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
Love Michigan Clean Energy Plan
Consumers Energy unveiled a “Love Michigan” tour to introduce their Clean Energy Plan. Their focus is on meeting the state’s electricity demands with 90% clean energy resources by 2040 while reducing carbon emissions and eliminating coal. They will be encouraging every resident and business to participate in various programs designed to save energy and money. Optimization of new technologies geared towards these goals will be put in place to rely more on renewable energy sources such as wind and solar.
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.mlive.com/news/2019/08/clean-energy-plan-is-consumers-energys-commitment-to-people-planet-prosperity.html
10 ways to cut utility bills and conserve energy during the hot summer
Summer 2019 brought us the hottest month ever recorded and higher than average temperatures are predicted through September. With the way July played out, we want to remind you of some tips to lower your energy bills and help the environment.
Regulating thermostats and keeping your home comfortable means ensuring doors and windows are tightly sealed. Use a ceiling fan while in occupied rooms and together they will keep you cool while reducing annual costs.
Cool down the house by using less electricity and heated water. Unplugging devices when not in use and limiting appliances that generate heat really makes a difference. Try colder meals or grilling out instead of using the oven. Use cooler water for laundry and take lukewarm showers. These aren’t just for lowering your bills and helping the earth- there are health benefits to these concepts for you as well.
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.mercurynews.com/2019/08/13/10-ways-to-cut-utility-bills-and-conserve-energy-during-the-hot-summer/
Transforming Energy Education In The Digital Age
Advancements within technology have allowed the furthering of knowledge across nearly all topics. However, it is believed that we can greatly increase learning around the energy industry. Data sharing could grow efficiency, improve safety, decrease educational costs and enable many benefits across the board. Starting with our academic system, we can provide education and train students to lead to more opportunities and developments. The potential to affect various sectors of the industry is large and we need to focus on bettering all involved in its entirety.
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:
Consumers vs. DTE long term planning – winners and losers?
How do the 2 largest utilities in Michigan plan to continue to provide electric services?
Their planning is part of each utilities submission of their long range plans required to be submitted and approved by the MPSC.
Consumers’ plan is approved and was praised by environmental groups and energy professionals for aggressively moving to renewable energy that is less costly than fossil fuels.
DTE on the other hand just recently submitted their plan. It was of course compared to Consumers. Most environmentalists and energy professionals found it to be less ambitious and more likely to maintain current status.
A comparison of the 2 plans is below.
DTE made the case they need a new solar plant while Consumers demonstrated that solar and wind can supply much of their forecasted need.
Unlike solar energy which requires no fuel, natural gas is a volatile commodity that can increase in price dramatically over time.
DTE customers will pay for any increase if the operating costs for the new gas plant are above predictions. Likewise, Consumers customers could see declining energy prices.
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:
Solar for all in Illinois
As part of the Clean Energy Jobs Act, there exists a program called Solar for All. This program incentives solar developers to design, install and operate solar projects in areas that are often under served; such as minority and environmental justice communities.
A lottery will determine which projects can proceed.
Solar developers will receive a higher rebate for RECs generated by the projects. In addition, payments for solar energy cannot exceed 50% of what the utility would charge for energy. This is intended to ensure the developers take the risk instead of the communities.
Illinois Solar for All is budgeted at $30 million through 2021 and would continue to be funded at 5% from renewable portfolio standard charges.
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/2019/05/24/midwest/solar-for-all-illinois-incentive-program-aims-to-make-solar-more-accessible/
US Renewables energy capacity surpasses Coal for first time
Renewables defined as electricity generated from wind, solar, biomass and geothermal exceed that of coal for the first time in the forecast of US generating capacity (May 2022). Renewables have over 23% of the installed capacity in the US and is growing whereas coal continues to shrink.
Renewables due to technology advances are now more cost efficient than any other source of electric generation. Technology continues to evolve and with it the choice of generation options. However, our goal should be a robust source of different generation options that can meet our future energy and environmental needs.
