Illinois Commerce Commission order a victory for solar, advocates say
New goals have been put in place for The Future Energy Jobs Act. The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) approved an order defining aspects that solar advocates were concerned about.
The final order:
-Allows municipal and cooperative customers to participate in the solar renewable energy credit (SREC) program. Management of renewable energy purchases and the sale of SREC’s will be handled by the Illinois Power Agency (IPA).
-Eliminates spot procurements that were to take place in 2018 and 2019. It focuses on prioritizing long- term contracts even if budget constraints prove to be troublesome. To qualify for contract incentives, out-of-state projects will have to meet tighter requirements based on a point system.
-Implements community solar to make it more accessible to residents from all walks of life. Larger subscribers allow a more cost-effective way to build projects since they have more money to spend. The requirements will allow smaller subscribers to have a higher chance of buying into solar projects.
The IPA must monitor the program and make necessary adjustments throughout the growth of this Act. It is important to factor in sustainability over the long term for these projects and it is all part of the process. One thing for sure is that this will help put Illinois on the map as a leader in Solar Development.
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 6 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.
Additional Information:
LAKE COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS & EVENT CENTER SOLAR ARRAY EXPANSION
PRESS RELEASE
Lake County Fairgrounds & Event center Solar Array expansion
18 May 2018 | By: Realgy, LLC
Lake County Fairgrounds & Event Center, Grayslake, IL has recently incorporated an addition to their solar photovoltaic (PV) system more than doubling the size and efficiency of the current system.
Realgy, LLC has announced the start of usage with the new 99.84 kilowatt (kW) roof installation. Lake County Fairgrounds & Event Center, operated by Lake County Fair Association, is home to many popular events including the historic Lake County Fair. The fair will be celebrating its 90th Anniversary this July with the help of the new solar array. Jon Brodzik Jr, the General Manager of the Lake County Fairgrounds & Event Center, said, “The expansion is more than welcome and we are all looking forward to its usage and the events surrounding it.” The destination’s significant space allowed the capability of higher production to be more than just a day dream. With the help of Eco Solar Solutions, the goal to expand has been made a reality.
Eco Solar Solutions completed the new addition. “This project will provide great environmental benefits to the local community, and we’re ecstatic to have been part of the team to make this happen. We will be maintaining this system for the next 20 years to make sure that it continues to operate,” said Paul Szczesny, President of Eco Solar Solutions.
Realgy, LLC is a choice energy supplier in Illinois and selected LCF for both the initial and expanded project. Lake County will receive all solar energy produced by the panels. With its popular events comes high consumption that leads to environmental disadvantages. Renewable energy sources such as PV arrays help to combat those issues. This expansion will save LCF approximately $12,000 each year while improving the environment and safety in the area as follows:
- The Lake County solar PV system will produce over 121,324 kW hours (kWh) or enough power to supply about 11 average Illinois homes every year for the next 25 years.
- Some environmental and safety benefits associated with this array’s solar energy production:
- Over 84 thousand pounds of carbon dioxide WILL NOT be produced over the initial 25 years of operation.
- The level of offset emissions is equal to planting over 6,500 trees.
- Over 327 thousand pounds of coal would be necessary to produce the same amount of electricity.
- Reduction of 328 half- ton trucks used to transport that coal annually means less trucks on the road and less pollution from those trucks.
“We are happy to be partnered with Lake County on such a great endeavor,” said Michael Vrtis, President of Realgy. “Realgy is pleased with the extension of this project and the boundless support of the municipality. We look forward to everyone coming together with us for this Solarbration.”
Please join us at the Lake County Fairgrounds on May 18th, 2018 at 1 PM for this celebration.
Media Contacts:
Sue Markgraf
GreenMark Public Relations
847-917-9654
smarkgraf@greenmarkpr.com
for:
Lake County Fairgrounds & Event Center
1060 East Peterson Road
Grayslake, Illinois 60030
847-680-7200
www.lcfair.com
Eco Solar Solutions
317-201-4435
www.eco-solar-solutions.com
Realgy, LLC
675 Oakwood Avenue
West Hartford, CT
860-233-2270
www.realgyenergyservices.com
St. Louis vs. Chicago; who’s ready for electric vehicles
Well it’s not the Cubs vs. Cardinals but the two cities are always competing. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory estimates the U.S. will have 15 Million electric vehicles on the road by 2030. This week Missouri and Illinois each released a look into their electric vehicle plans.
In Illinois:
- Chicago will need to support 80,000 electric cars
- 2,700 public charging stations will be required
- Costs range from $80,000-$100,000
- Today: only 34 fast charging stations are located in all of northeastern Illinois
In Missouri:
- Ameren piloted a program in 2016
- Proposal to install 1,200 charging plugs in its territory
- Ameren would partner with companies to operate the charging stations
- Ameren estimates the costs at $20,000-$50,000 for each charging station
All states and cities are looking at the infrastructure and locations for installing electric charging stations. They understand the coming demand.
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 6 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.
