RMI Outlet Electricity stakeholders have long debated what makes for good rate design. There is a persistent drumbeat from many corners for wider adoption of time-based rates, and more recently, proposals are […]
EPA raises ethanol, biofuels mandates again
(Scott Olson/Getty Images) The Environmental Protection Agency wants refineries to put more ethanol and other biofuels into the gasoline supply next year . The annual announcement on next year’s standard again drew protest […]
As Feed-In Tariffs Wane, Auctions Are Enabling the Next Wave of Solar Cost Improvements
Last week, Dubai’s Electricity & Water Authority received a bid for 800 megawatts of solar at the rock-bottom price of 2.99 cents per kilowatt-hour. It is yet more evidence that auctions are […]
Stall speed – V2 still crashing
Confirmation that the rate of economic activity is deeply anemic. Willingness to lend and borrow are at a once in a lifetime low. If this continues, inflation stays low or goes lower, […]
Texas Moving Into Real-World Proposal Stage for Distributed Energy-Grid Integration
Last week, Texas grid operator ERCOT officially disbanded its Distributed Resource Energy & Ancillaries Market (DREAM) Task Force. That’s the group that’s been leading the discussion about how solar PV, batteries, demand response […]
50% Of Proved Oil Reserves May Have Just Vanished
An extensive new scientific analysis published in Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Energy & Environment says that proved conventional oil reserves as detailed in industry sources are likely “overstated” by half.According to standard sources […]
The Utility Industry Is Rebranding Itself: PR Ploy or Serious Attempt to Connect With Customers?
Utilities are often criticized for not connecting deeply enough with their customers. In a world where choice is becoming more important — turning ratepayers into dynamic consumers — power companies need to […]
The Nuclear Industry Prices Itself Out Of Market For New Power Plants
In the modern era, nuclear power plants have almost always become more and more expensive over time. They have a “negative learning curve” — along with massive delays and cost overruns in […]
U.S. methane problem is much worse than we thought
It’s no secret that the United States has a methane problem. Methane accounts for about one half of 1 percent of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions — it’s released mostly from natural gas […]
ExxonMobil’s New Reserves Fall Short For First Time In 22 Years
For the first time in over two decades, ExxonMobil failed to replace the oil and gas that it pumped in a year.ExxonMobil reported on February 19 that it added 1 billion barrels […]
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