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/ferc-infrastructure-report-reveals-phantom-850-mw-coal-plant-renewables-su/556602/
Zero Energy Ready Homes
With renewable energy increasing across the world, Zero Energy Ready Homes are the new trend. About 50% more energy efficient than a typical home; these houses have LED lights, efficient HVAC systems, and lower air infiltration. Although the purchase costs are slightly higher, the money saved in the long run make these homes of the future well worth the investment.
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.energy.gov/eere/buildings/zero-energy-ready-home;
https://www.kcrg.com/content/news/First-Zero-Energy-Ready-Homes-built-in-Cedar-Rapids-511391462.html
Midwest Groundcovers’ newest solar power project completed.
PRESS RELEASE
12 JUNE 2019 | By: Realgy, LLC
Midwest Groundcovers, LLC solar array installation at St. Charles facility increases their existing system.
Realgy, LLC announced today the completion of their newest solar photovoltaic (PV) system consisting of 325 Watts at Midwest Groundcovers, LLC. Their 240-Watt system installed 8 years ago underwent a complete overhaul. Midwest Groundcovers is the leading wholesale container nursery in the tri-state area.
The rooftop PV system was installed on the maintenance building and is part of the 96-acre site of Midwest Groundcovers’ facility located in St. Charles, Illinois. Stan Schumacher, Vice President of Midwest Groundcovers said “We are glad to continue our partnership with Realgy Energy Services to expand our Solar PV System by 25% and upgrade the existing telemetry and inverters to increase the solar PV’s efficiency. The additional panels and upgrade should increase our cost savings by 33% by reducing our usage charges and distribution charges.”
Eco Solar Solutions, LLC of Illinois installed the addition. The project is the second Realgy collaboration this year with Eco Solar in Illinois. According to Terrence Black, Vice President of Eco Solar Solutions, “Upgrading Midwest Groundcovers’ solar system allowed us to maximize the amount of solar production at this location. The overall performance has improved and the savings from avoiding delivery costs went up as well. We also helped lower their costs and carbon footprint.”
Realgy, LLC is an alternative energy service supplier in Illinois and is the owner of the PV system. They paid for the project and continue to supply the property’s electricity. Midwest Groundcovers was selected for the original installation to generate renewable energy locally as part of Realgy’s sustainable commitment.
Midwest Groundcovers’ solar array will produce over 100,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy annually and more than 2.5 million kWh over the next 25 years. That’s enough energy to power about 9 average U.S. homes annually. Beyond the economic value are the environmental and health benefits associated with the PV system such as:
- Reduction of 136 tons of coal burned each year to produce an equal amount of electricity. That’s the same as getting 272 pickup trucks of coal off the road.
- Substituting the use of coal means the removal of 1.76 million lbs. of CO2 into the environment each year. That’s the equivalent of planting over 5,400 trees.
“To be asked to reinvest in an existing project after several years is always gratifying. We are excited to contribute to Midwest Groundcovers’ increase of green energy production,” said Michael Vrtis, President of Realgy.
Contacts:
Midwest Groundcovers
Stan Schumacher, Vice President
6N800 Route 25
St. Charles, Illinois
Eco Solar Solutions, LLC
Paul Szczesny, President
847-220-8786
Realgy, LLC
Michael Vrtis, President
675 Oakwood Avenue
West Hartford, CT
860-233-2270
An affordable way to store clean energy
Renewable energy consumers use batteries to temporarily store energy for later use. However, lithium ion batteries have a short service life and redox flow batteries with twice the lifespan have been cost-prohibitive. Recently, Volterion has optimized redox flow batteries to manufacture them at a lower price point.
Not only are the physical characteristics beneficial to handlers and the environment but, through innovation, the ideas for uses are unlimited. It shouldn’t be long before we see them prominently in hospitals, homes, and more. We can’t wait to see the utilization of these batteries implemented.
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://phys.org/news/2019-06-energy.html