Tag

electricity

Article, Consumer, Energy, Utilities and Providers, Weather

Improvements help utilities respond quicker to hurricane storm damage

October 17, 2016

Hurricane Sandy dealt a devastating blow to the U.S. in 2012, leaving about $70 billion in damages, 147 people dead and millions without electricity, mostly in New York and New Jersey. The impact on the electric grid from Sandy’s storm surge and high winds on the Atlantic coast prompted utility executives and government officials to work more closely than ever to find new ways of coordinating their resources and strengthening infrastructure in response to storms. Four years later, those efforts are paying off. (Read more)

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by Bill Loveless
Article, Climate, Consumer, Energy, People, Weather

Heat is on, but the power grid is holding

July 26, 2016

The retirement of coal and nuclear power plants in the U.S. over the last few years has raised concerns that the electric power industry might fail to deliver when demand for power heightens — such as during a blistering heat wave. But for the most part, that’s not the case this week as a so-called “heat dome” leaves the eastern and central parts of the U.S. sweltering with temperatures of 95 degrees or more and feeling as though it’s much hotter. (Read more)

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by Bill Loveless
Article, Climate, Energy, Government and Politics, Technology, Utilities and Providers

Solar plane partner sees energy reforms in U.S.

June 26, 2016

As he follows the Solar Impulse 2 on its historic flight around the world, the CEO of one of the project’s partners, Ulrich Spiesshofer, draws similarities between the challenges facing the aircraft and those confronting companies navigating changes in energy consumption, like his. “We need to make sure that we demonstrate to the world with projects like this that we continue to stretch the limits,” Spiesshofer, the chief executive of ABB, a multinational maker of electricity grids and robots, said during a visit to Washington the other day. “This project is absolutely stretching the limits.” (Read more)

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by Bill Loveless
Article, Consumer, Corporations, Energy, Utilities and Providers

GE startup injects life to efficient-energy efforts

June 19, 2016

Eight months in her new job as head of a start-up at General Electric hasn’t spoiled Maryrose Sylvester’s positive attitude about tackling the challenges she faces. “One of the things about being a good business leader is you have to be incredibly optimistic and paranoid at the same time. I’m both of those things,” says the president and CEO of GE’s new division Current, laughing at GE’s office in Washington the other day (Read more)

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by Bill Loveless
Article, Corporations, Energy, People, Utilities and Providers

What’s next for NRG after Crane removal?

June 8, 2016

With some of the most ambitious clean-energy goals among U.S. electric-power companies, NRG Energy sees itself as a trailblazer in the industry. But pursuing those objectives has been difficult for NRG, whose board sacked its CEO, David Crane, last December. Now, with a new boss, one of the nation’s biggest independent power companies sees itself as still on course — but taking a more cautious approach — to a greener energy future. (Read More)

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by Bill Loveless
Article, Consumer, Energy, Regulations, Utilities and Providers

Staid power industry is branching out

April 3, 2016

Selling electricity was once a relatively simple proposition. A utility fired up a power station with coal, natural gas, oil or some other fuel, and sent electricity down a wire to customers. But the business model for the electric power industry has changed dramatically in the U.S. over the past 25 years, with deregulation opening markets to competing sellers of electricity, and new technologies offering a dizzying array of options for consumers. The latest sign of change in the industry is the announcement by Edison International of a new subsidiary called Edison Energy that sells “energy as a service” to commercial and industrial customers throughout the U.S. (Read more)

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by Bill Loveless
Article, Corporations, Energy

Energy industry loses an executive-suite maverick

December 6, 2015

The resignation of David Crane as chief executive of NRG Energy last week illustrates the risks that leaders of U.S. electric-power companies face in a changing industry. Crane stepped down amid a nosedive in the company’s stock, a slump that reflected investor discomfort over his efforts to transform the company from a traditional supplier of electricity to one increasingly focused on rooftop solar systems, electric-vehicle charging and home energy management. (Read more)

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by Bill Loveless
Article, Consumer, Corporations, Energy, Utilities and Providers

Stagnant electric demand sparks mega mergers

November 9, 2015

Stagnant demand for electricity in the USA is forcing utilities to look elsewhere for revenue and earnings, prompting a surge in mergers and acquisitions. Recent announcements by Duke Energy and Southern Company illustrate the trend, which is likely to continue for some time, according to analysts, including the accounting firm EY, previously known as Ernst & Young. (Read More)

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by Bill Loveless
Article, Energy

Nuclear’s future uncertain as natural gas surges

October 18, 2015

Prospects for a nuclear renaissance in the U.S. suffered another blow last week with the announcement by Entergy that it will shut down its Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station in Plymouth, Mass., by 2019. The New Orleans-based company blamed competition from low-price natural gas as well as state and regional policies that favor gas and renewable energy as the main reasons for its decision to pull the plug on a 680-megawatt plant that can power more than 600,000 homes. (Read more)

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by Bill Loveless
Article, Government and Politics, International

Moniz sees progress, but not enough, in energy landscape

April 30, 2015

U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz is receiving a lot of attention for his involvement in U.S. negotiations with Iran over Tehran’s nuclear program. Helping Secretary of State John Kerry evaluate Iran’s nuclear capability and the potential for an enforceable agreement is undoubtedly one of the weightiest assignments of Moniz’s career. But occurring at the same time for the 70-year-old physicist is a major new report that, until his Iran role, appeared likely to be the crowning achievement of his tenure at the Department of Energy. (Read more)

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by Bill Loveless