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The Center for Energy Studies (CES) is mandated to provide energy information and analysis that responds to the needs of the legislature, public agencies, and business and civic groups. Faculty and staff respond regularly to requests from a wide variety of individuals and institutions for specialized energy data and information.

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News

Center Releases White Paper on the Production and Potential for Biofuels in Louisiana

Biofuel Landscape in Louisiana White Paper

Center for Energy Studies Assistant Professor of Research, Dr. Anurag Mandalika, has authored a white paper titled, “The Biofuels Landscape in Louisiana”.

This paper discusses biomass types and availability in the state, drawing from an analysis of the US Department of Energy’s Billion Ton 23 report, followed by an assessment of current and potential future biofuels production in Louisiana. Louisiana leads the nation in the production of renewable diesel, and biofuels contribute ~4.2% to primary energy production in the state. Deployment of announced biofuels projects has the potential to increase this contribution to ~9.2%. Production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is likely to see an increase in the state with several project announcements focusing on this fuel.

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Center Announces Launch of Louisiana Energy News Online Resource

Thumbnail of LA Energy News application

The Center is pleased to announce the launch of a new online application — the Louisiana Energy News. This tool was developed in response to Act 727 of the 2024 Regular Legislative Session, which calls upon CES, in cooperation with the Office of Energy within the Louisiana Department of Energy and Natural Resources, to create and maintain a central, comprehensive, and unified energy data and information program for the state. This online resource centralizes historical energy sector news, providing a comprehensive view of developments shaping our state's energy landscape and receives daily updates to ensure stakeholders have timely access to important information.

Access the Louisiana Energy News online application here.

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Center Releases White Paper on Potential for Hydrogen in Louisiana

Dr. Anurag Mandalika, Assistant Professor of Research at the Center for Energy Studies, and Dr. Greg Upton Jr., Executive Director and Associate Professor of Research, along with Dr. Brian Snyder, Professor of Environmental Science, and Dr. John Flake, Professor of Chemical Engineering, at LSU have co-authored a white paper titled "The Potential for Hydrogen in Louisiana.”

This paper discusses the different types of hydrogen, their production processes, and current and potential future uses in Louisiana while considering its potential as a low-carbon emission fuel. Low carbon or “clean hydrogen” is the focus of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Section 45V production tax credit which has led to additional interest in hydrogen production in Louisiana. 

The Greater New Orleans Development Foundation (GNODF) commissioned LSU-CES to study the potential for hydrogen consumption in Louisiana through the H2theFuture initiative.

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Center Releases White Paper on Economic Implications of Offshore Wind Scenarios 

offshore turbinesCenter for Energy Studies Executive Director Dr. Greg Upton, Jr., and Research Fellow Gregory Albrecht, in partnership with Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES) Forum, have prepared a white paper titled “Potential Economic Implications of Offshore Wind for the U.S. Economy.” The paper considers the economic implications of two potential U.S. offshore wind build-out scenarios, the 2023 Annual Energy Outlook (AEO) projection and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) projection, including job creation and GDP. The economic impact analysis of both scenarios indicates that development of the industry could support a substantial number of jobs, earnings, and overall domestic product within the U.S., during construction itself and from operations of the built-out capacity.

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