The world’s 11 “largest” listed oil companies were recently compared on a reserves basis, ostensibly to help investors analyze the firms. But “largest” and “resources” were not defined, and international oil companies were compared with national oil companies, which leaves plenty of questions. [Wall Street Journal] Mexico announced it will alter its constitution to allow… Keep reading →
Quick Take: A decade after its original publication, a coalition of industry organizations has updated its Electricity Storage Handbook. The document was produced in collaboration by Sandia National Laboratory, the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). Although focused on transmission and distribution… Keep reading →
A new study from consultancy IHS Cera has concluded that construction of the Keystone XL pipeline would not have a material impact on US greenhouse gas emissions, in part because the replacement for volumes from Canadian oil sands would most likely have the same carbon footprint. Breaking Energy has reported on comments in the past… Keep reading →
The unpredictability of renewable energy sources like wind and solar creates reliability challenges for utilities seeking to balance power supply and demand across centralized grid networks. Policies compelling energy providers to incorporate more renewable energy into their portfolios make the challenge more urgent, but also create business opportunities for companies finding solutions. Those who crack… Keep reading →
In a new white paper on EVs, SoCal Edison reports that it encountered fewer grid problems than expected, though certain challenges remain. For years, we’ve heard the warnings that plug-in electric vehicles could overload power grids, disrupt utility business models, and leave their owners stranded at the side of the road with no charging… Keep reading →
Many are calling for Department of Energy to speed up the natural gas export approval process. A new study by McKinsey Global Institute finds LNG exports “would decrease the U.S. trade deficit by between $11 billion and $27 billion each year.” [The Hill] Siting renewable energy projects on brownfields – land contaminated by industrial activity… Keep reading →
A U.S. appeals court has dismissed petitions from Texas, Wyoming, and industry groups against EPA’s greenhouse gas permitting requirements. On July 26, 2013, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia upheld the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) greenhouse gas (GHG) permitting requirements, dismissing a suit from Texas, Wyoming, and industry groups claiming that… Keep reading →
With all the great speakers and presentations at the USAEE /IAEE North American Conference in Anchorage this week, it’s hard to pick and choose among so many well-expressed ideas. Our USAEE updates represent just a few of our favorite quotes from the ongoing events. The US oil and natural gas production increase that’s taken place… Keep reading →
Law suits, countersuits, bribes, corruption and private investigators are all part of the battle between Chevron and lawyer Steve Donziger over Ecuadorian jungle contamination that dates back decades. Donziger currently faces a major suit brought by the oil giant. “As I take the long view, it’s Chevron that faces the risk, not Steven Donziger.” [New… Keep reading →
Scientists at the Lawrence Berkley National Lab discovered a way to create a virus battery, for lack of a better term. The technology “produces electricity by using the piezoelectric properties of a biological material,” according to the US Department of Energy website. You can read more about the science and technical aspects below, but the… Keep reading →
