Joint Venture Research between
The Baker Institute Energy Forum
and
The Institute of Energy Economics, Japan

The Energy Forum has an international research collaboration with the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan (IEEJ) to bring together scholars from the U.S., Asia, Japan, Russia and the Middle East to conduct joint research on important public policy topics related to the security of world energy markets. The program involves a combination of international research seminars, high-level policy conferences and commissioned working papers on a central theme of importance to international energy policy. It is hoped that the program, by bringing together senior policy makers and scholars from a variety of important countries from around the world, will promote enhanced discussion and cooperation on international energy policy.

The Current Study

Renewable Energy and Carbon Management Strategies for the United States: International Energy Market and Global Climate Implications

The United States is attempting to forge a more effective U.S. energy and climate response and work to achieve a greater consensus of approach both at home and abroad. A national Renewable Portfolio standard that regulates the amount of renewable energy that must be used in the United States is now under debate as well as other policies to promote alternative energy use in the United States. The U.S. is also pursuing a major initiative to propel biofuels into its gasoline system but distribution and logistical problems remain.

This study will examine different policy pathways open to the United States to increase the share of renewable energy in its energy mix and the impact each would have on the competition of fuels in North America. Using scenario analysis, the Baker Institute will analyze the impact of alternative energy policies and deployment on the competition of fuels in the U.S. market and the impact of this new competition on long term US oil and natural gas demand trends, with implications for global markets. US oil and natural gas demand remain a highly influential variable in general supply, demand and pricing trends for international markets for oil and LNG. Policy stimulated changes in US demand will have significant impact on global energy market trends. Thus, the study will also analyze geopolitical trends likely to emerge as a result of the United States' changing climate and alternative energy policies and the impact of such policy on America's foreign policy, global climate stance and trade policy

Past Joint Research Activities

About the IEEJ

The Institute of Energy Economics, Japan (IEEJ) was established in June 1966 and specializes in research activities in the area of energy from the viewpoint of Japan's national economy in a bid to contribute to sound development of Japanese energy supply and consumption industries and to the improvement of domestic welfare by objectively analyzing energy problems and providing basic data, information and the reports necessary for policy formulation. With the diversification of social needs during the three and a half decades of its operation, IEEJ has expanded its scope of research activities to include such topics as environmental problems and international cooperation closely related to energy. The Energy Data and Modeling Center (EDMC), which merged with the IEEJ in July 1999, was established in October 1984 as an IEEJ-affiliated organization to carry out such tasks as the development of energy data bases, the building of various energy models and the econometric analyses of energy.

Previous Research: JPEC

In past years, the Energy Forum collaborated with the Japan Petroleum Energy Center (JPEC) to publish five joint studies on energy policy and energy science and technology policy. The studies covered Japanese energy policy; micro-nuclear technology; emerging technologies in the natural gas sector; and Persian Gulf politics and oil, post-September 11, and Energy In Russia. There was further collaboration on a major study on the "Role of National Oil Companies" which was finalized in 2007. JPEC was established in May 1986 by the petroleum subcommittee in the Petroleum Council, which is an advisory committee to the Minister of International Trade and Industry. JPEC's mission is to promote structural renovation that will effectively enhance technological development in the petroleum industry and to cope with the need for the rationalization of the refining system. JPEC's international collaborations cover joint research and exchange of researchers and information with oil producing countries and international institutions and support for infrastructure improvement and solving environmental problems of the petroleum industries in oil producing countries.