US Court Decision a Loss for Wind, But Boon for Storage?

The wind industry lost — and energy storage may have inadvertently won — when a circuit court recently ruled that the unpredictability of wind deems it unfit for certain favorable pricing.

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2014/09/court-decision-a-loss-for-wind-but-boon-for-storage?cmpid=WNL-Friday-September19-2014

Utility Dive Top Stories 9/19

Top Stories

How local communities are taking over their power supply California's Sonoma Clean Power provides cleaner and cheaper power than the incumbent utility.

CFTC exempts munis from swap rules The changes are designed to make it easier for municipal utilities to hedge energy costs and risk.

Ohio solar market struggling in wake of renewables mandate freeze The solar renewable energy credit market is crashing and renewables builders are working in other states.

Report: FERC Order 745 ruling to cut demand response growth rate almost in half The market had been poised to grow at about 8% annually; it's now projected at 4.9%.

Ohio regulators approve sale of DP&L's East Bend coal plant stake Duke, looking to hedge its Miami Fort plant’s closure in Ohio, still needs Kentucky regulators’ OK.

ISO: Planned retirements weaken New York reliability The New York-ISO has issued its 2014 Reliability Needs Assessment.

SolarCity's new east-west solar configuration to boost production by 20-50% The new orientation will boost peak demand period output from more and cheaper modules.

Other News

Vivint Solar, No. 2 US Solar Installer, Sets IPO Terms to Raise $370M

Solar Power Making Big Competitive Gains, New Studies Show

Germany Sets New Renewable Record

ACCCE to EPA: Forget the extension, throw out the proposal

NYISO report highlights New York's DER potential

Areva unit signs nuclear fuel development contract with DOE

ecobee Unveils New Smart Thermostat And Wireless Remote Sensors

California Governor Signs Historic Groundwater Legislation

Utilities: More evidence that smart grids are morphing into smart cities

Energy storage: Is the time finally right for grid-integrated water heaters?

 

Fukushima Commentary 9/19/14

Fukushima Commentary 9/19/14 –

Fukushima Evacuees Prosper while Tsunami Refugees Languish

The tsunami victims are woefully under-compensated and most want to return home, but can’t. Meanwhile, most of the Fukushima evacuees who can return home choose to stay away and prosper from the government-mandated handouts. http://www.hiroshimasyndrome.com/fukushima-commentary.html

Social Physics, book review: Innovation, interaction and data-driven governance

Summary: MIT professor Alex Pentland outlines his theories on how good ideas arise and spread, and how sensors and big data analysis can deliver better social outcomes.

http://www.zdnet.com/social-physics-book-review-innovation-interaction-and-data-driven-governance-7000033775/?s_cid=e539&ttag=e539&ftag=TRE17cfd61

China reclaims top spot for renewable energy investment attractiveness

http://www.fierceenergy.com/story/china-reclaims-top-spot-renewable-energy-investment-attractiveness/2014-09-19?utm_medium=nl&utm_source=internal

Sustaining NY's nuclear fleet

Existing New York nuclear plants bring many benefits to the state in the form of reliable, carbon-free energy as well as jobs and economic growth. This is according to a panel of bipartisan stakeholders speaking at a recent Nuclear Matters event who support the continued operation of New York's existing nuclear energy plants.

Click on image to enlarge. Credit: Nuclear Matters

The panel consisted of Nuclear Matters' leadership, including former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Carol M. Browner and former Senators Evan Bayh (D-IN) and Judd Gregg (R-NH).

http://www.fierceenergy.com/story/sustaining-nys-nuclear-fleet/2014-09-19?utm_medium=nl&utm_source=internal

 

Construction delays key to shrinking nuclear global power production

http://www.fierceenergy.com/story/construction-delays-key-shrinking-nuclear-global-power-production/2014-09-19?utm_medium=nl&utm_source=internal

For more:
- see this report 
Related Articles:
China making moves to overtake global nuclear power market
Global nuclear caution not stopping emerging countries

