Capabilities
Over the past 25 years, PNNL has developed a broad range of capabilities in the field of economics. The services we provide to clients at the federal, state, regional and local levels help solve complex problems while demonstrating a full understanding of the regulatory, institutional, economic and financial implications of our research. Experienced staff, availability of tools and resources, along with linkages to PNNL staff in other discipline areas, gives PNNL the capabilities to serve the needs of our clients.
Benefit-Cost Analysis: Provide estimates of the economic benefits and costs of specific technologies, policies, and projects, including energy projects, environmental cleanup, major capital construction, and changes in energy efficiency. Tools include lifecycle costing (Life Cycle Plus model), travel cost, contingent valuation, hedonic analysis, ecological economics, and benefit transfer.
Point of Contact: David M. Anderson
Building Energy Use and Technology: Estimate and predict the rate of growth in building stocks, energy equipment, adoption of new technology, and macroeconomic consequences. We operate the National Energy Modeling System for the assessment of Residential and Commercial energy efficiency, and manage and provide technical support for the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) Metrics. Tools also include the Impact of Building Systems II (ImBuild II) Model.
Point of Contact: Donna J. Hostick
Environmental Justice: Provide assessments of the environmental and socioeconomic consequences of federal polices and projects on low-income and minority populations. Economic Analysis staff regularly provide assessments of the environmental and socioeconomic consequences of federal polices and projects on low-income and minority populations for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). We have developed guidance for Environmental Justice analysis for both DOE and NRC. We have our own in-house Arcview GIS mapping capability to identify potentially vulnerable minority and low-income populations.
Point of Contact: Michael J. Scott
Financial Analysis: Estimate the impact of various financing options and forms of contracts on the financial costs of major projects. Tools include the capital asset pricing model, FATE2-P/DOD, a remodeled NREL renewable energy model.
Point of Contact: Mark R. Weimar
Geographic Information System (GIS) Modeling: Many environmental economic and socioeconomic analyses have a geographic component such as vulnerability to impact based on proximity to an emissions source. We provide GIS mapping of Census, environmental, and other data to analyze these geographic consequences. Tools include ArcView for most mapping and the HERMES model for environmental restoration costing.
Point of Contact: Douglas B. Elliott
Industrial Energy Use and Technology: Estimate and predict the economic and energy consequences of technology adoption and adaptation, especially as these apply to industrial, transportation, and building energy use. Tools include the Jaccard/Roop Industrial Technology Energy Modeling System (ITEMS).
Point of Contact: Joseph M. Roop
Life-Cycle Cost Analysis: Life-cycle cost analysis is a method of evaluation that takes into account all acquisition, operation, maintenance, and retirement costs associated with a project or a given piece of equipment over a chosen study period. To account for the time value of money, all future costs are discounted to present values. This technique is invaluable for selecting among several mutually-exclusive alternatives. PNNL analysts use life-cycle cost analysis extensively across a broad range of projects. Past projects have included the examination of unique financing options for renewable energy projects, and numerous evaluations of appliances, fixtures, and systems in both public and private-sector facilities.
Point of Contact: Douglas B. Elliott
Macroeconomic Modeling: Estimate and predict the relationship between technology deployment and energy and economic policy at the micro and sectoral levels. Tools include supply, demand and partial equilibrium models and energy intensity trends analysis.
Point of Contact: David B. Belzer
Socioeconomic Impact: Analyze and predict the impact of policies, projects, and programs by both private and public entities on local, regional, and national employment, income, tax yields, housing, public services, etc. Tools include regional input-output modeling and econometric modeling.
Point of Contact: Michael J. Scott
Transportation Finance and Economics: Analysis and prediction of the economic and technological causes of vehicle miles traveled, freight hauling, transportation fuel use by mode, and fuel taxes. We conduct toll feasibility analyses, perform highway cost allocation studies and construct project finance plans that can include a broad spectrum of alternative finance techniques. Tools include the PNNL Motor Fuel Excise Tax Compliance Model and Toll Road Financial Feasibility Model.
Point of Contact: Mark R. Weimar
Utility Economics: The world of electric and gas utilities has been changed radically from the regulated environment of a few years ago. We estimate the impacts of changing patterns of demand and consequences of new distributed technologies using agent-based models. Agent-based computational economic models have been used to model residential electricity contracts, wholesale power sales, and the interaction between distribution companies, the wholesale market, and retail consumers.
Point of Contact: Joseph M. Roop or William M. (Mike) Warwick