The first and probably the most relevant constraint to electricity markets is transmission grid capacity. Despite the liberalization of the sector, in many countries congestion continues to be a hindrance for competitive prices. Italy is one such country. Data on day-ahead market prices show a decrease in the last few years which has been principally driven… Keep reading →
Cold weather has returned to much of the United States, and the wind energy industry is pivoting off the big chill to tout their turbines’ ability to provide cheap electricity when fuel prices for other sources skyrocket. The American Wind Energy Association said Wednesday that new research shows during last year’s dramatic January icy spell,… Keep reading →
Power prices for electricity generated from wind and solar technology have dramatically decreased over the past 5 years to the point where wind and solar are cheaper than gas or coal in parts of the US. In some places it also appears renewable energy sources can beat fossil fuels on price without subsidies, although renewable… Keep reading →
BrightSource Energy says the Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System is doing just fine, and that all along the company expected the “power tower” concentrating solar plant in California to take four years to hit full stride. Meanwhile, the latest federal reports indicate that in the first three quarters of the year the plant produced a… Keep reading →
A contract fight is unfolding in Cleveland where industrial power customers were hit with “polar vortex” surcharges ranging from $9,000 to $290,000. When temperatures plummeted last January power demand spiked and some generation plants tripped offline. Grid operator PJM called on all generators to produce more power to stabilize the grid and then billed them… Keep reading →
Long doubted in many quarters as a competitor with conventional sources – and even with wind power – U.S. government scientists say new research shows that solar is making up ground, both at utility scale and on rooftops. For example: “The price of electricity sold to utilities under long term contracts from large-scale solar power… Keep reading →
Mexico is making sweeping changes to its regulatory structures with the goal of increasing economic growth from various sectors, including energy. And while oil sector reforms have received the most attention, strengthening electricity and natural gas infrastructure to boost manufacturing is a short-term priority. Investment from US companies and financial institutions is critical, but Mexico… Keep reading →
A new study finds much of the world’s potentially recoverable shale resources are located in regions with limited water resources needed for advanced well completion technology like hydraulic fracturing. “Water risk is one of the most important, but underappreciated challenges when it comes to shale gas development. With 386 million people living on land above… Keep reading →
The Department of Defense yesterday announced the award of a $2.5 billion combined firm-fixed-price contract to Johnson Controls, Evergreen Fire Alarms and Federal Inc. for “procurement and installation of utility monitoring and control and similar systems.” The winning bid was selected from 14 internet-submitted solicitations and the estimated completion date is Aug. 21, 2019. The… Keep reading →
As oil production volumes from the Bakken Shale formation zoomed past 1 million barrels, farmers watched their grain inventories pile up because they have not been able to book rail shipping capacity fast enough. This article highlights shifting commodity production, pricing and transportation dynamics as the US oil output renaissance coincides with record grain production.… Keep reading →
