ComEd spent $2.6 Billion; have you noticed any improvement?
Back in 2011, storms knocked out power to over 2.8 million ComEd customers. The average time to recover from the outage was 366 minutes.
Since then, ComEd spent over $2.6 Billion on its SmartGrid, an effort to bolster the resilience of the grid and its ability to recover from an outage.
Has it worked?
From 2012 through 2017, 19 storms have caused outages. The time to recover was 116 minutes.
To save 250 minutes of outage time, ComEd spent $10.4 million per minute. Yes, $10,400,000/minute.
ComEd is a monopoly, regulated by the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC), which is entitled to recover expenditures that are prudently incurred to provide the essential service of electricity. Approved expenditures, like the SmartGrid, earn money because it was approved by the legislators (not the ICC) BEFORE it was even used. A utility like ComEd earns a guaranteed rate of return on money spent and approved.
No one likes to sit in the dark but, the saving of roughly 2 hours-per-outage recovery for $10.4 million is not prudent or cost effective, except to earn ComEd money.
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.chicagobusiness.com/utilities/what-have-you-been-getting-all-your-comed-rate-hikes
Experts: Clock is ticking to cut back greenhouse gas emissions
According to reports, we only have a short time to cut back on greenhouse gases to limit climate change. By the end of this century, temperatures are expected to rise so high that consequences would be severe. Many solutions are available such as using renewable energy, limiting carbon pollution, investing in efficient energy technologies, and more. Sustainability needs to be widespread to have a positive impact on climate related issues.
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/2018/02/13/midwest/experts-clock-is-ticking-to-cut-back-greenhouse-gas-emissions/
DTE breaks ground on St. Clair Co. power plant
Replacing 3 old coal-fired plants with a more efficient power plant is the option DTE has pushed for. They believe Blue Water Energy Center will be 70% cleaner and 40% more efficient than the combined 3 plants they are retiring. DTE plans to reduce their carbon emissions 80% by 2050 and will continue to invest in their renewable energy efforts including 2 new wind farms. Despite the criticism from environmental groups, DTE believes reliability is of the utmost importance for their customers. The plant will provide that to the state along with continuing employment and stability for families statewide.
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.detroitnews.com/story/business/2018/08/21/dte-st-clair-county-natural-gas-powered-electric-plant/976303002/
MidAmerican Energy Announces Two New Adair County Wind Farms
MidAmerican Energy Company (MEC) has invested in Adair County, Iowa wind farms in hopes to achieve their vision of 100% renewable energy. The wind turbines will add 550 megawatts of wind generation capacity; enough energy to power 230,000+ average Iowa homes. MEC anticipates this renewable generation will help energize the state’s economy by creating jobs, paying towards taxes, and attracting new businesses to the area.
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.midamericanenergy.com/news-article.aspx?story=853
US Solar Tariff Impact
It’s been about a year since Trump enacted a 30% tariff on solar imports to the US. Although it is set to last 4 years, each year is planned to decrease by 5%; in 2021 the tariff will be 15%. Hopes to benefit domestic manufacturers and residential solar projects are among the expected advantages. However, the high rate caused large scale developers to pause or cancel planned projects of $2.5 billion. This hold on utility scale arrays could dent advances the US made using these renewable sources. Research also shows the average consumer had a price increase for a standard system. Preceding the tariff’s implementation, costs had been falling. They are again decreasing but, at a lower rate. Ideally, the hope is to get back on track to at least the rate of decline prior to the tariff.
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/trump-issues-30-tariff-on-solar-panel-imports/515265/
https://news.energysage.com/2018-us-solar-tariff-impact-prices/
Trialing Ringless Voicemails
PRESS RELEASE
TRIALING RINGLESS VOICEMAILS
18 May 2018 | By: Realgy, LLC
Constant advancements in technology occur every day. Pushing the limits and creating solutions to make daily responsibilities more efficient are the norm. To spread knowledge about the Energy Choice Program in each state, Realgy is trialing a new system that does just that. We will be sending out Ringless Voicemails (RVMs) to potential customers. You may discover that you suddenly have a voice message without hearing the familiar sound of the phone ringing. Many companies have employed RVMs to generate and increase knowledge on various topics.
We want customers to know they have a choice on where their supply comes from and how much money Realgy can save them compared to the utility. We will begin with Indiana and the NIPSCO Choice Program. The message will be for NIPSCO customers that we have unsuccessfully attempted to reach and will direct customers to our site www.nipscochoiceprogram.com. It will state that you are eligible for a guaranteed savings and the average Realgy customer saves almost 19%.
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.
Eliminating coal-fired electricity generation
Actions taken by Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) to reduce their coal-fired generation are in place. The majority of NIPSCO’s coal plants will be retired in the next five years with no plan for future use. Coal is fading quickly into the past with the push towards using renewable energy and reducing carbon footprints. NIPSCO President, Violet Sistovaris said, “This creates a vision for the future that is better for our customers, and it’s consistent with our goal to transition to the best cost, cleanest electric supply mix available while maintaining reliability, diversity and flexibility for technology and market changes.”
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.nwitimes.com/business/local/nipsco-plan-would-eliminate-coal-fired-electricity-generation-within-years/article_269a1f6b-1a24-5180-976d-27a474d8ee47.html
What would ALL electric cars mean?
Telsa may have the most name recognition currently but wait even 5 years from now to see what electric vehicles will bring and mean.
Most current car manufacturers (i.e. Toyota, Ford, GM, etc.) have announced a substantial introduction of new all electric cars over the next 5 years.
In some cases, companies such as Volvo and countries such as Norway, have announced plans to replace all gas engines with battery power. Ever consider where all the batteries will come from or the impact on the environment?
Let’s look as some impacts:
Just as the internal combustion engine revolutionized travel, changing the fuel used in cars will have an enormous impact on the planet and our lives; all positive.
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.wired.com/story/the-potential-pitfalls-of-electric-cars-in-5-charts/
PUCO to utilities: Share tax breaks with consumers
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio demands utilities share tax breaks with customers.
Like all big companies, utilities are a major beneficiary of the enacted tax law changes. Some estimate over $1.1 billion will be saved by utilities just this year.
Ohio regulators want to make sure that Ohio utilities return their gain to the people.
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:
http://www.cantonrep.com/news/20180119/puco-to-utilities-share-tax-breaks-with-consumers
Ohio’s PowerForward roadmap aims to shape the grid of the future
PowerForward, a report discussing the future of Ohio’s electric grid, was released by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). With modern technologies arising and current systems aging out, they believe an open, secure- access platform would benefit the state. This roadmap would be used to build a smarter electric grid to meet the needs of customers. PUCO hopes to ease billing accessibility, improve energy efficiency, inform customers about investments in renewable energy, and more. However, the plan is not without obstacles and the PowerForward roadmap will need to review those difficulties each step of the way.
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://energynews.us/2018/09/19/midwest/ohios-powerforward-roadmap-aims-to-shape-the-grid-of-the-future/