Quick Take: By now you are thoroughly sick of hearing me hammer at utilities to speak up about the future they want. Our industry has hit a tipping point. Bellwether states such as New York are already rethinking the regulatory compact. Unless utilities become part of those discussions, they’ll end up in a future designed by others.… Keep reading →
The New York Power Authority recently posted a series of interviews with their female engineers. This entry features a Q&A session with NYPA Account Executive Tabitha Robinson. 1. How did you enter the engineering field? How did you decide on your specialty? I really loved math throughout school, it was like another language to me. There really was… Keep reading →
Capstone Roundtable on Reducing Methane Emissions: Improving Safety, the Economy, the Environment, and Creating Jobs On Wednesday (Jul. 29) the White House and the Department of Energy hosted a Capstone Methane Stakeholder Roundtable. In addition, DOE is announcing a series of actions, partnerships, and stakeholder commitments to help modernize the nation’s natural gas transmission and… Keep reading →
The EPA recently announced changes to the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS2) that improves opportunities for biogas to be utilized as a vehicular fuel by qualifying it as an advanced cellulosic biofuel. Biogas-derived Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) produced from landfills, municipal waste-water treatment facility digesters, agricultural digesters, and separated MSW digesters… Keep reading →
If there is one thing that works in the world of advocacy, it is a ratings table that shows how one state, metropolitan area, or utility compares to its peers. The latest report, U.S. Clean Tech Leadership Index, from Clean Edge does just that. The fifth annual U.S. Clean Tech Leadership Index finds that California,… Keep reading →
This week is shaping up to be rough for the US coal industry. The EPA is holding hearings on plans to dramatically cut carbon-dioxide emissions released from US power plants and the Obama administration just published a report on the economic consequences of waiting to act on climate change. It’s enough to make one wonder… Keep reading →
Fuel stability woes challenge the increase of FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Ester) biodiesel beyond the current B5, or 5% blend. Mercedes-Benz and some other original engine manufacturers (OEM’s) will not warranty their engines when blends of B6 or higher are used. The reason is due to poor oxidation stability that causes the fuel to biodegrade… Keep reading →
In 2012, the average American family spent 2.7 percent of their household income on home energy bills. While this might not sound like a lot, it adds up to almost $2,000 a year in energy costs. And much of that energy — 20 percent or more — is wasted on things like air leaks, poor… Keep reading →
Throughout history, maps have played a critical role in shaping our decisions—helping us determine where we are going and how we are going to get there. Now, we’re using them to define a way to address climate change. Environmental Defense Fund and Google Earth Outreach have worked together to launch a series of maps that show methane… Keep reading →
A claimed breakthrough in solid oxide fuel cell technology Earlier this week, General Electric announced that it is initiating an entrepreneurial effort to commercialize its solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology for megawatt-scale stationary power applications. Billion-dollar fuel cell startup Bloom Energy also works with SOFC technology at this scale. GE has claimed a recent… Keep reading →
