Electricity

Free Solar Power Tomorrow!

Michael Giberson Well, not free-free, but subsidy-free. Maybe. When I read a headline promising “Solar Power to Hit Cost Parity Next Year,” it reminds me of the sign above the bar promising “Free Beer Tomorrow.” Like tomorrow, “next year” is always approaching and never here. RP Siegel begins his Triple Pundit article, “Solar Power to Hit …

Free Solar Power Tomorrow! Read More »

Who is the Renewable Power Policy “Playground Bully”?

Michael Giberson According to a poll by Fallon Research, “Nearly 60% [of Ohio voters] would pay an extra $3 a month on a $100 dollar energy bill to support the development of electricity from clean sources.” It is an interesting factoid, I suppose. My initial response is to wonder whether state electric power regulations in …

Who is the Renewable Power Policy “Playground Bully”? Read More »

Europe is Burning More American Coal

Michael Giberson Natural gas production is booming in the United States. The resulting low natural gas prices are helping the fuel displace other energy sources, most particularly the use of coal to produce electric power. As U.S. demand for coal falls, so has its price and as a result international coal buyers are increasingly turning …

Europe is Burning More American Coal Read More »

A Call for Controlled Experimentation in California’s Energy Efficiency Programs

Michael Giberson UC-Berkeley economist Catherine Wolfram has an op-ed in the Sacramento Bee advocating the state use controlled experimentation to discover with energy efficiency programs work best. As she explains, retailers are increasingly using experimentation and advanced data analysis to discover how to increase sales. Surely, she suggests, when planning to spend nearly half a …

A Call for Controlled Experimentation in California’s Energy Efficiency Programs Read More »

New Group Formed to Promote Research in U.s. Electric Power Markets

Michael Giberson Last week saw announcement of the Electric Markets Research Foundation. The group plans “to fund unbiased research that will examine the track records of centralized electricity markets and traditionally regulated markets in providing affordable and reliable supplies of power as well as meeting clean energy, transmission and environmental needs.” The news release continues: “There is a …

New Group Formed to Promote Research in U.s. Electric Power Markets Read More »

Power Demand Dropping? Must Be Time to Raise Prices!

Michael Giberson News headline reflects the stark difference in pricing strategy between competing businesses and regulated monopolies: “Xcel: Slack demand signals need for rate hike.” The sub-headline reads, “The utility, which posted a profit increase, will ask Minnesota for approval to raise rates.” Profits are up? Must need to raise prices. Reading the article heightens the …

Power Demand Dropping? Must Be Time to Raise Prices! Read More »

“Please, Sirs, May I Have Some More … Subsidies for Wind Power?”

Michael Giberson From The Hill’s Energy & Environment Blog: A group of military veterans pressed congressional Republicans on Thursday to renew a tax credit for the wind industry that their party’s standard-bearer, Mitt Romney, has vowed to end. The veterans, who are all employed by the wind industry, secured meetings with staff for House Majority Leader …

“Please, Sirs, May I Have Some More … Subsidies for Wind Power?” Read More »

Lifecycle Analysis: Environmental Impact of Electric Vehicles Ambiguous

Lynne Kiesling A forthcoming article in the Journal of Industrial Ecology reports on a lifecycle analysis comparing electric vehicles with internal combustion vehicles (at the moment the full article is available for our edification!). This thorough analysis looks at the resource use and environmental impact of the production, use, and disposal of the vehicle. From …

Lifecycle Analysis: Environmental Impact of Electric Vehicles Ambiguous Read More »