In Response to “Study: Solar could power more of Iowa’s energy needs”
Written by Michael Vrtis President of Realgy Energy Services in response to the Des Moines Register article Study: Solar could power more of Iowa’s energy needs
Iowa in addition to producing more corn and hogs than they consume could produce more solar energy!
GO IOWA!
In the article such factors as; declining costs of installing solar along with recognition of the environmental benefits (recognized by tax incentives) are driving such rapid growth and adoption of solar energy.
Realgy in completing 2 new installations now has 4 solar projects in Illinois generating 180,153 kWh producing roughly 0.4 % of the total energy we delivered into COMED for 2013…..while a contribution we clearly are no Iowa!
Check out The Des Moines Register article: Study: Solar could power more of Iowa’s energy needs
Michigan Electric Utilities keep cap in place
Michigan continues with a 10% cap on electric choice customers enrolling with a marketer.
Michigan customers should encourage their state representatives to open up customer choice for all electric customers not just an artificial few.
2014 Cap Data (MWh)
| Electric Utility | Final 2014 Cap | Current Choice Load |
| DTE | 4,771,485 | 5,173,206 |
| Consumers | 3,633,126 | 3,978,368 |
| AEP (I&M) | 283,505 | 0 |
| We Energies | 249,619 | 2,084,930 |
| UPPCO | 87,947 | 82,947 |
| WPS | 29,188 | 21,431 |
Data courtesy of Energy Choice Matters
Source:
Energy Choice Matters, Michigan Utilities File Final Choice Caps for 2014, Space Available at 3 Utilities
In Response to “New Campaign Encourages Michigan Residents to Cut Down on Wasted Energy”
Written by Michael Vrtis, President of Realgy Energy Services in response to the Market Wired article “New Campaign Encourages Michigan Residents to Cut Down on Wasted Energy”
Public service reminders, are normally quite humble. Successful campaigns (forest fire awareness and anti-smoking) began as simple public service notices. Smokey the Bear in now part of our national consciousness and no one likes to be around smokers.
So it could be with energy. The new Michigan campaign seems so simple; energy is a cost than can be mitigated with insulation; use less to heat as leaks are found and eliminated and with more informed purchase plans.
It only takes math to figure it out; spend $100 and save $25 on energy the pay back on the $100 is 4 months.
Realgy offers lower cost ways to buy energy than the utility offers; it only takes math to figure out the savings; talk about NO DRAMA!
Stay warm and do so with math.
Check out the article in Market Wired: “New Campaign Encourages Michigan Residents to Cut Down on Wasted Energy”
In Response to “Nest Gives Google Its Next Big Data Play: Energy”
Written by Michael Vrtis, President of Realgy Energy Services in response to the Forbes article “Nest Gives Google Its Next Big Data Play: Energy”
As technology advances, so does everything else.
The thermostat remains a humble device to call for more heating or cooling to occur, but when connected to the Internet, it is transformed into a retail energy service.
Commercial businesses did this at the meter long ago and continue to do this. Certainly more utilities are moving toward implementing the capabilities of the Internet at the meter. However, Google has the interest and the financial capabilities to at least challenge the utility meter offering, if not win it.
This is a great addition to the ongoing implementation of technology into our every day.
Realgy offers choices that deliver savings. The consumer should understand the better the information, the better the energy choices. Realgy will continue to advocate for open access to any data collection device a customer or utility chooses to install.
Check out the article in Forbes: “Nest Gives Google Its Next Big Data Play: Energy”
Ten Wood-burning Fireplace Safety Tips
A nice wood burning fireplace will help decrease your winter heating bills and keep the house warm. But beware, heating fires account for 36% of residential home fires every year. Make sure to have your fireplace and chimney inspected and cleaned by a professional at least once a year. And throughout the winter, practice these 10 fireplace safety tips from Realgy Energy Services.
Five Fireplace Safety Dos:
- Use only seasoned hardwoods such as maple, oak, ash, and birch, which will burn hot and long. Green and soft woods produce more creosote.
- Check for creosote build ups. Creosote is a flammable byproduct that can build up in the chimney if wood is not burning completely.
- When building a fire, place the logs at the back of the fireplace on a metal grate.
- Install Smoke Detectors on every floor and keep a charged fire extinguisher on hand.
- The area around the hearth should be clear of decorations and debris.
Five Fireplace Safety Don’ts
- Do not use flammable liquids to start the fire; instead use kindling, or small dry twigs.
- Do not build the fire too big. A smaller fire will generate less smoke and creosote buildup. An overly large or hot fire could end up cracking the chimney.
- Never burn cardboard boxes, trash or debris in your fireplace.
- Never leave a fire unattended. Always extinguish the fire before leaving the house or going to bed.
- Never empty ash directly into a trash can. Always allow ash to cool completely before disposal.
Sources:
U.S. Fire Administration, “Fireplace and home fire safety”
DIY network, “10 tips for maintaining a wood-burning fireplace”
Realgy Energy Services has installed Two New Solar PV systems in Illinois
At the beginning of December 2013, Realgy announced the start of construction on two of its newest solar power projects in the state of Illinois. Once completed, the two new systems in total will produce over 90,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy annually and offset almost 2 million pounds of carbon dioxide during the initial 25 years of operation.
The first Solar Photovoltaic (PV) system has been installed on the roof of the Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake, home to the historic Lake County Fair and other year-round events. The second Solar PV system was installed at Seven Oaks Farm, a historic dairy and horse farm in Saint Charles.
Both PV Systems have been installed by Renewable Energy Alternatives of Arlington Heights. “We are excited to be a part of this venture,” said Kacie Peters, Director of Sales and Marketing at Renewable Energy Alternatives. “The array is in a very public space and will be seen by thousands annually. We hope that this array will inspire others to know solar is possible—and practical in Illinois.”
“Realgy made this investment as a part of our sustainable energy commitment with the support of Illinois Department of Commerce Renewable Energy Program and the Illinois Solar Energy Association.” Michael Vrtis, President of Realgy. All of the energy produced by the panels will be used by the companies, and will reduce their reliance on fossil-generated energy produced primarily from coal in Illinois.