Electric Forecast
Total U.S. electricity generation from utility-scale power plants averaged 11,145 gigawatthours per day in 2016. Forecast U.S. generation declines by 1.2% in 2017, which mostly reflects expectations of milder temperatures in the third quarter of 2017 compared with the same period last year. Forecast generation grows by 1.8% in 2018 based largely on a forecast of colder temperatures during the first quarter of 2018 compared with the same period in 2017 and on the expectation of a growing economy.
EIA expects the share of U.S. total utility-scale electricity generation from natural gas to fall from an average of 34% in 2016 to about 31% in 2017 as a result of higher natural gas prices, increased generation from renewables and coal, and lower electricity demand. Coal’s forecast generation share rises from 30% last year to almost 32% in 2017. The projected generation shares for natural gas and coal are nearly identical in 2018, averaging between 31% and 32%.
Wind electricity generating capacity at the end of 2016 was 81 gigawatts (GW). EIA expects wind capacity additions in the forecast will bring total wind capacity to 88 GW by the end of 2017 and to 102 GW by the end of 2018.
Total utility-scale solar electricity generating capacity at the end of 2016 was 22 GW. EIA expects solar capacity additions in the forecast will bring total utility-scale solar capacity to 29 GW by the end of 2017 and to 32 GW by the end of 2018.
Natural Gas Forecast
U.S. dry natural gas production is forecast to average 73.5 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) in 2017, a 1.2 Bcf/d increase from the 2016 level. Natural gas production in 2018 is forecast to be 3.9 Bcf/d above the 2017 level.
In July, the average Henry Hub natural gas spot price was $2.98 per million British thermal units (MMBtu), about the same as in June. Higher natural gas exports and growing domestic natural gas consumption in 2018 contribute to the forecast Henry Hub natural gas spot price rising from an annual average of $3.06/MMBtu in 2017 to $3.29/MMBtu in 2018. NYMEX contract values for December 2017 delivery that traded during the five-day period ending August 3 suggest that a range of $2.17/MMBtu to $4.48/MMBtu encompasses the market expectation for December Henry Hub natural gas prices at the 95% confidence level.
Illinois Rules Review Committee Rejects Requirement For Double Verification Of Retail Electric Sales
The Illinois Commerce Commission issued a second notice prior to issuing new rules governing retail energy marketing.
The new rules will include:
- Notification through a separate letter whenever a monthly bill period would increase by 20%
- Limit door-to-door marketing to 9AM-7PM
- Provide 12 months of history of the energy marketer’s rate
Realgy issues a monthly comparison of our price compared to each utility (Comp). Our Comp allows you to compare under various usage amounts how much savings you would achieve over the last 12 months.
Realgy is proud of our service in Illinois and in providing real savings.
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.
Additional Information:
DOE EIA Weekly Gas Storage Report
Working gas in storage was 3,311 Bcf as of Friday, September 8, 2017, according to EIA estimates.
This represents a net increase of 91 Bcf from the previous week. Stocks were 179 Bcf less than last year at this time and 43 Bcf above the five-year average of 3,268 Bcf. At 3,311 Bcf, total working gas is within the five-year historical range.
Energy Department Invests Up to $50 Million to Improve the Resilience and Security of the Nation’s Critical Energy Infrastructure
Hurricane season has hit hard this year. Many continue to be impacted by the destructive storms with a lack of power being a huge setback. The Department of Energy (DOE) has decided to award National Laboratories to improve the Nation’s critical energy infrastructure for electricity, oil, and natural gas. The ability to withstand and recover quickly from energy interruptions needs to be a priority for the DOE. The awards are up to $50 million and will help shape the future of the Nation’s grid to ensure resilience and security.
Realgy Energy Services is a registered Retail Energy Marketer in the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, 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.
Additional Information:
https://www.energy.gov/articles/energy-department-invests-50-million-improve-resilience-and-security-nation-s-critical
DOE EIA Weekly Gas Storage Report
Working gas in storage was 3,220 Bcf as of Friday, September 1, 2017, according to EIA estimates.
This represents a net increase of 65 Bcf from the previous week. Stocks were 212 Bcf less than last year at this time and 15 Bcf above the five-year average of 3,205 Bcf. At 3,220 Bcf, total working gas is within the five-year historical range.
Sun shines on ‘green rate,’ solar project
Traverse City put their money where they live!
The city will pay an extra 0.2 cents per kilowatt-hour for all municipal operations. That amount represents the difference between the cost of the solar array’s energy and the utility’s avoided cost in buying it. TCL&P will adjust the surcharge every year of the 20-year, fixed contract, and the surcharge could become a credit if prices for power on the open market rise.
Realgy applauds the City’s goal to power all government operation with renewable energy by 2020.
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.
Additional Information:
$200M Jay County wind energy center updates construction
South of Fort Wayne and East of Indianapolis is rising 57 wind turbines.
The wind industry continues to grow, adding 4x more jobs than coal last year.
The investment of $200 million dollars will generate 12 full time jobs and provide renewable power to 36,000 homes.
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.
Additional Information:
http://wishtv.com/2017/08/28/jay-county-wind-energy-center-updates-construction/
DOE EIA Weekly Gas Storage Report
Working gas in storage was 3,155 Bcf as of Friday, August 25, 2017, according to EIA estimates.
This represents a net increase of 30 Bcf from the previous week. Stocks were 239 Bcf less than last year at this time and 8 Bcf above the five-year average of 3,147 Bcf. At 3,155 Bcf, total working gas is within the five-year historical range.
Batteries Can Cut Power Bills for 5 Million U.S. Businesses
Electric utilities are shifting the cost of supplying on-demand power to the consumer. That is, if you occasionally turn on a large motor or appliance, it will cost you more under most utilities tariffs. Demand is a measure of how often you run at peak power use compared to your normal usage amount.
However, as the price declines and the power increases for battery technology, their use in business will grow.
If utilities increase demand charges, batteries will play a role in reducing your costs.
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.
Additional Information: