A smarter grid that better manages our electrical resources does not just face the challenge of greater connectivity of renewables, but also the huge volume of data that will come from the meters.
Utilities try to learn from smart meters
"Val Jensen, senior vice president of customer operations at Chicago-based Commonwealth Edison Co., says his home in California recently was using abnormal amounts of electricity. With the help of his smart meter and local utility he learned that his pool pump was malfunctioning. Once fixed, his electricity bill dropped by about $100 a month."
Utilities try to learn from smart meters
"Val Jensen, senior vice president of customer operations at Chicago-based Commonwealth Edison Co., says his home in California recently was using abnormal amounts of electricity. With the help of his smart meter and local utility he learned that his pool pump was malfunctioning. Once fixed, his electricity bill dropped by about $100 a month."
We are starting to see solar installations at utility scale reach grid parity. This not only creates opportunity for less destructive energy sources, but the challenge of managing the grid with greater variability of source intensity.
Xcel Energy asks Colo. PUC to approve solar as cost-competitive with gas plants
"'For the first time ever, we are adding cost competitive utility scale solar to the system,' Public Service Co. of Colorado President and CEO David Eves said in a Sept. 10 statement. Xcel Energy goes by the PSCo name for regulatory purposes in the state.
'The 170 MW we recommend would triple Xcel Energy's current utility scale solar in Colorado and it equates to all of the customer-sited solar in the state of Colorado, at about one half of the cost,' Eves said.
Xcel Energy's RES plan offers a proposed strategy for meeting the state's renewable energy goals, which include further diversifying Colorado's energy mix with solar, wind and other renewables, such as biogas, small hydro and recycled energy. Xcel Energy said it is ahead of schedule in meeting the state's RES goal of 30% renewable energy by 2020."
Xcel Energy asks Colo. PUC to approve solar as cost-competitive with gas plants
"'For the first time ever, we are adding cost competitive utility scale solar to the system,' Public Service Co. of Colorado President and CEO David Eves said in a Sept. 10 statement. Xcel Energy goes by the PSCo name for regulatory purposes in the state.
'The 170 MW we recommend would triple Xcel Energy's current utility scale solar in Colorado and it equates to all of the customer-sited solar in the state of Colorado, at about one half of the cost,' Eves said.
Xcel Energy's RES plan offers a proposed strategy for meeting the state's renewable energy goals, which include further diversifying Colorado's energy mix with solar, wind and other renewables, such as biogas, small hydro and recycled energy. Xcel Energy said it is ahead of schedule in meeting the state's RES goal of 30% renewable energy by 2020."
Because contrary to the claims of some, the investments from the ARRA have been better than any venture capital fund, and have driven the market to improve solar tech and cost effectiveness.
Fox distorts Energy Secretary's words in Solyndra attack
"He explained that despite the hype surrounding Solyndra, the portfolio has been a 'terrific success,' as evidenced by the fact that losses represent only a little over 2 percent of the $34.4 billion in loan guarantees, and under 10 percent of the reserve fund that Congress set aside to cover any defaults, knowing that not every company would succeed. Indeed, according to a Bloomberg Government analysis, the amount set aside by Congress for defaults will be more than enough even if every high-risk project fails. This is indicative of the caution that undergirded the program, which mostly apportioned funds to inherently low-risk power generation projects."
Fox distorts Energy Secretary's words in Solyndra attack
"He explained that despite the hype surrounding Solyndra, the portfolio has been a 'terrific success,' as evidenced by the fact that losses represent only a little over 2 percent of the $34.4 billion in loan guarantees, and under 10 percent of the reserve fund that Congress set aside to cover any defaults, knowing that not every company would succeed. Indeed, according to a Bloomberg Government analysis, the amount set aside by Congress for defaults will be more than enough even if every high-risk project fails. This is indicative of the caution that undergirded the program, which mostly apportioned funds to inherently low-risk power generation projects."
Even the armed forces recognizes the complications we create for ourselves when we base our systems on fossil-fuel-based energy sources.
Exploding fuel tankers driving US Army to solar power
"Instead, commanders have found they can save lives through energy conservation. It’s especially true in Afghanistan, where protecting fuel convoys is one of the most dangerous jobs, with one casualty for every 24 missions in some years.
With renewable energy, 'there is no supply chain vulnerability, there are no commodity costs and there’s a lower chance of disruption,' Richard Kidd, the deputy assistant secretary of the Army in charge of energy security, said in an interview. 'A fuel tanker can be shot at and blown up. The sun’s rays will still be there.'"
Exploding fuel tankers driving US Army to solar power
"Instead, commanders have found they can save lives through energy conservation. It’s especially true in Afghanistan, where protecting fuel convoys is one of the most dangerous jobs, with one casualty for every 24 missions in some years.
With renewable energy, 'there is no supply chain vulnerability, there are no commodity costs and there’s a lower chance of disruption,' Richard Kidd, the deputy assistant secretary of the Army in charge of energy security, said in an interview. 'A fuel tanker can be shot at and blown up. The sun’s rays will still be there.'"
The complications go beyond the annoyance of climate change. The extreme storm events have already damaged infrastructure and created environmental challenges that threaten our quality of life.
Lawmakers seek answers after oil gushes during Colorado floods
"More than 60,000 gallons of oil and other petrochemical-laced fluids are now confirmed to have been spilled from fracking operations during recent floods in Colorado — and two congressmembers are calling for a hearing into the toxic eruption."
Happy Friday!
Lawmakers seek answers after oil gushes during Colorado floods
"More than 60,000 gallons of oil and other petrochemical-laced fluids are now confirmed to have been spilled from fracking operations during recent floods in Colorado — and two congressmembers are calling for a hearing into the toxic eruption."
Happy Friday!
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