Electricity Rates Decrease, Thanks to Vermont Yankee: Harold Bailey Guest Post

Electricity Rates Decrease, Thanks to Vermont Yankee: Harold Bailey Guest Post

The Electricity Rate Decrease Shows the Ongoing Value of Vermont Yankee
Guest post by Harold L. Bailey
http://yesvy.blogspot.com/2014/09/electricity-rates-decrease-thanks-to.html#.VBxRzBm5I7A

Design issues resolved for China AP1000s

First of a kind engineering issues related to the reactor coolant pumps and squib valves for the Chinese AP1000 have been resolved, according to Westinghouse president and CEO, Danny Roderick.
Roderick said that there has been 'significant' progress on the reactor coolant pumps.
Solutions are being manufactured now that will support the current Sanmen 1 schedule for start up in December 2015, Roderick said. The design solutions were reviewed by the Chinese government and the nuclear regulator.
The pumps are expected to be swapped into the Chinese AP1000s over the next three to six months, according to Roderick.


http://www.neimagazine.com/news/newsdesign-issues-resolved-for-china-ap1000s-4378966

SRS waste facility cost jumps $1 billion

facility key to liquid waste cleanup at the Savannah River Site will cost nearly $1 billion more to start up than the original estimate projected in 2009.

The Salt Waste Processing Facility, or SWPF, is a first-of-a-kind radioactive-waste-treatment facility that is critical for the disposition of salt waste, which makes up the bulk of the 37 million gallons of radioactive Cold War nuclear waste in underground tanks at SRS.

http://www.aikenstandard.com/article/20140919/AIK0101/140919435/1002/AIK01/srs-waste-facility-cost-jumps-1-billion

PG&E, NRC accused of collaborating to defend Diablo Canyon's safety

PG&E, NRC accused of collaborating to defend Diablo Canyon's safety 

http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2014/09/18/3252117_pge-emails-may-have-violated-rules.html?rh=1

Sens. Levin and Stabenow co-sponsor resolution opposing nuclear waste repository

http://abc10up.com/sens-levin-and-stabenow-co-sponsor-resolution-opposing-nuclear-waste-repository/

PennEnergy's Top Power Headlines 9/19

Top Power Headlines
Floating power generation holds promise for post-Fukushima Japan As a post-Fukushima Japan mulls a proposed 700 MW floating gas power plant the nation is moving ahead with utility-scale floating renewable energy projects …more>>
Vermont Yankee nuclear plant begins gradual power down The Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant has begun its gradual coast-down of generation as it approaches its December closure date …more>>
Top Power News Fight erupts over New England natural gas plan MIT: Future of energy storage Hedging Carbon North America's largest fully biomass power plant opens Duke Energy commits $500MM to N.C. solar expansion Rwanda awards 50 MW methane gas to electricity project to Symbion Vermont's largest city reaches renewable energy milestone Broader Horizons for Data Services EIA: US Geothermal power to quadruple by 2040 Consumers Energy reaches settlement on power plant emissions Cape Wind offshore project to be built in New Bedford APS planning changes for coal fueled Cholla Power Plant EPA grants extension on power plant emissions plan Balancing South Africa's Energy Poverty, Climate Change Commitments NRC launches Special Inspection at Millstone 3 nuclear plant

