A POLAR VORTEX…now that’s an extreme Weather Event!
Due to the severe weather in the Chicago Area during January 2014, the price of power quadrupled. Fortunately there was no accompanying shortage and, while the cost of power increased, the grid and the generation met everyone’s demand.
The wholesale costs for January 2014 for deliveries into the Tri-State (Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan) area:
- Natural gas went from about $4.40 to nearly $18.00
- Electricity settled at over $0.75, where it is normally around $.035
Realgy will recover the costs related to this short-term power cost increase with a onetime Real-Time Settlement charge on electric bills. This charge covers only the additional costs Realgy incurred for the market power we had to purchase to cover the extreme costs associated during this period. It will appear on either your January or February bills. By contrast, the utility will eventually raise rates (usually limited to two times a year) to cover their costs during this event.
Natural gas bills will look the same but you will notice the bill is higher. While Realgy’s base rate remains low the cost related to each utilities supply management practices imposed by Utility will increase our costs. Each utility limits what we can display on the bill so we can only display on our web site or in your storage report.
The breadth of Realgy’s experience extends back to the last time such an extreme weather event happened, which was 20 years ago. That is why Realgy offers the services we do to help protect our customers. Even though the market wholesale price in Chicago for natural gas and electricity jumped two to four times, Realgy’s average customer will pay less than a 40% increase for January gas and electricity.
Realgy does three things to consistently protect our customers from normal and extreme weather events:
- Managed Plan–a consistent low price to save money compared to Utility
- Fixed Price–through PriceWatchTM, this year (like the last three years) the Realgy PriceWatchTM Fixed Price was below the average winter price
- Storage (except for Michigan)–Winter gas at Summer Prices is a great way to prepay for winter gas with the added benefit that you do so at the summer prices.
Realgy will continue to do everything possible to continue to meet our customer’s expectations to save money on energy and rely on Realgy.
If you did not receive your PriceWatchTM notice this year, now is a good time to update your contact information with Realgy. You can do this by going to realgyenergyservices.com and filling out the Customer Contact Info Update Form.
Polar Vortex created record demand for natural gas
Written by Michael Vrtis, President of Realgy Energy Services in response to the USA Today article “Arctic blasts create record demand for natural gas”
The laws of supply and demand actually work; cold weather broke a 20-year record, energy consumption skyrocketed, and the prices went up.
Lake Michigan in Chicago, Illinois
How high?
The wholesale costs for January 2014 for deliveries into the Chicago market:
- Natural gas went from about $4.40 to nearly $18.00
- Electricity settled at over $0.750, where it is normally around $.035
Supply went up as the weather caused record energy demand and prices subsequently followed. No one went cold as supply kept up to demand; however, without advanced planning, you paid a lot more.
Realgy’s experience goes back to when we set the previous low temperature record. We were prepared for this eventuality, so our customers will pay far less with the use of Realgy’s ManagedPriceTM, storage, and PriceWatchTM.
Any good news?
Groundhogs Day on February 2, 2014 started with a shadow, so we should see 6 more weeks…but we are halfway through winter!
Check out the article in USA Today: “Arctic blasts create record demand for natural gas”
In Response to “Study: Solar could power more of Iowa’s energy needs”
Written by Michael Vrtis President of Realgy Energy Services in response to the Des Moines Register article Study: Solar could power more of Iowa’s energy needs
Iowa in addition to producing more corn and hogs than they consume could produce more solar energy!
GO IOWA!
In the article such factors as; declining costs of installing solar along with recognition of the environmental benefits (recognized by tax incentives) are driving such rapid growth and adoption of solar energy.
Realgy in completing 2 new installations now has 4 solar projects in Illinois generating 180,153 kWh producing roughly 0.4 % of the total energy we delivered into COMED for 2013…..while a contribution we clearly are no Iowa!
Check out The Des Moines Register article: Study: Solar could power more of Iowa’s energy needs
Michigan Electric Utilities keep cap in place
Michigan continues with a 10% cap on electric choice customers enrolling with a marketer.
Michigan customers should encourage their state representatives to open up customer choice for all electric customers not just an artificial few.
