Energy

Featured

Energy plays a vital role in the global economy: fossil fuel dependency, the stability of the supply chain, and the prospects for harnessing previously untapped resources affect a range of policy concerns, from national security and international affairs to economic development and climate change. RAND's energy research covers the spectrum from energy conservation and security to emerging technologies and energy use by the U.S. armed forces.

  • An employee walks past a part of Gazprom's Power Of Siberia gas pipeline at the Atamanskaya compressor station outside the far eastern town of Svobodny, in Amur region, Russia, November 29, 2019, photo by Maxim Shemetov/Reuters

    Commentary

    Consequences of the War in Ukraine: The Economic Fallout

    Before Russia invaded Ukraine, projections estimated global economic growth in 2022 would be around 5 percent. But the war in Ukraine contributed to slowed economic growth in 2022 and a slowed recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. What are the broader consequences for the global economy?

    Mar 7, 2023

  • Plant engineer Hannah Nelson gives a tour at Air Liquide's North Las Vegas hydrogen production facility in Las Vegas, Nevada, May 24, 2022, photo by Bridget Bennett/Reuters

    Commentary

    Can China's Green Energy Acceleration Put at Risk the West's Hydrogen Plans?

    Hydrogen (H2) plays a key role in the decarbonization plans of the European Union and the United States. Both have launched aggressive hydrogen strategies to increase the generation of H2 and deployment of related technologies. But these bold ambitions may face headwinds due to the acceleration of China's energy transition.

    Apr 3, 2023

Explore Energy

  • NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg participates in the U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, December 1, 2023, photo courtesy of NATO

    Commentary

    Can NATO Supercharge Military Greening?

    NATO has taken significant steps to reduce environmental impacts of military activities and has set voluntary emissions reduction targets for its member states. By leveraging its existing standardization processes to encompass a wider range of equipment, supplies, and practices, NATO can solidify its role as the preeminent military leader on climate.

    Dec 1, 2023

  • Journal Article

    Journal Article

    Can Scenarios Help Policymakers Be Both Bold and Careful?

    Low-probability and high-impact events have the potential to escalate into systemic crises. Developing the tools to anticipate and manage these scenarios is the focus of this volume.

    Nov 27, 2023

  • Stellar nursery called Horsehead Nebula, also known as Barnard 33, part of constellation Orion, captured by the Euclid telescope, photo by European Space Agency/Handout via Reuters

    Commentary

    Ideas for Humanity's Future Approach to Space

    In its first 75 years, RAND helped shape how humankind thought about and used space for the benefit of humanity. And it intends to have a similar impact on the next 75 years of space sustainability, security, and governance. Researchers identified concepts worthy of future study.

    Nov 14, 2023

  • High-voltage power lines with colorful sunset in the background, photo by Yelantsevv/Getty Images

    Commentary

    An Affordable Energy Transition Will Require Supportive and Sensible Regulation

    The transition to decarbonize the grid and to electrify end uses to reduce emissions will be challenging, and customer bills may increase in the short term. Regulators can help to keep utilities financially healthy and make a smoother energy transition possible.

    Nov 13, 2023

  • Report

    Report

    A roadmap for the global energy transition

    The Scotia Group and RAND Europe convened a series of Majlis Dialogues to help understand how policies, investments and international cooperation can support the global energy transition. The key points formed a roadmap to inform the transition.

    Nov 2, 2023

  • Two speacialists examining coal at an open pit, photo by agnormark/Getty Images

    Report

    Barriers to the Commercialization and Adoption of New Underground Coal Mining Technologies in the United States

    This report characterizes barriers to the development, commercialization, and adoption of new technologies for use in underground coal mining in the United States using input from structured interviews and a workshop with industry representatives.

    Nov 1, 2023

  • An aerial view of the storage tanks for treated water at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Okuma town, Fukushima prefecture, Japan, August 22, 2023, photo by Kyodo/Reuters

    Commentary

    Japan Risks Reputation in Oceania with Fukushima Discharge

    Japan's decision last month to begin discharging treated radioactive wastewater into the Pacific Ocean from its destroyed Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant is fairly unpopular in Oceania, potentially damaging Tokyo's reputation in this increasingly strategic region.