PennEnergy's Top Oil & Gas News 9/19

This Week's Most Popular Oil & Gas News

China's CNOOC to open 33 oil and gas blocks for bidding

Keystone XL operator seeks South Dakota approval

Planet Gas and Senex drill new oil wells in South Australia

U.S. natural gas production rising

Report: More needed to improve oil train safety

Natural gas leak halted, Michigan evacuation ends

EIA: Despite decline in some regions, world oil consumption still seen rising

Norway oil output declines in August

Hearing scheduled to discuss ND pipeline proposal

Aker Wayfarer wins five-year contract from Petrobras

Natural gas company seeks federal OK for pipeline

Offshore oil and gas: Technip further optimizes subsea assets

GE presents industrial internet solutions for the oil and gas industry

Power Engineering Top Stories 9/19

Top Stories
	GE to supply gas technology to Michigan power plant Michigan South Central Power Agency (MSCPA) has awarded a contract to GE’s Distributed Power business (NYSE: GE) for its low-emissions reciprocating engine technology to replace outdated diesel units. GE’s natural gas-fueled engines will be supplied by Inland Power Group (IPG) for the Coldwater Board of Public Utilities (CBPU) to produce 13-MW of power generation. Read More Share:
	NYISO report highlights New York’s DER potential New York state, one of the nation’s largest producers of distributed power, could add more than 2,000 MW of distributed energy resources (DER) by 2020, a new report from the New York Independent System Operator shows. Read More Share:
	EPA grants extension on power plant pollution plan WASHINGTON (AP) - The Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday gave the public 45 more days to weigh in on a plan that would for the first time curb the pollution blamed for global warming from the nation's coal-fired power plants. The agency said it was still aiming to finalize the rules by next summer. Read More Share:
	Vermont Yankee nuclear plant begins reducing power to final shutdown VERNON, Vermont (AP) — The Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant has begun a gradual reduction of the electricity that it generates that will end with the plant shutting down in December. Read More Share:

More Headlines
• Spain nuclear power plant automatically shuts down
• RGGI CO2 allowance prices top $4/short ton for 3rd straight time
• NRC gives environmental OK for nuclear power plant’s license extension
• Natural gas finally hits $4 again
• Three waste management companies to soon sign Fukushima contracts
• EPA puts out draft permit on 225-MW Texas project
• Two NRC nominees confirmed by the Senate
• Sen. Reid moves to ensure nuclear dump stays dead
• Barakah nuclear Unit 1 now 57% complete
• Westinghouse opens first nuclear plant outage control center
• Emerson’s Ovation technology to unify control of boiler, turbine, and major equipment for 1,075-MW ultra-supercritical Kozienice Power Station in Poland
• L-3 Mapps to upgrade Sizewell B’s nuclear simulator
• NRC certifies GE-Hitachi nuclear reactor design
• Voith receives contract to upgrade turbines at Washington hydro facility
• Jindal: Obama hasn't done enough to harness energy
• Exterran announces new CFO, SVP
• Iberdrola Renewables provides energy to California’s Roseville Electric
• REC Solar completes six energy projects in Hawaii
• Ten power utilities among most profitable
• Duke Energy to service Pattern wind energy plant in Texas
• GAO: Federal agencies must jointly monitor effects of emissions regulations
• Duke Energy buying back stakes in Crystal River nuclear plant
• NRC begins special inspection at Millstone nuclear power unit
• Areva to supply fuel assemblies to Germany nuclear power plant
• Plant Vogtle Unit 2 taken offline for refueling, maintenance outage
• Consumers Energy reach settlement on alleged violations with EPA, DOJ

The Week's Most Read Articles
	Duke Energy signs $500mn commitment for N.C. solar power Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) signed a $500 million commitment to expand solar power in North Carolina. Read More Share:
	APS proposes closing three coal-fired units by 2020 Arizona Public Service (APS) said it would close a coal-fired unit and shut down two others by mid-2020 as part of a compromise with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Read More Share:
	N.J. law that subsidizes new power plant development is invalid A panel for a federal appeals court unanimously ruled that a New Jersey law meant to push new power plant builds is invalid. Read More Share:
	Top 5 U.S. Coal Plant Heat Rates Peabody Energy recently ranked the top 5 cleanest burning coal-fired power plants in the U.S. under three categories: SO2 emissions, NOx emissions and best heat rate. Read More Share:

Industry Trends
	Henry Hub Average Natural Gas Spot Prices The Henry Hub is the pricing point for natural gas futures contracts. Here's a look at how prices have changed up to September 10, 2014. Read More Share:
	Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas' Economic Indicators The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas offers a glimpse into how the markets are doing domestically and internationally. Read More Share:
	EIA’s weekly coal production report The U.S. Energy Information Administration has released its coal production report for the week ending Sept. 13. Read More Share:

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