2014 Cap Data (MWh)
| Electric Utility | Final 2014 Cap | Current Choice Load |
| DTE | 4,771,485 | 5,173,206 |
| Consumers | 3,633,126 | 3,978,368 |
| AEP (I&M) | 283,505 | 0 |
| We Energies | 249,619 | 2,084,930 |
| UPPCO | 87,947 | 82,947 |
| WPS | 29,188 | 21,431 |
Data courtesy of Energy Choice Matters
Source:
Energy Choice Matters, Michigan Utilities File Final Choice Caps for 2014, Space Available at 3 Utilities
In Response to “New Campaign Encourages Michigan Residents to Cut Down on Wasted Energy”
Written by Michael Vrtis, President of Realgy Energy Services in response to the Market Wired article “New Campaign Encourages Michigan Residents to Cut Down on Wasted Energy”
Public service reminders, are normally quite humble. Successful campaigns (forest fire awareness and anti-smoking) began as simple public service notices. Smokey the Bear in now part of our national consciousness and no one likes to be around smokers.
So it could be with energy. The new Michigan campaign seems so simple; energy is a cost than can be mitigated with insulation; use less to heat as leaks are found and eliminated and with more informed purchase plans.
It only takes math to figure it out; spend $100 and save $25 on energy the pay back on the $100 is 4 months.
Realgy offers lower cost ways to buy energy than the utility offers; it only takes math to figure out the savings; talk about NO DRAMA!
Stay warm and do so with math.
Check out the article in Market Wired: “New Campaign Encourages Michigan Residents to Cut Down on Wasted Energy”
In Response to “Nest Gives Google Its Next Big Data Play: Energy”
Written by Michael Vrtis, President of Realgy Energy Services in response to the Forbes article “Nest Gives Google Its Next Big Data Play: Energy”
As technology advances, so does everything else.
The thermostat remains a humble device to call for more heating or cooling to occur, but when connected to the Internet, it is transformed into a retail energy service.
Commercial businesses did this at the meter long ago and continue to do this. Certainly more utilities are moving toward implementing the capabilities of the Internet at the meter. However, Google has the interest and the financial capabilities to at least challenge the utility meter offering, if not win it.
This is a great addition to the ongoing implementation of technology into our every day.
Realgy offers choices that deliver savings. The consumer should understand the better the information, the better the energy choices. Realgy will continue to advocate for open access to any data collection device a customer or utility chooses to install.
Check out the article in Forbes: “Nest Gives Google Its Next Big Data Play: Energy”
Realgy Energy Services has installed Two New Solar PV systems in Illinois
At the beginning of December 2013, Realgy announced the start of construction on two of its newest solar power projects in the state of Illinois. Once completed, the two new systems in total will produce over 90,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy annually and offset almost 2 million pounds of carbon dioxide during the initial 25 years of operation.
The first Solar Photovoltaic (PV) system has been installed on the roof of the Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake, home to the historic Lake County Fair and other year-round events. The second Solar PV system was installed at Seven Oaks Farm, a historic dairy and horse farm in Saint Charles.
Both PV Systems have been installed by Renewable Energy Alternatives of Arlington Heights. “We are excited to be a part of this venture,” said Kacie Peters, Director of Sales and Marketing at Renewable Energy Alternatives. “The array is in a very public space and will be seen by thousands annually. We hope that this array will inspire others to know solar is possible—and practical in Illinois.”
“Realgy made this investment as a part of our sustainable energy commitment with the support of Illinois Department of Commerce Renewable Energy Program and the Illinois Solar Energy Association.” Michael Vrtis, President of Realgy. All of the energy produced by the panels will be used by the companies, and will reduce their reliance on fossil-generated energy produced primarily from coal in Illinois.
Good Bye Incandescent Bulbs
On January 1, 2014, as part of a 2007 energy efficiency law, the U.S. stopped producing and importing standard 40- and 60- watt incandescent bulbs. The law signed by former President George W. Bush requires new light bulbs to meet tighter standards.
For those not ready for the switch, most stores will continue to sell the 40- and 60- watt bulbs until supplies run out. However, switching out those old incandescent bulbs will reduce the energy needed to light up your room. Ninety percent of the energy used by an incandescent bulb is given off as heat. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, upgrading 15 incandescent light bulbs to CFL or LED bulbs could save about $50 per year.
Sources:
Energy.Gov, “Lighting Choices to Save You Money”
CBS News, “The old-fashioned light bulb is disappearing”
Seven Oaks Farm breaks ground on the installation of its first solar power project
PRESS RELEASE December 02, 2013 | By: Realgy, LLC
Seven Oaks Farm, Saint Charles, Ill., will soon be partially powered by a 160 solar panel PV system.
