Electricity
Down, Down, Down: Energy Prices in the 2010s
By Evelyn Teel A previous blog post highlighted the shale gas revolution as arguably the most significant energy-related development of the previous decade (you can find the post here: https://avalonenergy.us/2019/12/shale-we-review-the-2010s/). In this article, we will discuss another trend that was significant in the 2010s – declining energy prices. Natural Gas Prices One major effect of…
Read MoreIn the News: Jeff Dowdell Talks CHP, Natural Gas, and More
By Evelyn Teel Avalon Energy Services Senior Energy Consultant Jeff Dowdell was the featured guest on the most recent Energy Sense Podcast. Check out the episode to learn about combined heat and power (CHP) – what it is, how it can reduce costs and improve efficiency, and how it improves resilience. Jeff also discusses the…
Read MoreShale We Review the 2010s?
By Evelyn Teel and Jim McDonnell With the decade coming to a close, this is a perfect opportunity to look back at how the energy market has changed over the past ten years. It has certainly been a whirlwind ride, starting shortly after the 2008 stock market crash and continuing through the Great Recession and…
Read MoreWind Power, Transmission Lines, and a Vision for a Better Electric Grid
By Evelyn Teel Wind energy is an incredible resource with incredible potential. The generation costs are low, the efficiency of turbines continues to increase, and the threat to birds continues to decline. An unfortunate irony, however, is that the places with the most prolific wind energy tend to be places with relatively little demand for…
Read MoreMaryland Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard – A Lot of Change for No Action
During this year’s legislative session, the Maryland General Assembly passed the Maryland Clean Energy Jobs Act. Maryland’s governor, Larry Hogan, then had until 30 days after the legislative session (i.e., until May 30) to sign the bill, veto the bill, or take no action. By taking no action, the bill would automatically become law. The…
Read MoreAvalon Energy Services Turns 10 Years Old This Month
Late 2008/early 2009 was an unsettling time. Bear Stearns was bailed out, Lehman Brothers went bankrupt, the housing market collapsed, credit markets were frozen, the stock market fell more than 40%, the unemployment rate was approaching 10%, and energy markets were in turmoil. The Great Recession was underway. Despite this uncertainty, during April of 2009,…
Read MoreNew England Electricity Rates: Quite a Difference
By Jim McDonnell and Evelyn Teel, Avalon Energy Services, LLC Compared to the rest of the United States, electricity prices in New England are high. Nothing surprising there. So, just how expensive are they? Well, it depends. And, the surprising part is which utility, in one comparison, has the lowest rates. First, some background. Eversource…
Read MoreElectricity, meet Rock
For several years, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has been investigating the potential effects of intense geomagnetic storms on electric utility infrastructure. In 2016 they concluded, “A severe geomagnetic storm could disrupt the nation’s power grid for months, potentially leading to widespread blackouts. Resulting damage and disruption from such an event could cost more than…
Read MoreNCAC – 22nd Annual Washington Energy Policy Conference
ONE WEEK FROM TODAY Secure your spot here: https://www.ncac-usaee.org/event-2845352 Energy Technologies and Innovations: A Disturbance in the [Market] Force Thursday, April 12, 2018, 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM The George Washington University Keynote speakers: Mark P. Mills, Senior Fellow, Manhattan Institute Gil Quiniones, President and CEO, New York Power Authority In addition to these keynote…
Read MoreBalancing Congestion
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved a change in PJM’s (the Mid-Atlantic grid operator) tariff, allowing them to shift what are called “balancing congestion” costs to load serving entities. FERC approved PJM’s tariff revision with an effective date of June 1. Suppliers have indicated that they intend to pass through these charges. Suppliers include a…
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