Electricity – Page 3 – Realgy Energy Services

How Extreme Cold Turned Into a U.S. Energy Crisis

February 16, 2021
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Over the past several days, extraordinary cold weather in the US from a polar vortex caused record temperatures across the country. Electricity and heating fuel costs skyrocketed while energy demand hit record levels. Millions of customers dealt with blackouts for the first time in a decade. Gas lines seized, wind turbines froze, and oil wells shut in. Across the grid in Texas, all energy sources had problems with some reasons still unknown. Texas’s emergency state will allow for more resources to become available and ensure residences, medical facilities, and related consumers are the priority to receive fuel first. The energy market in Texas is one of the most competitive in the US and power providers have to be prepared for extreme events such as this one. If not, they are set up for failure. Texas and Washington policy makers may need to review their system and make some changes to ensure a similar crisis is prevented or handled better.

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 Savings^TM, ManagedPrice^TM, ManagedGreen^TM Index, Fixed and PriceAssurance^TM.

Realgy owns and operates 7 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.

Additional Information: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-02-15/how-extreme-cold-turned-into-a-u-s-energy-crisis-quicktake

Tech giants are becoming green energy barons

February 12, 2021
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Tech company advancements have increased dramatically, especially over the past year. With this progress, we have seen a rise in carbon emissions due to the thousands of devices these businesses use each day. Some centers are using enough to power 80,000 US homes. “The Financial Times (FT) stated that the combined power usage of Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Facebook, and Apple is more than 45 terawatt-hours a year, about as much as New Zealand”. To offset these numbers, tech giants have focused on developments such as wind and solar installations while also agreeing to clean energy deals. This has caused the corporate market for purchasing clean energy to grow exponentially and indicates we will see further growth continuously in the market.

Realgy owns and operates 7 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.

Additional Information: https://techhq.com/2021/02/tech-giants-are-becoming-green-energy-barons/

‘Clean Cars’ coalition wants Virginia lawmakers to address tailpipe emissions

January 22, 2021
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Currently, 13 states along with Washington D.C. have adopted clean car standards to follow California’s suit in cutting auto emissions. Virginia is set to discuss a new house bill as urged by public health advocates. It would require automakers to provide larger output of electric vehicles with zero emissions and cars that steadily decrease emissions.

Although auto dealers can see the pros to this legislation, they are requesting more time to plan and research while also taking into consideration other factors such as incentives and rebates for purchasers.

By encouraging purchases of cleaner, fuel efficient vehicles, the state forecasts greenhouse emissions will be reduced “by almost 3 million metric tons in 2040 and about 3.4 million metric tons in 2050”. Passing this bill will ensure carbon pollution is reduced while also improving human health affected by exhaust pollutants.

Realgy owns and operates 7 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.

Additional Information: https://energynews.us/2021/01/14/southeast/clean-cars-coalition-wants-virginia-lawmakers-to-address-tailpipe-emissions/

Tips to Lower Your Utilities This Winter

January 14, 2021
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Here’s your bi-annual reminder to make some improvements around your home or business to save money on utility bills. Winter brings about colder weather for most of us North Americans and with that comes an increase in energy usage. There are more ways to conserve than just turning down the thermostat. You can seal any air leaks around windows and doors. Try to also keep them closed as much as possible to prevent losing the warm air created inside. Use the sun to your benefit by keeping curtains open to let the warm sunlight in but, keep them closed at night to reduce heat loss. Insulating your water heater and using your fireplace and oven will also be to your advantage. Among other tips, you can check out your utility’s website to find incentives and home assessments to see where you might be able to increase energy efficiency and savings .

Realgy owns and operates 7 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.

Additional Information: https://ourcommunitynow.com/home-and-garden/start-a-winter-garden-to-keep-the-blues-away

Holiday Goals

January 6, 2021
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Previously commended for safe practices, our sales agents have been excelling despite Covid-19 restrictions. The end of 2020 saw an increase in sales with our representatives exceeding their goals. Through an incentive program titled “Christmas Cookie”, targets were met by multiple team members. If the team member hit the target, they received a “cookie” in the form of a check. If they exceeded the target, they received an even bigger “cookie”. We had 2 recipients of the “Big Cookie” and 3 received the “Small Cookie” prizes. In true holiday spirit and to their surprise, all members received a small “cookie” for working a full schedule after the contest reached completion. A similar incentive was created for the week of New Year’s and we had the same outcome of agents reaching their targets. We are off to a good start in 2021 and wish everyone the same. Happy New Year!