Additional Information:
https://chicagotonight.wttw.com/2018/02/22/study-chicago-could-see-80000-electric-cars-2030?utm_source=EHN&utm_campaign=8f5bea7cf2-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_8573f35474-8f5bea7cf2-99396161
http://www.stltoday.com/business/local/ameren-seeks-to-add-hundreds-of-electric-vehicle-charging-stations/article_ebacca29-7355-52ff-b230-3b56d90d4fa7.html
Wind Energy development in Illinois, Michigan and Indiana as coal plants are closing.
In one day I came across 4 articles which all carried a similar message: coal is being phased out in favor of renewable energy (solar, wind, etc.). This is not a political statement; but economical. More coal plants have closed during President Trump’s first year in office as compared to the President Obama’s last year. What’s being planned to replace the coal fired generated electricity? Wind, solar and natural gas energy.
Illinois:
- Passed the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition last year. Goal is 100% renewable energy (accompanied jobs) by 2050
- Has generated more renewable energy jobs than all coal jobs combined
Michigan:
- Michigan electric utility companies must get 30% of their power from wind, solar or other renewables by 2030
- Consumers Energy vow to end coal generation by 2040
Indiana:
- Vectren plans to close 3 coal plants by 2023
- Natural gas 800 MW and 50 MW of solar generation would replace the coal
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 6 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.
Additional Information:
https://www.greentechmedia.com/amp/article/trump-cant-save-coal?__twitter_impression=true
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2018/02/19/coalition-launches-clean-energy-initiative/
https://www.freep.com/story/money/business/michigan/2018/02/19/consumers-energy-emissions-coal-renewable/350559002/
https://www.courierpress.com/story/news/2018/02/20/vectren-natural-gas-plant-solar-farm-join-energy/356818002/
Grass Fed Beef and Solar Energy: Perfect Match.
A cattle ranch might not be what most environmentalists want to cheer about but, how about when they generate 280 MW of power (enough to serve 60,000 homes)?
The Hearst cattle ranch will supply Apple’s Cupertino campus with the power.
The solar energy generated will AVOID the release of 109,000 tons of C02 every year. That’s the equivalent of 22,00 cars off the road. In addition, the ranch will continue to produce about 3,000 head of cattle a year of grass fed beef. The ranch, Apple, and environmentalists agree: win-win-win.
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 6 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.
Additional Information:
https://www.cnbc.com/2018/01/21/apples-solar-project-at-hearst-ranch.html
ALEXA, lower my energy costs
So, home automation or SMART homes are providing access to interconnected information which connects to your home appliances, HVAC, refrigerator, TV, etc.
Connecting the internet where information can be constantly updated to devices that can be turned on/off or up/down all through voice control seems space age. HOWEVER, it’s very real.
Energy costs are the most volatile commodity in the world. Therefore, numerous strategies and appliances will emerge to take advantage of technology that can link them together. Such controls are emerging in the commercial and residential areas.
Realgy is investing in the future where; saying “Lower My Energy Costs”….will mean you will hear a choice of options and be able to select the lowest for your needs.
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 6 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.
Additional Information:
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/alexa-please-balance-the-distribution-grid/511678/
Electricity from Coal generation continues to decline in the US
The Federal Energy Agency (FERC) looks ahead annually and forecasts the energy supply for all the generation sources in the US. In the most recent forecast, the energy source being reduced the most remains coal. Natural gas, wind and solar will contribute the most new generation in the coming years. This is the trend that has been in place for 10+ years. Last year was the first time that coal contributed less than ½ of all US electricity.
Coal generation continues to decline as does coal jobs while solar and wind jobs more than made up for the net loss of jobs. However, the wind and solar jobs are generally not located in areas where the coal jobs are lost (with the exception of Illinois, and Indiana).
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 6 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.
Additional Information:
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/ferc-20-gw-of-coal-capacity-headed-for-retirement-by-2020/514277/
DOE EIA Weekly Gas Storage Report
Working gas in storage was 3,126 Bcf as of Friday, December 29, 2017, according to EIA estimates.
This represents a net decrease of 206 Bcf from the previous week. Stocks were 192 Bcf less than last year at this time and 192 Bcf below the five-year average of 3,318 Bcf. At 3,126 Bcf, total working gas is within the five-year historical range.
NIPSCO receives multi-million dollar bailout for aging coal plants
What is the point of regulatory oversight if it fails to protect rate payers from unsustainable and higher cost decisions? NIPSCO the monopoly utility owns and operates aging coal facilities which are the costliest power plants to run in the entire area. NIPSCO admits that shutting them down WOULD SAVE money and cause less pollution.
HOWEVER, the Indiana regulators have approved their continued operation. If NIPSCO was a competitive business, these plants would be shut down. Indiana’s electric pricing is some of the highest in the area and this regulatory process explains why. The businesses and residents of Indiana deserve better oversight by their regulators.
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 6 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 3,626 Bcf as of Friday, December 8, 2017, according to EIA estimates.
This represents a net decrease of 69 Bcf from the previous week. Stocks were 201 Bcf less than last year at this time and 27 Bcf below the five-year average of 3,653 Bcf. At 3,626 Bcf, total working gas is within the five-year historical range.
