Synapse provided an economic valuation of the Bellows Falls hydroelectric facility as of April 2004 for the Town of Rockingham, VT.  Project completed in March 2005.

Synapse assisted a coalition of intervening parties in a utility environmental compliance settlement involving a multi-unit coal and oil generation station in Salem, MA.  Synapse provided an analysis of the impact of future transmission upgrades on the reliability need for coal and oil units that were out of compliance with Massachusetts environmental regulations for air emissions. The interveners were considering possible settlement strategies to allow for the continued operation of the non-compliant units contingent on the addition of specific short-term remedial actions to reduce emissions. Project completed in September 2005.

Synapse developed and analyzed scenarios for the electric power system in the United States, comparing “business as usual” with a clean energy development path.  Project completed in May 2004.

Synapse investigated the sources of air pollution in Queens County, assessed their local impact on air quality, and recommended remedies for the sources causing the greatest threat to public health.  The study included evaluations of energy efficiency resources, unit repowering, emissions control technologies, and other options for improving air quality.  The PROSYM model was used to develop a cohesive clean air plan for the county.  Project completed in May 2003.

Synapse reviewed the recent electricity consumption and billing history of all the Audubon facilities located in Massachusetts.  Synapse compared the default and standard offer prices available from the local electric company with competitive electric power options, and advised Audubon how to purchase their electricity.  Project completed in October 2003.

Synapse performed a comprehensive assessment of the emissions impacts of demand response programs in New England. As ISO New England continues to refine its nascent electricity markets, there is widespread interest in facilitating demand response (DR) -- the ability for customers to respond to high prices by reducing electricity use or producing their own electricity onsite. There is also widespread interest in the net air emissions impacts of DR.

Synapse assessed the net emissions impacts of selected DR programs using the PROSYM/PROMOD dispatch model. The programs assessed included the economic DR program proposed by ISO New England for the summer of 2003, an economic DR program proposed by the New England Demand Response Initiative (NEDRI) for the summer of 2004, and several scenarios that explored key variables and uncertainties in these programs. In addition, Synapse modeled several energy efficiency programs in order to compare the emissions impacts of these programs to the DR programs. For all programs assessed, Synapse explored both the emissions impacts of DR operation and the impacts of new DR capacity on ISO unit commitment. Project completed in May 2003.

Synapse and Resource Insight prepared estimates of the market value of eight hydro-electric generation facilities in Vermont.  These facilities were assessed using the income approach, the replacement cost approach and the comparable sales approach. The income approach relied upon computer simulation modeling of the New England electricity market. Project completed in 1999, with subsequent support following negotiations continuing until May 2003

Synapse worked on a two-phase project focusing on electricity industry policies on clean power and energy efficiency.  Phase one identified and summarized clean power and energy efficiency programs that were planned or on-going.  The survey focused on initiatives within the Ozone Transport Commission (OTC) States, but also identified certain promising options from other states.  The purpose of the survey was to provide information in a consistent format on each of the programs, and to identify which programs or program aspects were worthy of additional study as OTC continued its clean energy initiative.  The survey was submitted to OTC in January 2002. The second phase was a more in-depth review and technical analysis of specific policies or issues pertaining to clean power and energy efficiency.  Project completed in July 2002.

Synapse worked with Brower and Company and Tellus Institute to develop a plan for the aggressive implementation of energy efficiency and renewables resources in six southeastern states. The analysis included electricity market simulation modeling, a technical assessment of cost-effective energy efficiency opportunities, a technical and economic assessment of renewable resource potential, and development of policies for overcoming market barriers to these clean resources.

Synapse, with Resource Insight, Inc., simulated the New England electricity market in order to project the cost of electricity generation in future years.  The results evaluated demand-side management investments for all of the Massachusetts companies on a consistent basis.  Project completed in November 2001.

Synapse assisted Yuasa in estimating the amount of replacement power costs that were incurred by Carolina Power and Light as a result of a power plant outage.  Synapse's analysis included a review of CP&L's dispatch model and market analysis.  Project completed in April 2000.

Synapse, as part of a team of consultants, prepared independent estimates of the stranded costs of the four electric utilities in Maryland: Delmarva Power and Light, Potomac Electric Company, Baltimore Gas and Electric Company, and Potomac Edison Company.  Synapse ran the ELFIN electric generation dispatch model to forecast market prices for electricity in the PJM and ECAR regions.  The results were presented in the testimony of Bruce Biewald before the Maryland Public Service Commission.  Project completed in 1999.