Posts Tagged ‘green power’
City of NO Cars
August 29th, 2009What is a Utility Audit?
August 27th, 2009Everyone uses energy, and certainly we are all required to pay for it. Whether it is electricity or natural gas, every building requires some source of power to run the lighting, heat, and air conditioning, as well as the computers we have come to rely on to do our daily work. But not everyone is aware that there are different options when it comes to how we purchase the energy that comes from ‘the grid.’ A utility audit will identify where the consumer’s opportunity to save money is.
In some states, energy has been deregulated, allowing the consumer to ‘shop’ for the most cost effective energy instead of dealing with the large incumbent providers. In short, those purchasing energy in de-regulated states now have a choice. With access to a variety of energy providers with electricity or natural gas options, consumers can purchase their power at both fixed and variable rate pricing. The difference between the two being similar to fixed and adjustable rate mortgages. Most often, the fixed rate is more desirable as an adjustable rate puts the buyer at the mercy of the energy market. And when the price of energy rises, as it has done year over year, those with adjustable rates will see their bills go up and up.
Another issue for customers with a variable rate is, if the price of energy was to go down, the incumbent energy providers have no intention of reducing their profit. That being the case, there is most often an increase to the ‘pass through’ or ‘add on’ charges customers see on their utility bill. These charges are comprised of delivery charges amongst other things.
A utility audit will identify if the purchaser is taking advantage of the deregulated environment. The process is uncomplicated, and with just a copy of the customer’s most recent utility bill and contract, the auditor can complete the analysis. Based on the volume, usage, and future need, a cost proposal for alternative providers will show in dollars and cents, how much can be saved by switching energy providers.
When an alternative provider of energy is selected, there is usually no change noticeable to the customer. The bill is still received from the existing delivery company. Only the energy provider changes. It is simply the energy that goes to the grid that is purchased elsewhere It is the same energy coming from the same grid. It is just purchased at a lower rate. The process is seamless for most.
So how can customers find out if they are in a deregulated energy state? All one needs to do is contact their existing energy delivery company, or state government website. The energy delivery company is required to give customers accurate deregulation information, and in some cases will provide alternative suppliers information. It is important to note, that the best way to find out which provider and rate is best is to have a 3rd party do a utility audit. As utility audits are usually done at no cost, customers can only gain from the information they receive.
Another Record for U.S. Renewable Electricity
August 20th, 2009The latest figures from the Energy Information Administration show that net U.S. electrical generation from renewable energy sources (biomass, geothermal, solar, water, wind) reached an all-time monthly high in May 2009. Combined, those sources accounted for 13 percent of total electrical generation in the U.S., according to recent analysis from the Washington, D.C.-based Sun Day Campaign.
More specifically, Sun Day reports that renewable sources generated 40,395,000 megawatt-hours (Mwh) of electricity in May 2009 (the latest month for which EIA has compiled and released data). That level is 7.7 percent higher than that produced in May 2008 (37,515,000 Mwh) and appears to be the highest monthly figure ever reported by EIA for renewably-generated electricity.
Total net electrical generation in May 2009 from all sources, including renewables, fossil fuels, and nuclear, was 311,411,000 Mwh – a drop of 4.1 percent from the 324,589,000 Mwh generated in May 2008.
The 13 percent share of U.S. net electrical generation provided by renewable sources in May 2009 consists of 9.4 percent from conventional hydropower and 3.6 percent from non-hydro renewables. The latter figure includes approximately 1.8 percent from wind, 1.3 percent from biomass, 0.4 percent from geothermal, and 0.3 from solar thermal and photovoltaics (totals do not exactly equal due to rounding).
Comparing the month of May 2009 to the month of May 2008, net electrical generation from wind sources increased by 12.5 percent; higher wind generation totals in the state of Iowa accounted for 52.2 percent of the national increase. This large increase occurred as 11 new Iowa wind farms began generating electricity at the end of 2008. Conventional hydropower increased by 10.2 percent, reflecting an increase in generation of 2,705,000 Mwh. Solar thermal and photovoltaics combined increased by 3.5 percent.
On the other hand, coal dropped by 14.8 percent, petroleum liquids by 8.3 percent and nuclear by 0.6 percent. Natural gas expanded by 10.6 percent.
“Month-after-month, the U.S. government’s own numbers refute those attempting to dismiss or belittle the rapidly expanding role being played by renewable energy sources in the nation’s electricity supply,” said Ken Bossong, Executive Director of the Sun Day Campaign. “Moreover, non-hydro renewables are already well beyond the levels of the Renewable Electricity Standard proposed in energy legislation now being considered by before the U.S. Senate, which calls for just 3 percent renewables by 2013.”
For the 12-month period ending May 31, 2009, all renewable energy sources combined accounted for 9.6 percent of net U.S. electrical generation with conventional hydropower accounting for 6.4 percent and non-hydro renewables accounting for the other 3.2 percent. By comparison, for the 12-month period ending May 31, 2008, the corresponding numbers were 8.4 percent, 5.7 percent, and 2.7 percent.
Washington, D.C. United States [RenewableEnergyWorld.com]
