How The Electric System Can be Gamed
Ever get the choice you think sounds reasonable? For example, here is the new car you wanted. Only to find out it’s not new; it’s a lease, and you owe $1,500 / month in insurance.
So it is with the energy system.
Background. Utilities are monopolies in that only they can deliver power within their franchise territory.
ISO (independent system operators) act as the wholesale market. In their territory, they control which power plants are interconnected and pay for their power.
FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) they are responsible for having a national view (think for the Country). Ensuring the power markets work without unfair competition by ISO, utility, or state regulators.
The choice. Fast-track any “shovel ready” utility fossil fuel power project and grant interconnect approval within 90 days.
MISO’s proposal to alleviate real congestion, and seasonal demands (cold and heat) would authorize only utilities to receive approval for new power projects.
The decision. No from FERC.
MISO (an ISO), which oversees the electric grid across a large portion of the Midwest, is not alone in facing a clogged interconnection process that’s preventing it from swiftly adding new generation to replace coal and keep up with demand. FERC rejected the organization’s plan to address it by fast-tracking new gas plants, marking a win for clean energy advocates.
Some Reality.
The reality is that MISO has 100s of gigawatts of power projects in the queue awaiting approval. The difference is these are NOT utility-owned and are primarily fueled by solar, wind, and battery installations.
FERC saw this effort to address a real problem as an end-run around “reasonably balanced” options. The existing queue of power projects earned their spot by being economically better than alternatives, situated in needed areas, and financially capable of being built and operated without consumer impact.
Sometimes the solution is taking advantage of the problem.
Realgy Energy Services is a registered Retail Energy Marketer serving commercial customers in the states of Illinois, and Indiana. 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 11 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.
Renewable Energy means lower energy bills….why stop that?
The lowest cost energy production in the United States is wind and solar.
There are many reasons for this, starting with the fact that neither of these require to pay for fossil fuels to generate electricity for 25 years. Wind and solar is the cheapest electric production sources across the world. The scale of investment drives down the costs of adoption and has improved the efficiency in the technologies steadily for 20 years.
The Federal Government supports both fossil fuel (since 1890) and renewable energy production (since 2002).
Consider:
In the U.S., newly built solar and wind farms can provide power at a cheaper rate than 99% of the country’s remaining coal plants. Even fossil gas, the workhorse of the U.S. grid, struggles to compete with new clean energy. A study from Think Tank RMI found that portfolios of solar, wind, and batteries paired with utility energy-efficiency investments can serve grid needs at a lower cost than newly built gas-fired power plants.
So, what is the impact from the US stopping the investment and advantages that our past Federal Government support has bought? Well, an increase in energy costs! Yes, an increase in energy costs, roughly 0ver $90/year per household.
Just like a teeter-totter push one end down the other goes up. If the US wants to increase fossil fuels use it will increase the costs of energy for all US consumers, while the rest of the world’s energy price goes down.
Realgy Energy Services is a registered Retail Energy Marketer serving commercial customers in the states of Illinois, and Indiana. 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 11 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.
A solar panel in space is collecting energy that could one day be beamed to anywhere on Earth
Launched in May 2020, a panel attached to an unmanned drone has been looping Earth to harness the sun’s light to convert to electricity. Technology to focus power directly back to Earth has already been studied and proven possible. This prototype could, once scaled up, revolutionize energy generation and distribution around the world. Experimental results point to this being a feasible option to receive energy in the future. Funded by the Pentagon, costs are always of a concern but prices to create the panels have been decreasing. The amount of people this could help in remote areas or during natural disasters is a large incentive to backing this project.
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.cnn.com/2021/02/23/americas/space-solar-energy-pentagon-science-scn-intl/index.html
How Covid-19 Has Changed The Way Americans Use Energy
Among many discussions during Covid-19, energy is a common topic for businesses and households alike. We’ve seen many make the move to home offices and remote school, changing energy consumption and sales. During the 2nd quarter, usage decreased 4% overall in the US. Hospitals increased power consumption 600% while the industrial sector dropped 9% and the commercial sector dropped 11%. Certain areas such as Hawaii showed the biggest decrease in usage due to their large hospitality-based economy. We are constantly learning how to acclimate to changes and come up with innovative ideas. Huge offices empty for months are being converted into lab space as we have an increased need for research and testing. As we continue navigating this pandemic, energy use will continue evolving and adapting in new ways.
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.forbes.com/sites/jamesconca/2020/10/28/the-coronavirus-uneven-effects-on-energy-use-in-america/#912b36241796
One company’s grand plan to help suppliers club together to buy green energy
What do long-term global or local businesses do when they see a problem? They solve it.
Climate change impacts lives today and is forecasted to accelerate its negative impact through increased storms, draught, fire, and hurricanes. Using the tools and abilities within their disposal, governments and businesses have responded to face this challenge.
Governments around the world agreed collectively to reduce emissions; see the Paris Agreement. The goal is for each country to reduce its emissions over 50 years.
Businesses are moving to reduce their carbon emissions by committing to renewable energy. A large company example is Walmart. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and Walmart committed to sustainable energy. Fast forward to 2020, that commitment has translated to reduced waste and 29% of its electricity coming from renewables. Walmart’s aim is to use its initiative to create an alliance of companies that commit to renewable energy regardless of size called the Renewable Energy Buyers Alliance.
Seeing a problem and addressing it provides for opportunities. Walmart is reducing costs to operate its business while reducing waste and greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. 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 7 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.
Additional Information: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/23/walmart-wants-suppliers-to-buy-renewable-energy-collectively.html
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
TAE Technologies Wins Three INFUSE Awards to Further Fusion Energy Research
The US Department of Energy (DOE) awarded TAE with 3 INFUSE awards for their “pursuit of clean, safe, cost-effective, scalable, fusion energy, and a continued recognition that it is a viable effort worth public funding and collaboration”. Federal support is necessary to help commercial fusion power plants recognize new ways to efficiently provide carbon-free electricity production. TAE will focus on the US’s energy needs while addressing environmental and security requirements “by resolving industrial-scale issues of technology, cost, and safety”. Using the DOE’s resources, we should see an acceleration in fusion energy development to better our environment and economy using renewable energy.
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.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tae-technologies-wins-three-infuse-awards-to-further-fusion-energy-research-300968932.html
This Company Is Converting Energy Efficiency Into Currency
Redaptive works to guide companies to increase energy efficient practices in a cost-effective manner. They assess energy usage then identify and refit less efficient appliances. Old appliances are recycled, preventing more waste and emissions from landfills. Analytics also track and forecast to plan for future needs.
No payment is required up front. Instead, customers compensate them via a share of the energy bill savings through monitored programs and AI validated by utility meter data. Once Redaptive’s contract is up, clients continue to net those funds. Along with saving money, these necessary changes benefit shareholders and the environment.
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.forbes.com/sites/natalieparletta/2019/09/09/this-company-is-converting-energy-efficiency-into-currency/#44c920ee4238
Reversing Emissions-Reducing Lightbulb Energy Efficiency Standards
President George W. Bush’s administration implemented energy standards to phase out high energy usage light bulbs. Obama’s administration was set to finalize that legislation in January 2020 to include specialty bulbs becoming more energy efficient. Trump’s administration wants to undo these regulations. Not only would this encourage consumers to spend more money on bulbs with lower life expectancies, it would increase their bills due to less energy efficient products and increase carbon dioxide emissions. If regulations are reversed, they will be challenged.
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.npr.org/2019/09/04/757623821/trump-administration-reverses-standards-for-energy-efficient-light-bulbs