Technology – Realgy Energy Services

With energy bill in limbo, Ill. braces for nuclear closure

September 9, 2021
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The shutdown of some of the USA’s largest coal plants in Illinois, Byron and Prairie State has been the subject of scrutiny. The discussion on the future of power plants surrounds a recently passed energy and climate bill.

Many supporting the legislation want the state to buckle down on ending fossil fuel usage by 2045. However, the bill didn’t include specifics on lessening emissions for electric generation until then. Amendments are underway regarding requirements of plants to reduce emissions by 2035 to transition toward the 2045 goal. Illinois’ Clean Jobs Coalition and Governor Pritzker support these revisions but, challenges lie in the finances and logistics.

Clean Jobs Illinois questions how to ensure jobs aren’t lost from closures and redirection into renewable energy positions. While the state has pledged to preserve jobs and decrease emissions, studies show phasing out locations would cause other plants to make up for lost production bringing about additional emissions. They also claim Illinois will not see renewable energy developments for years unless there is legislative action.

Advocates state we don’t have time to allow these plants to run for even 5 more years let alone the suggested 25 years. However, incentive funding from the Future Energy Jobs Act has already been depleted and new projects are down 90% compared to the last year. This bill needs to see both sides come to a compromise to reach our energy goals.

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 Savings^TM, ManagedPrice^TM, ManagedGreen^TM Index, Fixed and PriceAssurance^TM.

Realgy owns and operates 7 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.

Additional Information: https://www.eenews.net/articles/with-energy-bill-in-limbo-ill-braces-for-nuclear-closure/

Michigan Launches Inquest into Power Outages

August 26, 2021
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Last week’s Michigan storms left over 1 million customers without power. Many were in the dark for over a week. Damage assessment and restoration are a priority as is planning and preparation for these disasters. Residents want to see improvement in all areas and the MPSC states “… we have more work to do, and we have to do it faster.”

Concerns aren’t limited to the Midwest and are voiced across the country since the increase in frequent, intense storms are apparent. We can’t rely solely on historical data to prepare for the ever-changing weather. The MPSC is pushing utilities to be more transparent around their efforts while encouraging customers to discuss impacts of outages, especially those that are more at risk.

Realgy owns and operates 7 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.

Additional Information: https://thesuntimesnews.com/g/chelsea-mi/n/39406/state-launches-inquest-power-outages

Illinois Shines

June 30, 2021
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With the rise of solar usage, incentives are more available now and many are implemented through state programs. Illinois Shines was created by the Illinois Power Agency (IPA) to support developments for distributed solar generation and community solar. Monitored in accordance with the Future Energy Jobs Act, the IPA purchases Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) from community solar projects and sets costs through the Adjustable Block Program known as Illinois Shines.

Community solar benefits areas that cannot install rooftop arrays due to limited space, high costs, and issues with zoning laws. Illinois Shines increases solar access for residents that may not easily receive green energy while also providing information and inspections for vendors to become approved.

Illinois Shines’ evaluation of Realgy Energy Service’s solar arrays at Ridgeland Recreation Complex recently concluded. They state Realgy’s project is in compliance with program guidelines. We are proud to serve the Illinois community and help the state meet its renewable energy goals.

Realgy owns and operates 7 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.

Additional Information: https://illinoisshines.com/

US Approves 1st Major Offshore Wind Energy Project

May 13, 2021
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The United States joined the rest of the world and issued final permits allowing for the development of large-scale offshore wind projects.

Large scale: 62 turbines standing 90 stories above the water with underground cables bringing electricity onshore to 400,000 homes. The turbines will be located about a mile off the coast of Massachusetts.

Wind power is the least costly energy power to build and the new turbines from General Electric are the largest available.

Realgy owns and operates 7 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.

Additional Information: https://www.npr.org/2021/05/11/995852356/biden-administration-approves-first-major-offshore-wind-energy-project

A solar panel in space is collecting energy that could one day be beamed to anywhere on Earth

February 25, 2021
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Launched in May 2020, a panel attached to an unmanned drone has been looping Earth to harness the sun’s light to convert to electricity. Technology to focus power directly back to Earth has already been studied and proven possible. This prototype could, once scaled up, revolutionize energy generation and distribution around the world. Experimental results point to this being a feasible option to receive energy in the future. Funded by the Pentagon, costs are always of a concern but prices to create the panels have been decreasing. The amount of people this could help in remote areas or during natural disasters is a large incentive to backing this project.

Realgy owns and operates 7 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.

