The Death of the Grid?
As Mark Twain would say, the reports are exaggerated.
Contrary to rumor, the grid won’t die, but in fact must grow exponentially, in function, complexity, and usefulness.
Behind the Meter: What's In Store
Key steps for companies considering on-site energy storage.
The energy storage market is gaining momentum. Drivers: Growing penetration of renewable energy in the resource mix; Increasing focus on climate change and resource scarcity; Growing prevalence of demand charges for commercial and industrial energy users; and various other regulatory changes.
Integrated Energy
Distributed energy + distributed controls = distributed benefits.
Utility business models are at risk in a world of distributed energy resources and local intelligent controls, such as microgrids. But the real revolution may lie in customer expectations, where third parties threaten to take ownership.
Managing Assets is Not Asset Management
The real thing demands a culture shift toward long-range thinking.
Rather, it involves a culture shift: towards a broader view to encompass such business processes as life-cycle planning, performance analysis, and the entire value chain.
Energy Politics are Combustible
Many in business back EPA, but the new Congress has yet to weigh in.
The comment period closes on EPA’s Clean Power Plan, but Congress is holding its cards close to the vest.
Transactions (December 2014)
NRG Energy acquired Pure Energies Group, a residential solar industry provider; Duke Energy Progress filed with FERC for approval to purchase the North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power Agency’s generating assets for $1.2 billion; Trina Solar Limited signed a share purchase agreement to sell a power plant to funds managed by Foresight Group LLP; AES entered into an agreement to sell its 49.62% equity interest in a joint venture in Turkey; Southern Power acquired the 150-MW Solar Gen 2 solar facility in California from First Solar; SolarCity is planning to launch what would be the first registered public offering of solar bonds in the US; and debt offerings from Dynegy and ComEd.
People (December 2014)
ITC Holdings named Krista Tanner as v.p. of ITC Holdings Corp. and president of ITC Midwest; Dean Seavers will be U.S. president and executive director at National Grid; CenterPoint Energy promoted three company executives; Darren Olagues, is expected to become president and CEO of Cleco; American DG Energy appointed Benjamin M. Locke as co-CEO; Ronald J. Tanski, president and CEO of National Fuel Gas Company, was elected chairman of the board of directors at Interstate Natural Gas Association of America; Appointment changes at several associations, and others...
A Merger Hits Home
Some thoughts on Exelon’s takeover of Pepco.
“Mr. Rigby says there’s no conflict between shareholders wanting the highest price and ratepayers wanting the best service … His view is illogical.” – Scott Hempling, attorney, in opposition.
IKEA to Increase Size of Michigan’s Largest Rooftop Solar Array
Submitted by aburr on Thu, 2014-12-04 13:47IKEA plans to increase the solar array atop its Detroit-area store that opened eight years ago in Canton, MI. In September, IKEA began work on a 44,000-square-foot expansion to the store, atop which new panels will be installed beginning spring 2015, with a completion by summer. The 40,000-square-foot solar addition will consist of a 240.9-kW system built with 765 panels, and will produce 287,490 kWh more of electricity annually for the store.