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Archive for the ‘Solar’ Category

Wholesale power prices decrease across the country in 2015

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, based on SNL Energy Wholesale electricity prices at major trading hubs on a monthly average basis for on-peak hours were down 27%-37% across the nation in 2015 compared with 2014, driven largely by lower natural gas prices. Because natural gas-fired generation sets the marginal price in many markets, wholesale electricity […]

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Getting To 100% Renewable Energy In the US

Getting to 100% renewable energy in the US by 2050 is a goal that is gaining traction among the US public. Reports from many environmental organizations have been written on how to get to this target, including from Greenpeace and the World Wildlife Foundation. After last year’s COP21 conference, the momentum has gotten stronger in […]

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California and Germany, Opposites With a Common Energy Goal

Solar farms in California. California’s “million solar roof” program mirrored Germany’s “hundred-thousand solar roof” initiative that began a few years ago. Credit Monica Almeida/The New York Times PARIS — One is a European country known as “the powerhouse of Europe” that struggles against soggy winters and seemingly endless gray skies. The other is a digitally […]

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Underwater balloons: Clean energy savior?

In the waters of Lake Ontario, Canada, a hugely significant energy development is taking place. Hydrostor is a company specializing in underwater compressed energy storage. Their idea addresses a significant issue facing renewables: the question of how to store energy to be used when the sun is not shining or winds aren’t strong enough. “The […]

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Connecticut, The Microgrid State

Hurricanes Sandy and Irene and a number of lower profile emergencies have had a great impact on Connecticut. Instead of just nervously watching The Weather Channel, the state is taking action. The latest example of efforts to ensure that key functions kept operating in emergency – and to give a boost to the traditional grid […]

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FERC: Renewables account for over 60% of new generation in 2015

FERC puts renewables at 17.4% of total installed U.S. generating capacity, including 8.59% hydro, 5.91% wind (68,830 MW), 1.43% biomass, 1.13% solar (13,180 MW), and 0.34% geothermal steam. No new nuclear capacity was added in 2015, and only 9 MW of oil and 3 MW of coal. Because of differing capacity factors, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) […]

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Dallas jumps Houston as top green power government

The City of Dallas has yanked the title of top green power user from Houston, according to the federal Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA on Monday said the City of Dallas is now the largest local government user of green power in the nation, taking the top spot away from the City of Houston, which still […]

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