Energy news

Changes in marine fuel sulfur limits will put temporary upward pressure on diesel margins

(Tue, 15 Jan 2019) The January 2019 <em>Short-Term Energy Outlook</em> (STEO), released at noon today, for the first time includes analysis of the effect that upcoming changes to marine fuel sulfur specifications will have on crude oil and petroleum product markets. Beginning January 1, 2020, the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) new regulations limit the sulfur content in marine fuels used by ocean-going vessels to 0.5% by volume, a reduction from the previous limit of 3.5%.

January 14, 2019 By 0 Comments Read more...

New electric generating capacity in 2019 will come from renewables and natural gas

(Thu, 10 Jan 2019) According to EIA’s latest inventory of electric generators, 23.7 gigawatts (GW) of new capacity additions and 8.3 GW of capacity retirements are expected for the U.S. electric power sector in 2019. The utility-scale capacity additions consist primarily of wind (46%), natural gas (34%), and solar photovoltaics (18%), with the remaining 2% consisting primarily of other renewables and battery storage capacity.

January 09, 2019 By 0 Comments Read more...

The Middle East, Africa, and Asia now drive nearly all global energy consumption growth

(Wed, 09 Jan 2019) Energy consumption in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa continues to grow rapidly, with about 20% growth in each region between 2010 and 2016, according to newly available data in EIA’s International Energy Statistics database. In particular, energy consumption has been increasing in the Middle East and Africa, driven by economic growth, increased access to energy markets, and quickly growing populations. Energy consumption in Asia continues to grow even as energy consumption in China declined between 2015 and 2016.

January 08, 2019 By 0 Comments Read more...

Wholesale power prices were generally higher in 2018, with both winter and summer spikes

(Tue, 08 Jan 2019) Wholesale electricity prices during 2018 at major trading hubs in the United States were generally higher than in 2017. Wholesale prices in 2018 ranged from 14% higher than in 2017 in the area served by the Midwest Independent System Operator (MISO) to 60% higher in the ERCOT electricity market serving most of Texas. Monthly wholesale electricity prices were also more volatile in 2018 than in 2017, seeing spikes during the winter and summer months.

January 07, 2019 By 0 Comments Read more...

Country Analysis Briefs

(Mon, 07 Jan 2019) In response to stakeholder feedback, the U.S. Energy Information Administration has revised the format of the Country Analysis Briefs. Future updates will be in two complementary formats: the Country Analysis Executive Summary provides an overview of recent developments in a country's energy sector and the Background Reference provides historical context. Archived versions will remain available in the original format.

January 06, 2019 By 0 Comments Read more...

U.S. average retail gasoline prices ended the year lower than they started

(Fri, 04 Jan 2019) U.S. regular retail gasoline prices averaged $2.72 per gallon (gal) in 2018, 30 cents/gal (13%) higher than in 2017 and 57 cents/gal higher than in 2016. However, a rapid price decline beginning in October led to U.S. average regular gasoline prices ending the year lower than they began for the first time since 2015. In 5 of the 10 cities for which EIA collects weekly retail price data, gasoline prices exceeded $3.00/gal at least once in 2018.

January 03, 2019 By 0 Comments Read more...

Crude oil prices end the year lower than they began the year

(Thu, 03 Jan 2019) Brent crude oil averaged $72 per barrel (b) in 2018, and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) averaged $65/b in 2018. The prices for both crude oils finished the year lower than they began it. Brent and WTI each hit their highest prices during the year on October 3 at $86/b and $76/b, respectively. Prices for each benchmark fell quickly after that, and on December 24, Brent reached an annual low of $50/b and WTI reached an annual low of $43/b.

January 02, 2019 By 0 Comments Read more...

Energy commodity prices fell significantly in the last quarter of 2018

(Wed, 02 Jan 2019) After increasing 25% from January through the beginning of October in 2018, the spot energy index in the S&P Goldman Sachs Commodity Index (GSCI) ended the year 21% lower than at the beginning of the year. The S&P GSCI is a weighted average of commodity prices intended to reflect global commodity production quantities and futures contracts’ trading volumes. Although all components of the S&P GSCI fell in 2018, the S&P GSCI energy index fell more than any other sub-index.

January 01, 2019 By 0 Comments Read more...

Most utility-scale fixed-tilt solar photovoltaic systems are tilted 20 degrees-30 degrees

(Thu, 27 Dec 2018) Nearly 40%, or 10.4 gigawatts (GW), of utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) systems operating in the United States at the end of 2017 were fixed-tilt PV systems rather than tracking systems. Of the utility-scale fixed-tilt solar PV systems, 76% of the capacity was installed at a fixed angle between 20 degrees and 30 degrees from the horizon.

December 26, 2018 By 0 Comments Read more...

In 2016, U.S. energy expenditures per unit GDP were the lowest since at least 1970

(Wed, 26 Dec 2018) U.S. energy expenditures declined for the fifth consecutive year, reaching $1.0 trillion in 2016, a 9% decrease in real terms from 2015. Adjusted for inflation, total energy expenditures in 2016 were the lowest since 2003. Expressed as a percent of gross domestic product (GDP), total energy expenditures were 5.6% in 2016, the lowest since at least 1970.

December 25, 2018 By 0 Comments Read more...

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