May 10, 2010

Whole Foods Market, Inc. is aggressively trying to cut its energy consumption. Among its strategies is installing hydrogen-powered fuel cells at certain of its locations to supply anywhere from 50-90 percent of its electricity. The same system can also be used as backup power in case those stores should get cut off from the grid.

To the extent that businesses derive their power from such onsite generators, the wear and tear on the electric grid is diminished and reliability for customers is enhanced. Costs, technology and fuel supply are still hurdles. That is why the charge will be led by those customers, regulators and environmentalists seeking better performance and cleaner surroundings.

May 07, 2010

Nuclear energy's prospects are even better now that the Obama administration has promised $4 billion for uranium enrichment projects. That's double the previous limit -- a move meant to complement a separate loan guarantee program to promote the development of nuclear power in this country.

Uranium, of course, is the fuel used to run nuclear power plants. At issue is the centrifuge technology, long used by European plants but fairly uncommon in the United States. Here, the efforts are centered on advancing older and more energy intensive models -- all to accommodate two decades of underinvestment in uranium mining and enrichment.

Below are a few letters received at EnergyBiz Insider on topics that appeared in the past few weeks. They capture the essence of how many readers say they feel.

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May 05, 2010

Electrical network design is a complex, continuously evolving process. Energy Central's Sierra Energy Group says that as many as 150,000 people are working on this arcane pursuit.

Many of these people have engineering degrees that enable them to deal with the complex mathematical and scientific calculations necessary to deal with America's complex and constantly growing electrical grids. Whenever a new generation source comes online, engineers have to design the system that will take the power from the station, get it to the correct voltages for the transmission system, specify all the proper equipment and supervise the construction. At the other end of the grid, when a new subdivision -- or even one house -- is added, similar steps are taken at lower voltages.

May 03, 2010

The news is rippling all along the Atlantic shoreline: The Obama administration has given what may be the final blessing to the offshore Cape Wind project to be built in Nantucket Sound.

While the administration never tipped its hand until last week's announcement, it was a foregone conclusion that it would approve the offshore facility given that the foundation of its economic, energy and environmental program has centered on growing green generation. As with its offshore oil and gas policies, the U.S. Department of the Interior said it would strike a balance between energy production and the environment, which in this case has meant cutting the number of wind mills from 170 to 130.