magnate G. P. Putnam -- a feat that would not be duplicated for another forty years. Likewise, while many remember the oil embargo of the 1970s, few are aware that it led to a corresponding explosion in green-technology research that was only derailed when energy prices later dropped. In other words: We've been here before. Although we may have failed, America has had the chance to put our world on a more sustainable path. Americans have, in fact, been inventing green for more than a century. Half compendium of lost opportunities, half hopeful look toward the future, Powering the Dream tells the stories of the brilliant, often irascible inventors who foresaw our current problems, tried to invent cheap and energy renewable solutions, and drew the blueprint for a green future.
Assessment of Advanced Solid-State Lighting
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309270111
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 141
Book Description
The standard incandescent light bulb, which still works mainly as Thomas Edison invented it, converts more than 90% of the consumed electricity into heat. Given the availability of newer lighting technologies that convert a greater percentage of electricity into useful light, there is potential to decrease the amount of energy used for lighting in both commercial and residential applications. Although technologies such as compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) have emerged in the past few decades and will help achieve the goal of increased energy efficiency, solid-state lighting (SSL) stands to play a large role in dramatically decreasing U.S. energy consumption for lighting. This report summarizes the current status of SSL technologies and products-light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and organic LEDs (OLEDs)-and evaluates barriers to their improved cost and performance. Assessment of Advanced Solid State Lighting also discusses factors involved in achieving widespread deployment and consumer acceptance of SSL products. These factors include the perceived quality of light emitted by SSL devices, ease of use and the useful lifetime of these devices, issues of initial high cost, and possible benefits of reduced energy consumption.
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309270111
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 141
Book Description
The standard incandescent light bulb, which still works mainly as Thomas Edison invented it, converts more than 90% of the consumed electricity into heat. Given the availability of newer lighting technologies that convert a greater percentage of electricity into useful light, there is potential to decrease the amount of energy used for lighting in both commercial and residential applications. Although technologies such as compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) have emerged in the past few decades and will help achieve the goal of increased energy efficiency, solid-state lighting (SSL) stands to play a large role in dramatically decreasing U.S. energy consumption for lighting. This report summarizes the current status of SSL technologies and products-light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and organic LEDs (OLEDs)-and evaluates barriers to their improved cost and performance. Assessment of Advanced Solid State Lighting also discusses factors involved in achieving widespread deployment and consumer acceptance of SSL products. These factors include the perceived quality of light emitted by SSL devices, ease of use and the useful lifetime of these devices, issues of initial high cost, and possible benefits of reduced energy consumption.
Nuclear Power, Economic Development Discourse and the Environment
Author: Manu V. Mathai
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1136229906
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 248
Book Description
Nuclear power is often characterized as a "green technology." Technologies are rarely, if ever, socially isolated artefacts. Instead, they materially represent an embodiment of values and priorities. Nuclear power is no different. It is a product of a particular political economy and the question is whether that political economy can helpfully engage with the challenge of addressing the environmental crisis on a finite, inequitable and shared planet. For developing countries like India, who are presently making infrastructure investments which will have long legacies, it is imperative that these investments wrestle with such questions and prove themselves capable of sufficiency, greater equality and inclusiveness. This book offers a critique of civilian nuclear power as a green energy strategy for India and develops and proposes an alternative "synergy for sustainability." It situates nuclear power as a socio-technical infrastructure embodying a particular development discourse and practice of energy and economic development. The book reveals the political economy of this arrangement and examines the latter’s ability to respond to the environmental crisis. Manu V. Mathai argues that the existing overwhelmingly growth-focused, highly technology-centric approach for organizing economic activity is unsustainable and needs to be reformed. Within this imperative for change, nuclear power in India is found to be and is characterized as an "authoritarian technology." Based on this political economy critique the book proposes an alternative, a synergy of ideas from the fields of development economics, energy planning and science, technology and society studies.
