We’re away this week , so things will be a bit quiet.
via NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW THAT
September 30, 2017 at 05:21AM
Month: September 2017
Chances are this will go down like a lead balloon with intermittent renewable energy suppliers, who are used to having electricity supply rules working to their own advantage.
Energy Secretary Rick Perry is asking the federal agency that oversees the U.S. grid to issue a new rule to restructure electricity markets to fully compensate power plants for the reliability they provide, writes Michael Bastasch at Climate Change Dispatch.
Perry sent his policy proposal to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on Friday. The letter asks FERC to create an electricity pricing regime that allows power plants to recover the costs of providing baseload power. It will likely be seen as a lifeline to coal and nuclear power plants.
“A diverse mix of power generation resources, including those with on-site reserves, is essential to the reliable delivery of electricity—particularly in times of supply stress such as recent natural disasters,” Perry said in a statement.
“My proposal will strengthen American energy security by ensuring adequate reserve resource supply and I look forward to the Commission acting swiftly on it,” Perry said.
Hundreds of coal-fired generators have shut down in the past few years and much more are slated to close in the near future. Energy analysts say cheap natural gas prices, coupled with environmental regulations, have encouraged utilities to move away from coal and nuclear energy.
The rapid pace of coal plant closures has sparked some concerns over grid reliability, especially in light of the growing reliance on wind and solar power — both of which are variable energy sources.
Perry’s rule asks FERC to allow power plants that improve grid reliability to recoup costs for things like, “reliable capacity, resilient generation, frequency and voltage support” and “on-site fuel inventory,” according to the policy proposal.
Continued here.
via Tallbloke’s Talkshop
September 30, 2017 at 04:57AM
By Paul Homewood
Euan Mearns has been looking at some recent Nature editorials, which have raised his ire!
Last week I received links to three Nature editorials that were published on 6 September. The first strongly endorsed Angela Merkel in the German election to be held on 24 September, extolling the virtues of German science while accusing the USA and the UK of being anti-science. Merkel deserves another term as German chancellor is a must read.
The second extols the virtues of Germany’s failing Energiewende. Germany must go back to its low-carbon future.
Pro-Germany, pro-Merkel, pro-Energiewende, pro-renewables and anti-USA, anti-UK and anti-fossil fuels. So much for political neutrality and objectivity in science publishing!
Read the full post here.
via NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW THAT
September 30, 2017 at 04:51AM
Energy policy is likely to become one of the most challenging issues in German coalition negotiations for a so-called Jamaica coalition between CDU, CSU, FDP and the Green Party. In an interview, the Treasurer of the Free Democratic Party (FDP) outlines his party’s red lines on energy and climate policy.
In the aftermath of Germany’s general election, negotiations between the CDU, the CSU, the FDP and the Greens will be held to form a so-called Jamaica coalition. In the run-up, the party is now trying to position itself. Hermann Otto Solms, the FDP’s treasurer, has set the “red lines” of his party with regards energy and climate politics. According to Solm’s, the Renewable Energy Levy (EEG) costs every person more than €300 per year. “That is why we want to abolish the levy for new projects and reduce the electricity tax. We want to abolish subsidies and move to free markets and competition,” he told Der Tagesspiegel in an interview. This way energy prices would drop again.
One of the Green Party’s key demands is to phase out of coal power generation in Germany. Solms, however, does not want to set any dates. He explains: “The sooner we succeed in satisfying the demand for electricity from renewable energies, the sooner we can get out of coal. This depends on grid expansion, intelligent distribution and storage facilities pressing ahead.” According to the FDP, the main instrument for climate policy is the EU’s emissions trading system. This should be tightened up and extended to include housing and transport. With regards the promotion of electric vehicles, the FDP does not want a ban on internal combustion engines. The sales figures of petrol car would drop if and when electric cars would become more competitive.
via The Global Warming Policy Forum (GWPF)
September 30, 2017 at 04:39AM
Iowa Climate Science Education 