How Duke’s Unique Energy Landscape Dictates Its Path to Net Zero
Based in North Carolina, Duke Energy’s customer usage is double in comparison to other areas around the country since most rely highly on electric appliances for both cooling and heating. Duke must be able to compensate enough energy for peaks of high loads throughout both winter and summer.
Some unique circumstances must be overcome if they continue planning to reach 50% carbon reduction by 2030. Options are limited, costly, and will require years of planning and building. Solar generation is weak due to low output during winter when there have been weeks on end of only 20% yield. Wind farms aren’t as reliable in the Southeast unless locations are offshore. However, Duke’s major load centers are inland. They would need to invest in transmission lines plus battery installations. Plans are already in motion to upgrade their pumped hydro storage as they are the most reliable long-duration storage system. This will ensure long term needs are met and will help Duke’s journey to reducing carbon.
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.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/how-duke-energys-southeastern-service-territory-dictates-its-path-to-zero-carbon
Illinoisans demand stricter coal ash rules, denounce state proposal
Coal is still about 50% of the fuel used to generate electricity in the U.S. nationwide with a larger percentage in the Midwest.
Combustion of coal results in large amounts of non-combustible material called coal ash. The remains include heavy metals such as arsenic, chromium, lead, and mercury. All these substances are poisonous or carcinogenic and can leach into ground water.
Illinois residents insist Governor Pritzker propose rules for storing coal ash to prevent ground water contamination. Currently when coal ash piles without a liner are rained on, the contaminates flow into the ground water.
A primary concern for advocates is coal ash impoundments near sources of drinking water via municipal systems or private wells.
Coal use as a fuel is reducing, however, it will continue as a fuel source. Our science and technology should be used to prevent it from poisoning our water sources.
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://energynews.us/2020/08/14/midwest/illinoisans-demand-stricter-coal-ash-rules-denounce-state-proposal/
Fossil Fuels Make Up 84 Percent Of The Global Energy Market
BP released it’s annual report of global energy data. A new record in energy consumption was set for the 10th consecutive year. Fossil fuels still account for the primary energy consumption globally with oil, coal, and natural gas. Unfortunately, emissions has grown again but coal usage has decreased to the lowest level in 16 years. Green energy was the largest share of the increase overall, with wind being the largest contributor and solar a close second. While the U.S. and Germany had the largest decline in consumption growth worldwide, China’s consumption of renewables was the highest with the US and Japan following behind.
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://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/Fossil-Fuels-Make-Up-84-Percent-Of-The-Global-Energy-Market.html
Renewable energy has now produced more electricity in the U.S. than coal for 40 days straight
Add another first stemming from this COVID-19 period: renewable energy surpasses coal in electric supply.
As demand for energy dropped off, utilities had to shut down power plants because they needed less power. The first to shut down are the most expensive. Coal is more expensive than solar, wind, and hydro-generated electricity.
Overall, energy demand is expected to fall at least 3% in 2020. Investments in new power generation are dominated by renewable energy sources due to their cost benefits. As renewable energy continues to grow, coal-generated electricity could fall by more than 20%. Renewable energy does not contribute to climate change as coal fired energy production does.
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.cbsnews.com/news/coronavirus-lockdowns-renewable-energy-overtakes-coal-record-40-days/
Michigan regulators demand changes to DTE Energy’s long-range plan
Last July, we summarized the difference between the 2 largest Michigan utilities. Consumers was attempting to reduce costs by moving to renewables and closing high cost power plants which included legacy coal. DTE on the other hand, stayed with legacy power plants. A summary and link are below.
https://realgyenergyservices.com/consumers-vs-dte-long-term-planning-winners-and-losers/
The MPSC basically rejected DTE’s plan as inadequate in addressing Michigan law to address long term planning. DTE must now resubmit their plan to focus on reducing costs and complying with environmental policy by March 21, 2020.
Consumers’ plan on the other hand was approved.
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.michiganradio.org/post/public-service-commission-sends-much-dte-energy-plan-back-drawing-board
Scotland Is on Track to Hit 100 Percent Renewable Energy This Year, Slàinte Mhath!
