Google and Utilities Partner on Smart Metering Technology
Eight utilities in the U.S., Canada and India are teaming up with Google in smart meter projects that will enable customers to monitor their energy use online and better manage their power consumption.
NPR - Smart Meter Saves Big Bucks for Pa. Family
Energy Smart Miami: Smart Grid Initiative
In partnership with FPL Group, Cisco Systems, and start-up Silver Spring Networks, GE is preparing a major Advanced Meter Infrastructure (AMI) initiative in Miami.
More information:
http://www.energysmartmiami.com/
http://newsroom.cisco.com/dlls/2009/prod_042009d.html
Lower your natural gas tariff
Most natural gas customers in the U.S. have the ability to lower their commodity price at any time. There are usually two or three competitors in any given territory, and you can call each of them to get the lowest possible commodity supply tariff at any time, and as often as you wish in some territories. Each supplier will quote you a new tariff (for example $10 or $11 per thousand cubic feet gas) that you may keep for up to 12 months or some specified time frame. If you sign up for a lower tariff with an alternative supplier, your local gas utility monopoly will continue billing you, but your next bill will reflect the lower commodity tariff.
Bolivia may become the Saudi Arabia of lithium
The 12-volt lead-acid battery used in traditional automotive applications has given way to higher energy density batteries as the automobile industry moves toward further electrification. The advent of hybrid electric vehicles in the past decade gave way to mass production of nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) batteries in automobiles, which have twice the energy density of lead-acid batteries. Now the demand for long range electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles in the coming decade is giving way to mass production of lithium-ion batteries in automobiles with twice the energy density of Ni-MH batteries. The lithium ion battery offers 100-150 Watt hours per kilogram, Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) offers 65-70 Wh/kg, and lead-acid offers 30-40 Wh/kg.
NY Times reports that almost half of the world’s lithium, the mineral needed to power plug-in hybrid or electric vehicles, is found in Bolivia. Read more
Who are the major players holding and producing the world’s oil?
According to an “EIA in Brief“, government controlled companies, or “nationalized” companies, control most of current production (52% in 2007) and proven reserves (88% in 2007). That is, 88% of the world’s oil is controlled by nationalized companies like Saudi Aramco (Saudi Arabia), Pemex (Mexico), and PDVSA (Venezuela), which use money from their oil exports to support domestic government programs and discount prices for domestic customers. U.S. oil resources are not nationalized. U.S. oil resources are controlled by Chevron, Exxon, Shell, and other international oil companies that control about 12% oil the world’s proven oil reserves.
European Commission urges US to cooperate in CO2 cap-and-trade market
The European Commission today presented its proposals for a comprehensive new global agreement to tackle climate change to be concluded at the Copenhagen UN climate conference in December 2009. The proposal Towards a comprehensive climate change agreement in Copenhagen urges the U.S. to join the international community in a renewed cap-and-trade market linking members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, a group of 30 industrialized nations, by 2015.
Related Links
EU Business: EC Communication: Towards a comprehensive climate change agreement in Copenhagen - briefing
Bloomberg: EU Seeks CO2 Market With U.S., Climate Aid for Poor
NY Times: E.U. Appeals to U.S. to Join Common Carbon Trading Market
C-SPAN Energy: Al Gore testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Cmte. on 1/28
PA PUC asks electric distribution companies for consumption projections and peak demand data
Pennsylvania Act 129, passed in late 2008, requires the state’s electric distribution companies (EDCs) to reduce electricity consumption by 1% by May 31, 2011, and by 3% by May 31, 2013. The Act also requires a 4.5% reduction in peak demand by May 31, 2013.
On January 15, 2009 the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) ordered EDC’s with more than 100,000 customers to submit consumption forecasts (i.e. baselines) against which the mandated 1% and 3% reductions in consumption will be measured. Each EDC must also submit hourly peak megawatt load (MW) data to the PUC, against which the 4.5% reduction in peak demand will be measured.
US still qualifies as world’s biggest importer of natural gas
A new report published by EIA examines recent trends in the international trade of natural gas for the US. Net US imports of natural gas hit an all-time high of 3,785 billion cubic feet (Bcf) in 2007, while pipeline exports to Canada continued to expand as well, illustrating the highly integrated North American markets.
Figure 1. Flow of Natural Gas Imports and Exports, 2007 (Billion Cubic Feet)
US House panel approves decoupling policy, grid upgrades
Washington (Platts) — The US House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee, in a 34-17 vote along party lines, approved energy provisions in the $825-billion economic recovery package that include $11 billion in smart grid investments and policies to encourage states to adopt utility rate structures that ensure their cost recovery.
Obama’s green team and their tasks
guardian.co.uk reviews Obama’s top energy and environmental appointments, including:
Carol Browner, assistant to the president for energy and climate change
Steve Chu, energy secretary
Lisa Jackson, head of the US Environmental Protection Agency
John Holdren, presidential science adviser.
The appointment of Holdren sends a strong message about climate change. In a July 2008 interview with Amy Goodman, Holdren explained why he objects to the term “global warming.”
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NYMEX: Light, Sweet Crude Oil (CL)
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NYMEX: Natural Gas (NG)
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NYMEX: Heating Oil (HO)
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EIA: Retail Prices
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Bloomberg: Wind Energy Index
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MAC: Global Solar Energy Index