Contributing Member of the Energy & Industrials Councils

GLG News by this Author

GLG News is now G+ Insights

G+ is a community for professionals, academics and entrepreneurs to connect through online discussions and in-person meetings. You will continue to see G+ Insights (formerly GLG News) here as well as on the G+ website, where you can share and discuss the G+ Insights you read.

Texas Blackouts Deserve a Close Look

February 8, 2011

Analysis of:Texas to Probe Rolling Blackouts | online.wsj.com

Last week's cold weather in Texas produced rolling electricity blackouts and natural gas problems that spilled over into New Mexico and were felt as far away as California. Rather than "round up the usual suspects" this incident merits close examination for what it may say about our infrastructure and our approach to energy planning.

4th new North American LNG terminal in 2008 to receive first cargo

April 28, 2008

Analysis of:First cargo at U.S. Northeast LNG site delayed | www.reuters.com

Although it represents a delay of about a month, the Northeast Gateway LNG is expected to receive its first cargo in May.  This Massachusetts offshore terminal will be the fourth new LNG terminal to start operations since April 1st of this year.  The four new terminals combined will almost double the North American regasification capability. 

Will potential for gas hydrate be realized sooner than expected?

April 24, 2008

Analysis of:Rig makes hydrate energy breakthrough | www.theglobeandmail.com

A joint Canadian and Japanese research team have, for the first time, successfully produced a constant stream of natural gas from a gas hydrate well.  Using modified conventional technologies, the team was able to achieve steady flow without heating the surrounding ice.

High energy prices driving North American shale plays

April 21, 2008

Analysis of:Abundant clean energy in your back yard | money.cnn.com

Sustained high natural gas prices have spurred significant new exploration in North America, and these efforts are beginning to pay off.  Shale gas plays in the northeast, Texas and Louisiana, Quebec, and the upper midwest are expected to add 10 percent to U.S./Canadian gas reserves and 6 BCF (9 percent) to daily production.

Bakken Report In: 25 times the oil previously estimated

April 11, 2008

Analysis of:4.3 billion barrels of oil likely in Bakken | www.bismarcktribune.com

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has released its much anticipated report on the Bakken Formation, a potentially oil-rich area centered in western North Dakota, but extending into eastern Montana, and central Canada (Man., Sask.).  The report found 25 times the recoverable oil as found in a 1995 survey.  This find ranks the Bakken as the largest "continuous" oil accumulation ever measured in the U.S.

Are we getting closer to workable carbon capture technology?

April 8, 2008

Analysis of:Australia launches project to bury carbon dioxide | www.cnn.com

Australia, at least, is moving forward with a plan to sequester carbon dioxide in a depleted natural gas field.  A new plant in Victoria has opened that promises to store 100,000 tons, a significant increase in scale over previous efforts in Canada, Norway, and Algeria.  The plant was funded by grants from the federal and state governments.

Biogasoline promises to overcome ethanol's drawbacks

April 8, 2008

Analysis of:Biogasoline idea refined by Dutch Shell, U.S. firm | www.chron.com

"Biogasoline" is the promise of a joint venture of Royal Dutch Shell and Virent Energy Systems.  The new biofuel promises to overcome the many drawbacks of ethanol as a substitute for transportation fuels.  What isn't clear is how much the product will cost and when it could be available.

Countdown to Bakken Formation Report?

March 31, 2008

Analysis of:Oil rigs drill under lake | www.bismarktribune.com

With rumors about to be proven either true or false of an April report by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) on the Bakken Formation, activity continues to pick up speed on the ground with Bakken-related drilling activity under the largest lake in North Dakota, Lake Sakakawea.

"BioTown USA" Struggles with Energy Independence

March 31, 2008

Analysis of:Money Troubles Stall Green Town Project | ap.google.com

Reynolds, IN, rechristened "BioTown USA" in 2005, has attempted to make itself energy independent: using biofuels as substitutes for all electricity, natural gas, and transportation fuel needs.  An ambitious plan that has already fallen behind schedule.

New Pipeline to Move Rockies Gas North, East

March 28, 2008

Analysis of:Pipeline would take Rockies gas to markets in U.S. and Canada | minotdailynews.com

Newly announced plans for an 800-mile natural gas pipeline to bring supplies from Wyoming to the U.S.-Canadian border is interesting for two reasons.  First, it may give producers and shippers an alterative to the under-construction Rockies Express (REX) pipeline for bringing Rockies gas to Eastern markets.  Second, it provides supplementary supplies to those customers dependent on Canadian gas, which is thought to be in decline as production falls and more is used domestically up north. 

