Energy articles from January 2002

Energy archives from January 2002

Supply and demand: oil production will peak by 2009. Get used to it. (Editorial).(Kevin Gainer, Energy)(Brief Article)(Editorial)
January 1, 2002... As we've all heard, GAO and other parties are in hot legal pursuit of information that some think could be smoking gun evidence of Bush Administration industry "collusion" on the so-called "National Energy Strategy." It's quickly becoming a...

Rocky Mountain high: the Rockies may be the next important source of natural gas for the U.S. (Natural Gas).(energy industry)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2002... In its 2002 Annual Energy Outlook (AEO), EIA forecasted that U.S. consumption of natural gas would grow by 60 percent to 34 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) between 2001 and 2020. A substantial portion of this increase is expected to originate in the...

Ignoring Cuba; are energy sanctions denying U.S. access to an important source of energy? (Supply).(dialogue)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2002... While energy considerations are not the only issue at stake in U.S. policy towards Cuba, they are an important aspect that is generally ignored. At present, economic sanctions against Cuba are blocking promising ventures that could help enhance...

Is energy security possible? Reduced demand and diversified sources are the key, say experts. (Supply).(Shirley Neff, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, United States)(Statistical Data Included)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Threats to the security of U.S. energy supply call for new thinking, new policies, new regulatory structures, and diverse energy sources. That was the consensus among policymakers and energy experts taking part in a special symposium on energy...

California announces tough AC standards. (In The News).(energy efficient air conditioning)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2002... The California Energy Commission has adopted the nation's toughest energy efficiency standards for central air conditioners--a move that could further diminish electricity demand during hot summers. Following a 4-0 vote to approve the new...

Greenhouse emissions slowed over decade. (In The News).(National Aeronautics and Space Administration, United States)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... A new NASA-funded study shows that the rate of growth of greenhouse gas emissions has slowed since its peak in 1980, due in part to international cooperation that led to reduced chlorofluorocarbon use, slower growth of methane, and a steady...

Sodium sulfur tests underway. (In The News).(batteries produced by American Electric Power Company Inc. and partners)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... American Electric Power (P.O. Box 24404, Canton, OH 44701-4404) and partners will conduct the first U.S. demonstration to test the combined power quality and peak shaving capabilities of the sodium sulfur (NASTM) battery, an advanced electrical...

The California paradox: lack of a state energy policy makes distributed generation a questionable business decision. (Deregulation).(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2002... Since early 1999, the Governor, the State Legislature, and several state agencies including the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), the California Energy Commission, the California Air Resources Board (CARB), and most recently the...

Efficiency provisions in Farm Bill pass. (In The News).(United States)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2002... On February 13th, the U.S. Senate passed the Energy Title in the Farm Bill. The title provides energy efficiency and renewable audits, loans, and grants to farmers. According to Steven Nadel, ACEEE's Executive Director, ACEEE is pleased to see...

Energy efficient wall system. (In The News).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers are testing a new wall system utilizing an extremely lightweight concrete building material that could be used in wall systems of homes and businesses. Researchers at ORNL's Buildings Technology Center,...

Senate bill will save energy. (In The News).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The new version of a national energy bill introduced on February 15th by Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) will save nearly three times more energy than the energy bill approved by the House of Representatives last summer. According to...

System recycles waste heat. (In The News).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... JX Crystals, Inc. (1105 12th Ave., NW, Suite A2, Issaquah, WA 98027; Tel: 425/392-5237, Fax: 425/392-7303) has a thermophotovoltaic electric power generation technology that produces electricity directly from furnace exhaust waste heat. Under a...

Bush plan still leads to higher CO2 emissions. (Outlook).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The Pew Center on Global Climate Change has just released their analysis of the Bush Administrationis Climate Plan that was announced on February 14th. The Bush plan sets a voluntary "greenhouse gas intensity" target for the nation, expands...

Technology key to meeting demand. (Outlook).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... As the economy grows, U.S. energy demand is projected to increase 32 percent during the period 2000-2020, reaching 131 quadrillion Btu. That projection assumes no major changes in Federal laws and regulations. The forecast could differ with...

Do we need nuclear power? (Nuclear).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... According to an analysis provided by Industrial Information Resources, Inc, (Houston, Texas), high energy prices experienced in 2001 will be remembered as the common element in most companies' financial statements. The news for steel makers and...

Fast Flux Test Reactor closed permanently. (Nuclear).
January 1, 2002... The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is permanently shutting down the Fast Flux Test Nuclear Reactor (FFTR) in eastern Washington. According to Wenonah Hauter, Director, Public Citizen's Critical Mass Energy and Environment Program...

Curbing power plant mercury emissions. (Fuels).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Wisconsin Electric-Wisconsin Gas (WE-WG) and ADA Environmental Solutions (ADA-ES) released preliminary findings from one of the nation's first full-scale tests of carbon injection to control power plant mercury emissions. The findings were...

