EGEB: ‘Energy Choice’ is politic-speak for fossil fuels, rats escaping coal, more

Electrek Green Energy Brief: A daily technical, financial and political review/analysis of important green energy news.

‘Energy Choice’ is politics for fossil fuels in fight against solar power – Nevada Governor notes ‘Energy Choice’ as part of his logic for vetoing an increase in clean energy for the state. Whenever you hear the term ‘Energy Choice’ understand that this phrase was remarketed by fossil fuel interests to tap into the US spirit for free markets. We know clearly the fossil fuels don’t believe in free markets – otherwise they’d offer to pay for the pollution they cause. Secondly – Sandoval, the Governor in question, is in a challenging position. He’s got the most enigmatic entrepreneur in a generation on the one side with his Gigafactory in Reno – and we got Warren Buffett with his $60B on the other side that owns the electricity company. Of course, Buffet is more like Musk – and the people  (Koch Brothers, Exxon, Peabody, etc) pushing the term “energy choice” to this Governor are using Buffett as a front.

West’s utilities abandon coal because it costs too much – We are surrounded by utilities abandoning coal faster than rats escaping the Titanic – Just to be clear what is being escaped from – The utility figured it could have saved $38.5 million last year buying power on the open market rather than expensive electricity generated by coal from Navajo Generating Station. – It’s great to see that these utilities can find cheaper electricity from cleaner sources. The things you’re reading about in this article are at least partially related to this – Moody’s: Falling wind energy costs threaten Midwestern coal plants.

First off – Make our Planet Great Again – then, to back up the words, France pledges $34 mln for foreign climate experts – The French government has signed an agreement to fund the work of up to 30 climate scientists for five years. The government hopes that universities and private organizations will match the total amount.

Federal regulators decide to keep fee that inflates cost of Montana wind (and coal) energy – At issue is a $2 per megawatt hour transmission fee BPA applies to a 90-mile stretch between Townsend and Garrison. 0.2¢/kWh to move electricity 90 miles. Per this source, from 2015, the line had an 8% utilization rate. I’d have to understand whose money was spent to build it to know the purpose of this seemingly unique fee, but it is cool to see the inner workings of grid challenges. Also note – the Montana wind developers specifically want a chance to sell into the northwest market because the heavy winter winds complement the heavy spring and summer hydroelectric resources.

No, Tesla Batteries Are Not a Global-Warming Disaster – A Tesla battery pack manufactured in Reno driven by an average US driver will payback its CO2 between 3 and 6 years relative to an average gasoline car. We know that electric cars in general are better than gasoline across the USA now. Of course, as we manufacturer hundreds of millions of these units – we are going to spend a healthy chunk of our CO2 budget.

Chief Technology Officer looking at customer use of their fast charging stations – interesting pattern there:

This is how fast charging stations of @Fastned are currently used during the day. Fast charging matches the solar curve quite well. pic.twitter.com/cjwqSiposS

— Roland van der Put (@RolandvanderPut) June 17, 2017

And all the way at the bottom here (found because of a discussion on unicorns) is a nice gif of how a solar panels works from SaveOnEnergy.com –

Header image of Chinese Rainbow solar drone

Considering residential solar? Understand Solar will connect you with local contractors. Tweet me to pick apart quote.

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