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/
Zero Energy Ready Homes
With renewable energy increasing across the world, Zero Energy Ready Homes are the new trend. About 50% more energy efficient than a typical home; these houses have LED lights, efficient HVAC systems, and lower air infiltration. Although the purchase costs are slightly higher, the money saved in the long run make these homes of the future well worth the investment.
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.energy.gov/eere/buildings/zero-energy-ready-home;
https://www.kcrg.com/content/news/First-Zero-Energy-Ready-Homes-built-in-Cedar-Rapids-511391462.html
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
An affordable way to store clean energy
Renewable energy consumers use batteries to temporarily store energy for later use. However, lithium ion batteries have a short service life and redox flow batteries with twice the lifespan have been cost-prohibitive. Recently, Volterion has optimized redox flow batteries to manufacture them at a lower price point.
Not only are the physical characteristics beneficial to handlers and the environment but, through innovation, the ideas for uses are unlimited. It shouldn’t be long before we see them prominently in hospitals, homes, and more. We can’t wait to see the utilization of these batteries implemented.
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://phys.org/news/2019-06-energy.html
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
Smart technologies transforming your next appliance
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Colorado is researching how “smart energy technologies” will be incorporated into washing machines, microwaves, coffee pots, refrigerators and every other home appliance.
This is another example of a National Laboratory evaluating technologies in order to advise policy makers on requirements of the next generation of appliances.
Of course the industry and ultimately the consumer will have their say but, having an independent agency evaluate technology will help its deployment and use.
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:
Where are the world’s BILLIONAIRES investing?
Three of the richest people on the planet (Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, Jack Ma) along with other investors are pouring billions into clean-tech energy ventures.
As retirements of existing coal plants continue and funding for gas-fired energy declines, breakthrough technologies that will power the next energy revolution are being built.
Investment in all sorts of energy technology is rapidly advancing and investors are devoting billions to further advancements.
Consider the following:
- Investment in coal and gas-fired power generation has experienced a second year of declines.
- Renewable energy will surpass coal-based energy by 2030.
- More money has been invested in energy transmission and storage technology in the last 5 years than was invested in the previous 30 years.
The current pattern is following the history of Governments requiring divestiture away from fossil fuels if followed by lots of investment in various technologies. This will identify the most promising followed by the largest institutional investments.
The future will certainly bring challenges and technology will attempt to offer solutions.
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:
GE’s huge 12-megawatt wind turbine, welcome
Standing over 85 stories high (850 feet above the ground) and generating enough power to supply 15,000 homes; the world’s largest wind turbine is being installed by GE.
Designed for offshore (think a couple miles off the coast in the ocean) installation, this will be the first of its kind. GE is projecting that thousands will be installed within the next 5 years.
GE’s design and engineering prowess should be highlighted and applauded as they bring this machine to market. It has the ability to transform energy supply globally.
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.popularmechanics.com/science/energy/a25956533/ge-largest-wind-turbine/