Watch Less TV to Save Energy

Off-Peak Stories in February’s PUF

A November 2015 study by the Natural Resources Defense Council, NRDC, funded by the Environmental Protection Agency, found there's a major downside to the latest television technology that we all crave, ultra high-definition (UHD, or 4K).  Replacing all of America's televisions of at least 36 inches with UHD would increase the nation's electric bills by a billion dollars, to pay for eight billion more kilowatt-hours.  Five million more tons of carbon dioxide would be emitted.

Byline: 

Steve Mitnick

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Home Gas Use in 2015

Annual gas usage by households has remained in range of 4.3-5.2 quadrillion cubic feet since 1967

For the first nine months of last year, through September 2015, households used 3.4 quadrillion cubic feet of natural gas.  Usage was down by 2.5% as compared to the same period of the prior year, 2014.  The difference, mainly a weaker January, and March as well.  These months in 2014 were much colder in 2014 than in 2015.  

The all-time record year for residential gas consumption was 1996,  and second place is held by 1972.  Third place is held by 2014, when consumption was only 2.9% short of 1996 and 0.8% of 1972.    

Byline: 

Steve Mitnick

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Insull's Article in Public Utilities Fortnightly

Electricity the Price of a Cigar per Day

He wasn't famous like his brother Samuel Insull.  But Martin Insull was surely accomplished working closely with Sam.  Martin was the president of Middle West Utilities Company.  Sam was the undisputed leader of the rapidly growing electric utility industry in the roaring 1920's, owning large interests in Commonwealth Edison, Peoples Gas, Northern Indiana Public Service and other recognizable industry companies.  Earlier he was Thomas Edison's personal secretary and then co-founded General Electric.

Byline: 

Steve Mitnick

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How Much We're Paying Utilities

Utilities’ sales revenues were slightly down from prior year

The latest Energy Department data shows that how much electric utility customers are paying utilities is pretty flat.  Last year, through October 2015, utilities' sales revenues were 331 billion dollars.  That was slightly down from the prior year, for the same period, when sales revenues were 333 billion.

Yes, that prior year, 2014, saw record sales revenues.  2015 looks like it will have the second highest sales revenues in history, falling short of the record 393 billion in 2014.

Byline: 

Steve Mitnick

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SunEdison to Sell 333 MW of Wind to Terra Nova Renewable Partners

Submitted by aburr on Wed, 2016-01-06 15:43

SunEdison agreed to sell 333 MW of wind-power assets to Terra Nova Renewable Partners for $209 million. The two acquired projects are the 185-MW Bingham wind farm and 148-MW Oakfield wind farm, both located in Maine. Construction on Oakfield Wind was completed fall 2015 and it is now online and operating as the largest wind project in New England.

Southern Company Subsidiary's First Wind Project in Operation

Submitted by aburr on Wed, 2016-01-06 15:43

Southern Power’s first wind project, the 299-MW Kay Wind facility in Kay County, Oklahoma, is fully operational. The electricity and associated renewable energy credits (RECs) generated by the facility will be sold under 20-year PPAs with Westar Energy and Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA). Westar Energy has contracted for approximately 199 MW, and GRDA has contracted for approximately 100 MW. Both companies will have the option to either keep or sell the RECs.

Gamesa to Build a 130-MW Wind Farm in Mexico

Submitted by aburr on Wed, 2016-01-06 15:42

Gamesa received an order from developers Mexico Power Group and First Reserve for the turnkey construction of La Bufa, a 130-MW wind farm in Mexico. The company will install 65 of its G114-2.0 MW turbines. Gamesa will handle the infrastructure needed to install and operate the project. The turbines are slated for delivery in 2016, with commissioning to be completed the same year. The agreement also encompasses the provision of the related operation and maintenance services over the long term.

Duke Energy to Build Two Major Solar Projects in North Carolina Totaling 75 MW

Submitted by aburr on Wed, 2016-01-06 15:41

Duke Energy developed a proposal for two solar projects in North Carolina that will increase solar capacity in the state. Pending approval from the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC), the company will build two projects that will total more than 75 MW. The 60-MW Monroe Solar Facility will be designed and built by Strata Solar. Crowder Construction will serve as the project EPC lead for the 15.4-MW Mocksville Solar Facility.

New York ISO and ISO New England Streamline Energy Exchange Between Regions

Submitted by aburr on Wed, 2016-01-06 15:41

The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) and ISO New England implemented a new interregional market system that will streamline electric energy transactions and improve the flow of power between the two markets. Introduced on December 15, Coordinated Transaction Scheduling (CTS) makes more efficient use of the transmission lines by enabling market participants to access the lowest-cost source of power between the two regions.

Invenergy Completes Sale of 832 MW of Wind Power to TerraForm Power

Submitted by aburr on Wed, 2016-01-06 15:40

Invenergy Wind sold 832 MW of wind power plants to TerraForm Power. A final closing for an additional 98 MW of projects is scheduled to be completed in early 2016. The total enterprise value of the transaction is more than $2 billion. The closing encompasses four power plants, representing 754 MW in the United States and one 78 MW project in Canada.