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2011 Spring | Business & Sustainability, Policy & Regulation, Sustainability

The Effect of Policy on the Economic Feasibility of Combined Heat and Power in Washington State

Student(s):

Duncan Clauson

Program or Department(s):

  • Program on the Environment
  • University of Washington

Site supervisor(s):

Chuck Collins

Partner(s):

  • Cascade Power Group

Faculty advisor(s):

Yoram Bauman, Program on the Environment, University of Washington

My project evaluates multiple energy policy scenarios for combined heat and power at the King County Brightwater Wastewater Treatment Facility. I determined the effect of an increase in the size of renewable energy systems allowed to connect to the grid and receive payment for the energy they produce, the cost impact associated with a credit to energy producers who improve their efficiency, and the impact of an increase in the market price of electricity as the result of a policy change (e.g. carbon tax). The results may be generalizable to illustrate the necessity of strong energy policy in Washington State.