SAFE’s Post

Explore this week's top #energynews in #TheInformer newsletter👇 💸 Industry leaders have welcomed measures in the budget to boost the energy transition but believe more could have been done by the Chancellor. Announcements included £134m of funding from the new National Wealth Fund to re-develop ports and others. 🍃 Plans to close two nuclear power stations are forecast to lead to an increase in wholesale electricity prices later this decade. Research by Cornwall Insight said the scheduled shutdown of these stations is expected to trigger a rise in prices in 2027. 💡 In collaboration with the Scottish Government, the UK government has launched a consultation on proposed changes that will make the system for considering large energy projects in Scotland more efficient. Read more #industrynews here: https://lnkd.in/eE9JGJbm and comment below and tell us your top Informer headline! 👇

Let’s see if I’m getting this right. The question of proximity to loads is interesting. Rupen Pandya, SaskPower President and CEO, said that “energy storage systems like this proximate to load. So, you have a significant amount of industrial load in North Regina.” https://lnkd.in/eUD874z3 Conceptually, what is the effect of proximity of generators to loads? Presumably, over long distances, AC power from primary generators fades, due to line losses. Something like the first trace (red) in the graphic below. If a secondary generator is turned on and synchronized to the AC grid (blue trace in the second graph), it will boost power on that side of the primary generator, but will have little or no effect on the far side, again due to line losses at great distances. Addition of the two AC power traces yields the third one (green). If the secondary generator is close to the size (power) of the primary, then one could claim that at some great distance the local load is getting its power mostly from that secondary generator. On the other hand, if the secondary generator is small compared to the primary, and is located at a distance that incurs relatively little line loss in transmission from the primary, then the local contribution from the secondary will be relatively small. So the question comes down to how much AC power line loss is there, over a transmission grid spanning a thousand km or more: Is it a large fraction of the power available at source, or is it a small – negligible – fraction? If it’s the latter, then the secondary generator simply contributes to the total power of the Provincial generation capacity, without making much difference locally, in terms of where local load is sourced. In other words, what are the actual results in real cases, such as nuclear generation in southern Ontario, transmitting power to, and combining with, power from relatively small hydro dam generators in north-western Ontario – specifically all those located west of Thunder Bay, east of the Manitoba border?

U.S. energy regulators, specifically the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), have rejected an amended interconnection agreement for an Amazon data center located atTalen Energy's Susquehanna nuclear facility in Pennsylvania. The proposed agreement aimed to increase the data center's capacity but raised concerns about potential increases in power bills for consumers and reliability issues for the regional grid. FERC members highlighted that the agreement would divert substantial power from the grid, complicating transmission and distribution upgrades and potentially impacting costs. FERC Chairman Willie Phillips dissented, arguing that the decision could hinder U.S. leadership in the artificial intelligence sector and electric reliability. #artificialintelligence #instaenergy #unitedstates #federal #regulatory #commission #data #concern #member

🔋 As the UK phases out two more Advanced Gas Reactor (AGR) nuclear stations by 2027, (Hartlepool and Heysham 1, both owned by EDF (UK)) we could see wholesale electricity prices rise—challenging government ambitions to lower energy bills by 2030. 📊 According to Cornwall Insight, wholesale electricity prices are projected to climb to £83/MWh in 2027, following the AGR closures. This exceeds the £81/MWh average from 2025, and even by 2030, prices are only expected to drop to £77/MWh. With wholesale costs driving consumer bills, this forecast raises critical questions about the UK’s future energy affordability. Nuclear energy has long played a foundational role, with AGR stations once accounting for 16% of national generation. Yet, by the end of the decade, all remaining AGR stations will be decommissioned, making room for newer energy solutions. 📈 Meanwhile, as the electrification of heating and transport progresses, UK electricity demand is expected to surge by over 30% in the next five years. The coming years underscore an urgent need for a resilient, affordable, and sustainable energy strategy to keep pace with both rising demand and ambitious climate goals. Credit - Energy Live News National Energy System Operator #energy #nuclear #power #gas

Energy security is on the lips of everyone who works in the power and energy sectors, with nuclear new build playing a big part in our future. Our next set of 60-ton ducting/vent modules are making their way through the shop floor and starting to take shape. Access to multiple energy sources through sustainable and cost-effective methods is critical to the UK’s long-term strategy and goals. Helping to keep the lights on is certainly a worthwhile exercise. Cairnhill, what can we do for you? #steelsolutions

PEC Press Release Nov. 18th: "The State Corporation Commission required Dominion to supplement its Oct. 15, 2024, Integrated Resource Plan with modeling plans that meet the requirements of the Virginia Clean Economy Act and show scenarios without data center load. Dominion Energy has begrudgingly responded and the results are alarming, yet unsurprising. It shows that scenarios without data center load growth result in less natural gas and nuclear additions and significantly lower infrastructure costs, demonstrating unequivocally that continued unchecked data center growth will cost ratepayers, our communities, and the environment." https://lnkd.in/ezZFCCFu

With ExxonMobil and Chevron looking to get into the #PowerGeneration biz in connection to #DataCenters and AI demand, how do we consider the role that natural gas can play in powering this future? Let’s look at some key points: 1)   The United States is a leading producer of natural gas, with production reaching record highs. In 2022, U.S. dry natural gas production was about 36.35 trillion cubic feet, surpassing domestic consumption. This abundance ensures a reliable and cost-effective energy source. 2)   Natural gas is highly reliable, and it has become the largest source of electrical generation in the U.S. since 2015. Its reliability makes it a cornerstone for both residential and industrial energy needs. 3)   Natural gas is correctly known as the cleanest #FossilFuel—it burns cleaner, producing fewer pollutants and greenhouse gases. Many look at this energy source as more environmentally friendly and a better option for reducing our carbon footprint while meeting energy demands. 4)   The natural gas industry supports millions of jobs and contributes significantly to the U.S. economy. Its affordability also helps keep energy prices stable for consumers and businesses alike. 5)   Innovations in horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing have unlocked vast reserves of natural gas, particularly from #shale formations, and these advancements continue to enhance production efficiency and output as well as help advancements in geothermal energy using the same techniques. (ref: https://lnkd.in/dd-dH8j6) Indeed Jeff Gustavson, president of Chevron New Energies said to Reuters: “It fits many of our capabilities – natural gas, construction, operations, and being able to provide customers with a low-carbon pathway on power through #CCUS (carbon capture, utilization and storage), #geothermal, and maybe some other technologies.” Therefore, a better understanding of the natural gas market is essential. By leveraging this abundant resource, we can address energy challenges more effectively and pave the way for a cleaner, more reliable energy landscape. This is the role of GPCM® Market Simulator for North American Gas and LNG™. Let’s make better energy decisions. RBAC, Inc. rbac.com #NaturalGas #EnergySolutions #Sustainability #CleanEnergy #USEnergy

This is one of my favourite articles on the Ontario energy landscape. in 2017, the government clearly knew the severity of the oncoming crisis and have been making decisions for political reasons, not upgrading the infrastructure. In 2020, Doug Ford had to double-down on subsidizing rates against his own political agenda due to Covid. With the federal movement to electrify industry and Residencial consumption through rebates and incentives, and our reducing nuclear fleet- natural gas is making up more and more of our base load. Rates are on the rise. Those who don't partner with a retailer will subsidize those who do. https://lnkd.in/eu4M5258

Nuclear provides clean, reliable energy, but it also providing high-paying, reliable jobs. Building Virginia's reliable, affordable, and increasingly clean energy future requires experts with a wide range of skillsets.   Learn more about Virginia's energy future at https://lnkd.in/d8FJcwa7