Mr. Eric Smith

GLG News by Mr. Eric Smith, Professor and Associate Director

GLG News is now G+ Insights

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The "Free Rider " Syndrome

September 5, 2007

Analysis of:Idaho Transmission Dispute Settled | www.renewableenergyaccess.com

The issue of access to crucial transmission infrastructure is not limited to wind power. Much the same argument can be made about pipeline access for non-conventional natural gas developments in areas of the midwest or indeed for conventional forms of merchant power generation. Ask any merchant generator about his negotiations for access to any of the regional power grids and you will likely hear the same complaint. Namely, that the existing utility should cover the expense of requisite switch gear and reliability checks, plus pay a higher price for the power being supplied. The porblem is not new and the ultimate suolution is a motivated customer base.

Wind Power Woes

July 17, 2007

Analysis of:Offshore Score since 2001: Europe 24, U.S. 0 | www.renewableenergyaccess.com

The use of onshore windpower has made remarkable strides in the US where the proper conditions exist, for example, in Texas where windy conditions are endemic and where the body politic supports initiatives of this type. In contrast, the major US effort for offshore widnpower, the Cape Wind project in Naragansett Bay, has been stymied over classic NIMBY issues.

Where does the corn come from?

July 9, 2007

Analysis of:Riding the Rails With Ethanol | www.businessweek.com

A quick look at the location of the ethanol plants will reveal that most are located in corn producing regions. That isn't particularly surprising. However, within those regions the majority of the ethanol plants are located as far from the river systems as possible. The reason for this is that corn with economic access to barge transportation will preferentially flow to marine transportation, given the generally lower freight rates.

Windpower, the good, the bad and the ugly

June 4, 2007

Analysis of:FPL Energy Files Texas Transmission Application | www.nawindpower.com

The analysis does a fine job of describing the good points of wind power. That's the "good" in the title. The "bad" is that just adding transmission capacity will not solve the real problem with wind which is that it is an opportunistic supply. In order to utilize it, every kilowatthour needs to be backed up by a redundant power source. This is not fatal, but it does hurt the economics as the only positive is the "free" fuel when the wind is blowing and their is a power deficit. That will not offset the cost of the windmills plus the cost of a 100% back up fossil system, even if the transmission lines are already available. The "ugly" is some peoples' opinion of the appearance of a field of "thousands" of 4 mw generators towering over the landscape. One other "ugly" that is being improved is that the gearboxes for these units are reported to require excessive maintenance, leading to lower overall availablity.

Did the word "market" occur to anyone?

August 2, 2006

Analysis of:Green energy firm on verge of collapse due to lack of orders | news.scotsman.com

Camcal, a company at the forefront of Scotland's booming renewable energy industry, is facing closure, raising concerns about the wider health of the sector.

Another argument for long term contracts

July 28, 2006

Analysis of:Plans for $1.3 billion Illinois Coal-to-Gas Plant Advance | www.belleville.com

Not only will relaxation of restrictions on long term contracts help coal to gas prospects, but can also support imported LNG.
 
Without the ability to sign long term contracts, US utilities will be left out in the allocation of capital constrained LNG supplies, regardless of where the physical terminals are located. 

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