Local Energy Supply and Resiliency Act of 2013 - Summer

This report examines S.1205, which promotes combined heat and power (CHP), microgrids, and smart grid technologies to reduce waste heat and improve energy resiliency. The team analyzes the inefficiencies of the current centralized energy system, where significant thermal energy is lost during electricity generation and transmission. Waste heat contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and exacerbates climate change impacts. The bill proposes technical assistance and financing mechanisms to deploy decentralized energy systems capable of capturing and reusing waste heat locally.

The analysis demonstrates that CHP systems can achieve efficiency rates exceeding 60–80%, significantly reducing fuel use and emissions. Microgrids enhance reliability during extreme weather events by isolating local energy networks. The report identifies measurable outcomes including greenhouse gas reductions, avoided energy losses, cost savings, and improved grid reliability. The team concludes that S.1205 is scientifically sound and technologically feasible, offering both mitigation and adaptation benefits. Its success depends on effective program design, long-term funding stability, and careful evaluation of energy savings and resiliency metrics.

Learn more about the MPA-ESP Workshop in Applied Earth Systems Management.