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Session Title: Challenges and Best Practices in Benefit Cost Studies of Research and Technology Programs
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Panel Session 527 to be held in BONHAM E on Friday, Nov 12, 9:15 AM to 10:45 AM
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Sponsored by the Research, Technology, and Development Evaluation TIG
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| Chair(s): |
| Rosalie Ruegg, TIA Consulting Inc, ruegg@ec.rr.com
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| Abstract:
Using case study of a renewable energy technology program, this panel of experts and practitioners will discuss challenges in benefit-cost studies and how they can be best met. Specific challenges to be addressed include extending the scope beyond projects to programs and portfolios of projects, inclusion of multiple types of benefits; development of the next best alternative from which to calculate benefits, strategies for tackling attribution, and data collection and assumptions for credible analysis. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has drafted a Guide aimed at incorporating best practices in benefit-cost analysis that was followed in four recent retrospective studies. One of these studies--a benefit-cost analysis of DOE's investment in solar photovoltaic energy systems--will be presented as a case study. Panelists who have a broad view of best practice in RTD evaluation in the U.S. and Europe, including benefit-cost analysis, will provide their opinions in a lively discussion.
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A Case Study: A Benefit-cost Analysis of Department of Education (DOE)'s Investment in Solar Photovoltaic Energy Systems
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| Alan O'Connor, RTI International, oconnor@rti.org
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| Ross J Loomis, RTI International, rloomis@rti.org
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| Fern M Braun, RTI International, fbraun@rti.org
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Alan O’Connor, MBA, is a senior economist in the Environmental, Technology, and Energy Economics program at RTI International. His research focus is on studying the contributions of technology and innovation programs to society’s economic, public health, and environmental well-being. He has directed more than 20 economics studies for federal and regional clients such as NIST, EPA, DOE, CDC, and the states of Oregon, Maryland, and North Carolina. Alan will present the case study, a retrospective benefit-cost analysis of the U.S. DOE investment in solar photovoltaic energy systems.
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View From Studies Done by the Advanced Technology Program
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| Rosalie Ruegg, TIA Consulting Inc, ruegg@ec.rr.com
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Rosalie Ruegg, MA, MBA, is a consultant in RTD evaluation and managing director of TIA Consulting, Inc. Former Director of the Economic Assessment Office of the Advanced Technology Program (ATP), she is experienced both in conducting benefit-cost studies and in planning and overseeing these studies done by others. She co-authored the draft DOE Guide for benefit-cost analysis that was used in the recent DOE retrospective studies, including the case study presented in the Panel.
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Perspectives From Europe
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| Isabelle Collins, Technopolis, isabelle.collins@technopolis-group.com
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Isabelle Collins has, with colleagues, been evaluating research programmes in Europe for many years. Technopolis is the largest RTD evaluation firm in Europe. She has experience with programmes at national and international level across Europe, and looks at developing practice in the context of declining resources coupled with heightened political importance of research and innovation policy. Technopolis has just finished a major study of the impact of the European investment in ICT research through the Fifth and Sixth European Framework Programmes on Research and Technological Development, covering the period 1999 to 2007. To this can be added her experience with a range of studies carried out in related but separate fields including higher education and business support programmes, from which approaches and methodologies can be drawn.
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View of the Chairman of the Expert Review Panel
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| Irwin Feller, Pennsylvania State University, iqf@ems.psu.edu
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Dr. Feller is Professor Emeritus of Economics at Penn State and a Senior Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He is an internationally recognized R&D evaluation expert, and consultant to multiple federal agencies. He served as Chairman of the expert panel reviewing the DOAE/EERE benefit-cost methodology guide and as expert reviewer of all four draft EERE benefit cost studies in 2009-2010.
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