Quick Take: By now, I’m sure you’ve read the predictions that we’ll be living in a world of federated microgrids within a decade or two. Yet many of those predictions gloss over an essential question. What will power those microgrids when the main grid goes down? Microgrid enthusiasts often imply that renewables plus storage will provide… Keep reading →
The EIA’s latest Short-term Energy Outlook is out and US crude oil output continues to soar, while natural gas prices are expected to climb back toward the $5 per million BTU level this year, before slightly pulling back in 2015. EIA Administrator Adam Sieminski highlighted just how prolific US crude oil production has been in… Keep reading →
Germany is drafting strict anti-fracking regulations, but fracking opponents say the current plan doesn’t go far enough, citing loopholes regarding depth and fracking fluid chemistry. “Although the proposed policy has the protection of public health and drinking water as its highest priority, the fracking ban only applies at a depth shallower than 3000 meters. Additionally,… Keep reading →
Everyone agrees that burning off as much as a third of the natural gas produced in North Dakota is a terrible waste of an important natural resource. The flaring problem arises out of the fact that energy companies are primarily drilling for oil in North Dakota. A lot of natural gas comes out of those… Keep reading →
First principles are important. Rooting New York Energy Week in the priorities established by a community of volunteers, participants, sponsors and advisors paid off in the second iteration of the event series last month, with panels of exceptional insight, unusually impactful networking and deserved attention for an industry that too often flies under the radar in… Keep reading →
In the past I have been extremely skeptical of carbon capture and sequestration, CCS, but recently my opinion has evolved based on the sober conclusion that hydrocarbon fuels simply are not going away. Both supply and demand for coal, oil and gas continue to grow globally along with their carbon emissions and dangerous impacts on… Keep reading →
Gas-to-liquids plants that is. Facilities that convert natural gas into liquid transportation fuels like diesel and gasoline have become potentially attractive given current ample US natural gas supply and the fuel’s comparatively low price compared with other regional markets around the world. This attractively-priced feedstock has already spurred a spate of chemical plant expansions and… Keep reading →
Canada needs to “get its house in order” regarding carbon emissions, according to Liberal Party leader Justin Trudeau. If Canada shows it’s serious about dealing with climate change by putting a price on carbon at the national level – Alberta has a carbon tax structure – then it would be easier for the Obama administration… Keep reading →
If history is any guide, the Russian energy firm Gazprom’s recent decision to cut off gas to Ukraine will stoke the already raging debate over whether the Department of Energy (DoE) should allow increased natural gas exports from the United States. Stakeholders have raised myriad economic and environmental concerns they believe should guide DoE’s decision.… Keep reading →
The EPA’s newly-announced rule to limit carbon emissions from existing power plants would appear to set the stage for non-carbon emitting technology like nuclear, but historically low-priced natural gas has rendered many of the nation’s smaller nuclear facilities economically uncompetitive. “Already, five nuclear units have either shut down or have announced that they will do… Keep reading →
