Distribution

In Hydropower, Small Can Be Beautiful

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While some parts of the world take hydropower for granted, it’s an unfamiliar concept in many others. Energy market analysts at GlobalData, however, say government support globally is “making hydropower a key renewable energy resource” and that small hydropower plants (SHP) in particular are showing serious growth, largely because of the numerous advantages they have over larger facilities.

According to a recent GlobalData report, global installed hydropower capacity grew from 896.9 gigawatts in 2006 to 1.072.1 gigawatts in 2011. The company anticipates that number to climb to 1,443 gigawatts by 2020 because of continued government support. Keep reading →

 /  Published August 2, 2012 at 1:00 PM

Addressing the Blackouts in India: One Company’s Perspective

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Indian passengers sit on the railway tracks near the platform of Sealdah train station waiting for the resumption of services during a power failure in Kolkata on July 31, 2012.

Even on a good day, millions of people in India are without access to electricity or deal with power outages on a fairly regular basis. However, the massive power failures that hit the country during the last days of July were striking in how widespread they were. Keep reading →

 /  Published August 2, 2012 at 11:00 AM

What About The Subsidy? Solar Trends Higher in California

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California solar installations are trending massively upward, despite historically low levels of state incentive.

With more than 120,000 commercial and residential solar energy systems now online, California leads the nation’s clean energy economy. As a result of this growth more than $10 billion in private-sector investment has flowed into California’s clean energy sector, and employed more than 25,000. Millions of California’s residents enjoy the benefits of low-priced solar energy delivered by systems installed on homes, businesses, schools and public facilities. Keep reading →

 /  Published July 31, 2012 at 1:30 PM

#Electricity coming back in spots and stages in huge #India #blackout today covering 1/2 of country http://j.mp/M0Mvv6 #energy

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 #Electricity coming back in spots and stages in huge #India #blackout today covering 1/2 of country http://j.mp/M0Mvv6 #energy @j3juliano

 /  Published July 31, 2012 at 10:00 AM

The Cyber Threat Facing American Utilities

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Across the country, and increasingly around the globe, information technology is playing a key role in the operations and organizational management of utility service providers. From customer-facing smart-metering technologies to administrative software tools that enhance automation and network monitoring, the revolution in interconnectivity has brought increased productivity and efficiencies, but also new areas of risk and vulnerability.

As a result, utility service providers must take a broad-spectrum approach to hardening their facilities, especially to cyber-criminals and hostile nation states that have the capability to cause harm and catastrophic impact to a system without ever approaching its physical structure. Keep reading →

 /  Published July 25, 2012 at 8:30 AM

Cybersecurity and the Power Grid

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The US Senate’s energy panel did a status check Tuesday on actions taken to ensure the electric grid is protected from cyber-attacks. The hearing came as lawmakers are poised to consider yet another round of cybersecurity legislation.

Testimony we heard about cumbersome processes and the inability to react quickly didn’t sound too promising, but you can read the excerpts below or scan the full testimony here and decide for yourself. Keep reading →

 /  Published July 20, 2012 at 2:30 PM

Power Markets Shift Again As Consumer Comfort with Choice Grows

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Independent retail electricity providers have sprung up in various states across the US where deregulation has occurred and policies have been put in place to spur competition.

Approximately 20 states have enacted such policies, but the trend toward choosing electricity suppliers appears to be growing. Keep reading →

 /  Published July 9, 2012 at 11:30 AM

Asian Smart Grid Deployment: Distinct Situations, Common Solutions

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Roughly 220,000 smart meters every single day; that’s the installation rate some smart grid players are anticipating in the rapidly-expanding Asian market over the next four years.

Rising populations and limited access to electricity in much of Asia is heightening local pressure to do more with less when it comes to power supply, and utilities are eyeing connecting 300 million more smart meters by 2016 in the region, Trilliant Managing Director for the Asia Region Bryan Spear told Breaking Energy in a recent call. Keep reading →

 /  Published July 6, 2012 at 1:00 PM

How Schools Can Use Less Energy & Spend Less Money, Without the Sacrifice

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Making schools energy efficient need not be an exercise in sacrifice. Schools can get the same or better services, as well as increase the health and comfort of students and staff, all while using less energy.

The first step is to get an energy assessment that can help identify and prioritize opportunities for substantial energy and operational savings. Once these opportunities are identified, a school can develop a customized plan to reduce energy use, replacement and operating costs, and their carbon footprint. Common energy-saving measures for schools include installing high-efficiency lighting and lighting controls; heating, cooling and ventilation equipment; and motors, controls and variable frequency drives. Keep reading →

 /  Published July 6, 2012 at 8:00 AM

EIA: New Pipeline Could Lower Natural Gas Costs in New York City

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Future natural gas transportation costs to New York City could be reduced with the expansion of the existing Texas Eastern Transmission pipeline from Linden, New Jersey to Manhattan, New York (see map here). On May 22, 2012, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)-the main jurisdictional authority over the construction of interstate natural gas pipelines in the United States-approved an 800,000 million British thermal unit (MMBtu) per day, or 800,000 dekatherms per day, expansion of the pipeline.

This project is slated to begin service in November 2013 and represents one of the biggest transportation service expansions in the Northeast during the past two decades. The project could have the following effects on the New York City market: reduce reliance on oil-fired generators, enhance the reliability of natural gas supplies, and lower transportation costs-especially in the winter. Spectra Energy secured firm transportation agreements for this expansion with these customers: Consolidated Edison (170,000 MMBtu per day); Chesapeake Energy Marketing, Inc. (425,250 MMBtu per day); and Statoil Natural Gas LLC (204,750 MMBtu per day). Keep reading →

 /  Published July 3, 2012 at 3:00 PM
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