The generation of electric power and the infrastructure that delivers it is in the midst of dramatic and rapid change. Declining renewable energy costs, stringent emissions standards, low-price natural gas, competitive electricity markets, and a host of technological innovations have forever changed the landscape of an industry that has remained static for decades. Heightened awareness of newfound options available to consumers has injected yet another element to the policy debate surrounding these transformative changes, moving it beyond utility boardrooms and legislative hearing rooms to everyday living rooms.

The Full Cost of Electricity employs a holistic approach to thoroughly examine the key factors affecting the total system cost of generating and delivering electricity. The multi-disciplinary project synthesizes the expert analysis and different perspectives of faculty across the UT Austin campus, from engineering, economics, law, and policy.

The study identifies and quantifies direct and indirect costs associated with both traditional and emergent power generation and delivery systems, including fuel, environmental and public health effects, infrastructure investments, integration of distributed energy resources and storage, and the interplay of energy efficiency and demand response with new generation.

In addition to producing authoritative reports that provide comprehensive assessment and analysis of various electric power system options, the study team is creating an online calculator that allows policymakers and other stakeholders, including the public, to estimate the cost implications of potential policy actions.

For more, explore the list of topics that comprise the Full Cost of Electricity, interact with the calculators, and view lists of publications, research participants and project sponsors.