A platinum-chromium alloy makes coronary stents stronger, more flexible and resistant to corrosion. Now, Department of Energy National Lab scientists are winning an award for their work on the development, transfer and successful commercialization of the novel alloy. The researchers from the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) will receive a 2015 ASM Engineering Materials Achievement Award from the materials… Keep reading →
While oil prices are down after OPEC refused to curtail production, it won’t have a big impact on output from U.S. shale producers, at least for the near term, IHS’ Dan Yergin told CNBC on Monday. “There’s a lot of momentum in the system so I think you don’t really see the big impact of… Keep reading →
On 24 November 2014 the Australian Parliament passed the Carbon Farming Initiative Amendment Bill 2014 (Bill) which puts in place the Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF). The ERF is the cornerstone of the Australian Government’s Direct Action Plan climate change policy for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. It will provide AUD2.55 billion in financial incentives over four years for companies to voluntarily reduce emissions. The Government says its Direct Action Plan climate change policy will mean that Australia will meet the five percent emissions reduction target by 2020.
Rural electric utilities may serve a different type of customer base and may have different concerns and challenges from their much larger counterparts, but they share a common interest in improving and upgrading their services and offerings. One of those concerns for rural utilities is they must provide and services and offerings to meet higher… Keep reading →
An Oil Boom is a Power Boon U.S. News (Lamont Colucci): OPEC met on Nov. 27, and openly recognized that the United States’ oil technological revolution – driven by enhanced oil recovery methods including hydraulic fracturing (known as fracking) and horizontal drilling – has undermined the cartel’s economic and political power. This constitutes one of the… Keep reading →
Major news out of Iraq is getting drowned out by falling oil price coverage. The Kurdish Regional Government and Iraq’s central government today reached an agreement on exporting oil and sharing revenue. The KRG will release 500,000 or 550,000 barrels of oil per day (reports conflict on this here and here) to Iraq’s State Oil… Keep reading →
Power-to-Gas (PtG) enables the natural gas pipeline network to be used for energy storage, resolving many of the integration issues that plague intermittent renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. It is well known that finding a solution for scalable energy storage is critical in the pursuit of achieving a renewable energy future. While… Keep reading →
Last week the New York Times reported that, for the first time in history, clean energy resources like solar and wind are becoming cost competitive with conventional coal in some markets. This paradigm shift, where clean energy is beginning to compete head-to-head with traditional energy sources, calls for a change in perspective. This ‘change in perspective’ is… Keep reading →
Former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship was criminally indicted for being responsible for the deaths of 29 coal miners in 2010 and in the interest of ensuring a fair trial U.S. District Judge Irene Berger sealed all court records. However, several major media organizations are challenging the gag order. “The news outlets could have good… Keep reading →
Note: This blog was originally published August 15, 2014. Earlier this week, I joined Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin, the CEOs of Green Mountain Power and Dynapower, and Rutland Mayor Christopher Louras for the groundbreaking of a major innovative project in Rutland, Vermont. OE is partnering with the State of Vermont Public Service, Green Mountain Power,… Keep reading →