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1136229906
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 248
Book Description
Nuclear power is often characterized as a "green technology." Technologies are rarely, if ever, socially isolated artefacts. Instead, they materially represent an embodiment of values and priorities. Nuclear power is no different. It is a product of a particular political economy and the question is whether that political economy can helpfully engage with the challenge of addressing the environmental crisis on a finite, inequitable and shared planet. For developing countries like India, who are presently making infrastructure investments which will have long legacies, it is imperative that these investments wrestle with such questions and prove themselves capable of sufficiency, greater equality and inclusiveness. This book offers a critique of civilian nuclear power as a green energy strategy for India and develops and proposes an alternative "synergy for sustainability." It situates nuclear power as a socio-technical infrastructure embodying a particular development discourse and practice of energy and economic development. The book reveals the political economy of this arrangement and examines the latter’s ability to respond to the environmental crisis. Manu V. Mathai argues that the existing overwhelmingly growth-focused, highly technology-centric approach for organizing economic activity is unsustainable and needs to be reformed. Within this imperative for change, nuclear power in India is found to be and is characterized as an "authoritarian technology." Based on this political economy critique the book proposes an alternative, a synergy of ideas from the fields of development economics, energy planning and science, technology and society studies.
World Development Report 2010
Author: World Bank
Publisher: World Bank Publications
ISBN: 0821379887
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 444
Book Description
In the crowded field of climate change reports, 'WDR 2010' uniquely: emphasizes development; takes an integrated look at adaptation and mitigation; highlights opportunities in the changing competitive landscape; and proposes policy solutions grounded in analytic work and in the context of the political economy of reform.
Publisher: World Bank Publications
ISBN: 0821379887
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 444
Book Description
In the crowded field of climate change reports, 'WDR 2010' uniquely: emphasizes development; takes an integrated look at adaptation and mitigation; highlights opportunities in the changing competitive landscape; and proposes policy solutions grounded in analytic work and in the context of the political economy of reform.
Can Green Sustain Growth?
Author: John Zysman
Publisher: Stanford University Press
ISBN: 080478857X
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 347
Book Description
Green growth has proven to be politically popular, but economically elusive. Can Green Sustain Growth? asks how we can move from theoretical support to implementation, and argues that this leap will require radical experimentation. But systemic change is costly, and a sweeping shift cannot be accomplished without political support, not to mention large-scale cooperation between business and government. Insightful and timely, this book brings together eight original, international case studies to consider what we can learn from the implementation of green growth strategies to date. This analysis reveals that coalitions for green experimentation emerge and survive when they link climate solutions to specific problems with near-term benefits that appeal to both environmental and industrial interests. Based on these findings, the volume delivers concrete policy recommendations for the next steps in the necessary shift toward sustainable prosperity.
Publisher: Stanford University Press
ISBN: 080478857X
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 347
Book Description
Green growth has proven to be politically popular, but economically elusive. Can Green Sustain Growth? asks how we can move from theoretical support to implementation, and argues that this leap will require radical experimentation. But systemic change is costly, and a sweeping shift cannot be accomplished without political support, not to mention large-scale cooperation between business and government. Insightful and timely, this book brings together eight original, international case studies to consider what we can learn from the implementation of green growth strategies to date. This analysis reveals that coalitions for green experimentation emerge and survive when they link climate solutions to specific problems with near-term benefits that appeal to both environmental and industrial interests. Based on these findings, the volume delivers concrete policy recommendations for the next steps in the necessary shift toward sustainable prosperity.
Real Prospects for Energy Efficiency in the United States
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309156866
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 349
Book Description
America's economy and lifestyles have been shaped by the low prices and availability of energy. In the last decade, however, the prices of oil, natural gas, and coal have increased dramatically, leaving consumers and the industrial and service sectors looking for ways to reduce energy use. To achieve greater energy efficiency, we need technology, more informed consumers and producers, and investments in more energy-efficient industrial processes, businesses, residences, and transportation. As part of the America's Energy Future project, Real Prospects for Energy Efficiency in the United States examines the potential for reducing energy demand through improving efficiency by using existing technologies, technologies developed but not yet utilized widely, and prospective technologies. The book evaluates technologies based on their estimated times to initial commercial deployment, and provides an analysis of costs, barriers, and research needs. This quantitative characterization of technologies will guide policy makers toward planning the future of energy use in America. This book will also have much to offer to industry leaders, investors, environmentalists, and others looking for a practical diagnosis of energy efficiency possibilities.
