The future of coal: new carbon capture technologies
Ross McCracken and Gareth Carpenter discuss developments that might radically alter the economics of CCS as an emergent technology.
Retail price of regular gasoline forecast to average $2.25 per gallon this summer
(Wed, 13 Jul 2016) In the July edition of the <em>Short-Term Energy Outlook</em> (STEO), EIA forecasts that the U.S. retail price for regular gasoline will average $2.25 per gallon (gal) this summer (March through September). The forecast price for this summer is lower than the 2015 summer average of $2.63/gal, but higher than the forecast from the April 2016 <em>Short-Term Energy and Summer Fuels Outlook</em>. The change in the forecast since April is largely attributable to increases in crude oil prices.
Brexit hitting UK steel demand as sectors slow
UK steel demand is likely to be hit by the nation’s exit from the EU. Construction and infrastructure development look set to take the brunt of the “Leave” decision.
Global energy intensity continues to decline
(Tue, 12 Jul 2016) Worldwide energy intensity, measured as energy consumption per unit of gross domestic product (GDP), decreased by nearly one-third between 1990 and 2015.
EIA projects rise in U.S. crude oil and other liquid fuels production beyond 2017
(Mon, 11 Jul 2016) The U.S. Energy Information Administration projects that U.S. petroleum and other liquid fuels production, which in addition to crude oil and condensate production includes natural gas plant liquids derived from natural gas processing as well as biofuels and volume gain at refineries, is projected to grow from 14.8 million barrels/day (b/d) in 2015 to 18.6 million b/d in 2040 in its Annual Energy Outlook 2016 (AEO2016) Reference case.
Brexit turmoil raises costs, risks in UK energy sector
Following the UK's vote to exit the EU, we look at both the business case and political risks for future UK energy sector investment, and assess the best way forward.
Clean Power Plan reduces projected coal production in all major U.S. supply regions
(Fri, 08 Jul 2016) U.S. coal production is projected to decline by about 26%, or 230 million tons, between 2015 and 2040 in EIA's <em>Annual Energy Outlook 2016</em> (AEO2016) Reference case, which assumes the implementation of the Clean Power Plan (CPP). In a scenario that assumes the CPP is never implemented (No CPP case), U.S. coal production remains close to 2015 levels through 2040.
US nuclear industry suffers shutdowns, pressured by power prices
Nuclear power, which for a long time was among the lowest-cost electricity sources, is now having trouble competing in the US.
EIA electricity generator data show power industry response to EPA mercury limits
(Thu, 07 Jul 2016) EIA recently released preliminary data from its annual survey of electric generators (EIA-860), which provides information on pollution control equipment at electric power plants. A significant amount of such equipment was recently installed in response to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS).
Steel industry energy consumption: Sensitivity to technology choice, fuel prices, and carbon prices
(Thu, 07 Jul 2016) Steel industry energy consumption in 2010 totaled 1,158 trillion British thermal units (Btu), representing 8% of total manufacturing energy consumption. Energy consumption in the steel industry is largely for crude steel production using basic oxygen furnace (BOF) and electric arc furnace (EAF) technologies. Overall energy intensity in EAF, used primarily to melt scrap steel, is significantly lower than in BOF which is used to create virgin steel from iron ore.