Illinois is protecting Utility customers from disruption during pandemic
The Illinois Commerce Commission has passed a COVID-19 protection response for Illinois Utility customers.
The relief is intended to protect consumers from loss of utilities during the pandemic.
Relief is available in the following areas:
- Disconnection
- Waiving Deposits
- Payment Plan
- Bill pay assistance
The assistance has the following limits:
Please contact your Utility to apply. Documentation will be required.
To find your utility’s contact, look at your bill or you can find it here: https://realgyenergyservices.com/customer-services/web-links/#1551681878726-b1861abf-f0df
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.citizensutilityboard.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/20200618_COVIDconsumerprotections.pdf
How wind turbines are changing
Taller than a 10-story building, able to be built on site, and can power 14,000 homes!
These are the newest machines in harnessing wind energy.
GE’s turbines reached a record last year at 12 MW and roughly 10 stories tall.
The latest is 14 MW and a bit taller. Wind speed increases about 10 MPH every 100 feet up from the ground.
Along with improvements in efficiency comes the next phase of 3D-printed concrete bases. Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bpOLSWtE1U . This is so cool (engineering geek here).
A major limitation has always been transporting bases to site. This technique will allow for wider and taller bases with greater generation.
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/2020/06/17/3d-printing-dizzying-heights-how-wind-turbines-are-changing.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/
Oil Companies Are Collapsing, but Wind and Solar Energy Keep Growing
Despite delays and layoffs triggered by the coronavirus, the renewable energy sector is doing well. Wind and solar usage has increased and is forecasted to continue growing. 2020 is on track to breaking even more records within this sector. Projections at this rate show that 20% of all US electricity by 2030 will be solar generated; driving billions into the US economy while offsetting 35% of all electricity emissions.
Along with the utilization of other green energy sources, we will see lower bills and great environmental and health benefits. With constant changes, there will be adjustments in government policies and regulations. Hopefully we can ensure these will benefit all areas and people from various incomes and backgrounds.
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/energyinnovation/2020/01/13/five-2020-energy-predictions-solar-surge-coal-crash-gas-exorcism-clean-energy-incentives-public-mobilization/#3e8f68e51ece
Coronavirus And Slumping Prices Hit Ohio Valley’s Oil & Gas Sector
The entire world has been adjusting during the coronavirus outbreak. Many companies that contribute greatly to the economy are facing challenges to stay in business. The changes in energy demand have led to the sector taking a huge hit with oil and natural gas prices dropping drastically. Construction has been put on hold, jobs have been altered, and the extent of damages done by this pandemic is still a shifting status. Oil and gas producers may seek a bailout and lawmakers are being asked to alter the Jones Act to ease requirements.
Utilities have been suspending their disconnection policies and are ensuring they prioritize safety to stop the spread of the virus. The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) is requiring this of the entire state. The impact of this virus is affecting everyone in various ways and PUCO is prioritizing that their residents will not go without shelter, water, food, heat, and communication. We commend all essential workers that are putting their lives at risk to ensure citizens are safe and receiving more than just the necessities of life.
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://wfpl.org/coronavirus-and-slumping-prices-hit-ohio-valleys-oil-gas-sector/
Illinois legislation promises a renewable energy revolution. But who would pay?
Isn’t that the age-old question? Who will pay? Perhaps it’s the actual cost, the time or the impact to our environment that will be paying the price.
Illinois has two pieces of legislation that could alter the energy, environment, and economics of the state.
These two bills differ in supporting how to obtain more renewables as both want to increase the current goal to 100% renewable by 2030.
- The Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA) largely builds on the 2017 Future Energy Jobs Act that caused a solar installation rush. The CEJA would expand incentives for training and jobs while constructing more solar. They are supported by environmental and community groups.
- The Path to 100 is supported by the renewables industry and would accelerate the goal of 100% clean energy in Illinois.
How it gets paid: essentially by changing how the capacity market procures the energy Illinois needs.
Both bills would encourage the move toward lower priced solar while minimizing the disruption to oil, gas, and nuclear.
The debate is in the right place. Solar energy is the cheaper cost and causes less impact to the environment. Creating incentives now to capitalize growth and allow transition into this less costly energy source will setup Illinois for the future.
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/2020/02/24/midwest/illinois-legislation-promises-a-renewable-energy-revolution-but-who-would-pay/
South Carolina House Passes Resolution To Require Study Of “Full” Retail Electric Choice
Energy deregulation allows consumers to select their energy supplier while retaining the monopoly utility delivery system.
South Carolina would be joining many states offering customer choice.
We applaud South Carolina for believing in markets over monopoly.
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.energychoicematters.com/stories/20200224aae.html
Utilities vs. grid edge upstarts: Turf battles in an increasingly DER-centric world
You’ve heard of the Internet of Things… devices using a network to transfer data such as door bells, Alexa, light switches, TVs, thermostats, etc.
What about solar panels or car chargers? Think about this:
The fastest growing portion of the US electric market is in solar panel installation and EVs (Electric Vehicles).
Consider the following growth:
PV Solar and EVs produce as near real-time information about their energy production or usage.
This data is the issue.
Utilities want the data to be part of the electric grid while almost everyone else disagrees.
Regulators will be hearing both sides of the arguments about data control and best-practices. Given the importance of the issue for all parties, a final decision is likely years away but, initial decisions seem to favor the utility.
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/utilities-vs-grid-edge-upstarts-turf-battles-in-an-increasingly-der-centr/572718/
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
How New York City plans to end natural gas, oil use in buildings
New York City’s goal of carbon neutrality is set for 2050. To help get there, they have a goal to reach 100% emissions-free power by 2040 by ending fossil fuel use in large building systems. Part of the plan is to follow California’s suit of denying gas hookups in new buildings or renovations. Starting with government owned structures will allow them to set the example for the rest of the city. Since NY has vast climate differences compared to CA, natural gas usage is higher and skeptics aren’t sure it will play out the same way it did on the west coast. Alternatives are being considered to ensure they accomplish those goals but there are many cogs in the machine that we need to see work together.
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/marketintelligence/en/news-insights/latest-news-headlines/how-new-york-city-plans-to-end-natural-gas-oil-use-in-buildings-57232171