Plant bests clean air regulations. (Fuels).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... According to Wisvest-Connecticut, LLC (a subsidiary of Wisconsin Energy Corporation), they will exceed the state's new clean air standards with the use of envirocoal--the lowest emitting, cleanest coal currently available worldwide. The fuel is...

Projects focus low permeability reservoirs. (Natural Gas).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... DOE has added two new projects to its program to develop new technologies that can increase natural gas production from low-permeability, or "tight," reservoirs. The new projects--to be carried out by Advanced Resources International,...

Variable transformer offers benefits. (Utilities).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... TransEnergie, Hydro-Quebec's transmission division, will be the first to install GE Power Systems' (http://www.gepower. com) new variable-frequency transformer (VFT) technology at its Langlois Station in Quebec. The project will enable...

India's labor edge blunted by power costs. (International).(electric utilities)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2002... India's low labor cost advantage is being whittled away by higher power costs, interest rates and regulatory hurdles, according to a joint survey by the World Bank and a trade body. The survey, undertaken by the Bank and the Confederation of...

Mexico energy reform opens opportunities. (International).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Energy companies may soon be able to invest billions of dollars in one of the largest energy markets in the world if an 84-year-old law is changed. Proposed legislation in Mexico would amend the Mexican constitution and enact a new law that...

IEA (International Energy Agency) cites progress on regulatory reform. (International).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The International Energy Agency (IEA) has just published its review of Energy Policies of IEA Countries for 2001. The study looks at the major trends in the energy markets, notably the volatility and strength of oil prices during the second...

Foster Wheeler wins turbine contract. (Power Plant Development).(Bayswater Peaking Facility L.L.C.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Foster Wheeler Ltd.is subsidiary, Foster Wheeler USA Corporation (http:// www.fwc.com), has been awarded a $28 million engineering, procurement, construction contract by Bayswater Peaking Facility, LLC for a 54 MWe natural gas-fired...

Green mud cures $2 billion loss. (Production).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Worldwide, the oil industry suffers an estimated $2 billion loss every year due to collapsed and sidetracked holes, lost tools and abandoned wells. Researchers from CSIRO (http://www.petroleum. csiro.au), in conjunction with U.S. firm...

Statoil to secure emission credit. (Environment).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Norwegian oil and gas company Statoil is about to secure its first credits in the World Bank's Prototype Carbon Fund (PCF). The $145 million Carbon Fund is an emissions trading venture aimed at encouraging investment in projects to reduce...

NREL awarded Xcel contracts. (Alternatives).(National Renewable Energy Laboratory; Xcel Energy)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2002... The U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (http://HYPERLINK "http://www.nrel. gov"www.nrel.gov) has been selected to perform three research projects, worth $2.8 million, as part of a program to advance renewable...

Rising competition, more price volatility. (Petroleum).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2002... Volatile oil price cycles and increasing competition will make astute application of technology a key determinant of success for the oil industry, according to Global Oil Trends 2002, an in-depth study prepared by Cambridge Energy Research...

Declining output from the North Sea. (Energy Indicators).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2002... The North Sea holds Europe's largest oil and natural gas reserves and is one of the world's key non-OPEC producing regions. Norway and the United Kingdom hold the majority of the North Sea's reserves and production. Denmark, the Netherlands,...

Software solves supply/demand. (Strategy).(electrical power)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Scientists at Siemens Corporate Research (SCR) have developed a software program that energy service companies (ESCOs or energy resellers) and large manufacturers can use to determine best-case scenarios for the supply/demand of electrical...

Capital spending nearly doubles. (Economics).(energy industry)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2002... Profits of the major energy companies hit a new record as worldwide net income soared to $53.2 billion in 2000, up 133 percent from net income in 1999, according to data released today by the Energy Information Administration (EIA) in...

Protecting the nation's dams and power systems. (Security Issues).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Operators of U.S. dams, hydroelectric facilities, and power transmission systems can make their sites less attractive targets to terrorists using new step-by-step security assessment processes developed by the Interagency Forum on...

Peanut hydrogen will power buses. (Technology).(biomass energy)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2002... A public/private research project is seeking to produce renewable hydrogen from agricultural residues in about 3 yr. and at a comparable cost to existing methane reforming technologies. The hydrogen produced will be blended with compressed...

Smaller cells pack more power. (Technology).(fuel cells)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Manhattan Scientifics, Inc. (127 Eastgate Dr., Los Alamos, NM 87544; Tel: 505/ 662-0660) has developed fuel cells that pack more energy in a smaller space than conventional rechargeable batteries by using liquid methanol and water fuel. ...

Cell may have 10-year life. (Technology).(Lithium-Ion battery)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2002... The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL, 1 Cyclotron Rd., MS-65, Berkeley, CA 94720; Tel: 510/486-5771, Fax: 510/486-6641) is researching a 10-yr., high-powered, low-cost Lithium-Ion battery for the EV market. The researchers have a...

Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd.(Subaru to sell hybrid cars)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... * Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd. subsidiary Subaru (Subaru Building, 7-2, Nishi-Shinjuku, 1-chome, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-18386, Japan; Tel: 03-3347-2111) plans to begin selling hybrid vehicles by 2006 as part of a midterm business plan to be...

Governor George E. Pataki announced New York State would use $4.2 million in clean water/Clean Air Bond Act funds to purchase 128 compressed natural gas buses and 35 hybrid-electric buses for use in New York City, Syracuse, and Long Island.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... * Governor George E. Pataki announced New York State would use $4.2 million in Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act funds to purchase 128 compressed natural gas buses and 35 hybrid-electric buses for use in New York City, Syracuse, and Long Island....

Sustaining export credit; Export Credit Agencies must adapt to the new world of renewable energy. (Economics).
January 1, 2002... Between 1994 and early 1999, oil and gas development projects and power projects using fossil fuels made up nearly 40 percent of project and trade finance flows to developing countries; Export Credit Agencies (ECAs) accounted for 20 percent of...

In the pipeline: changes are ahead for Regional Transmission Organizations. (Transmission).
January 1, 2002... The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC's) July 12, 2001 orders requiring the consolidation of regional transmission organizations (RTOs) into four regional entities sent shock waves through the transmission industry. These orders were...

GE puts "Power in a Box." (In The News).(General Electric Co's self-contained power plant)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... General Electric Co. (GE, 3135 Easton Turnpike, Fairfield, CT 06431-0001; Tel: 203/ 373-2211: Website: www.ge.com) is offering a new self-contained, "ship-and-drop" power plant called "Power-In-A-Box." GE believes the new plants are ideal for...

MicroGen for the home. (In The News).(gas-fired appliance)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... BG Group, plc (BG Group, plc, 100 Thames Valley Park Dr., Reading, Berkshire. RG0 1PT. England; Tel: +44 (0) 118 935 3222; Website: www.bggroup.com) and Rinnai Corp. of Japan announce a joint project to complete the development of MicroGen, an...

Beacon offers improved flywheel. (In The News).(Beacon Power Corp.; WinDBreak Cable Co.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Beacon Power Corp. (234 Ballardvale St., Wilmington, MA 01887; Tel: 978/694-9121; Website: www.beaconpower.com) will install a new 6-kWh demonstration flywheel unit for WinDBreak Cable Co., a privately held cable company based in Nebraska. This...

Improving rooftop systems. (In The News).(photovoltaic power)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... United Solar Systems Corp. (1100 West Maple Rd., Troy, MI 48084; Tel: 248/362-4170; Website: www.uni-solar.com). a joint venture between Energy Conversion Devices. Inc. (ECD) and N.V. Bekaert S.A., has been awarded a cost-shared California...

Units concentrate PV. (In The News).(photovoltaic gemerator)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... New Energy Corp.(5685 La Jolla Blvd., La Jolla. CA 92037-7651; Tel: 619/615-8647; Website: www.newenergyco.com) believes it produces the only high concentration photovoltaic (HCPV) electric and thermal generators currently available. According...

Wind towers are a breeze to erect. (In The News).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Valmont Industries, Inc. (P.O. Box 358. Valley, NE 68064; Tel: 402/359-2201; Website: www.valmont.com) introduces an innovative wind energy support structure that is more adaptable and easier to erect. The Vahnont Wind Energy Structure is a...

Juggling the load; with deregulation, utilities must balance customers, regulators and demand. (Utilities).(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2002... Many utilities are struggling to understand if and when deregulation will occur in their states. And in those states where the decision has been made, the bigger question is how will deregulation affect load management initiatives? Who will own...

Understanding Yucca Mountain; energy talked to two experts on nuclear waste. here is what they said. (Nuclear).
January 1, 2002... Making sense of the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository controversy is no simple matter. So Energy asked two experts for their opinions. Jay Silberg is a partner in Shaw Pittman's Energy Group and has been a key participant in the utility...

No energy policy? The meaningless patter that spawns pathological science. (Contrarians View on Energy).(energy research myths)
January 1, 2002... The American Chemical Society celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2001. As an emeritus member who joined nearly six decades ago, I received two Festschriften for the event. One periodical is titled simply Chemistry, the other is called the News...

Calendar.(energy industry meetings)
January 1, 2002... April 15-17, 2002, American Power Conference, Chicago. Contact: Lisa Gasaway, Conference Manager; Tel: 918/832-9245; Fax: 918/ 831-9875; E-Mail: apcconference@ pennwell.com. April 21-24, 2002, National Hydropower Association 2002 Annual...