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
This device harnesses the cold night sky to generate electricity in the dark
A new generator using thermodynamics produces enough electricity to power a small light bulb. Although it produces much less than a solar panel, this device is used when the sun is down. Triggered by Cooling night air, energy is produced within the “anti-solar panel”. Eventually, everyone would like to see this piece of equipment on a larger scale in hopes to help remote locations, areas that receive little to no light for months at a time, or as backup power. The possibilities will continue to grow as will the work to optimize all uses of this invention.
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.sciencenews.org/article/device-harnesses-cold-night-sky-generate-electricity-dark
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
More renewable energy options available under Duke Energy’s Green Source Advantage
Duke Energy has expanded renewable energy choices for their large energy users. Through the Green Source Advantage (GSA) program, customers can choose their renewable supplier and negotiate preferred price terms and contract length. They will take applicants until the 600 MW capacity is fully subscribed. Partial capacity is set aside for military installations and University of North Carolina institutions. Duke has been investing in renewable energy and increasing solar energy awareness for all customers “to create a smarter energy future for the people and communities it serves”.
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://finance.yahoo.com/news/more-renewable-energy-options-available-122900991.html
Water breakthrough: Device uses solar power to produce clean water – and electricity
Obtaining fresh drinking water is not easy for certain areas of the world. There has been constant research regarding various projects to convert non-drinkable water into something potable. Peng Wang of King Abdullah University and his team released their discoveries on the topic this week. The technology they use “recycles waste heat from photovoltaic (PV) solar panels using a multi-stage membrane distillation system to produce clean, drinkable water.” The idea is to be as useful as possible for those with limited access to fresh water such as in Africa and Asia. The benefits from the PV system alongside the yielding of water speak for themselves. However, looking at the bigger picture, it has potential to be used wherever there is a need for clean water- to irrigate plants, to clean, or even to colonize another planet.
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.express.co.uk/news/science/1151632/water-solar-power-electricity-saudi-arabia-fossil-fuel-spacex-elon-musk-mars