China accounted for 36 percent of global investment in renewable energy last year, pouring $102.9 billion into non-hydro renewables such as wind and solar power. The country is a laggard, however, […]
When We Can Expect The Next Oil Shock
The scenario above shows an Oil Shock Model with a URR of 3600 Gb, EIA data from 1970 to 2015, and the Annual Energy Outlook (AEO) 2016 early release […]
What’s the best way to price electricity?
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 […]
Prometheus Institute 