Electric Power
Limiting global climate change will require widespread decarbonization of the power sector and electrification of the economy. RFF's research and policy engagement holistically evaluates market designs and federal, state, and local policies to facilitate a smooth transition to a decarbonized power sector that serves a broad range of sectors and energy needs.
Highlights
Topics
Carbon Capture and Storage
Modeling how carbon capture and storage technologies will affect emissions and the economy
Clean Energy Regulations
Analyzing policy solutions for states to achieve compliance
Electricity Markets
Exploring how these markets respond to uncertainties
Electrification
Exploring emissions reductions through electrification of the US economy
Energy Efficiency and Demand-Side Management
Examining policies to help close the existing energy efficiency gap
Engineering, Economic, and Environmental Electricity Simulation Tool (E4ST)
E4ST is power sector modeling software built to project the effects of policies, regulations, power infrastructure additions, demand changes, and more.
Haiku Electricity Model
Haiku is a simulation model of regional electricity markets and interregional electricity trade in the continental United States.
Renewable Energy
Evaluating the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of clean energy policies
Featured Content
- Highlights
- Publications
- Events
- Editorial
- News
Media Highlight — Dec 9, 2024
E&E News: “How Carbon Capture Could Outlive Trump”
Fellow Aaron Bergman discusses the future of tax credits for carbon capture and sequestration.
Common Resources — Nov 13, 2024
The Future of Environmental and Energy Justice
Shalanda Baker and Suzanne Russo discuss environmental justice in the context of the clean energy transition, Baker’s work on equity at the US Department of Energy, and collaboration among communities and policymakers.
Media Highlight — Nov 8, 2024
Marketplace: “Smart Thermostats and Virtual Power Plants Make the Most of Excess Energy”
Senior Fellow Karen Palmer speaks to incentives for virtual power plants in this radio story.
On the Issues — Nov 8, 2024
On the Issues: Election Results, Offshore Wind Benefits, and More
A biweekly newsletter connecting global current events, pressing climate and energy policy news, and economics research from RFF scholars. This week: election results, offshore wind benefits, and more.
Journal Article — Nov 1, 2024
Distributional Impacts of Carbon Capture in the US Power Sector
To understair the air pollution costs of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), this paper simulates the potential impacts of allowing CCUS deployment in the US power sector under plausible climate policies.
Working Paper — Oct 22, 2024
Developing a Carbon Dioxide Removal Program in California
In this working paper, the authors explore the design and policy challenges of developing a Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) program in California, offering insights on scaling CDR technologies while ensuring environmental justice.
Working Paper — Oct 2, 2024
Offshore Wind Power Examined: Effects, Benefits, and Costs of Offshore Wind Farms Along the US Atlantic and Gulf Coasts
Offshore Wind Power Examined: Effects, Benefits, and Costs of Offshore Wind Farms Along the US Atlantic and Gulf Coasts
Working Paper — Sep 19, 2024
Policies for Reducing the Impacts of Power Sector Air Pollution on Disadvantaged Americans
Policies for Reducing the Impacts of Power Sector Air Pollution on Disadvantaged Americans
Environmental Justice Series — Jun 26, 2024
Improving Electricity Affordability in the Clean Energy Transition
A webinar featuring an expert panel discussing strategies to address issues of electricity affordability in the United States.
RFF Live — May 23, 2024
Transforming Transmission: Unpacking Order 1920, FERC’s New Regional Transmission Planning Rule
A webinar featuring a panel of experts examining the Federal Energy Regulation Commission's May 13 Grid Expansion Rule.
Environmental Justice Series — May 23, 2024
Exploring Detroit’s Innovative Model for Tackling Energy Insecurity
A webinar exploring how Detroit has taken on energy insecurity issues through creative approaches and cross-cutting partnerships.
RFF Live — May 2, 2024
Reducing Power Plant Pollution: An Overview of EPA’s Recent Emissions Rules
A virtual fireside chat and panel discussion about EPA's April 2024 rulings on power plants, notably section 111 of the Clean Air Act.
Common Resources — Nov 13, 2024
The Future of Environmental and Energy Justice
Shalanda Baker and Suzanne Russo discuss environmental justice in the context of the clean energy transition, Baker’s work on equity at the US Department of Energy, and collaboration among communities and policymakers.
On the Issues — Nov 8, 2024
On the Issues: Election Results, Offshore Wind Benefits, and More
A biweekly newsletter connecting global current events, pressing climate and energy policy news, and economics research from RFF scholars. This week: election results, offshore wind benefits, and more.
In Focus — Oct 31, 2024
In Focus: Effects of Offshore Wind Development
This video shares insights about the potential benefits of offshore wind energy along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, with RFF Fellow Daniel Shawhan.
On the Issues — Oct 25, 2024
On the Issues: Increasing Electricity Prices, Imprecise Policymaking, and More
A biweekly newsletter connecting global current events, pressing climate and energy policy news, and economics research from RFF scholars. This week: increasing electricity prices, imprecise policymaking, and more.
Media Highlight — Dec 9, 2024
E&E News: “How Carbon Capture Could Outlive Trump”
Fellow Aaron Bergman discusses the future of tax credits for carbon capture and sequestration.
Media Highlight — Nov 8, 2024
Marketplace: “Smart Thermostats and Virtual Power Plants Make the Most of Excess Energy”
Senior Fellow Karen Palmer speaks to incentives for virtual power plants in this radio story.
Press Release — Oct 2, 2024
New Modeling Shows Offshore Wind’s Benefits to Climate, Health, and Energy Bills
New RFF analysis finds that developing 32 planned or proposed offshore wind farms off the Atlantic and Gulf coasts would reduce emissions, environmental damages from those emissions, deaths, and consumer energy bills.
Press Release — Sep 19, 2024
Vulnerable Communities May Benefit More from a Carbon Price than from Targeted Environmental Justice Policies
A new paper finds that the policies designed to lower power-sector pollution particularly in environmentally overburdened, disadvantaged communities largely are less effective at meeting that goal than a power-sector carbon price.
