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
Report — Apr 18, 2025
Charging Up: The State of Utility-Scale Electricity Storage in the United States
This report explores how economic forces, public policy, and market design have shaped the development of stand-alone grid-scale storage in the United States.
On the Issues — Apr 11, 2025
US Energy “Dominance,” Data Center–Driven Electricity Demand, and More
A biweekly newsletter connecting global current events, pressing climate and energy policy news, and economics research from RFF scholars. This week: US energy “dominance,” data center–driven electricity demand, and more.
Media Highlight — Apr 7, 2025
Heatmap: “Report: Power Demand from AI Data Centers Likely to Be ‘Modest’”
A segment in Heatmap’s morning newsletter details the key findings of RFF’s annual Global Energy Outlook report.
Media Highlight — Apr 7, 2025
Axios: “On My Screen: Apples-to-Apples Energy Data”
This newsletter segment details a key finding of RFF’s annual Global Energy Outlook.
Report — Apr 18, 2025
Charging Up: The State of Utility-Scale Electricity Storage in the United States
This report explores how economic forces, public policy, and market design have shaped the development of stand-alone grid-scale storage in the United States.
Report — Apr 7, 2025
Global Energy Outlook 2025: Headwinds and Tailwinds in the Energy Transition
RFF’s annual Global Energy Outlook harmonizes a range of long-term energy projections to find key trends in global energy consumption, emissions, and geopolitics.
Working Paper — Apr 4, 2025
Power Flows, Part 2: Transmission Lowers US Generation Costs, But Generator Incentives Are Not Aligned
This paper analyzes the challenges in the US process for siting and building new transmission lines, highlighting the potential for significant generation cost savings from regional integration.
Issue Brief — Mar 27, 2025
Projected Impacts of Repealing the Section 45Y and 48E Technology-Neutral Clean Electricity Tax Credits
This issue brief examines the potential effects on electricity prices and emissions by repealing tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act.
Webinar — Apr 9, 2025
Global Energy Outlook 2025: Headwinds and Tailwinds in the Energy Transition
An in-depth, virtual panel discussion on some of the potential long-term outlooks for energy markets and the global energy system.
RFF Live — Jan 29, 2025
Big Decisions 2025
On Wednesday, January 29th, RFF and leaders across government, business, philanthropy & media gathered to discuss the big decisions anticipated in 2025.
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.
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.
On the Issues — Apr 11, 2025
US Energy “Dominance,” Data Center–Driven Electricity Demand, and More
A biweekly newsletter connecting global current events, pressing climate and energy policy news, and economics research from RFF scholars. This week: US energy “dominance,” data center–driven electricity demand, and more.
In Focus — Apr 3, 2025
In Focus: Why Electricity Costs Are Increasing
In this video, RFF Fellow Jesse Buchsbaum shares insights about the increasing costs of electricity and policy options for mitigating those costs, particularly for low-income communities.
Resources Radio — Apr 1, 2025
A New Age for Nuclear Energy, with Daniel Poneman
Daniel Poneman discusses how nuclear energy can help meet increasing demand for electricity, along with the evolution of the nuclear energy industry and related technologies.
Common Resources — Mar 24, 2025
The Hype on Hyperscalers: Data Centers and Growing Electricity Demand
Demand for electricity is growing as power-hungry data centers keep popping up. But with uncertainties over how much, when, and where the growth will happen, planning for future demand is a challenge for local governments, state regulators, and utilities.
Media Highlight — Apr 7, 2025
Heatmap: “Report: Power Demand from AI Data Centers Likely to Be ‘Modest’”
A segment in Heatmap’s morning newsletter details the key findings of RFF’s annual Global Energy Outlook report.
Media Highlight — Apr 7, 2025
Axios: “On My Screen: Apples-to-Apples Energy Data”
This newsletter segment details a key finding of RFF’s annual Global Energy Outlook.
Media Highlight — Mar 20, 2025
S&P Global: “Linking Carbon Markets Could Boost Affordability”
RFF research associate Nicholas Roy discusses his thoughts on Washington and California's carbon markets, as well as new research about potential linkage between the two markets.
Media Highlight — Mar 17, 2025
E&E News: “Merging State Carbon Markets Could Cut More Pollution, Report Says”
This piece discusses in detail a new RFF report about a potential linkage between California and Washington’s carbon markets.