New Nuclear Moves Ahead in Florida

March 24, 2008

Analysis of:Turkey Point reactor proposal advances | www.miamiherald.com

The Florida Public Service Commission approved Florida Power & Light's request to move forward with two new nuclear reactors at the utility's Turkey point site.  While not committing the utility to build additional units, the decision allows FPL to move forward with planning efforts.

New Coal Power: Not Dead Yet?

March 13, 2008

Analysis of:AMP opponents respond to rulings | www.mydailysentinel.com

After high profile setbacks in Texas and Kansas, new coal-fueled power plants made some progress earlier this month in Ohio and West Virginia.  AMP-Ohio, a municipal power group, received permits from the state's Siting Board for the construction of a new plant, over the objection of environmental groups.

Another view on wind power reliability

March 3, 2008

Analysis of:Wind power woes not sole issue in near blackouts | www.chron.com

As requested, here is another view of the Texas wind power incident, one that shifts blame away from wind power and onto conventional power and the grid's response to the incident.  Please note that the incident is still under investigation.

Reliance on wind power raises reliability concerns

February 28, 2008

Analysis of:Loss of wind causes Texas power grid emergency | www.reuters.com

We have long known that integrating wind power into electrical transmission grids poses special challenges.  Much progress has been made in recent years, but with increasing reliance on wind generation to provide energy to the system, incidents like this one will recur.

Opposition to Coal Plants, Even in Friendly Locations, Driven by National Groups

February 28, 2008

Analysis of:Environmental groups ramp up efforts to stop Iowa coal plants | www.timesrepublican.com

Opposition has recently emerged to Alliant Energy's proposed 600 MW coal plant in Marshalltown, Iowa.  What makes this news is that the opposition is driven from national groups opposed to coal "anywhere" as much as local opposition to a specific plant.  The implication is that if coal power can't fly in a previously receptive state like Iowa, then where will new capacity come from?

Does Ethanol do more harm than good? And what types of biofuels work best?

February 25, 2008

Analysis of:Studies: Biofuels use could worsen warming | qualis.univ-lille2.fr

Two recent academic studies have found that substituting biofuels for gasoline and other fossil fuels has the effect of increasing greenhouse gas emissions, contradicting some past studies on the subject.  The potential for reducing net greenhouse gas emissions has been used as an argument in favor of subsidizing biofuel production and imposing biofuel mandates, such as those in place for the U.S. and EU.

DTE to Build New Nuclear Power Plant in Michigan?

February 25, 2008

Analysis of:DTE continues to plan for new nuclear plant | www.toledoblade.com

Michigan-based utility DTE hopes to file an application by the end of the year for a new nuclear power plant to be built near its Fermi facility in Monroe, Michigan.  The proposed DTE unit is one of about 35 new units that have been discussed as part of a new wave of nuclear plant construction anticipated for the United States.

Proposed Oil Refinery in Arizona Moves Site, Again

February 25, 2008

Analysis of:Arizona oil refinery proponents change location for plant | www.fox11az.com

Trying to become the first new oil refinery built in more than 30 years, Arizona Clean Fuels has announced that it has moved its preferred site, near Yuma, Arizona, for the second time.  The company hopes that selecting a new location will allow the $3.7 billion, 150,000 barrel per day proposed facility to move forward.

Calpine is out of bankruptcy. How will it fare?

February 13, 2008

Analysis of:Calpine Emerges From Bankruptcy, Cuts Debt by Half (Update2) | www.bloomberg.com

After spending a little over two years under bankruptcy protection, electric generator Calpine Corp. is back trading on the New York Stock Exchange, as of Thursday, February 7.  Calpine emerges still ranked as one of the largest Independent Power Producers in the U.S., with a portfolio of 24,000 MW.  However, the competitive landscape is much changed since December 2005.

Warren Buffet's Junk Bond Utility Bet

December 27, 2007

Analysis of:Buffett Bets On TXU | www.forbes.com

Easily lost in the current hype over Berkshire Hathaway's purchase of a controlling stake in the Pritzker family's Marmon Holdings was Warren Buffett's early December purchase of $2.1 billion in high-yield TXU (the Texas utility company) bonds.  Buffett characterized the bond purchase as a bet on utilities rather than a bet on junk bonds.

Page : 12345Next1 to 20 of 96