An agreement by almost 200 nations to curb rising greenhouse gas emissions from 2020 will be far more costly than taking action now to tackle climate change, according to research published on […]
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Electric generator dispatch depends on system demand and the relative cost of operation
The variable operating cost of electric power generators is a key factor in determining which units a power system operates (or “dispatches”) to meet the demand for electricity. Other things being equal, […]
Do Utilities Know the Real Value of Solar?
CSP Alliance Executive Director Tex Wilkins believes that if utilities and other load-serving entities (LSEs) saw the value in owning CSP plants with storage, it would grow competition and economies of scale […]
In Fields and Markets, Guatemalans Feel Squeeze of Biofuel Demand
In the tiny tortillerias of this city, people complain ceaselessly about the high price of corn. Just three years ago, one quetzal — about 15 cents — bought eight tortillas; today it […]
Monthly coal- and natural gas-fired generation equal for first time in April 2012
Recently published (April 2012) electric power data show that, for the first time since EIA began collecting the data, generation from natural gas-fired plants is virtually equal to generation from coal-fired plants, […]
Making Wind and Solar Work With the Grid
The two traditional excuses for not adding more wind and solar into grid operations have been that they could not be called on (“dispatched”) when energy was needed and they were too […]
Hydrogen fuel-cell cars look to overtake electric autos
As electric cars try to forge more than just a niche in the market, the auto industry is already looking to another form of clean technology that could overtake today’s battery-powered vehicles. […]
On-Bill Repayment Shows Great Promise for Energy Efficiency, But Significant Challenges Remain
On-bill repayment makes energy efficiency available to almost all utility customers, including those who may not qualify for existing loan programs using standard underwriting criteria. “If you ever want energy efficiency and […]
PV Parity Project Analyzes Solar Cost Trajectories In Europe
Grid parity for residential and commercial consumers is in sight in many European countries, according to new research from the PV Parity project consortium. The group assessed the evolution of system prices, […]
Going electric: Adding the 2013 Chevy Volt to a solar-powered home
After a full year of using solar electricity in our home, my family took the next step over the holiday weekend and bought a plug-in electric vehicle. While running errands, we passed a […]
Prometheus Institute 