Michael Giberson Smart meters have run into a bit of consumer resistance. Some of us – no doubt crazed by the energy-econ-techno-lust possibilities – imagined that smart meters would be greeted by consumers with smiles and good cheer, and just maybe a tear or two of gratitude trickling down the consumers’ cheeks as they thank …
Responding to Consumer Concerns over Smart Meters Read More »
Michael Giberson On March 18, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission acted on the Tres Amigas project’s two regulatory requests submitted last October. Tres Amigas has proposed to link the large scale power interconnections covering the eastern and western halves of the United States with the ERCOT interconnection in Texas. The New Mexico-based project would facilitate …
Tres Amigas Gets Half a Loaf from Ferc, Tips on Gaining Other Half Read More »
Lynne Kiesling If you are in Washington, DC and interested in electricity policy, then I hope I will see you at this upcoming event at the American Enterprise Institute on Thursday afternoon. Why is the process of restructuring and institutional change so different in electricity than in other infrastructure industries? What is the current status …
Michael Giberson From a NERC press release: The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), and the Florida Reliability Coordinating Council (FRCC) have reached an agreement regarding the role of the FRCC Reliability Coordinator in the February 26, 2008 power outage that left nearly one million homes and businesses in …
Nerc, Ferc, and Frcc Agree on 2008 Florida Blackout Read More »
Michael Giberson The New York Times has a fascinating story on the solar power industry boom and bust in Spain created by shifting public policies. Similar effects have been observed from shifts in subsidy support for renewable power development in the United States, though because the subsidy was smaller and spread over a larger area …
Shifting Policy Extinguishes Short-lived Spanish Solar Boom, Fortunately Read More »
Michael Giberson Today ten companies announce “Friends of the Supergrid,” a group dedicated to promoting policy support for a massive power grid to link offshore wind resource areas to European power markets. The project would also enhance the ability to trade power between regions. The group complements the “North Seas Countries’ Offshore Grid Initiative” announced …
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities: European Electric Grid Expansion Version Read More »
Michael Giberson The Houston Chronicle has added another voice to its roster of energy bloggers: Pat Wood III. Wood is former chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and before that chairman of the Public Utility Commission of Texas (though around here they usually list those two items the other way. In order of importance, …
Michael Giberson The Wall Street Journal published a lengthy article by Russel Gold on the behind-the-scenes struggle over cost allocation and performance obligations between wind power producers and conventional generators. Tension over how variable resources participate in markets have been simmering for years, but wind power and other intermittent resources have been too small to …
Wind Power and Natural Gas-fired Power and Power Market Design Read More »
Michael Giberson Robert Rapier on Bloom Energy. Jumping straight to the end, his conclusion: Bloom Energy looks like both Plug Power and Range Fuels to me. It is a company that is attempting to produce energy cheaper than all those who came before using known technology – and using hype to attract investors. And if …
Rapier on Bloom Energy: Hype is a Two-edged Sword Read More »
Michael Giberson Sandia National Lab has just published a study of energy storage applications for the electric grid: “Energy Storage for the Electricity Grid: Benefits and Market Potential Assessment Guide.” John Petersen at Alt Energy Stocks said: I’ve been following the work in progress on this report since last summer and have eagerly awaited the …
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