FOSSIL FUELS

[Report] Non-Hydro Energy Storage Gaining Traction in Grid-Scale Applications

Coal Power, Energy Efficiency, Energy Storage, Environmental Markets, Fossil Fuels, Natural Gas, Power & Utilities, Renewables, Smart Grid, Solar Power, Wind Power

Non-hydro utility-scale energy storage solutions are landing record-setting contracts in multiple regions, marking a transition beyond small-scale ancillary services. Fast-reacting and flexible energy storage resources can efficiently provide ancillary services to free-up traditional generation assets for wholesale market participation. The U.S. Bicameral Task Force on Climate Change recently cited that by 2022, the worldwide demand…...

FERC Directs RTOs/ISOs to Review Fuel Assurance Plans

Coal Power, Emissions, Energy Efficiency, Environmental Markets, Fossil Fuels, Natural Gas, Oil, Power & Utilities, Renewables1 Comment

The FERC has directed RTOs/ISOs to identify fuel assurance issues relevant to their respective markets and file a report on the status of their efforts to address the issues. On November 20, 2014, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued an order directing regional transmission organizations and independent system operators (RTOs/ISOs) to file reports on…...

DOE Launches Industry Partner Network to Engage Minorities in Energy Sector

Coal Power, Energy Efficiency, Fossil Fuels, Hydropower, Natural Gas, Nuclear Power, Oil, Renewables, Solar Power, Wind Power

The DOE’s Minorities in Energy Industry Partner Network aims to build minorities’ capacity to compete for energy sector opportunities. On November 18, 2014 — the first anniversary of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Minorities in Energy Initiative (MIE) — DOE launched the MIE Industry Partner Network to increase engagement of underrepresented communities in the energy sector…....

[Report] Energy Efficiency Resource Growth Hinges on State Policies and Financing Mechanisms

Energy Efficiency, Environmental Markets, Fossil Fuels, Power & Utilities, Renewables

State energy efficiency resource standards (EERS) outline near- and long-term energy use reduction requirements for utilities and third-party program administrators. EERS play an instrumental role in reducing power-sector emissions growth and could help reduce electricity consumption by as much as 10 percent by 2020. States that do not have a history of EERS or incentive…...

FERC Issues Draft Environmental Review for Jordan Cove LNG and Pacific Connector Pipeline

Fossil Fuels, Natural Gas

The FERC has issued a draft EIS for Jordan Cove’s proposed LNG export terminal at Coos Bay and the associated natural gas transmission pipeline proposed by Pacific Connector. On November 7, 2014, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Jordan Cove Energy Project LP’s proposed liquefied natural gas…...

[Report] PJM Aims for Improved Reliability with Proposed Capacity Market Reforms

Environmental Markets, Fossil Fuels, Power & Utilities, Renewables

The 2013-2014 winter polar vortex and cold snap events caused record forced generation capacity outages in the PJM Interconnection region. The high outage levels prompted PJM to reassess its capacity product definitions – and associated performance incentives and penalties – to ensure future system reliability. The currently proposed Reliability Pricing Model (RPM) reforms pose significant…...