RAND Research Topic: Energy 2012-05-24T20:32:09Z Copyright (c) 2012, The RAND Corporation RAND Corporation http://www.rand.org/topics/energy.html DoD Renewable Fuels Investment Premature http://www.rand.org/commentary/2012/05/23/NJ.html May 23, 2012 May 23, 2012 Technological development challenges suggest that it is highly unlikely that advanced approaches for producing hydrotreated renewable oils suitable for military applications will constitute an important fraction of the commercial fuel market until well beyond the next decade, writes Keith Crane. The Nature of the Chinese-Iranian Partnership and the Challenges It Poses for the U.S. http://www.rand.org/pubs/occasional_papers/OP351.html May 2, 2012 May 2, 2012 The partnership between China and Iran presents challenges to U.S. interests, including dissuading Iran from developing a nuclear weapons capability. An analysis of the factors driving Chinese-Iranian cooperation offers policy options for influencing this partnership to meet U.S. objectives. Mileage-Based User Fee Winners and Losers: An Analysis of the Distributional Implications of Taxing Vehicle Miles Traveled, with Projections, 2010-2030 http://www.rand.org/pubs/rgs_dissertations/RGSD295.html Apr 26, 2012 Apr 26, 2012 Estimates changes in annual vehicle miles traveled in response to changes in the cost of driving that would result from adopting a mileage-based user fee. Could Coal Mine Drainage Be Used for Marcellus Shale Natural Gas Extraction? http://www.rand.org/pubs/conf_proceedings/CF300.html Apr 16, 2012 Apr 16, 2012 There are large quantities of coal mine water in Pennsylvania&mdash;much more than could be used in the coming decade for hydraulic fracturing. Researchers and operators will need to further explore quantity and quality needs to confirm whether coal mine drainage sources represent a viable, large-scale alternative to fresh water. Energy Services Analysis Can Identify Ways to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions http://www.rand.org/pubs/technical_reports/TR1170.html Apr 10, 2012 Apr 10, 2012 By examining not only how a service is produced but how it is provided, energy services analysis can lead to greater reductions in energy use and greenhouse gas emissions than conventional approaches. Nuclear Energy after Fukushima http://www.rand.org/multimedia/audio/2012/03/08/nuclear-energy-after-fukushima.html Mar 8, 2012 Mar 8, 2012 At this March 2012 program, physical scientist Tom LaTourrette discusses the pros and cons of nuclear energy, and sheds some light on lessons learned in the year since Japan's nuclear disaster in Fukushima. Exploring the Nexus of Energy Sources, Technology, and Policy http://www.rand.org/ise/environ/areas/energy.html Feb 27, 2012 Feb 27, 2012 Energy plays a vital role in the success of the global economy, but obtaining and using energy can also impact the environment. RAND researchers in the Environment, Energy, and Economic Development Program help policymakers worldwide make informed decisions on meeting their nations' energy needs while mitigating long-term life cycle environmental risks. Potentials for Sustainable Transportation in Cities to Alleviate Climate Change Impacts http://www.rand.org/pubs/external_publications/EP20120044.html Jan 1, 2012 Jan 1, 2012 Reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) is an important social goal to mitigate climate change. A common mitigation paradigm is to consider strategy "wedges" that can be applied to different activities to achieve desired GHG reductions. Calculating Uncertainty in Biomass Emissions (CUBE) Model http://www.rand.org/ise/projects/bioemissions.html Dec 15, 2011 Dec 15, 2011 CUBE 2.0, an update of the 2010 release of the 1.0 version, allows users to estimate the "farm-to-gate" greenhouse gas emissions of biomass feedstocks for energy production, as well as the uncertainty in these emissions. Characterizing the U.S. Industrial Base for Coal-Powered Electricity http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG1147.html Oct 27, 2011 Oct 27, 2011 Coal-fired electricity generating units (EGUs) provide about 46 percent of the electricity generated in the U.S., yet most of the existing coal-fired electricity fleet is 25&ndash;45 years old. Can the industry maintain the capability to design, construct, and operate coal-fired EGUs within reasonable cost, schedule, performance, environmental, and quality expectations? Beneficial Collaboration Between Army Installations and Energy Utility Companies http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG1126.html Oct 27, 2011 Oct 27, 2011 U.S. Army installation energy costs around the globe totaled more than $1.2 billion in 2010. Collaborating with energy utility companies could help the Army to decrease energy usage, lower costs, and meet legislative mandates. The benefits for utility companies include energy conservation and support for renewable energy technologies. Collaboration Between Army Installations and Energy Utility Companies http://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB9613.html Oct 26, 2011 Oct 26, 2011 Explores how the Army can improve collaboration with utility companies to reduce energy consumption on its installations and help meet other Army energy goals. Valuation of Plug-In Vehicle Life-Cycle Air Emissions and Oil Displacement Benefits http://www.rand.org/pubs/external_publications/EP201100219.html Sep 30, 2011 Sep 30, 2011 <p>To reduce air emission and oil dependency impacts from passenger vehicles, strategies to promote adoption of hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs) and plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles with small battery packs offer more social benefits per dollar spent.</p> Recommended Research Priorities for the Qatar Foundation's Environment and Energy Research Institute http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG1106.html Sep 22, 2011 Sep 22, 2011 The Qatar Foundation is establishing a national research institute to conduct and collaborate on applied research in energy, environment, and water issues, the Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute. This book recommends research priorities for the new institution and reports on a survey of relevant research institutions in the region. Near-Term Opportunities for Integrating Biomass into the U.S. Electricity Supply http://www.rand.org/pubs/technical_reports/TR984.html Aug 2, 2011 Aug 2, 2011 Biomass is an increasingly important source of electricity, heat, and liquid fuel. One near-term option for using it to generate electricity is to cofire biomass in coal-fired electricity plants. Factors to consider are plant-site modifications, changes in operations, costs, and logistical issues with delivering biomass to the plant. Incorporating Uncertainty Analysis Into Life Cycle Estimates of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Biomass Production http://www.rand.org/pubs/external_publications/EP201100113.html Jun 30, 2011 Jun 30, 2011 This paper provides a framework for incorporating uncertainty analysis specifically into estimates of the life cycle GHG emissions from the production of biomass. Testimony on S. 937 The American Alternative Fuels Act of 2011: Addendum http://www.rand.org/pubs/testimonies/CT364z1.html Jun 30, 2011 Jun 30, 2011 Document submitted on June 29, 2011 as an addendum to testimony presented before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on June 7, 2011. Testimony on S. 937 The American Alternative Fuels Act of 2011 http://www.rand.org/pubs/testimonies/CT364.html Jun 7, 2011 Jun 7, 2011 Testimony presented before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on June 7, 2011. Opportunities for Alternative Fuels: The Roadmap for America's Energy Future http://www.rand.org/pubs/testimonies/CT363.html Jun 3, 2011 Jun 3, 2011 Achieving the potential economic and national security benefits offered by alternative fuels requires that their domestic production must be an appreciable fraction of domestic demand for liquid fuels. Alternative fuels derived from oil shale and coal have the potential to meet that important criterion. Opportunities for Alternative Fuels Production http://www.rand.org/pubs/testimonies/CT360.html May 5, 2011 May 5, 2011 Testimony presented before the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Subcommittee on Energy and Power on May 5, 2011.