Realgy owns and operates 7 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.

Peoples Gas is spending billions to replace miles of aging pipe below Chicago by 2040. But will natural gas be obsolete before it’s complete?

December 22, 2020
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In 2011, Peoples Gas began to replace 2,000 miles of pipelines below Chicago. Originally estimated to take 20 years and cost $2.6 billion, it is now projected to continue until 2040 and cost $7.7 billion. Interruptions have occurred due to “budget overruns, delays and charges of mismanagement”.

Many believe the project should be reviewed. By the time of completion, both gas and electric are anticipated to be very different from the systems we have now. Replacements are necessary to lower leaks and halt possible explosions as some pipes date back to the 1800s. However, costs have been passed along to customers. While Peoples has tried to keep those amounts down and minimize disruption in each neighborhood, consumers worry about paying their bills.

The Citizens Utility Board believes the focus should be on more environmentally friendly and cost-efficient alternatives such as electric-powered heat pumps. They want Peoples and the ICC to target and repair problem areas while pursuing their renewable energy goals.

Realgy owns and operates 7 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.

Additional Information: https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-peoples-gas-pipeline-replacement-renewable-energy-20201222-i6er5w2abjeazg34ywajhfvg7q-story.html

Virtual Power Plant

December 10, 2020
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We have all been on Zoom calls instead of meeting in person. Our computers, cameras, and nearly everything takes electricity.

Virtual power plants do NOT generate electricity but, they do aggregate the generation of various sources and allow the power to be traded or sold.

A virtual power plant does 2 things. It gathers up demand from real solar panels, wind turbines, or other installed generation sources. It then allows that demand to be sold, tracked, and paid.

Its use is being explored. Consider the home or business that has solar PV generation that can shut down some equipment (think of turning off your AC). Then the solar power you would’ve used to run your AC system can be sold into the market.

A virtual power plant is a marketplace where those with generation can sell some of their production. And you won’t need a Zoom meeting to get it done.

This is an interesting way to allow free-market powers to address power market demand and supply.

Realgy owns and operates 7 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.

Additional Information: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/virtual-power-plant-market

An $11 trillion global hydrogen energy boom is coming.

November 13, 2020
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Long ago, oil and coal were discovered as useful when burned. This started us down the path of building a carbon and fossil-fueled economic world. Carbon is released when fossil fuels combust. Carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2) are known greenhouse gases.

Hydrogen is not naturally occurring like coal and oil. No dinosaurs died and decomposed into hydrogen. Remember that water is oxygen with two hydrogen atoms (H20). So, hydrogen exists in large quantities and can be readily separated from water and natural gas.

Like any fuel, storage issues must be addressed along with economic considerations. Just as technology investments caused wind and solar to become the power generation choice over coal and gas-fired generation. Technology has advanced to the point that a hydrogen energy cycle (extraction, storage, combustion, and conversion to electricity) is economic. The hydrogen option is becoming especially advantageous to countries that don’t have fossil fuels to extract. Fortunately, they have water and access to natural gas as alternatives to create hydrogen.

As electricity usage grows (powering cars, trucks, etc.) and climate change is addressed, alternatives to the carbon power cycle are needed. Technology has already made wind and solar the power generating choice for many. Hydrogen seems poised to add to the solution.

Realgy owns and operates 7 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.

Additional Information: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/01/how-salt-caverns-may-trigger-11-trillion-hydrogen-energy-boom-.html

The United States of Energy Production

October 30, 2020
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So, how do we generate electricity? It’s becoming more and more of a local state issue. Technology is certainly driving cost reductions and adopting alternatives.

Every state has changed its percentage of how electricity is generated over the last 10 years.

In some cases, dramatically. Consider how Iowa generated electricity from 2001 to 2019:

The major trends:

Coal is not economically competitive against wind and natural gas.
Wind is the most economical electric generation option in most states.
Natural gas production and its use grew in all states.
Solar power is fastest growing in the Southwest.

Realgy owns and operates 7 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.

Check out your state: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/10/28/climate/how-electricity-generation-changed-in-your-state-election.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage

How Covid-19 Has Changed The Way Americans Use Energy

October 29, 2020
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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 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