Forget the threat of solar and battery-equipped customers defecting from the grid. The real threat for utilities unwilling to adapt to grid-connected customers installing ever-cheaper solar and energy storage technologies is “load […]
U.S. refiners can bulk up to consume more domestic oil
A new report from the Energy Information Administration suggests refiners can — and will — invest in new equipment to process the light oil flowing out of U.S. wells today, but a […]
Yes, It’s Possible to Value Environmental Impacts from Shale Gas Production
One of the papers included in the Brookings Panel on Economic Activity looked at how the shale gas boom has affected the U.S. economically. Shale gas has indeed lowered natural gas prices. […]
Senators Try To Stop The Coming Oil Train Wreck
Spearheaded by the Senators from Washington State, legislation just introduced in the United States Senate will finally address the rash of crude oil train wrecks and explosions that have skyrocketed over the last two […]
Rating Agencies, Solar Experts and the Gov’t Define What Makes a Perfect Solar Project
Although securitization has been limited in the residential solar sector thus far, most in the industry believe it’s an inevitability. But if more banks are going to package portfolios of solar projects […]
Creditors Pulling The Rug From Under U.S. Shale Sector
Back in early 2007, just as the first signs of the bursting housing and credit bubble were becoming visible, one of the primary harbingers of impending doom was banks slowly but surely […]
Nonhydro electricity storage increasing as new policies are implemented
Although pumped hydroelectric storage makes up most of the total electricity storage capacity in the United States, nonhydro storage has doubled in electric power sector capacity from 160 megawatts (MW) to nearly […]
Long-Awaited ‘Jump’ In Global Warming Now Appears ‘Imminent’
We may be witnessing the start of the long-awaited jump in global temperatures. Many studies suggest we’re "about to experience a historically unprecedented spike in temperatures.” Changes in the Pacific Ocean that […]
Asian Solar, European Offshore Wind Drives 2014 Renewable Growth
Investment in renewable energy grew 17 percent in 2014 to $270 billion, just 3 percent below the all-time record of nearly $279 billion in 2011, according to a new report from the […]
Electricity’s Un-Natural Monopoly
The U.S. electricity system is undergoing the biggest change in its 130-year history, undermining the rationale for monopoly ownership and control. Until recently, electricity service was similar to water or roads, where […]
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