| This week's sponsor is SGIP. | | 
| | The conference will host power grid stakeholders from around the globe. |
Also Noted: A. Cullen & Associates, Inc.
Top skill for 2014: Networking and much more... New building code a "win" for energy efficiency, potential loss for utilities
There's big energy-efficiency news on the standards front. Officials have approved an updated code to reduce energy waste in new homes, while overcoming attempts to roll back the current code's energy-saving measures, passing a proposal known as RE-188, which adds a new optional compliance pathway to the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). Article
 | EU making good progress toward renewable energy and efficiency targets
European Union Member States are showing mixed progress toward three climate and energy targets for 2020, even though the EU as a whole could reduce greenhouse gases emissions by 21 percent in 2020 with the set of national measures already adopted, according to new European Environment Agency (EEA) assessments. The assessments consider EU progress in meeting greenhouse gas emission reduction, renewable energy and energy-efficiency targets, which were each 20 percent by 2020. Article
 | Worldwide nuclear stagnates
Expansion of nuclear power generating capacity has slowed considerably -- just 75 GW were added in the last 25 years, compared to 296 GW during the preceding quarter century, according to Worldwatch Institute. Today, nuclear power is the only mainstream energy technology that does not show significant growth with its share of global primary energy supply falling from 6.4 percent in 2002 to just 4.5 percent in 2012. Article
U.S. natural gas flows, price spreads changing
Massive shale-driven production growth in the U.S. Northeast and soaring demand from the Southeast will turn the nation's traditional south-to-north and west-to-east pipeline natural gas flows and price spreads upside down, according to experts at Bentek Energy. Article
News From Across the Energy Industry:
1. 7 lessons from San Diego Gas and Electric's smart meter rollout
2. Buildings emerging as extension of smart grid
3. Smart grid joint venture to address IT-OT convergence
Today's Top News 1. Does Pennsylvania value renewable energy?
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will not recommend the state's Climate Change Advisory Committee (CCAC) debate or vote on a plan that considers increasing the state's renewable energy law -- the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard (AEPS) -- and will not be including information in Pennsylvania's next Climate Action Plan about how the existing AEPS law reduces electricity prices. The CCAC was established by law in 2008 and is tasked with making recommendations to DEP on greenhouse gas reduction strategies and other actions to address climate change in Pennsylvania. Earlier this year, DEP staff introduced a plan to the CCAC that considered a modest increase in renewable energy from the existing 8 percent standard to a 10.5 percent standard. DEP later withdrew the plan for internal review and the CCAC just learned they would not be re-introducing it. The Department also removed a detailed "price suppression" analysis describing how existing renewable energy requirements can reduce electricity prices. A study in August 2013 from the Ohio Public Utility Commission found that existing and planned renewable energy projects would save customers $28.5 million by suppressing wholesale electricity market prices. Similar studies covering Pennsylvania have confirmed such cost savings. "While other states in the region and around the country recognize the multiple benefits of renewable energy and have increased the requirements in their state portfolios, DEP is telling us upfront that they won't consider the idea of increasing renewable energy in Pennsylvania," said Christina Simeone, PennFuture Energy Center director and CCAC chair. "This administration chooses to ignore the benefits renewable energy offers, including greenhouse gas reductions, cost reductions for electricity customers, and economic development opportunities." For more:
- see this report Read more about: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, PennFuture
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2. WEC warns of "stark energy future"
The world will face several significant challenges in balancing global energy needs and addressing the energy trilemma over the next four decades. That is according to the World Energy Council (WEC) based on a three-year study conducted by more than 60 experts in 30 countries.  | | South Africa's Arnot Power Station. Credit: Gerhard Roux/Wikimedia Commons | "While there will be opportunities in the future for a range of technology solutions, the ultimate issue is that demand continues to grow at an unsustainable rate," said Karl Rose, senior director of policies and scenarios, WEC. "One of the most significant findings in the report is the strong regional variation of priorities and solutions in the energy system. Too often we look at the world as one entity and seek global solutions but the reality is very different and this needs to be recognized." Using two contrasting policy scenarios, the research found that total primary energy supply could increase by 61 percent by 2050 under one scenario and 27 percent under the other, highlighting the impact that choosing one policy solutions or the other can have on the energy sector. By 2050, the use of solar for electricity generation is set to increase by up to 225 times over 2010 levels. Currently solar power only accounts for just over 34 TWh/year in the electricity generation mix, but it could provide somewhere between 2,980 TWh and 7,740 TWh in 2050. This equates to between $2,950 billion and $9,660 billion in solar investment, representing the largest potential investment area of any renewable energy resource. In order to cater to the rising electricity needs generated by economic development to 2050, the WEC estimates that the world will need to invest from $19 trillion to more than $25 trillion for electricity generation alone, depending on the scenario, with the majority of investments required being directed towards solar PV, hydro and wind. While both scenarios see a significant increase in energy access, the rate of increase will remain insufficient. Globally, between 730 million and 880 million people will still be without access to electricity in 2030, predominantly in Sub-Saharan Africa, and this figure would only decrease to 319 million and 530 million people in 2050, according to the report. Africa will face the biggest electrification challenge. Asia will account for the largest percentage of total primary energy consumption by 2050, at around 48 percent compared with 30 percent for Europe and North America. "At a time of unprecedented uncertainty these scenarios provide a stark warning to our energy future [highlighting] the need for clear and robust policy frameworks that reduce political risk, the need for urgent focus in technology development and demonstration in electricity storage and CCS, and the need to manage our carbon budget and minimize our water footprint," said Christoph Frei, secretary general, WEC. "Our findings challenge our understanding of and current ability to deliver the resilient infrastructure that we need to face the changes we expect to occur over the coming decades." For more:
