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Utilities in Pain

Utility companies are facing many novel points of pain in today's world. Our team has collected various articles exploring the issues utilities are facing, ranging from storage, carbon reduction, and capacity. Explore the articles below, or contact us for more information on how Thermal Energy Consulting can help resolve these issues.

Jun 01
Love31
Image shows graphic of rechargeable electric plug and title of article.

Construction Begins on Idaho Power’s First Energy Storage Projects as it Faces Growing Capacity Shortfall

By Storage No Comments
Original Source: Construction begins on Idaho Power’s first energy storage projects as it faces growing capacity shortfall | Utility Dive Dive Brief: Construction has begun on Idaho’s first utility-scale energy storage installations, which are expected to start to come online this summer, Idaho Power announced March 3. An 80-MW battery energy storage system is being installed at the company’s Hemingway substation in Owyhee County and a 40-MW system is being built adjacent to the 40-MW Black Mesa solar project in Elmore County. Idaho Power told state regulators it identified in May 2021 a capacity deficit of 78 MW by this June, growing each year…
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May 25
Love31

Appalachian Power Updates its Annual Clean Energy Plan

By Storage No Comments
Original Source: AEP Appalachian Power - Appalachian Power updates its annual clean energy plan (electricenergyonline.com) Appalachian Power updates its annual clean energy plan. March 20, 2023 Clean energy projects that deliver affordable, reliable power while creating jobs and tax base are integral parts of Appalachian Power's plan to meet its renewable energy obligations in Virginia. The information is included in the company's annual update filed this week to comply with the Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA). The VCEA is a law that requires the company provide its 542,000 Virginia customers with carbon-free energy by 2050. With its passage, Appalachian Power…
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Jun 01
Love31
Image shows graphic of C02 and text "North Carolina's Carbon Plan Criticized for Lack of Specifics, Energy Reliability and Possible Higher Bills."

North Carolina’s Carbon Plan Criticized for Lack of Specifics, Energy Reliability and Possible Higher Bills

By Carbon Reduction No Comments
Original Source: North Carolina’s Carbon Plan criticized for lack of specifics, energy reliability and possible higher bills (wral.com) A plan to significantly reduce carbon emissions in North Carolina is receiving widespread criticism. Environmental groups believe the state’s first Carbon Plan lacks specifics while other critics are concerned that too much reliance on renewable energy will be costly to the state. Some customers believe increasing renewables will mean a less reliable grid. The passing of House Bill 951 requires Duke Energy and other electric utility providers to reduce carbon emissions by 70% from 2005 levels by 2030 and reach net-zero emissions…
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Jun 02
Love31
Image shows graphic of a construction crane working on office buildings.

Risks Faced by Power Utility Companies

By Grid Capacity No Comments
Original Source: Risks Faced by Power Utility Companies | Energy Central Unprecedented transformation and rising threats are a top focus for power and utilities. Meanwhile, the cleaner energy transition poses unique opportunities to move the industry forward. Leaders know that taking a panoramic view of risk is no longer nice to have. It’s a must. Power utility companies are facing significant risks due to the latest technologies available. The advancements in technologies have led to a change in the power generation and distribution system, and thus, power utility companies must adapt to these changes to stay relevant in the industry.…
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Jun 01
Love31
Image shows graphic of a dollar sign and lightning bolt with text "CenterPoint Customers to See Rate Hike as Utility Recovers $200M Spent on Emergency Generation."

CenterPoint Customers to See Rate Hike as Utility Recovers $200M Spent on Emergency Generation

By Grid Capacity No Comments
Original Source: PUC: CenterPoint can recover $200 million from Houston customers (houstonchronicle.com) CenterPoint used one of Life Cycle Power's mobile generation units, shown here, to provide power to a community center in Lake Jackson after Hurricane Nicholas. CenterPoint has leased 500 megawatts of mobile generation, which will cost ratepayers about $200 million. Critics argue CenterPoint rushed the contracting process. Electricity customers in Houston are about to see their bills increase after the state Public Utility Commission gave a green light for CenterPoint to increase its rates. The increase comes as CenterPoint seeks to recoup $200 million in costs it incurred to to lease mobile…
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Jun 01
Love31
Image shows electricity with text "America is being hit by a surge of blackouts - and it's only going to get worse!"

America is Being Hit by a Huge Surge in Blackouts- And it’s Only Going to Get Worse

By Grid Capacity No Comments
Original Source: Why Blackouts, Power Outages Are Becoming More Common (businessinsider.com) Normally, Scott Gann's air conditioning kept his house in Columbus, Ohio, cool during the Midwest's increasingly hot summer days. But in June, as the heat index climbed to 110 degrees Fahrenheit, Gann — along with more than 600,000 Ohioans — suddenly lost power, leaving him sweltering in his home. "It's just a different kind of experience when you're at your house trying to sleep and it's literally 95 degrees," he told me. Many who could afford it decided to flee to hotels in unaffected areas, but Gann and the…
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Jun 01
Love31
Image shows a graphic of a bag of money next to an up arrow.

Record High Electricity Prices Not Enough to Increase Consumer Awareness of Sustainability Initiatives

By Cost No Comments
Original Source: Record-high electricity prices fail to boost residential energy management programs: JD Power | Utility Dive Utilities Intelligence Report March 2023 Electricity bills in the United States rose 13.1% on average in 2022, higher than the overall rate of inflation. Concurrent with this trend, utilities have introduced aggressive carbon reduction goals and sustainability initiatives that rely on customers reducing their energy consumption through a combination of time-of-use rates, energy-saving appliance rebate programs and more. In fact, 81% of electric utility customers are now served by a utility with a stated carbon reduction target. Despite this decade-long push to change…
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We talk a lot about energy – from the serious to the satirical.

All things energy. That’s our jam.

We talk a lot about energy – from the serious to the satirical.

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