September 09, 2009

Wind power's potential could be improved if developers had better forecasting tools. Knowing about when, where and how fast the wind blows is one thing. But being able to more accurately make those assessments is clearly a cut above.

As it stands now, if the estimates are off and the wind takes a hiatus, utilities must crank up their backup generation and their production costs will rise as a result. The issue will invariably compound itself as state mandates force power companies to provide more wind power. By taking years of real weather data and modeling it to fit a specific location, however, forecasters say that they can come within a few percentage points of what the actual results will be -- even years down the road.

September 02, 2009

When it comes to controlling greenhouse gas emissions, China wants in. The bold proclamation comes amidst international discussions that are to take place in Copenhagen, Denmark, in December.

Its intentions may be pure. But its motivations are even clearer. If the country is to modernize its generation fleet, it needs investors. As such, China must not only become an active partner in the fight to curb heat trapping emissions but it also needs to attract at least $200 billion in foreign investment over the next decade. Toward that end, it is asking the developed world to share both its money and technology.

August 31, 2009

The Enron saga still lives. Elements of the so-called "Enron loophole" remain intact -- provisions that that some say distort markets and drive up commodity prices.

The uncertainty in oil and natural gas markets, along with the country's financial morass, has prompted legislative changes. But the Obama administration wants those commodities that are bought and sold through trading platforms to be subject to even stricter oversight. The administration's Commodity Futures Trading Commission is considering regulations that would diminish the power of those exchanges and set limits on the number of energy positions that traders take.

Michigan Democrats propose renewable energy requirements

Lansing - Michigan's goals for shifting to green energy could be expanded under bills unveiled Monday by House Democrats, business leaders and clean energy advocates.

The plan would require that 30 percent of the state's electricity come from renewable sources by 2025; 10 percent is already required to come from solar, wind or other green sources by 2015. The package also would require utilities to work with their customers to decrease energy use by 2 percent per year, and mandate revisions in building codes to cut down on energy use.

August 28, 2009

With stimulus monies flowing, how will the government keep track of it all? While it's a sophisticated system bound to be fraught with problems, the Obama administration is nonetheless committed to ensuring that the process is transparent and above board.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 is, in fact, the largest ever government infusion into the economy. With several dozen avenues from which the money is released to thousands of recipients that range from private companies to local jurisdictions, the task before those who will monitor the situation is enormous.