Latest
-
Why We Need to Be Cautious in the Shift to Gas
There’s a lot to like about gas-fired power: Abundant fuel supplies, lower emissions, higher efficiencies. But in the rush to seize these advantages, the U.S. may risk overcommitting to a single generation resource—one with a long history of price volatility. -
Environmental
Gas Power Fights Uphill Battle in China
Soon to become the world’s largest electricity market, China is also looking to ease its reliance on coal by shifting toward renewables and natural gas. But an array of roadblocks stand in the way of gas becoming a major element of the mix. -
Environmental
The Effect of Shale Gas on Power Generation in New England
Generators in New England were burned in the 2000s when a fleet of new gas turbine plants couldn’t compete because of high fuel prices. But what goes around comes around, and these same plants are now pushing out oil and coal thanks to cheap shale gas and favorable regulations. -
Legal & Regulatory
With the Gas, the Flow of Fracking Litigation Continues
Few industrial innovations are free of litigation, and fracking is no exception. In this update from last year’s review of litigation trends, favorable early results for explorers and developers suggest cautious optimism may be in order for the natural gas industry. -
Environmental
Air Quality Impacts from Natural Gas Extraction and Combustion
EPRI performed a review of air quality issues related to natural gas extraction and combustion in 2011–2012. This review focused on both traditional pollutants (such as particulate matter and volatile organic compounds) and emerging air pollutants (such as ultrafine particle number) that are being considered in air quality management processes. This article summarizes the major topics and conclusions from this review. -
Business
Creating a Sustainable Energy System Through Gas and Electric Harmonization
The increasing importance of natural gas in the nation’s generation mix has brought a number of reliability concerns to the forefront. Though regional and federal regulators are beginning to address the issues involved in harmonizing the natural gas and electric power sectors, a number of roadblocks remain to be removed. -
Wind
What Toothpaste and Battery Manufacturing Have in Common (Video)
Among the early-stage energy technology projects on display at last week’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) Energy Innovation Summit were two from the Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) that have the potential to enhance a variety of battery and other power-related applications. POWER shot video demonstrations of these technologies, which are approximately three to five years from commercialization. See if you can figure out which one was inspired by striped toothpaste.
-
Renewables
The Spotlight on a Mexican Success Story
Energy demand in Mexico, according to the Secretary of Energy (SENER), will increase by approximately 4% each year for the next ten years, and with it the potential for private sector growth in the industry. Download the report.
-
Gas
Japan Banks on LNG
Japan’s scramble to replace generation lost from nuclear power plants that were shuttered after the March 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident has forced it to rely on pricey imports of fossil fuels—and soaring energy costs are hammering the world’s third-largest economy.
-
Hydro
Brazil Drought Threatens Power Supplies
A pervasive drought in northeast Brazil has dried up power supplies from the region’s hydropower facilities, making the area prone to blackouts and crippling economic growth in one of the country’s emerging agricultural havens.