Wind Energy supplies nearly 7% of US Electric Demand
There are many ways to measure growth such as this table showing how wind energy went from near 0% to over 7% in less than 9 years.
During that same time, coal declined by half as solar increased by 2%.
During this period, US electric consumption increased by 10%.
If you have followed any technology over the last several years, you are aware that natural gas and solar use has increased but wind is the real story.
Wind energy is the least costly energy source in the US. This fact is not a political statement but can be verified by any US utility that sought competitive bids for energy supply in the last 9 years.
The forecast is more of the same. This shift in energy production occurred without tapping the largest wind energy resource utilized by Asia and Europe: off-shore wind.
Wind energy requires jobs. For every loss of a coal job, at least 1.5 jobs were added in wind and clean energy. However, job losses and gains were typically not in the same areas.
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.awea.org/2018-market-report_us-wind-power-grew-8-percent-in-2018
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Growth_of_wind_power_in_the_United_States
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/31/us-wind-energy-capacity-now-over-100-gigawatts-says-new-report.html
An Energy Breakthrough Could Store Solar Power for Decades
Storing renewable energy is one thing. Releasing it in the form of heat, is another. Releasing it decades after being captured is a whole new frontier. Swedish scientists have discovered a way to do so with an energy-trapping molecule and a system to outshine lithium-ion batteries. Another innovation developed by the same team is a transparent coating that collects solar energy and releases heat. Imagine the ways we could use these products… transportation, clothing, buildings, cooking, etc. With more funding and research, hopefully we will see these systems available to consumers within the next few years.
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.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-11-04/moth-poulsen-s-energy-trapping-molecule-could-solve-solar-storage
Michigan energy regulators aim to prioritize ‘action’ over ‘fancy reports’
The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) and Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently launched the MI Power Grid. The initiative is to adapt to changes brought on by increased use of renewable resources. Plans for the next year concentrate on customer engagement, emerging technology, and grid investments. Integrating interconnection rules, demand response, grid security and reliability, and pilot programs are part of the focus while engaging Michigan customers to participate. The MPSC is adamant that they aren’t just discussing change but, actually making sure advancements are made.
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/2019/10/28/midwest/michigan-energy-regulators-aim-to-prioritize-action-over-fancy-reports/
PacifiCorp to add 7 GW renewables + storage, close 20 of 24 coal plants
One of the largest utilities in the US, PacifiCorp will shut down 20 of their 24 coal plants and replace them with 7,000 MW of renewable generation.
This is a common story.
Renewable energy is LESS expensive than CONTINUING the operation of coal fired generation.
PacifiCorp is making these plans public and will be enacting them between 2025-2038.
The reason for the slow progress is this change requires 800 miles of transmission and the construction of wind, solar, and battery backup in the following 4 states.
New solar and storage resources include:
- Utah: 3,000 MW solar with 635 MW of battery storage capacity, between 2020 and 2037
- Wyoming: 1,415 MW solar with 354 MW of battery storage capacity, between 2024 and 2038
- Oregon: 1,075 MW solar with 244 MW of battery storage capacity, between 2020 and 2033
- Washington: 814 MW solar with 204 MW of battery storage capacity, between 2024 and 2036.
…and yes, all of this costs LESS than keeping the existing coal plants operating!
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/pacificorp-to-add-7-gw-renewables-storage-close-20-of-24-coal-plants/564299/
Micro Power Grids Emerge as Way to Keep Electricity on During Shutoffs
California residents recently underwent massive blackouts due to PG&E’s decision to shut down power in hopes to decrease the wildfire risk. Hundreds of thousands were left without power for days. However, Fremont, CA installed “a microgrid, a small, self-contained electrical system, around a fire station”. Using solar panels, batteries and a generator, they can operate independently and focus on public safety. These microgrids are better for the environment, save customers money on energy bills, and provide safety nets for many that require electricity. The CA Public Utility Commission is exploring similar projects to see how these technologies could be implemented, especially for blackout situations.
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.kqed.org/science/1948951/micro-power-grids-emerging-as-a-way-to-keep-power-on-during-shutoffs
More wind, solar and storage could add up to savings for Midwesterners
Do you want to pay less for energy used to run all your electronics? What’s keeping costs high? Would you believe it’s the use of coal, oil and natural gas?
In the Midwest and Great Lakes area, the cost of electricity could decrease by over $48/year for the average residential customer. How? By eliminating the way electricity is priced at the wholesale level.