- see this report Related Articles:
Balancing the energy trilemma's conflicting agenda
World energy issues keeping leaders up at night
World's sustainable future is uncertain
Research: Most countries grapple with "energy trilemma" Read more about: World Energy Council, energy trilemma
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3. Nebraska's missed wind opportunity
The Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) Board of Directors has rejected a resolution to integrate Nebraska-based wind energy despite overwhelming support from residents across the state and contrary to the utility's long-term energy plan.  | | Omaha, Nebraska. Credit: US Army Corps of Engineers/Wikimedia Commons | NPPD's long-term energy plan and economic development study concluded that total local earnings, payments and income from wind investments across the state could top $1.1 billion, creating an average of 413 permanent jobs per year over the next 20 years. Lowered development costs that would have been secured through NPPD's wind contracts and the historically low wind prices (guaranteed because there is no cost for fuel from wind generation, and future prices can be locked in for as long as 20 years) could save customers money and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. "The NPPD Board missed an opportunity to meet its legal obligation to provide electricity at the lowest reasonable cost by failing to take advantage of Nebraska's world-class wind energy resources at a time when wind energy prices are at an all-time low," said Ken Winston, Nebraska Sierra Club. In September, senators from around Nebraska sent the NPPD Board a letter urging investment in wind energy and highlighting the potential for major economic development in Nebraska, specifically in rural districts. For more:
- see the letter Related Articles:
NPPD urged to take advantage of low wind prices
Omaha wasting wind potential Read more about: wind energy, Nebraska Public Power District
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4. PSC approves Mon Power, Potomac Edison generation transaction
The Public Service Commission (PSC) of West Virginia's has approved an order authorizing the completion of the generation transaction requested by Mon Power and Potomac Edison.  | | West Virginia's Blennerhassett Bridge. Credit: Snoopywv/Wikimedia Commons | Mon Power and Potomac Edison have agreed to conditions included in the PSC of West Virginia's order authorizing the completion of the companies' generation transaction, which will reduce the average residential customer's bill by about $1.50 per month. The transaction will also provide Mon Power with 100 percent ownership of the Harrison Power Station in Haywood, West Virginia and preserves the opportunity to use locally mined coal, sustaining employment and benefitting the regional economy. As part of the order, Mon Power and Potomac Edison will bring more jobs to the state, as well as provide financial contributions for economic development, weatherization programs and low-income assistance for paying utility bills. "This has been a long and complex proceeding. We appreciate the support of the parties in negotiating a reasonable settlement, and are pleased that the Public Service Commission has allowed us to move forward with implementing our cost-effective plan to provide our customers with electricity generated in the heart of our West Virginia service territory," Holly Kauffman, president of FirstEnergy's West Virginia Operations, said. For more:
- see this article Related Article:
Mon Power closer to owning 100% of Harrison Power Station Read more about: Holly Kauffman FirstEnergy, Harrison Power Station
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5. SB 620 to benefit Water Replenishment District
Governor Jerry Brown has signed into law a measure granting greater flexibility and oversight to the Water Replenishment District of Southern California (WRD), which manages the groundwater supply for some Californians.  | | The coast of Southern California. Credit: Downtowngal/Wikimedia Commons | Senate Bill 620, which takes effect in the new year, will remove outdated financial restrictions and allow WRD to determine its reserve fund policy to better replenish, protect, and preserve groundwater supplies within the District's service area, as well as allow WRD to recoup attorney's fees incurred due to delinquent payments and increase fees for failure to file state required reports by groundwater producers. SB 620 will replace the District's already established Advisory Budget and Audit Committee with a budget advisory committee to review and make recommendations regarding its annual operating budget, replenishment assessment and reserves. "Groundwater is a safe, sustainable and economical source of fresh water for millions of people in the 43 cities we serve," said Rob Katherman, WRD board president. "SB 620 will protect the stability of the region's groundwater supply by allowing us to gradually shift away from purchasing imported water for groundwater replenishment, and ultimately, help us achieve 100 percent independence from that imported water in the next 5 years." For more:
- see the Bill Related Articles:
Federal grants addressing energy-water nexus
Water infrastructure planning requires holistic approach
Energy-water nexus driving smart water technology
GAO: Rural water programs need better state-level coordination Read more about: Water Replenishment District of Southern California, SB 620
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Also Noted | This week's sponsor is A. Cullen & Associates, Inc. | | 
| | Visit our new site at www.acullen.com to view our expanded recruiting and career marketing services! |
Quick news from around the Web.
> NSA revelations undermine confidence in encryption. Article
> Many enterprises take 'ad hoc' approach to privacy protection, Gartner survey finds. Article
> Networking among top skills for 2014, survey reveals. Article
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