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Filling the Generation Gap Sustainably Both From an Economic and Environmental Perspective
Michelle Lau ‘12
Environmental Defense Fund, Summer 2011
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Environmental Defense Fund (EDF)
This summer: EDF’s NYC Office in the
Office of Economic Policy and Analysis
Non-profit, advocacy organization Focus on environmental issues in areas of
climate, oceans, ecosystems, and health Solutions combine science, economics, and
law
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Generation Gap Study Characterize the current generation capacity Use a model to determine the composition of
the power system over the next 30 years Understand the potential technology choices
to fill the gap Use a model to see how the power system
should evolve Research and determine which policies to
pursue to achieve the desired output
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Current Capacity and Generation
Capacity vs. Generation
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Part I – Characterize Existing Generation Capacity: Base Case
Base Case – Gap appears in 2020 By 2030, the percentage of coal generation
capacity is less than capacity of natural gas generation
Baseline Retirement Settings
Coal Retirement Age 50
Oil Retirement Age 40
Natural Gas Retirement Age 40
Nuclear Retirement Age 40
Peak Demand Growth Rate 1.5%
EPA Regulations Moderate
Efficiency/DR Peak Reduction (2010, 2020, 2030, 2040)
18 GW; 79 GW;
157 GW; 157 GW;
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Part II – Technology Choices Biomass Coal Geothermal Power Hydropower Natural Gas Nuclear Solar Power Storage/Transmission Wind Power
Technology Background
Technical Potential Costs and
Emissions Barriers to
Implementation
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Part III – Policy Second Capacity Model EPA Regulations Industry reports vs. Congressional reports
Still in progress!
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Reflections Worked both independently and as a member
of a team Participated in many intern events Broadened knowledge about various
environmental and energy issues Gained experience in the non-profit sector Explored New York City
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Thank You! Gernot Wagner, Economist, Environmental
Defense Fund Pearl Donohoo, Graduate Student, MIT Environmental Defense Fund Grand Challenges Internship Program