Realgy, LLC has announced the start of installation on a 37.5 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic (PV) system for Seven Oaks Farm. The solar PV system will be the second of its kind installed by Realgy in Saint Charles, the first being Midwest Groundcovers in 2011. Seven Oaks Farm is a historic dairy and horse farm owned by Deborah and Helmut Jahn since 1998.
The solar PV system is being installed by Renewable Energy Alternatives of Northbrook, Illinois. This is the first solar project that Renewable Energy Alternatives has completed for Seven Oaks Farm “We are excited to be a part of this venture,” said Kacie Peters, Director of Sales and Marketing at Renewable Energy Alternatives. “The array is in a very public space and will be seen by thousands annually. We hope that this array will inspire others to know solar is possible—and practical in Illinois.”
Realgy, LLC is an alternative energy service supplier in Illinois, and will be supplying Seven Oaks Farm their electricity and selected them for this installation. Seven Oaks Farm will receive all of the solar energy produced by the panels, which will reduce their reliance on fossil generated energy produced primarily from coal in Illinois.
Once complete the Seven Oaks Farm solar PV system will produce over 49, 000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy annually and more than one million kWh over the next 25 years. That is enough energy to power about 2 average U.S. homes every year. The environmental benefits associated with the system will offset about 900 thousand pounds of carbon dioxide over the initial 25 years of operation.
“We are excited to announce the start of the Seven Oaks solar project,” said Michael Vrtis, President of Realgy. “Realgy made this investment as a part of our sustainable energy commitment and due to the support of Illinois Department of commerce Renewable Energy Program and the ISEA.”
Contacts:
Seven Oaks Farm
36W788 Red Gate Road
Saint Charles, Illinois 60175
630-762-9563
Renewable Energy Alternatives
Kacie Peters
3670 Commercial Avenue
Northbrook, Illinois
847-291-7693
www.renewableenergyalt.com
Realgy, LLC
Nicole Werner
675 Oakwood Avenue
West Hartford, CT
860-233-2270
www.realgyenergyservices.com
Lake County Fairgrounds breaks ground on the installation of its first solar power project
PRESS RELEASE December 02, 2013 | By: Realgy, LLC
Lake County Fairgrounds, Grayslake, Ill., will soon be partially powered by a 160 solar panel PV system.
Realgy, LLC has announced the start of installation on a 37.5 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic (PV) system for Lake County Fairgrounds. The solar PV system will be installed on the roof and will occupy approximately 53- by 54-square-feet of space. Lake County Fairgrounds, operated by Lake County Fair Association, is the home of the historic Lake County Fair and other quality year-round events.
The solar PV system is being installed by Renewable Energy Alternatives of Arlington Heights, Illinois. This is the first solar project that Renewable Energy Alternatives has completed for Lake County Fairgrounds. “We are excited to be a part of this venture,” said Kacie Peters, Director of Sales and Marketing at Renewable Energy Alternatives. “The array is in a very public space and will be seen by thousands annually. We hope that this array will inspire others to know solar is possible—and practical in Illinois.”
Realgy, LLC is an alternative energy service supplier in Illinois, and will be supplying Lake County Fairgrounds their electricity and selected them for this installation. Lake County will receive all of the solar energy produced by the panels, which will reduce their reliance on fossil generated energy produced primarily from coal in Illinois.
Once complete the Lake County solar PV system will produce over 49, 000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy annually and more than one million kWh over the next 25 years. That is enough energy to power about 2 average U.S. homes every year. The environmental benefits associated with the system will offset about 900 thousand pounds of carbon dioxide over the initial 25 years of operation.
“We are excited to announce the start of the Lake County Fairgrounds solar project,” said Michael Vrtis, President of Realgy. “Realgy made this investment as a part of our sustainable energy commitment and due to the support of Illinois Department of commerce Renewable Energy Program and the Illinois Solar Energy Association.”
Contacts:
Lake County Fairgrounds
1060 East Peterson Road
Grayslake, Illinois 60030
847-680-7200
www.lcfair.com
Renewable Energy Alternatives
Kacie Peters
3670 Commercial Avenue
Northbrook, Illinois
847-291-7693
www.renewableenergyalt.com
Realgy, LLC
Nicole Werner
675 Oakwood Avenue
West Hartford, CT
860-233-2270
www.realgyenergyservices.com