Upgrades to make your home more energy-efficient
Summer 2020 is here. With the warmer weather and current events, many will see a spike in electric bills. We’ve provided tips before on how to lower your energy usage here: https://realgyenergyservices.com/fast-ways-to-cut-your-home-energy-bills/.
However, if you find yourself looking to increase those savings, you may want to invest in some changes to make your home or business more energy-efficient. Take a look at these suggestions: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/06/25/upgrades-make-your-home-more-energy-efficient/
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.
Amazon pledges $2 billion fund to invest in clean energy
Jeff Bezos, Amazon’s founder has constantly made rounds in the media for years. His recent projection of becoming the world’s first trillionaire created an uproar. However, the conglomerate has just promised to invest $2 billion towards green energy. Due to their large extent of worldwide business, their footprint has a significant environmental impact protested by many activists. Focusing on zero carbon, sustainable development, and a better future, Amazon has pledged to be net carbon neutral by 2040. Let’s see if any other retail giants follow suit in 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.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/amazon-pledges-2-billion-fund-invest-clean-energy-n1231854
How wind turbines are changing
Taller than a 10-story building, able to be built on site, and can power 14,000 homes!
These are the newest machines in harnessing wind energy.
GE’s turbines reached a record last year at 12 MW and roughly 10 stories tall.
The latest is 14 MW and a bit taller. Wind speed increases about 10 MPH every 100 feet up from the ground.
Along with improvements in efficiency comes the next phase of 3D-printed concrete bases. Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bpOLSWtE1U . This is so cool (engineering geek here).
A major limitation has always been transporting bases to site. This technique will allow for wider and taller bases with greater generation.
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.cnbc.com/2020/06/17/3d-printing-dizzying-heights-how-wind-turbines-are-changing.html
Renewable energy has now produced more electricity in the U.S. than coal for 40 days straight
Add another first stemming from this COVID-19 period: renewable energy surpasses coal in electric supply.
As demand for energy dropped off, utilities had to shut down power plants because they needed less power. The first to shut down are the most expensive. Coal is more expensive than solar, wind, and hydro-generated electricity.
Overall, energy demand is expected to fall at least 3% in 2020. Investments in new power generation are dominated by renewable energy sources due to their cost benefits. As renewable energy continues to grow, coal-generated electricity could fall by more than 20%. Renewable energy does not contribute to climate change as coal fired energy production does.
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.cbsnews.com/news/coronavirus-lockdowns-renewable-energy-overtakes-coal-record-40-days/
Oil Companies Are Collapsing, but Wind and Solar Energy Keep Growing
Despite delays and layoffs triggered by the coronavirus, the renewable energy sector is doing well. Wind and solar usage has increased and is forecasted to continue growing. 2020 is on track to breaking even more records within this sector. Projections at this rate show that 20% of all US electricity by 2030 will be solar generated; driving billions into the US economy while offsetting 35% of all electricity emissions.
Along with the utilization of other green energy sources, we will see lower bills and great environmental and health benefits. With constant changes, there will be adjustments in government policies and regulations. Hopefully we can ensure these will benefit all areas and people from various incomes and backgrounds.
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.forbes.com/sites/energyinnovation/2020/01/13/five-2020-energy-predictions-solar-surge-coal-crash-gas-exorcism-clean-energy-incentives-public-mobilization/#3e8f68e51ece
Illinois legislation promises a renewable energy revolution. But who would pay?
Isn’t that the age-old question? Who will pay? Perhaps it’s the actual cost, the time or the impact to our environment that will be paying the price.
Illinois has two pieces of legislation that could alter the energy, environment, and economics of the state.
These two bills differ in supporting how to obtain more renewables as both want to increase the current goal to 100% renewable by 2030.
- The Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA) largely builds on the 2017 Future Energy Jobs Act that caused a solar installation rush. The CEJA would expand incentives for training and jobs while constructing more solar. They are supported by environmental and community groups.
- The Path to 100 is supported by the renewables industry and would accelerate the goal of 100% clean energy in Illinois.
How it gets paid: essentially by changing how the capacity market procures the energy Illinois needs.
Both bills would encourage the move toward lower priced solar while minimizing the disruption to oil, gas, and nuclear.
The debate is in the right place. Solar energy is the cheaper cost and causes less impact to the environment. Creating incentives now to capitalize growth and allow transition into this less costly energy source will setup Illinois for the future.
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/2020/02/24/midwest/illinois-legislation-promises-a-renewable-energy-revolution-but-who-would-pay/
Utilities vs. grid edge upstarts: Turf battles in an increasingly DER-centric world
You’ve heard of the Internet of Things… devices using a network to transfer data such as door bells, Alexa, light switches, TVs, thermostats, etc.
What about solar panels or car chargers? Think about this:
The fastest growing portion of the US electric market is in solar panel installation and EVs (Electric Vehicles).
Consider the following growth:
PV Solar and EVs produce as near real-time information about their energy production or usage.
This data is the issue.
Utilities want the data to be part of the electric grid while almost everyone else disagrees.
Regulators will be hearing both sides of the arguments about data control and best-practices. Given the importance of the issue for all parties, a final decision is likely years away but, initial decisions seem to favor the utility.
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/utilities-vs-grid-edge-upstarts-turf-battles-in-an-increasingly-der-centr/572718/
Michigan regulators demand changes to DTE Energy’s long-range plan
Last July, we summarized the difference between the 2 largest Michigan utilities. Consumers was attempting to reduce costs by moving to renewables and closing high cost power plants which included legacy coal. DTE on the other hand, stayed with legacy power plants. A summary and link are below.
https://realgyenergyservices.com/consumers-vs-dte-long-term-planning-winners-and-losers/
The MPSC basically rejected DTE’s plan as inadequate in addressing Michigan law to address long term planning. DTE must now resubmit their plan to focus on reducing costs and complying with environmental policy by March 21, 2020.
Consumers’ plan on the other hand was approved.
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.michiganradio.org/post/public-service-commission-sends-much-dte-energy-plan-back-drawing-board
Warren Buffett Has Started The Biggest Energy Revolution
Green energy has been on the rise with governments pledging to invest and countries committing to using 100% renewable energy in the upcoming decades. In the past several years, the cost of solar has decreased drastically and has grown ten-times more efficient. For the first time, solar energy is cheaper than fossil fuels.
Warren Buffet struck a deal in September to build America’s largest solar farm. Located in the desert outside of Las Vegas, the sunshine will power the world’s largest battery and produce 6-7% of LA’s electricity needs. Costs are half of that of a natural gas power plant. Solar became 2019’s best performing exchange-traded fund and forecasts show solar stocks increasing exponentially if we continue to see progress.
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.forbes.com/sites/stephenmcbride1/2020/02/11/warren-buffett-has-started-the-biggest-energy-revolution/#38c11d204494
Scotland Is on Track to Hit 100 Percent Renewable Energy This Year, Slàinte Mhath!
Scotland, like many countries, has been moving away from fossil fuels and replacing their energy generation with renewables. Wind is the largest power source in the nation and is continually growing. Enough energy is being created to power every resident’s home and more. Their target is to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045. Offsetting by planting more trees and using carbon-capture technology will allow them to emit some gases and still net-zero by their goal date. They are on the path to 100% green energy and seem to be able to do so by the end of 2020. Hosting the United Nations’ international climate talks in November this year will allow the world’s largest emitters to view firsthand the results of reaching those renewable 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 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://earther.gizmodo.com/scotland-is-on-track-to-hit-100-percent-renewable-energ-1841202818