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309156866
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 349
Book Description
America's economy and lifestyles have been shaped by the low prices and availability of energy. In the last decade, however, the prices of oil, natural gas, and coal have increased dramatically, leaving consumers and the industrial and service sectors looking for ways to reduce energy use. To achieve greater energy efficiency, we need technology, more informed consumers and producers, and investments in more energy-efficient industrial processes, businesses, residences, and transportation. As part of the America's Energy Future project, Real Prospects for Energy Efficiency in the United States examines the potential for reducing energy demand through improving efficiency by using existing technologies, technologies developed but not yet utilized widely, and prospective technologies. The book evaluates technologies based on their estimated times to initial commercial deployment, and provides an analysis of costs, barriers, and research needs. This quantitative characterization of technologies will guide policy makers toward planning the future of energy use in America. This book will also have much to offer to industry leaders, investors, environmentalists, and others looking for a practical diagnosis of energy efficiency possibilities.
International Seminar on Nuclear War . .
Author: Ragaini
Publisher: World Scientific
ISBN: 9812834648
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 595
Book Description
The Erice International Seminars are multidisciplinary seminars attended by over 100 eminent participants from all fields of science. Each year, a few scientific issues are selected and experts are invited to present contrasting views during the plenary multidisciplinary sessions of the seminar, followed by general debates. These sessions offer a unique opportunity for specialists to enlarge their vision of their related fields by being confronted with ideas and suggestions from high-level scientists in complementary domains of science. Associated workshops allow the experts to further refine and process the ideas evoked during the seminar. This year's topics are all actual. For instance, on climate issues we have focused on the management of a global warming and on new theoretical alternatives to climate modeling. On global monitoring of the planet, we have focused on the US missile defence shield, the energy externalities and waste disposal and the historical dive by Dr Chilingarov on the North Pole shelf. On the medical side, we have investigated the Alzheimer epidemics and the role of infectious agents in cancer.
Publisher: World Scientific
ISBN: 9812834648
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 595
Book Description
The Erice International Seminars are multidisciplinary seminars attended by over 100 eminent participants from all fields of science. Each year, a few scientific issues are selected and experts are invited to present contrasting views during the plenary multidisciplinary sessions of the seminar, followed by general debates. These sessions offer a unique opportunity for specialists to enlarge their vision of their related fields by being confronted with ideas and suggestions from high-level scientists in complementary domains of science. Associated workshops allow the experts to further refine and process the ideas evoked during the seminar. This year's topics are all actual. For instance, on climate issues we have focused on the management of a global warming and on new theoretical alternatives to climate modeling. On global monitoring of the planet, we have focused on the US missile defence shield, the energy externalities and waste disposal and the historical dive by Dr Chilingarov on the North Pole shelf. On the medical side, we have investigated the Alzheimer epidemics and the role of infectious agents in cancer.
International Seminar on Nuclear War and Planetary Emergencies
Author: Richard Ragaini
Publisher: World Scientific
ISBN: 981283463X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 595
Book Description
The Erice International Seminars are multidisciplinary seminars attended by over 100 eminent participants from all fields of science. Each year, a few scientific issues are selected and experts are invited to present contrasting views during the plenary multidisciplinary sessions of the seminar, followed by general debates. These sessions offer a unique opportunity for specialists to enlarge their vision of their related fields by being confronted with ideas and suggestions from high-level scientists in complementary domains of science. Associated workshops allow the experts to further refine and process the ideas evoked during the seminar. This year's topics are all actual. For instance, on climate issues we have focused on the management of a global warming and on new theoretical alternatives to climate modeling. On global monitoring of the planet, we have focused on the US missile defence shield, the energy externalities and waste disposal and the historical dive by Dr Chilingarov on the North Pole shelf. On the medical side, we have investigated the Alzheimer epidemics and the role of infectious agents in cancer.
Publisher: World Scientific
ISBN: 981283463X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 595
Book Description
The Erice International Seminars are multidisciplinary seminars attended by over 100 eminent participants from all fields of science. Each year, a few scientific issues are selected and experts are invited to present contrasting views during the plenary multidisciplinary sessions of the seminar, followed by general debates. These sessions offer a unique opportunity for specialists to enlarge their vision of their related fields by being confronted with ideas and suggestions from high-level scientists in complementary domains of science. Associated workshops allow the experts to further refine and process the ideas evoked during the seminar. This year's topics are all actual. For instance, on climate issues we have focused on the management of a global warming and on new theoretical alternatives to climate modeling. On global monitoring of the planet, we have focused on the US missile defence shield, the energy externalities and waste disposal and the historical dive by Dr Chilingarov on the North Pole shelf. On the medical side, we have investigated the Alzheimer epidemics and the role of infectious agents in cancer.