West Coast jet fuel imports increase to meet growing demand

(Fri, 02 Mar 2018) Net imports of jet fuel into the West Coast have increased in recent years as regional jet fuel consumption has outpaced production. States in the West Coast region—those bordering the Pacific Ocean plus Nevada and Arizona—make up about 20% of the U.S. population but account for nearly a third of U.S. jet fuel consumption. Most of these jet fuel imports have come from refineries in Asia.

Natural gas expected to remain most-consumed fuel in the U.S. industrial sector

(Thu, 01 Mar 2018) EIA expects a 40% increase in natural gas consumed in the U.S. industrial sector, from 9.8 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu) in 2017 to 13.7 quadrillion Btu in 2050, according to the <em>Annual Energy Outlook 2018</em> (AEO2018) Reference case. By 2020, industrial natural gas consumption will surpass the previous record set in the early 1970s, according to the AEO2018 Reference case.

The design and application of utility-scale battery storage varies by region

(Wed, 28 Feb 2018) About two-thirds of utility-scale battery storage power capacity installed in 2016 in the United States is located in two electricity markets: the California Independent System Operator (CAISO), which covers much of California, and the PJM Interconnection, which covers all or parts of 13 eastern states and the District of Columbia. Utility-scale battery systems have been installed in these markets for different reasons.

Natural gas power plants purchase fuel using different types of contracts

(Tue, 27 Feb 2018) Most natural gas-fired power plants in the continental United States fulfill all of their fuel requirements through firm contracts that obligate the natural gas producer and the pipeline operator to send the natural gas to the power plant when requested. These power plants reported receiving 71% of the natural gas purchased by power plants in 2016.

Electricity Monthly Update

(Tue, 27 Feb 2018) This month’s <em>Electric Monthly Update</em> report contains a feature article on how utility-scale electric batteries differ widely on their discharge duration.

U.S. uranium production in 2017 was the lowest since 2004

(Mon, 26 Feb 2018) U.S. uranium concentrate production totaled 2.44 million pounds in 2017, down 16% from 2016 and the lowest annual total since 2.28 million pounds of uranium concentrate was produced in 2004. Domestic concentrate production peaked at 43.7 million pounds in 1980 but has remained below 5 million pounds annually since 1997.

China becomes world’s second largest LNG importer, behind Japan

(Fri, 23 Feb 2018) China surpassed South Korea to become the world’s second largest importer of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in 2017, according to data from IHS Markit and official Chinese government statistics. Chinese imports of LNG averaged 5 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) in 2017, exceeded only by Japanese imports of 11 Bcf/d.

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