DOE EIA Weekly Gas Storage Report
Working gas in storage was 1,247 Bcf as of Friday, April 12, 2019, according to EIA estimates.
This represents a net increase of 92 Bcf from the previous week. Stocks were 57 Bcf less than last year at this time and 414 Bcf below the five-year average of 1,661 Bcf. At 1,247 Bcf, total working gas is within the five-year historical range.
Ridgeland Recreation Complex Completes Addition to its Solar Power Project
PRESS RELEASE
Ridgeland Recreation Complex Completes Addition to its Solar Power Project
MARCH 2019 | BY: REALGY, LLC
In 2015, Realgy, LLC announced the installation of a 100.8 kilowatt (kWDC) solar photovoltaic (PV) system for the Park District of Oak Park’s (PDOP) Ridgeland Common Recreation Complex. Home to an indoor ice rink and outdoor pool serving the Oak Park community, the rec center has been reaping the benefits of an average generation of 10,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) monthly.
This year, an additional solar PV system of 260.4 kWDC has been installed. Connected to 200 kW AC of inverter capacity, it will produce over 312,000 kWh annually. Jan Arnold, Executive Director of the PDOP stated: “The Park District of Oak Park is grateful for this valued partnership with Realgy, LLC. Not only are we seeing an annual savings in energy costs but, we are also reducing our carbon footprint with the addition of these solar panels.”
The initial project allowed the center to become a LEED Certified Gold Building, the first of its kind in the Chicago area. Eco Solar Solutions of Morton Grove, Illinois has once again partnered with Realgy to install the new addition. “Eco Solar is proud to be a part of the largest solar array in Chicago’s western suburbs. We are happy to work with the PDOP and Realgy again in this effort to expand the array to 260,400 watts. The Ridgeland Common Recreation Complex site is an ideal location for this large system” said Paul Szczesny, President of Eco Solar.
Realgy, LLC is an alternative energy supplier in Illinois and is the owner of 6 solar PV systems, including our newest at Ridgeland. Realgy is paying for the installation to generate renewable energy locally as part of its sustainable commitment in Illinois. Michael Vrtis, President of Realgy, LLC stated “This, our largest to date solar project highlights the continuation of efforts by the State of Illinois, Eco Solar and the Park District of Oak Park to benefit from bringing environmentally beneficial solar energy at a cost below ComEd. Every year through 2025, we will look back on this project and be able to substantiate for all our children what we did to help our communities.”
With the addition, the Ridgeland PV Solar system now covers 17,240 ft² and plans to generate more than 7.8 million kWh over the next 25 years. That amount of energy could power over 29 average Illinois homes annually. Beyond the economic value are the environmental and health benefits associated with the PV system. Consider this:
- Reduction of 422 tons of coal burned each year to produce an equal amount of electricity. That’s the same as getting 844 pickup trucks of coal off the road.
- Substituting the use of coal means the removal of 182,000 of CO2 into the environment each year. That is the equivalent of planting 16,834 trees.
Terry Black, Director of Project Development for Eco Solar said, “The new Ridgeland Commons array will have a significant environmental impact. The array will offset the release of 182,000 lbs of CO2 by not burning the 703,000 lbs of coal each year to make the equivalent electricity.”
Realgy and the PDOP entered into a long term agreement under which the District pays nothing for the Solar PV system, its installation or maintenance. Ridgeland simply remains a customer of Realgy and pays only the market-based cost of power it uses (averaging 5% below COMED rates). In addition, the Park District will receive a discount of about 10% as a result of having the solar energy displace energy that would otherwise be delivered (and charged) by COMED.
Contacts:
Chris Lindgren
Superintendent of Parks and Planning
218 Madison St
Oak Park, IL 60302
708-725-2050
Eco Solar Solutions, LLC
Paul Szczesny, President
847-220-8786
Realgy Energy Services, LLC
Michael Vrtis, President
675 Oakwood Ave
West Hartford, CT 06110
860-233-2270
No gas for you
Imagine calling the gas company and being told there is no gas available for your building.
This is exactly what is happening with Con Edison in a suburb north of New York City.
Con Edison, the region’s main utility, says its existing network of pipelines cannot satisfy an increasing demand for the fuel.
There is an ample supply of natural gas in the United States but according to industry officials, opposition to building or expanding interstate pipelines has caused delivery challenges in the Northeast. Two counties in western Massachusetts have had a moratorium on new gas hookups since 2014.
Some believe this is a stunt by Con Ed to cause New York State to approve some pipeline expansion; if so, they could face serious consequences.
Realgy Energy Services is a registered Retail Energy Marketer in the states of Illinois, Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. We offer Service Plans that will provide electric and natural gas at wholesale pricing direct to customers without any utility markup. Our Service Plans work with the local utility to provide seamless service and annual energy savings. Service Plans include Guaranteed SavingsTM, ManagedPriceTM, ManagedGreenTM Index, Fixed and PriceAssuranceTM.
Realgy owns and operates 7 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.
Additional Information:
DOE EIA Weekly Gas Storage Report
Working gas in storage was 1,155 Bcf as of Friday, April 5, 2019, according to EIA estimates.
This represents a net increase of 25 Bcf from the previous week. Stocks were 183 Bcf less than last year at this time and 485 Bcf below the five-year average of 1,640 Bcf. At 1,155 Bcf, total working gas is within the five-year historical range.
Smart technologies transforming your next appliance
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Colorado is researching how “smart energy technologies” will be incorporated into washing machines, microwaves, coffee pots, refrigerators and every other home appliance.
This is another example of a National Laboratory evaluating technologies in order to advise policy makers on requirements of the next generation of appliances.
Of course the industry and ultimately the consumer will have their say but, having an independent agency evaluate technology will help its deployment and use.
Realgy Energy Services is a registered Retail Energy Marketer in the states of Illinois, Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. We offer Service Plans that will provide electric and natural gas at wholesale pricing direct to customers without any utility markup. Our Service Plans work with the local utility to provide seamless service and annual energy savings. Service Plans include Guaranteed SavingsTM, ManagedPriceTM, ManagedGreenTM Index, Fixed and PriceAssuranceTM.
Realgy owns and operates 7 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.
Additional Information:
Illinois utility bill and energy assistance
It’s been a long cold winter which can certainly strain any budget.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a hardship where they may not be paying their energy bills, there is assistance available.
The Illinois utility bill and energy assistance fund is available through the State of Illinois at
https://www.needhelppayingbills.com/html/illinois_utility_and_energy_bi.html
Realgy Energy Services is a registered Retail Energy Marketer in the states of Illinois, Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. We offer Service Plans that will provide electric and natural gas at wholesale pricing direct to customers without any utility markup. Our Service Plans work with the local utility to provide seamless service and annual energy savings. Service Plans include Guaranteed SavingsTM, ManagedPriceTM, ManagedGreenTM Index, Fixed and PriceAssuranceTM.
Realgy owns and operates 7 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.
Additional Information: https://www.needhelppayingbills.com/html/illinois_utility_and_energy_bi.html