EPIC-UCAS Joint Center for Energy Policy Research

As a part of EPIC’s work in China, the University of Chicago and the University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) have formed a groundbreaking collaboration that supports a wide range of research focused on energy and environmental issues and policies. The Joint Center for Energy Policy Research in China aims to generate fresh insights into pressing energy and environmental challenges, offering Chinese policymakers new tools to tackle important priorities, such as cost-effective reductions in environmental pollution.

“Our relationship combines the prominent engineering expertise of UCAS with the University of Chicago’s global leadership in economic analysis. Working together, I believe these two perspectives have the ability to produce new ideas and solutions that might not exist otherwise.”
Shushen LI, UCAS President

Team

The Joint Center brings together scholars from UCAS and the University of Chicago, as well as collaborators around the world.

Image of Michael Greenstone

Michael Greenstone

Director, EPIC; Director, Becker Friedman Institute; The Milton Friedman Distinguished Service Professor in Economics, the College, and the Harris School of Public Policy, University of Chicago

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Choon Fong Shih

Senior Advisor, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences

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Zhongbo Hu

Professor of Material Science, College of Materials Sciences and Opto-Electronic Technology University of Chinese Academy of Sciences

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Sam Ori

Executive Director, EPIC; Executive Director, Becker Friedman Institute

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Guojun He

Director of Research, EPIC-China; Associate Professor, University of Hong Kong

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Shaoda Wang

Deputy Faculty Director, EPIC-China; Assistant Professor, Harris School of Public Policy, University of Chicago

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Xi Lan

Pre-doctoral Fellow

Image of Ziyi Liu

Ziyi Liu

Pre-doctoral Fellow

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Bobing Qiu

Doctoral Candidate, University of California, Berkeley; Predoctoral Fellow (2020-2022)

Image of Fanyu Wang

Fanyu Wang

Doctoral Candidate, Columbia University; Predoctoral Fellow (2020-2022)

Projects

Joint Center scholars are researching a broad set of topics ranging from policies to mitigate air pollution to boosting clean energy.

Implementing a Low-Carbon Alternative and Promoting the Environment

Access to reliable energy has been a key challenge for the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau—a region which has relied on yak dung for energy needs for decades. Researchers are studying an alternative energy program.

Analyzing Incentive Policies to Scale Renewable Energy Throughout China

Over the last few years, China has begun to phase down its solar power incentives. What impact has this had on the solar market? Researchers are studying information failures and their impact on the industry.

Economic Activity, Pollution, and Health: Evidence from China's Air Pollution Alert System

Local officials are able to use the government alert system to require emissions reductions from polluting factories. Researchers are estimating the effects of these pollution forecasts on emissions and health outcomes.

Double-Random Inspections and Marginal Abatement Costs of Chinese Firms

In 2016, the government began to require local officials to randomly select inspectors to check the environmental compliance and emissions of randomly-selected firms. Researchers are estimating the abatement costs for firms.

The Environmental and Economic Consequences of Reducing State-Firm Information Asymmetry

Measuring firm-level emissions accurately is critical for the enforcement of well-targeted regulations. Researchers are studying the randomized roll-out of a device that detects monitor manipulation to improve monitoring.

Evaluating Economic and Environmental Benefits of Heating Price Reform in China

Most households in China have had no incentive to conserve their heat because they pay a fixed amount. Researchers are evaluating a reform that replaced a fixed payment with a tariff partly dependent on usage.

Related News

The latest news coming out of the Joint Center.

News•Dec 09, 2019

EPIC-UCAS Joint Center Awards Six Grants for Energy and Environmental Research in China

The collaboration’s first call for proposals yielded interest in a wide range of key issues.

News•Oct 18, 2019

EPIC Forms New Research Collaboration with the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences

New joint institute will study Chinese energy and environmental policy issues.

In The News•Jan 18, 2019

UChicago forms research collaboration with Chinese university

Xinhua

China’s news agency writes about EPIC’s collaboration with the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the Mandarin launch of the AQLI.