Existing nuclear plants are the largest source of no-carbon energy and the foundation for no-carbon electric generation in the US. Reducing carbon in the atmosphere is part of addressing climate change. (ECC has an explanation about carbon at the end of this blog.) ECC knows that discussing nuclear energy, especially in South Carolina now, may Read more about Is Nuclear Energy “The Missing Piece” of Climate Change?[…]
Southern California Edison will use battery storage to hold and dispense power instead of building a new natural gas plant. That is something of a break-through in the power industry. Utilities have typically opted for new power plants to ensure they had enough power. Battery storage technology has been advancing and SCE believes it can Read more about QUICK TAKE – Batteries Displace a New Power Plant[…]
Light bulbs, small as they are, make for big energy savings. New light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs use some 80 percent less electricity than old incandescent bulbs. LEDs are more efficient to the point that they helped US electric usage flatten and sometimes decline over the years. Why does such a small item like a bulb Read more about Do Light Bulbs Really Make a Difference? Yes![…]
Weather forecasters call for an average hurricane season in 2019. It only takes being in the path of a hurricane to make it not average, though. ECC is an energy site, so why mention hurricanes and storms? Because storms have a big impact on electric systems, and electric service is vital to health and safety. Read more about QUICK TAKE – Hurricane Forecasts for 2019[…]
Smart and sturdy – two essential traits to harden an electric system against hurricanes. Utilities up and down the East Coast have been doing that for a long time now. Smart and sturdy can blunt the impact of a storm. Smart: A grid system that can communicate – is networked – so it can isolate Read more about “Smart and Sturdy” Mark a Hurricane-Prepared Electric Grid[…]
In April renewable energy exceeded the power made by coal plants. That is something new in the US and is part of a continuing change in the power industry. Two big reasons: Coal has a tough time competing with renewable energy sources anymore. Spring and fall are times when coal plants may be offline for Read more about QUICK TAKE – Renewables Outpace Coal Power Generation[…]
From Scott Carlberg The South Carolina legislature is moving ahead in the potential sale of Santee Cooper. For good reason. Unless sold, Santee Cooper customers will pay higher electricity rates to help pay for a hole in the ground. Governor McMaster in his State of the State Address made it pretty clear that Santee Cooper Read more about Taking Steps Forward in the Santee Cooper Situation[…]
“Olympic High School in Charlotte, NC, believes that teens should engage in a 9-12 grade experience which develops them as being ‘Career and College Ready.’” That’s what Michael Realon says. He is the academy and community development coordinator at Olympic. ECC asked Michael to share his experience about getting students ready for science and technical Read more about QUICK TAKE – Getting High Schoolers Ready for Tech Careers[…]
As students across the Carolinas graduate this year, there is an industry that has open arms for them: The electric industry. An additional 1.5 million power industry workers will be needed nationwide in years to come, on top of the roughly one million now. “New technologies are changing the skill sets in demand in the Read more about Graduation Season – A Season of Opportunity[…]
The South Carolina Senate voted 42-1 to move ahead and seek bids for the sale, management or reorganization of Santee Cooper. It is a positive step in the process. Discussion. Debate. Steps taken. Those are good. South Carolinians concerned about Santee Cooper’s billions in debt and the way it could impact rates, and their family budgets, Read more about The SC Senate Takes the Next Step on Santee Cooper[…]