Scotland, like many countries, has been moving away from fossil fuels and replacing their energy generation with renewables. Wind is the largest power source in the nation and is continually growing. Enough energy is being created to power every resident’s home and more. Their target is to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045. Offsetting by planting more trees and using carbon-capture technology will allow them to emit some gases and still net-zero by their goal date. They are on the path to 100% green energy and seem to be able to do so by the end of 2020. Hosting the United Nations’ international climate talks in November this year will allow the world’s largest emitters to view firsthand the results of reaching those renewable goals.
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://earther.gizmodo.com/scotland-is-on-track-to-hit-100-percent-renewable-energ-1841202818
Looking Back
As we prepare to ring in the new year, most are looking back on an incredible year of innovations and historical moments. Events such as these do not occur without hard work, inspiration, and dedication. Look back at the last year and relish the ups and downs, the hurdles and accomplishments; whether minor or grand, know that 2019 set the precedence for our future. And it sure is looking bright.
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://realgyenergyservices.com/illinois-100-clean-energy-bill/
https://realgyenergyservices.com/midwest-groundcovers-completes-addition-to-solar-power-project/
https://realgyenergyservices.com/transforming-energy-education-in-the-digital-age/
https://realgyenergyservices.com/wind-energy-supplies-nearly-7-of-us-electric-demand/
https://realgyenergyservices.com/powerhouse-building-produces-more-energy-than-it-needs/
Projected Load Growth
Many changes have occurred over the past several years with energy capacity. Coal-fired plants actively retiring, renewable energy installations increasing, and storage capacity surging in the near future are some aspects taken into consideration when projecting load growth rate. The anticipated rates through 2029 are showing growth from -0.5 to 2% for NERC regions. The focus now is to assess the current resource base to accommodate these expectations.
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.spglobal.com/en/
Wind Energy supplies nearly 7% of US Electric Demand
There are many ways to measure growth such as this table showing how wind energy went from near 0% to over 7% in less than 9 years.
During that same time, coal declined by half as solar increased by 2%.
During this period, US electric consumption increased by 10%.
If you have followed any technology over the last several years, you are aware that natural gas and solar use has increased but wind is the real story.
Wind energy is the least costly energy source in the US. This fact is not a political statement but can be verified by any US utility that sought competitive bids for energy supply in the last 9 years.
The forecast is more of the same. This shift in energy production occurred without tapping the largest wind energy resource utilized by Asia and Europe: off-shore wind.
Wind energy requires jobs. For every loss of a coal job, at least 1.5 jobs were added in wind and clean energy. However, job losses and gains were typically not in the same areas.
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.awea.org/2018-market-report_us-wind-power-grew-8-percent-in-2018
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Growth_of_wind_power_in_the_United_States
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/31/us-wind-energy-capacity-now-over-100-gigawatts-says-new-report.html
PacifiCorp to add 7 GW renewables + storage, close 20 of 24 coal plants
One of the largest utilities in the US, PacifiCorp will shut down 20 of their 24 coal plants and replace them with 7,000 MW of renewable generation.
This is a common story.
Renewable energy is LESS expensive than CONTINUING the operation of coal fired generation.
PacifiCorp is making these plans public and will be enacting them between 2025-2038.
The reason for the slow progress is this change requires 800 miles of transmission and the construction of wind, solar, and battery backup in the following 4 states.
New solar and storage resources include:
- Utah: 3,000 MW solar with 635 MW of battery storage capacity, between 2020 and 2037
- Wyoming: 1,415 MW solar with 354 MW of battery storage capacity, between 2024 and 2038
- Oregon: 1,075 MW solar with 244 MW of battery storage capacity, between 2020 and 2033
- Washington: 814 MW solar with 204 MW of battery storage capacity, between 2024 and 2036.
…and yes, all of this costs LESS than keeping the existing coal plants operating!
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.utilitydive.com/news/pacificorp-to-add-7-gw-renewables-storage-close-20-of-24-coal-plants/564299/