Advanced Energy Perspectives

This post is one in a series of feature stories on trends shaping advanced energy markets in the U.S. and around the world, drawn from Advanced Energy Now 2016 Market Report, which was prepared for AEE by Navigant Research.

The IoT concept, though much hyped for its future potential, is not just coming. It is already well on its way – into the home. Smart thermostats allow a user to remotely control household temperatures via a smartphone. Smart meters can connect to thermostats for DR. Some LED lights have embedded radios that allow the user to remotely control them from mobile devices. Smart appliances and security systems are able to connect via wireless or wired technologies and share status or other data for home automation, safety, and convenience. These devices enable customers to input data into behavioral ef ciency software which can generate recommendations to lower energy use. Though still early, this trend is accelerating as device manufacturers add connectivity to more devices.

In order for any alternative to gasoline or diesel to be viable as a transportation fuel, refueling infrastructure needs to be readily available. In the arena of alternative fuels for transportation, natural gas has proven to be one of the most popular alternatives to traditional liquid fuels in many global markets. Natural gas for use as a transportation fuel is available in two forms, CNG and LNG, with the former being by far the more common. CNG is primarily used for vehicles that operate within a limited geographic region, while LNG is more commonly used for long-haul trucking applications. CNG is stored in high-pressure tanks at 3,000–3,600 psi and can be stored for extended periods of time. LNG is stored in low pressure, cryogenic tanks at -259 degrees F.

This post is one in a series of feature stories on trends shaping advanced energy markets in the U.S. and around the world, drawn from Advanced Energy Now 2016 Market Report, which was prepared for AEE by Navigant Research.

Solar panels help power a North Carolina Apple data center. 

Intelligent buildings integrate software and services to maximize energy and operational ef ciency across building systems—from HVAC to lighting and plug loads. Integrated data center energy management is the implementation of a uni ed intelligent building strategy to optimize both IT and facility resources. As building owners invest in intelligent building solutions to deliver comprehensive energy management, they have begun to look at on-site and enterprise data centers as key candidates for optimization because of data centers’ high levels of energy consumption.

This post is one in a series of feature stories on trends shaping advanced energy markets in the U.S. and around the world, drawn from Advanced Energy Now 2016 Market Report, which was prepared for AEE by Navigant Research.

Nuclear facility in Urumqi, Northern China. Via.

China continues its highly ambitious deployment of electricity generation of all kinds domestically and continues to have a major impact by exporting its technology as well. China’s most recent 2020 energy targets call for 200 GW of solar PV, 250 GW of wind, and a steady rollout of nuclear power: 58 GW by 2021, 150 GW by 2030, and 400-500 GW by 2050. According to the World Nuclear Association, China currently is home to 30 nuclear power reactors currently in operation, an additional 24 under construction, and more about to start construction, which means the country is on track to hit its nuclear targets, just as it is with its solar PV and wind targets. By far, China is leading the global nuclear market, which totaled $18.1 billion in 2015, up 13% over 2014 – though still down from a five-year peak of $40.8 billion in 2011.