Everyone is talking about rising electricity prices, and this is a comprehensive thread. Building in the physical world has become hard and there are a few options to control electricity costs in the near-term a đ§”
We have an old grid, we just do. We need to rebuild it, expand it, make it smarter. That will take time, but we can unlock trapped capacity right away (dynamic line ratings, topology, virutal power plants). Plan is here: https://climateprogramportal.o...
We can replace old transmission lines with new American technology along existing right-of-ways with 80-150% more capacity. https://www.greenbeltcapital.c...
When we run short on power, we run old, inefficient coal/NG plants that are only there for emergencies. By adding record amounts of solar/wind/batteries in the near term, we are keeping wholesale rates low. New NG is good for capacity but crazy expensive. https://www.linkedin.com/posts...
We do need new geothermal, nuclear, hydro, long-duration batteries, and other CleanFirm power generation. But that takes ten years of consistent support using tools like the Loan Programs Office and other public/private partnership with @ENERGY and staff, many of whom were let go
@ENERGY You are seeing many new models emerge, like the Distributed Capacity Procurement where Utilities recognize that to onboard new loads faster they can shift peaks on congested distirbution circuits. @XcelEnergyMN is leading the way. https://www.utilitydive.com/ne...
@ENERGY @XcelEnergyMN You are seeing a recent resurgence in folks helping customers with energy efficiency that reduces electricity bills. One huge area is HVAC, where new maintenance approaches can reduce energy consumption by 40%. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse...
@ENERGY @XcelEnergyMN For many households, adding batteries and signing up with a smart retail electricity provider means a 20% discount on their electricity bill. Add some solar to your roof for low-cost fuel, and many are getting to a zero electricity bill. https://www.basepowercompany.c...
@ENERGY @XcelEnergyMN The way that we ran the electric utility 20 years ago won't work today, it raises rates by 9% per year. If you want lower rates we have to get folks to use next generation American technology at scale. This includes AI https://www.linkedin.com/posts...
@ENERGY @XcelEnergyMN We can interconnect new supply in record time, avoiding 22,000 hours of engineering time for every single application by just using smart AI tools we have available. https://pearlstreettechnologie...
@ENERGY @XcelEnergyMN But all of this takes coordination. Utilities want to change but have thousands of employees used to doing things the old way. State regulators are in the same place unsure if 20 year old American technology is ready for prime time. Investors/Entrepreneurs are ready to deliver.
@JigarShahDC A solar+storage system 10kw/30kwh costs 10k USD only with lifetime warranty which is enough to make a US Home off-grid. Everyone should ditch the grid now for these systems if they can.
@awaisnazirch You are seeing attractive price points in this direction in Australia and the UK but not close in the USA. Real soul searching required on why we canât achieve these cost numbers outside of maybe Texas.
@JigarShahDC Quit using solar and wind to make a Rube Goldberg version of the grid would be a start.
@JigarShahDC Solar massively cuts demand at the point of consumption, we need 20kw on every roof in America.
@JigarShahDC Storage > transmission, better cost curve and less regulation for the win.
@JigarShahDC apparently we are ALL paying for AI
@JigarShahDC Good thread! Thanks. Have to digest. Comment: in general itâs going to be hard to explain away the IEA data on retail electricity cost vs amount of wind/solar (âŹïž) since the effect is so strong. But still worth looking thru details. Important to understand details.
@JigarShahDC Something we need to work toward quickly is the decentralization of energy systems. We need significantly more home solar and programs/products/mechanisms, that support that. Energy abundance won't come from utility companies, as it works directly against their business model.
@JigarShahDC You mean everyone except DOE? Their comms team is too busy playing beer pong.
@JigarShahDC Folks might find this upcoming X Spaces interesting. https://x.com/joinvdao/status/...
@JigarShahDC The energy component of electricity costs have been pretty much flat for 25 years. The transmission and distribution component of electricity costs has been growing far higher than inflation, likely due to the regulated 10-14% rate of return allowed to transmission utilities...
@JigarShahDC Oh well you forgot to talk about monopoly corruption, profiteering, and abusive ROE didnât you.
@JigarShahDC On saborde le nucléaire depuis des années, on paie la facture et on feint l'étonnement. Sérieusement, qui pensait qu'une politique pareille allait aboutir à autre chose qu'à des prix délirants ?
@JigarShahDC Barriers keep energy costs high, yet the UAE took action with Barakah nuclear coming onlineâclear policy plus quick build-out. Thatâs how you keep prices stable while everyone else debates.
@JigarShahDC We know why it is rising and it is not due to fuel, material or manpower cost. It is due to poor market design. There is a strong correlation between the current wholesale market model and RE roadmaps that causing an high escalation in retail cost of Electricity.
@JigarShahDC Interesting division emerging btwn Big Oil/Gas & Big Tech. Former will lobby data centers/AI as a national security threat to keep demand domestic & boost prices. Big Tech spans the globe for the cheapest KWh. Saudi gas/renewable investments chasing this business @ColumbiaUEnergy
@JigarShahDC @PlugPowerInc at your service
@JigarShahDC đ¶
@JigarShahDC Dunno, put solar on your roof and charge your EV donât pay for gas seems like a no-brainer. Ben saving thousands for years. Are people that thick headed and dim witted??