GLG News by Utilities and Power Generation Experts (US)

Mark BurgerPrincipal ConsultantKestrel Development Company

Staying a Moderate Course for the Solar Industry

June 19, 2009

Analysis of:Speculation on Solar Future Hits Overdrive | www.renewableenergyworld.com

People make money investing on anticipation and lose on the least whiff of disappointment.  Emerging industries like solar power are especially vulnerable to these extremes.  It's important to keep a level head in the long term progression of an industry overdue for a correction and presently buffeted by negativity after a spell of unbridled optimism.

Terry PetersonPrincipalTerry M. Peterson, PhD, Solar Power Consulting

Good news for early growth resumption in U.S. residential PV sector

June 4, 2009

Analysis of:SolarCity and U.S. Bank Forge New Partnership to Fund Solar Projects | www.solarbuzz.com

There has been great uncertainty about how much the U.S. market can take up the demand slack left in the PV space by the contraction of the 2008 Spanish market bubble.  Part of that concern has been fueled by worries that tight credit would continue to hamper innovative financing by installers such as SolarCity and GroSolar.  The referenced SolarCity press release and the 1/2-page GroSolar advertisement in today's San Jose Mercury News (touting "3 months of free solar electricity") seem pretty clear indications that the credit "freeze" for PV may be over.

Mark BurgerPrincipal ConsultantKestrel Development Company

The perfect time to shut down old power plants

May 26, 2009

Analysis of:Power usage down all over | www.energycentral.com

There present recession exposes business models whose time has passed, such as redundant big box stores built on debt and inefficient car dealerships.  Another dinosaur is being exposed, that of aged, inefficient and polluting power plants.  The time to get rid of them is now, but do we replace aged battleships with shinier ones, or also change the paradigm to newer, cleaner and more nimble power generators, and a grid and regulatory environment suitable for modern times?

Mark BurgerPrincipal ConsultantKestrel Development Company

A Marriage of Two Green Energies

May 20, 2009

Analysis of:Could Solar power plants spring up at landfill sites? | www.pvworld.com

The idea of combining photovoltaic and landfill gas generating technologies have been around for a while.  Declining PV costs, new small-scale LFG generating technology, a need for clean peak power and supportive regulations will enable this important niche market to grow to thousands of MW's.

Mark BurgerPrincipal ConsultantKestrel Development Company

PV Globalization Works Both Ways

May 20, 2009

Analysis of:Chinese Solar Company Plans U.S. Manufacturing Plant | www.renewableenergyjobs.com

The concern that the US PV market will be flooded with Chinese imports is misplaced.  Labor is a relatively small cost of making panels, and it's more strategic support that keeps industries going.  The growth of the US PV demand will encourage Chinese manufacturing to open production here, just like Japanese auto makers did in the 1990's.

Thomas ShewskiOwnerHigh Energy Services

Take-Or-Pay Coal Contracts

April 27, 2009

Analysis of:Coal Prices Crumble | www.forbes.com

    Both steam and metallurgical coal demand are down.  United States steam coal (for electricity generation) is down due to the economic slump affecting industrial demand and switching to cheaper natural gas-fired electricity generation in some areas of the nation.  Metallurgical coal demand is down due to the crushing drop in steel production domestically and globally.                    Although coal demand is down significantly, it does not necessarily allow coal under contract to be excused for purchase.

Thomas ShewskiOwnerHigh Energy Services

Draft Climate Bill

April 27, 2009

Analysis of:Administration Stops Short of Endorsing Climate Bill | www.nytimes.com

    House Democrats issued a draft climate bill titled “The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009” on March 31, 2009 which proposes to reduce CO2 emissions and require the development of renewable energy on a nationwide scale.  The section that follows highlights important provisions contained in this 648 page draft bill.

Thomas ShewskiOwnerHigh Energy Services

Potential New Emissions Rules: Effect on Electricity Generation

April 27, 2009

Analysis of:Central New York Rep. John McHugh Takes Aim at Acid Rain | www.syracuse.com

    Some in Congress are using the debate in Washington, DC on carbon tax to also include additional limits on mercury, nitrous oxide (NOx), and sulfur dioxide emissions (SO2) from coal plants.  Many proposals have been floated in Congress (one of which is linked here) to limit these emissions.  If any of these proposals were to pass and become law, it will have significant impact on electricity generation.

Thomas ShewskiOwnerHigh Energy Services

Burn Likely to Continue to Be Down for Several Months

April 27, 2009

Analysis of:Genscape Coal Burn Falls 2 Percent Below Same Week 2008 | uk.reuters.com

    Domestic thermal coal demand is likely to continue to be down for several more months, with nothing positive on the immediate-horizon.

Mark BurgerPrincipal ConsultantKestrel Development Company

Ensuring future wind power growth in US Great Plains

April 21, 2009

Analysis of:UPDATE 1-FERC clears incentives for ITC's wind line project | www.cnbc.com

Difficult economic conditions may slow wind power's growth in the US in this and next year.  But things should pick back up with the next challenge being high voltage transmission in the Great Plains.  But the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is weighing in to brush aside that barrier and ensure investment support for high voltage lines and the continuation of growth to the US wind power industry.

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