Additional Information: https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/23/americas/space-solar-energy-pentagon-science-scn-intl/index.html

How Extreme Cold Turned Into a U.S. Energy Crisis

February 16, 2021
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Over the past several days, extraordinary cold weather in the US from a polar vortex caused record temperatures across the country. Electricity and heating fuel costs skyrocketed while energy demand hit record levels. Millions of customers dealt with blackouts for the first time in a decade. Gas lines seized, wind turbines froze, and oil wells shut in. Across the grid in Texas, all energy sources had problems with some reasons still unknown. Texas’s emergency state will allow for more resources to become available and ensure residences, medical facilities, and related consumers are the priority to receive fuel first. The energy market in Texas is one of the most competitive in the US and power providers have to be prepared for extreme events such as this one. If not, they are set up for failure. Texas and Washington policy makers may need to review their system and make some changes to ensure a similar crisis is prevented or handled better.

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/2021-02-15/how-extreme-cold-turned-into-a-u-s-energy-crisis-quicktake

Tech giants are becoming green energy barons

February 12, 2021
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Tech company advancements have increased dramatically, especially over the past year. With this progress, we have seen a rise in carbon emissions due to the thousands of devices these businesses use each day. Some centers are using enough to power 80,000 US homes. “The Financial Times (FT) stated that the combined power usage of Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Facebook, and Apple is more than 45 terawatt-hours a year, about as much as New Zealand”. To offset these numbers, tech giants have focused on developments such as wind and solar installations while also agreeing to clean energy deals. This has caused the corporate market for purchasing clean energy to grow exponentially and indicates we will see further growth continuously in the market.

Realgy owns and operates 7 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.

Additional Information: https://techhq.com/2021/02/tech-giants-are-becoming-green-energy-barons/

‘Clean Cars’ coalition wants Virginia lawmakers to address tailpipe emissions

January 22, 2021
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Currently, 13 states along with Washington D.C. have adopted clean car standards to follow California’s suit in cutting auto emissions. Virginia is set to discuss a new house bill as urged by public health advocates. It would require automakers to provide larger output of electric vehicles with zero emissions and cars that steadily decrease emissions.

Although auto dealers can see the pros to this legislation, they are requesting more time to plan and research while also taking into consideration other factors such as incentives and rebates for purchasers.

By encouraging purchases of cleaner, fuel efficient vehicles, the state forecasts greenhouse emissions will be reduced “by almost 3 million metric tons in 2040 and about 3.4 million metric tons in 2050”. Passing this bill will ensure carbon pollution is reduced while also improving human health affected by exhaust pollutants.

Realgy owns and operates 7 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.

Additional Information: https://energynews.us/2021/01/14/southeast/clean-cars-coalition-wants-virginia-lawmakers-to-address-tailpipe-emissions/

Tips to Lower Your Utilities This Winter

January 14, 2021
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Here’s your bi-annual reminder to make some improvements around your home or business to save money on utility bills. Winter brings about colder weather for most of us North Americans and with that comes an increase in energy usage. There are more ways to conserve than just turning down the thermostat. You can seal any air leaks around windows and doors. Try to also keep them closed as much as possible to prevent losing the warm air created inside. Use the sun to your benefit by keeping curtains open to let the warm sunlight in but, keep them closed at night to reduce heat loss. Insulating your water heater and using your fireplace and oven will also be to your advantage. Among other tips, you can check out your utility’s website to find incentives and home assessments to see where you might be able to increase energy efficiency and savings .

Realgy owns and operates 7 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.

Additional Information: https://ourcommunitynow.com/home-and-garden/start-a-winter-garden-to-keep-the-blues-away

Virtual Power Plant

December 10, 2020
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We have all been on Zoom calls instead of meeting in person. Our computers, cameras, and nearly everything takes electricity.

Virtual power plants do NOT generate electricity but, they do aggregate the generation of various sources and allow the power to be traded or sold.

A virtual power plant does 2 things. It gathers up demand from real solar panels, wind turbines, or other installed generation sources. It then allows that demand to be sold, tracked, and paid.

Its use is being explored. Consider the home or business that has solar PV generation that can shut down some equipment (think of turning off your AC). Then the solar power you would’ve used to run your AC system can be sold into the market.

A virtual power plant is a marketplace where those with generation can sell some of their production. And you won’t need a Zoom meeting to get it done.

This is an interesting way to allow free-market powers to address power market demand and supply.

Realgy owns and operates 7 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.

Additional Information: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/virtual-power-plant-market