YIHSU CHEN

Assistant Professor

University of California, Merced
School of Social Sciences, Humanities Arts
School of Engineering

Science&Engineering Building, R262

5200 N. Lake Rd.
Merced, CA 95343

Tel:  209 228 4102
Fax: 209 228 4047
Email: yihsu.chen AT ucmerced.edu

Research Interests - Energy and Environmental Policy Analysis

My research focuses on modeling the interactions of environmental policies and industry activities. In particular, I am interested in the responses of industry (e.g., electricity) to the market-based instruments (e.g., emissions trading programs). The recent development of climate policies in northeast states RGGI (Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative), California Global Warming Solutions Act (AB32) and European Union ETS (Emissions Trading Scheme) and Western Climate Initiative (WCI) has shown that emissions trading will continue being an area subject to policy debates.

My recent research includes a collaborative project with RfF(Resources for the Future), CIER (Center for Integrative Environment Research) in University of Maryland College Park and The Johns Hopkins University. The project examines the implications of the State of Maryland’s participating in RGGI on electricity sector and GHG emissions. Other research questions that I have addressed include: To what extent the electricity price increases in the recent European countries is due to the implementation of the EU (European Union) ETS (Emissions Trading Scheme)? What is the magnitude of the possible windfall profits?

Aside from economic analysis, I am also interested in public health related to air pollution. The recent research proposals under development include quantifying the health benefit of metropolitan subway systems in the developing countries. The project would use GIS spatial analysis and transportation models to predict commuters' exposure to air pollution prior and after the operation of subway system in Taipei city.

The approaches I use are large-scale bottom-up computational economic models with detailed engineering details, econometrics and decision analysis. The flexibility of bottom-up models allows various policy designs parameters properly incorporated in the models. The econometrics or statistical approach takes advantage of the rich environmental data to test hypothesis and to examine the causality. The decision analysis allows examining decision-making under uncertainty.

I am developing an interdisciplinary research group here at the UCM focusing on energy and environment. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you any suggestions or are interested in knowing more about my research.

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