    Sep 28, 2023

  • The Dixie Fire burns near Taylorsville, California, U.S., July 29, 2021, photo by David Swanson/Reuters

    Report

    How Climate Change Affects the Federal Budget and Legislation

    As climate change drives an increase in costly natural disasters, U.S. policymakers need to consider different mitigation policies. Projecting the effects on federal spending and revenue depends on a model that captures important relationships between climate, federal policy, and the economy.

    Sep 27, 2023

  • An M10 Booker combat vehicle, U.S. Army photo

    Commentary

    Do Generals Dream of Electric Tanks?

    Members of the House Armed Services Committee have expressed concerns over the electrification of Army combat vehicles. Though such concerns have some merit, there is also a larger issue motivating research and development efforts—the growing demand for energy on the battlefield.

    Aug 8, 2023

  • Sacks of lithium carbonate at Albemarle Lithium production facility in Silver Peak, Nevada, October 6, 2022, photo by Carlos Barria/Reuters

    Commentary

    Do Car Companies Know Where Their Critical Minerals Come From?

    The initial slate of electric vehicles qualifying for a new federal tax credit was announced in April. Key to eligibility is the source of critical minerals used in their batteries. While the list of acceptable nations of origin is still being worked out, there's an important practical question the IRS should ask: Do carmakers really know where their critical minerals come from?

    Apr 28, 2023

  • Journal Article

    Journal Article

    From Least Cost to Least Risk: Producing Climate Change Mitigation Plans That Are Resilient to Multiple Risks

    Using electricity system decarbonization as a focus area to highlight the different types of technological solutions, different risks that may be associated with them, and the approaches situated in a decision-making under deep uncertainty paradigm.

    Apr 18, 2023

  • Journal Article

    Journal Article

    Reflecting on One Year of War: The Role of Non-Military Levers

    One year after Russia's illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine, this article examines the role of non-military levers (e.g., diplomatic, information, economic) in the conflict so far.

    Mar 28, 2023

  • Research Brief

    Research Brief

    Growing Toward a Low-Carbon Future: Policy Implications of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Their Trade-Offs in California's Westlands Water District

    The authors assessed the greenhouse gas emissions of crop production in California's Westlands Water District and the trade-offs of policies aimed at decarbonization. They provide policy insights and recommendations to local and state decisionmakers.

    Mar 1, 2023

  • Report

    Report

    Growing Toward a Low-Carbon Future: Estimating Greenhouse Gas Emissions in California's Westlands Water District

    The authors assessed the greenhouse gas emissions of crop production in California's Westlands Water District and the trade-offs of policies aimed at decarbonization. They provide policy insights and recommendations to local and state decisionmakers.

    Mar 1, 2023

  • A wind energy turbine is seen in front of damaged crops in the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona in Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico, September 21, 2022, photo by Ricardo Arduengo/Reuters

    Commentary

    Puerto Rico's Food Security Must Factor in Planning Energy Security

    The tragedy of disaster recovery has unlocked substantial capital for Puerto Rico to rewrite its interdependent security in energy and food. Considering food security in this context could help to ensure the population has access to both power and food.

    Feb 24, 2023

  • The Nord Stream 1 Baltic Sea pipeline and the transfer station of the Baltic Sea Pipeline Link in Lubmin, Germany, August 30, 2022, photo by Lisi Niesner/Reuters

    Commentary

    Will Logistics Be Russia's Undoing in Ukraine?

    Russia's experience in Ukraine one year in is an example of what happens when a nation tries to fight a war without fully considering the logistics and sustainment that go alongside such a fight. The consequences for failing to fully consider these concepts drove Russia into a prolonged conflict for which it was already ill-prepared a year ago, with increasingly dire consequences for its future.

    Feb 10, 2023

  • Brochure

    Brochure

    Implications of Climate Change for Department of the Air Force Missions and Operations

    This compilation of climate research conducted within RAND Project AIR FORCE for the Department of the Air Force and more broadly across RAND offers insights about climate change and its implications for military operations and other contexts.

    Feb 1, 2023

  • A soldier's hands on a battery, photo by Staff Sgt. Sarah M. McClanahan/U.S. Air Force

    Report

    Critical Material Supply Chains Should Be More Resilient

    The COVID-19 pandemic and Russian invasion of Ukraine highlight the vulnerabilities of supply chains that are dependent on foreign inputs. How can the U.S. Department of Defense increase the resilience of its supply chains for materials essential to national security?

    Dec 15, 2022

Research conducted by