Fossil Fuels Bail Out Colorado’s Grid Yet Again
Coloradans might want to begin brushing up on their German. At least enough to be familiar with the word Dunkelflaute, which roughly translates to “dark doldrums.” The term describes a weather pattern of low wind and limited sunlight that makes generating electricity from renewables nearly impossible. The event is relatively common in northern and western Europe during […]
As Wind Turbines Falter, Gas Saves the Day in the U.K.
Renewables advocates are constantly downplaying the risks associated with intermittency. When the wind isn’t blowing, or the sun isn’t shining, we’re assured that batteries and electricity imports from neighboring jurisdictions can fill in the gaps. The problem, of course, is that current viable battery technology is only capable of storing power in 4-hour intervals, and […]
Virginia Regulators Set an Example for Ratepayer Accountability
Last Friday, the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC)—a regulatory agency that, among other things, oversees the state’s utilities—imposed a strict performance standard that carries financial consequences if a proposed offshore wind project from the state’s largest utility fails to perform. This is a huge win for ratepayer accountability, and it has real implications for customers […]
