How Duke’s Unique Energy Landscape Dictates Its Path to Net Zero
Based in North Carolina, Duke Energy’s customer usage is double in comparison to other areas around the country since most rely highly on electric appliances for both cooling and heating. Duke must be able to compensate enough energy for peaks of high loads throughout both winter and summer.
Some unique circumstances must be overcome if they continue planning to reach 50% carbon reduction by 2030. Options are limited, costly, and will require years of planning and building. Solar generation is weak due to low output during winter when there have been weeks on end of only 20% yield. Wind farms aren’t as reliable in the Southeast unless locations are offshore. However, Duke’s major load centers are inland. They would need to invest in transmission lines plus battery installations. Plans are already in motion to upgrade their pumped hydro storage as they are the most reliable long-duration storage system. This will ensure long term needs are met and will help Duke’s journey to reducing carbon.
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.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/how-duke-energys-southeastern-service-territory-dictates-its-path-to-zero-carbon
Illinoisans demand stricter coal ash rules, denounce state proposal
Coal is still about 50% of the fuel used to generate electricity in the U.S. nationwide with a larger percentage in the Midwest.
Combustion of coal results in large amounts of non-combustible material called coal ash. The remains include heavy metals such as arsenic, chromium, lead, and mercury. All these substances are poisonous or carcinogenic and can leach into ground water.
Illinois residents insist Governor Pritzker propose rules for storing coal ash to prevent ground water contamination. Currently when coal ash piles without a liner are rained on, the contaminates flow into the ground water.
A primary concern for advocates is coal ash impoundments near sources of drinking water via municipal systems or private wells.
Coal use as a fuel is reducing, however, it will continue as a fuel source. Our science and technology should be used to prevent it from poisoning our water sources.
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/2020/08/14/midwest/illinoisans-demand-stricter-coal-ash-rules-denounce-state-proposal/
DOE EIA Weekly Gas Storage Report
Working gas in storage was 3,332 Bcf as of Friday, August 7, 2020, according to EIA estimates.
This represents a net increase of 58 Bcf from the previous week. Stocks were 608 Bcf higher than last year at this time and 443 Bcf above the five-year average of 2,889 Bcf. At 3,332 Bcf, total working gas is above the five-year historical range.
DOE EIA Weekly Gas Storage Report
Working gas in storage was 3,241 Bcf as of Friday, July 24, 2020, according to EIA estimates.
This represents a net increase of 26 Bcf from the previous week. Stocks were 626 Bcf higher than last year at this time and 429 Bcf above the five-year average of 2,812 Bcf. At 3,241 Bcf, total working gas is within the five-year historical range.
DOE EIA Weekly Gas Storage Report
Working gas in storage was 3,215 Bcf as of Friday, July 17, 2020, according to EIA estimates.
This represents a net increase of 37 Bcf from the previous week. Stocks were 656 Bcf higher than last year at this time and 436 Bcf above the five-year average of 2,779 Bcf. At 3,215 Bcf, total working gas is within the five-year historical range.
DOE EIA Weekly Gas Storage Report
Working gas in storage was 3,133 Bcf as of Friday, July 3, 2020, according to EIA estimates.
This represents a net increase of 56 Bcf from the previous week. Stocks were 685 Bcf higher than last year at this time and 454 Bcf above the five-year average of 2,679 Bcf. At 3,133 Bcf, total working gas is within the five-year historical range.
DOE EIA Weekly Gas Storage Report
Working gas in storage was 3,077 Bcf as of Friday, June 26, 2020, according to EIA estimates.
This represents a net increase of 65 Bcf from the previous week. Stocks were 712 Bcf higher than last year at this time and 466 Bcf above the five-year average of 2,611 Bcf. At 3,077 Bcf, total working gas is within the five-year historical range.
Fossil Fuels Make Up 84 Percent Of The Global Energy Market
BP released it’s annual report of global energy data. A new record in energy consumption was set for the 10th consecutive year. Fossil fuels still account for the primary energy consumption globally with oil, coal, and natural gas. Unfortunately, emissions has grown again but coal usage has decreased to the lowest level in 16 years. Green energy was the largest share of the increase overall, with wind being the largest contributor and solar a close second. While the U.S. and Germany had the largest decline in consumption growth worldwide, China’s consumption of renewables was the highest with the US and Japan following behind.
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://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/Fossil-Fuels-Make-Up-84-Percent-Of-The-Global-Energy-Market.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/
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