Evaluation of Proposed Technologies
Investigated whether proposed resources such as new reactors (both small and large), carbon capture, producing hydrogen from methane and burning green hydrogen in turbines to produce electricity will be effective tools for decarbonization. Studied whether proposed reactors (both small and large) can be expected to experience cost and schedule overruns. Compared the expected costs of power from new reactors with the projected costs of renewable and battery storage alternatives. Researched the financial and technical risks and uncertainties of adding carbon capture to existing or proposed fossil fuel-burning plants. Explored the real world carbon dioxide (CO2) capture rates of existing carbon capture facilities and the estimating costs of capturing CO2 at proposed facilities. Examined the full life cycle methane, CO2 and hydrogen emissions from fossil-fired power plants and hydrogen production facilities. Quantified whether using the CO2 captured at fossil-burning power plants for use in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) is a prudent tool for addressing climate change. Researched the impact of adding capture increases water usage at fossil-fired power plants.
Nuclear Power
Reviewed recent cost and schedule estimates for proposed nuclear power plants. Examined the impact of the nuclear power plant life extensions and power uprates on decommissioning costs and collections policies. Examined the reasonableness of utility decisions to sell nuclear power assets and evaluated the value received as a result of the auctioning of those plants. Investigated the significance of the increasing ownership of nuclear power plants by multiple tiered holding companies with limited liability company subsidiaries.
Electric Resource Planning
Analyzed the economic costs and benefits of renewable and battery resources. Evaluated whether existing or new generation facilities and/or transmission lines are needed to ensure adequate levels of system reliability. Investigated the economic and system reliability consequences of retiring existing electric generating facilities. Evaluated whether new electric generating facilities are used and useful.
Fossil-fired Generation
Investigated whether Evaluated the economic and financial risks of investing in, constructing and operating new coal-fired power plants and of making expensive environmental upgrades to existing plants. Examined whether there are lower cost, lower risk alternatives than proposed fossil-fired power plants. Investigated whether plant owners had adequately considered the risks associated with building new fossil-fired power plants.
Electric System Reliability
Evaluated whether existing or new generation facilities and/or transmission lines are needed to ensure adequate levels of system reliability. Investigated the causes of distribution system outages and inadequate service reliability. Examined the reasonableness of utility system reliability expenditures.
Power Plant Operations and Economics
Investigated the causes of more than one hundred outages of nuclear and fossil-fired power plants, equipment failures, and component degradation, determined whether these problems could have been anticipated and avoided, and assessed liability for repair and replacement costs. Examined power plant operating, maintenance, and capital costs. Evaluated utility plans for and management of the replacement of major power plant components. Assessed the adequacy of power plant quality assurance and maintenance programs. Examined the selection and supervision of contractors and subcontractors.