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/
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
Is less really more?
Views on energy efficiency vary depending on who you’re speaking with. Some believe we should lower usage and lessen electricity waste. We’ve all heard not to leave lights on that aren’t being utilized. On the other hand, economists address efficient use of electricity and overcoming market failures.
These perspectives come into play when discussing electricity rate design and how usage affects those rates. It is believed by some that lower rates encourage higher usage whereas higher rates encourage the opposite.
Social marginal cost is ideally based on customer usage and “the incremental amount they pay matches the incremental cost they impose on society”. Basically, we want to increase awareness of the behaviors discouraged and encouraged when it comes to energy usage. Efficiency should be about decreasing wasteful consumption to achieve “the ultimate goal of a prosperous, clean-energy society”.
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://energyathaas.wordpress.com/2019/06/03/how-much-electricity-consumption-is-too-little/
Solarbration at Park District of Oak Park Recreation Complex
On April 27, 2019 Realgy, Eco Solar, and the Park District of Oak Park hosted Solarbration 2019. The event was a success with representation from over 5 neighboring park districts in attendance. More than 15 other districts requested information regarding the event and solar installation. The note-worthy project contributes to clean energy production and savings for Oak Park. Check out the video of the installation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6SQ05i9V_U
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://realgyenergyservices.com/ridgeland-recreation-complex-completes-addition-to-its-solar-power-project/
‘Land no one else wants’ gets solar as coal, nukes die
What does land contaminated with radioactivity from past nuclear accidents have in common with abandoned coal mines? Typically these lands are unsuitable for nearly any use.
Until solar energy is looked at.
Solar energy installations are turning these liabilities into productive energy and helping offset environmental damage.
A 20 year old contaminated coal site in Kentucky and the Chernobyl nuclear site are both being retrofitted for solar power generation.
Regions long dependent on traditional energy sources for jobs and tax revenues (such as Appalachian coal in Kentucky) are increasingly turning to solar and wind power. U.S. coal produced power continues to shrink (down 6.3 % in 2018), while wind and solar are growing to replace coal, oil, nuclear and natural gas.
Consider beyond the environmental benefits; wind generated electricity is the least costly energy source in the U.S. Reread that last sentence; yes, wind generated electricity costs are lower than any alternative including coal, nuclear and natural gas. This fact will drive its adoption further across the U.S. and the world.
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:
Ridgeland Recreation Complex Completes Addition to its Solar Power Project
PRESS RELEASE
Ridgeland Recreation Complex Completes Addition to its Solar Power Project
MARCH 2019 | BY: REALGY, LLC
In 2015, Realgy, LLC announced the installation of a 100.8 kilowatt (kWDC) solar photovoltaic (PV) system for the Park District of Oak Park’s (PDOP) Ridgeland Common Recreation Complex. Home to an indoor ice rink and outdoor pool serving the Oak Park community, the rec center has been reaping the benefits of an average generation of 10,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) monthly.
This year, an additional solar PV system of 260.4 kWDC has been installed. Connected to 200 kW AC of inverter capacity, it will produce over 312,000 kWh annually. Jan Arnold, Executive Director of the PDOP stated: “The Park District of Oak Park is grateful for this valued partnership with Realgy, LLC. Not only are we seeing an annual savings in energy costs but, we are also reducing our carbon footprint with the addition of these solar panels.”
The initial project allowed the center to become a LEED Certified Gold Building, the first of its kind in the Chicago area. Eco Solar Solutions of Morton Grove, Illinois has once again partnered with Realgy to install the new addition. “Eco Solar is proud to be a part of the largest solar array in Chicago’s western suburbs. We are happy to work with the PDOP and Realgy again in this effort to expand the array to 260,400 watts. The Ridgeland Common Recreation Complex site is an ideal location for this large system” said Paul Szczesny, President of Eco Solar.
Realgy, LLC is an alternative energy supplier in Illinois and is the owner of 6 solar PV systems, including our newest at Ridgeland. Realgy is paying for the installation to generate renewable energy locally as part of its sustainable commitment in Illinois. Michael Vrtis, President of Realgy, LLC stated “This, our largest to date solar project highlights the continuation of efforts by the State of Illinois, Eco Solar and the Park District of Oak Park to benefit from bringing environmentally beneficial solar energy at a cost below ComEd. Every year through 2025, we will look back on this project and be able to substantiate for all our children what we did to help our communities.”
With the addition, the Ridgeland PV Solar system now covers 17,240 ft² and plans to generate more than 7.8 million kWh over the next 25 years. That amount of energy could power over 29 average Illinois homes annually. Beyond the economic value are the environmental and health benefits associated with the PV system. Consider this:
- Reduction of 422 tons of coal burned each year to produce an equal amount of electricity. That’s the same as getting 844 pickup trucks of coal off the road.
- Substituting the use of coal means the removal of 182,000 of CO2 into the environment each year. That is the equivalent of planting 16,834 trees.
Terry Black, Director of Project Development for Eco Solar said, “The new Ridgeland Commons array will have a significant environmental impact. The array will offset the release of 182,000 lbs of CO2 by not burning the 703,000 lbs of coal each year to make the equivalent electricity.”
Realgy and the PDOP entered into a long term agreement under which the District pays nothing for the Solar PV system, its installation or maintenance. Ridgeland simply remains a customer of Realgy and pays only the market-based cost of power it uses (averaging 5% below COMED rates). In addition, the Park District will receive a discount of about 10% as a result of having the solar energy displace energy that would otherwise be delivered (and charged) by COMED.
Contacts:
Chris Lindgren
Superintendent of Parks and Planning
218 Madison St
Oak Park, IL 60302
708-725-2050
Eco Solar Solutions, LLC
Paul Szczesny, President
847-220-8786
Realgy Energy Services, LLC
Michael Vrtis, President
675 Oakwood Ave
West Hartford, CT 06110
860-233-2270
Seawater turns into freshwater through solar energy: A new low-cost technology
Many people have been searching for an answer to efficient and low-cost desalination. A new prototype using solar to remove salt from seawater has been developed. The device is “inherently inexpensive and simple to install and repair”. The ideas for using this tool are endless; helping areas suffering from emergency situations or pollution are just some examples of how this device could benefit the world.
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.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/01/190107131242.htm