power generation

A report released last week by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) suggests that by 2035 solar energy has the potential to power 40% of the nation’s electricity, or the equivalent of all the nation’s homes. Getting to a 40% supply share, however, would involve a dramatic increase in the deployment of solar. In 2020,…

U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) developer New Fortress Energy Inc. is reviving plans to build a $766 million import terminal in Ireland, this time with a “future-proofed” design that would allow it to transition to hydrogen gas in the coming years. A spokesperson for New Fortress said last week the company plans to file a…

Jera Co. Inc., Japan’s largest power company, said Thursday it plans to launch a pilot project backed by the government that could help displace 30% of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) used to generate electricity, with hydrogen planned at a select power plant.  The government grant would help fund the switch to hydrogen for a…

Oregon utility Portland General Electric Co. (PGE) is embracing a move by the state that effectively bans any new or repowered fossil fuel electric generation plants, including those powered by natural gas.  During a recent 2Q2021 earnings conference call, CEO Maria Pope said the energy transition to electrification and increased power demand fits nicely with…

With the scorching temperatures the South Central United States is used to seeing in the summer finally starting to build, and production lagging recent highs, August natural gas forward prices soared 32.0 cents on average during the trading period ending July 21, according to NGI’s Forward Look. Price gains were just as impressive for the…

In a move to lower its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, Michigan public utility Consumers Energy announced it would purchase four natural gas-fired power plants as it aims to transition away from coal by 2025.  Pending state and federal regulatory approvals, Consumers Energy has proposed purchasing the 1,176 MW natural gas-fired combined cycle Covert Generating Station…

Natural gas futures rebounded on Friday, following three straight daily losses, as traders mulled the potential for paltry levels of stockpiles ahead of the withdrawal season later this year. The August Nymex contract gained 6.0 cents day/day and settled at $3.674/MMBtu. September advanced 5.7 cents to $3.658. NGI’s Spot Gas National Avg., however, fell 13.5…

The Texas power grid chief this week laid the groundwork for improving electric reliability following the unprecedented freeze and subsequent blackouts in February during Winter Storm Uri. Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) interim CEO Brad Jones sent the “Roadmap to Improving Grid Reliability” to Gov. Greg Abbott, state legislators and the Public Utility Commission…

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) may consider a grid system that sources locally produced energy for regions, otherwise known as energysheds, as indicated by its latest request for information (RFI).  Unlike an energyshed, the current energy transmission system can carry voltage produced at a power plant to its final destination over about 300 miles.…