By Kennedy Maize Although still in its infancy, quantum computing has arrived and is making an impact on energy, according to a new report from energy research company Wood Mackenzie. The report — “The Quantum Disruption of Energy” – says that “Quantum computing has moved from the lab into live energy infrastructure, and the global race … More Is quantum computing a key to modern energy?
By Kennedy Maize Trump administration policies repealing previous U.S. initiatives designed to combat global warming and climate change, which the White House has billed as a benefit to society, will actually cost the nation dearly. That’s the finding of an upcoming study from Resources for the Future (RFF), a respected Washington economic and environmental non-profit … More Scoping the high costs of Trump’s climate policies
By Kennedy Maize New research by a team led by the Interior Department’s U.S. Geological Survey has found that humans inhabited an area now part of the White Sands National Park in New Mexico more than 20 thousand years ago during what is known as the “Last Glacial Maximum,” (LGM) the planet’s last ice age. … More New research: rapid climate change bedeviled mankind millennia ago
By Yoel Guzansky and Henry Sokolski Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) has built his rule on two central pillars: security and prosperity. At the core is the simple concept that a modernized Saudi Arabia would also be a safer and more prosperous one. However, that promise is now under unprecedented strain. Repeated missile … More Guest commentary: Saudi nuclear program could outlive its government, plan accordingly
By Kennedy Maize Local Virginia opposition to the $67 billion merger of Richmond-based Dominion Energy and Florida’s NextEra Energy is coalescing as the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC), the Old Dominion’s utility regulator, nears a Nov. 5 “public comment session” on the deal. The SCC has scheduled a Nov. 17 “evidentiary hearing.” Perhaps most significant, … More Dominion, NextEra merger generates heated opposition in the Old Dominion
By Kennedy Maize Michigan’s Consumers Energy and Detroit Edison have won a $383 million judgment against Toshiba in a long-running dispute over botched repairs to the 57-year-old, 2,292-MW, six water turbine Ludington Pumped Storage project on the banks of Lake Michigan. The massive generating project cost $327 million (in 1973 dollars) and four years to … More Michigan utilities win $383 million in pumped storage legal wrangle
By Kennedy Maize Four-hour battery storage is now kicking gas off the worldwide market for peaking power, according to a new study by the Wood Mackenzie international energy consulting firm. “This economic shift is decisive and widening,” said WoodMac principal analyst Ahmed Jameel Abdullah. “Gas turbine shortages and rising fuel volatility are driving up … More Battery revolution is humbling natural gas worldwide
By Kennedy Maize The end game may be emerging in the enormous and controversial proposed merger of Virginia-based Dominion Energy and Florida’s Next Era Energy. Announced in mid-May, the companies bill it as creating “the world’s largest regulated electric utility business.” The deal is valued at some $67 billion. The combined company would feature some … More Dominion-Next Era merger’s trials and tribulations
By Henry Sokolski Earlier this month, the House introduced a resolution of disapproval to the U.S.-Saudi nuclear cooperative agreement. The resolution might fail but it’s likely only the opening round of a longer fight. Next year, the House and Senate may condition the deal’s implementation. This requires legislation, but the legislative door is largely open. Under … More Guest Commentary: Defanging the Saudi Nuclear Deal the Saudi
By Kennedy Maize Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has responded to Donald Trump’s declared trade war with its northern neighbor with terms Trump can understand: iron, steel, oil, exports, and money. On Oct. 1 Carney announced the Canadian government will fast track a long-proposed crude oil pipeline from Alberta to British Columbia. Formerly known as … More Canada strikes back in Trump’s trade war with energy