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.
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.
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$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/
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.
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What blackout? How solar-reliant power grids passed the eclipse test
In areas where solar energy contributes a large percentage of electricity, it is expected that certain weather patterns or natural phenomena’s such as a solar eclipse will affect the power grid. With Monday’s total solar eclipse in the US, system operators furthered their understanding of production interruptions. Despite the decline in output, it did not cause a major disruption to the network. Luckily, other power plants such as gas-fired and hydro overcompensated for the loss. We have more work to do with creating resilient networks that operate seamlessly but, being able to avoid a blackout is a step in the right direction.
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://phys.org/news/2017-08-blackout-solar-reliant-power-grids-eclipse.html
Realgy Energy Services enters the Ohio market
Michael Vrtis, President of Realgy Energy Services (RES) recently announced the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) has authorized the company’s expansion into Ohio. RES is now an Energy Choice supplier for Duke Energy customers in Ohio. Residential and commercial accounts will now be able to receive both their natural gas and electric supply from Realgy.
Before entering into a new market, Realgy considers several matters.
“Above all, we make sure we can help customers save money in each utility area. We perform detailed evaluations over the course of about a year. Generally, we expand due to the demand of existing customers, as was the case for serving the Duke Energy area in Ohio.” -Michael Vrtis
Realgy is excited about the expansion of their service. With this program, customers will be able to save money on the supply portion of their utility bills.
Additional Ohio utilities RES is approved for and will begin serving:
- The Ohio Edison Company
- The Toledo Edison Company
- The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company
PUCO also granted authorization to RES to serve in the following areas:
- Columbia Gas of Ohio
- Dayton Power and Light (DPL)
- Dominion East Ohio
- American Electric Power (AEP)
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.
Ameren request for lower energy efficiency targets stokes division in Illinois
When does negotiating STOP and work begins? Perhaps after you sign the agreement? NOT if you are Ameren. They want to amend an agreement that took 2 years and countless parties to negotiate. Ameren agreed to reduce emissions to help lower consumer’s energy bills and reduce climate change. They still want to be paid if they achieve their goals but, they want them lower.
In looking to reduce energy efficiency goals, Ameren is trying to create separation between Chicago issues and downstate issues; arguing that Chicago bureaucrats don’t know downstate Illinois. This might be fair if it WASN’T for the FACT that Ameren negotiated these goals with downstate bureaucrats.
Also, isn’t saving money and reducing greenhouse gases going to affect both Chicago and downstate the same?
Realgy Energy Services is a registered Retail Energy Marketer in the states of Illinois, Michigan and Indiana. 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.
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American solar industry rises up against Suniva Section 201 trade petition
Suniva and SolarWorld have filed a trade petition with the US International Trade Commission (ITC). The petition seeks to subject imported solar equipment to trade tariffs. This could double solar prices, stopping growth and destroying 88,000 jobs. The energy independence the US has gained would halt and country-wide investments would be jeopardized. The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) leads the opposition due to the endangerment of America’s solar jobs.
Realgy Energy Services is a registered Retail Energy Marketer in the states of Illinois, Michigan and Indiana. 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:
50% Rise in Renewable Energy Needed to Meet Ambitious State Standards
Renewable energy production (wind, solar, wave, and biomass) has been the fastest growing energy producing technology over the last 8 years. However, if renewable energy is to meet all State issued renewable goals, it’s hardly started. Every State has set a goal in order to shift energy production to a sustainable effort, increase technology jobs in their State, and reduce greenhouse gases.
No state has decreased their renewable energy goal. The cost of renewables is comparable to fossil fuel technology. So… how much renewable energy has to come online to meet ALL the State’s renewable goals? The chart below shows the current level of renewable energy production in 2017 and the growth that is required to meet each region’s collective renewable energy standard. Renewable energy has to grow from under 10 TWh to over 150 TWh. Such growth is exiting and will cause new jobs, less pollution, and new technology.
Consider the following; if just 10% (current estimates are close to 30%) of cars and trucks in the US converted to electric power (battery), the renewable energy produced would be used ONLY to power those cars and trucks.
Realgy Energy Services is a registered Retail Energy Marketer in the states of Illinois, Michigan and Indiana. 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.
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Senate appropriators advance $38.4 billion energy spending bill
The Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act was approved to support investments with infrastructure, research, and security. The $38.4 billion budget for the bill is above the President’s request and delegates the bulk of spending towards the Energy Department. Some disagreement on details include amendments to boost spending on solar and wind energy. Programs that encourage the U.S.’s energy independence are prioritized within an amendment that supports nuclear. Sen. Graham believes without supporting nuclear, the U.S. will not become the low carbon, green economy we want to be. When the bill comes up for a final vote on the floor, we expect to see a push to boost renewable energy.
Realgy Energy Services is a registered Retail Energy Marketer in the states of Illinois, Michigan and Indiana. 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: