The worldwide power and utility industry is rethinking the structure, engineering and fundamental mission of the world’s utility systems. New forces are combining to encourage energy market participants to improve the grid’s sophistication, complexity and automation. These include climate change, rising demands for energy and the addition of new market participants such as plug-in hybrid Continue reading →
hybrid cars
I have to chuckle over Ford’s announcement yesterday that its plug-in hybrids promise to allow vehicles to recharge during off-peak hours of cheap electricity. The Ford vehicles that will do this won’t be out until 2012. Ok, Ford, we’ll wait. By the way, why would we buy a new gas-powered vehicle now or even your Continue reading →
Energy Secretary Steven Chu (pictured) announced today that more than $327 million in new funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will go toward scientific research, including more than $41 million to biofuel, fusion and smart-grid research and development. The biofuels research could directly influence America’s dependence on oil by shifting motorists’ need for Continue reading →
Consumers Energy has teamed up with Ford Motor Co. and 14 other utilities on a proposal for a national pilot project to promote the use of electric vehicles. Ford recently submitted a proposal for the pilot project to the U.S. Department of Energy. That proposal includes a request for a grant under the American Recovery Continue reading →