When oil, coal and nuclear energy were the primary fuel sources, payments for energy were based on the ability to deliver energy quickly. This meant the large fossil fuel plants had to be kept in a ready-to-generate mode.
Today’s wind and solar energy are kept in a ready state without any fuel costs. So, transferring to wind and solar while not paying fossil fuel plants to stay ready would result in large and sustainable cost reductions.
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.renewableenergyworld.com/2019/10/02/report-more-wind-solar-and-storage-could-add-up-to-savings-for-midwesterners/#gref
Enormous ‘energy kite’ promises a new way to harness wind power
It takes wind to fly a kite, so why not attach a windmill and generate electricity?
This seems to be the thought process. The business plan is to be able to deploy these energy generating devices (an energy kite) where traditional windmill-based turbines would be impractical; such as in the deep ocean, after powerful storms disrupt power, etc.
The energy kite is launched from a ground station using rotors as helicopter blades until it reaches 800 ft above ground. Once airborne, the system generates power by flying in large circles high up where the wind is stronger and more consistent. Rotors mounted on kite wings drive generators that produce electricity. A strong conductive tether acts like a kite string and carries energy back to the grid. The kite’s flight path is guided by a computer which uses GPS and sensors to make thousands of calculations and adjustments in strong and steady winds.
The idea is phenomenal and hopefully the business plan will follow. By the way – it’s backed by Alphabet (Google’s parent company).
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://makanipower.com/
World’s largest offshore wind farm is nearly complete; can power 1,000,000 homes
With environmental concerns in the news, how about some news that is addressing sustainable energy production?
The United Kingdom needed new power, as it is an island surrounded by ocean with wind and waves.
They went big.
Located 75 miles off shore (far beyond the horizon of any land), the UK is installing 174 wind towers over 300 feet high with wind turbine blades spanning 250 feet.
The power could serve over 1,000,000 homes.
The cost is significantly below fossil fuels, it is sustainable, and will not add to global warming or create waste.
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.cnn.com/2019/09/25/business/worlds-largest-wind-farm/index.html
We’re betting on the people of Michigan’ to help avoid new power plants
The CEO of Consumers Energy of Michigan, Patti Poppe, is on tour letting customers know that the utility plans to add 6,00 Megawatts of new solar and retire 5 coal fired plants.
Ms. Poppe wants Consumers customers to signup for smart grid meters and technology to reduce the demand for electricity on the grid. Yes, the CEO of an electric utility wants you to use less energy.
Efficiency standards are improving and by adopting new technology along with new generation, it will reduce energy waste and ensure that Consumers doesn’t have to build new power plants.
“Consumers’ long-term plan calls for doubling its rate of efficiency by 2030 to 2% of its annual load by 2030. Legislation passed in 2016 creates incentives for utilities if they go beyond 1%, which was set in Michigan’s first renewable energy standard in 2008. The 2016 legislation also eliminated a 2% efficiency spending cap.”
Clean energy advocates hold up Consumers’ integrated resource plan as a model for other utilities in Michigan to follow. Most recently it has drawn comparisons to DTE Energy’s, which was filed in March. Clean energy groups criticize DTE’s plan for favoring company-owned generation, failing to build out significant amounts of solar, and only boosting energy efficiency targets to 1.75% by 2040. Analysts have said recently that DTE’s modeling is broadly flawed to discount the value of clean energy, ultimately delaying any significant climate action until after 2030.
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/2019/08/29/midwest/utility-ceo-were-betting-on-the-people-of-michigan-to-help-avoid-new-power-plants/
$3.3 billion wind investment will add 2,500 MW of clean energy in South Dakota
The Midwest of the United States is the Saudi Arabia of wind!
Meaning, the wind resource in the Upper Midwest is so plentiful as to compare with oil resources in the Middle East.
Adding 900 wind turbines, each over 50 stories tall and generating 2,900 MW, requires an investment of $3.26 billion.
This clean energy will extend to Minneapolis with plans to extend transmission lines into Illinois and Indiana.
Construction of the wind turbines will produce more than 400 jobs. Thereafter, 20 permanent jobs paying over $23 million in wages and benefits will be added.
Wind power is a reliable renewable resource and creating such generation will add jobs, tax benefits, and clean energy.
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/2019/09/05/midwest/3-3-billion-wind-investment-will-add-2500-mw-of-clean-energy-in-south-dakota/