Advanced Energy Perspectives

This post is one in a series of feature stories on trends that shape advanced energy markets in the U.S. and around the world. It is drawn from Advanced Energy Now 2017 Market Report, which was prepared for AEE by Navigant Research.

Growth in hydrogen fueling transportation infrastructure and fuel cell vehicle (FCV) sales is advancing the concept of a true “hydrogen highway” – and ultimately the potential for more rapid growth in retail hydrogen fuel sales. Commercial sales for hydrogen transportation fuel are not included in the market sizing estimate as this data is just beginning to become available, for two reasons. First, there are relatively few commercial sales of hydrogen fuel. The infrastructure is mostly limited to pilot sites or regionally concentrated in countries like Germany, the United States, Japan, Korea, and Denmark. Though retail networks are growing, both pilot and retail sites remain intrinsically linked to automaker deployment plans. Hence, steady station growth is necessary before more FCVs hit the roads.

In advance of a Department of Energy study seemingly intended to suggest otherwise, we find mounting evidence from leading experts that advanced energy is helping America’s electricity system, not harming it. One new example: New York City cashing in on demand response in a big way this summer. Plus: Texas is “too windy and sunny for old energy companies to make money.” Isn’t that a shame?

This is a guest post from AEE’s state partner, Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council. To learn more about MiEIBC, click here. To learn more about AEE’s nationwide coalition of state and regional partners, click here. 

What industry hires veterans at a rate 50% higher than the national average, boasts the fastest growing job category in the nation, and is expanding in Michigan? If you guessed wind energy, you’re right. Like everywhere else, Michigan’s energy mix is changing due to improvements in technology, evolving market conditions, and energy policies that lead the way forward, taking advantage of opportunities. The modern electric grid has served us well, but like other infrastructure in the country, it can be improved with new technologies – advanced energy technologies. Last year, Michigan was considering giving up on advanced energy, but instead doubled down, increasing its renewable portfolio standard from 10% to 15% and extending its energy efficiency standard through 2021. Now, fair winds are blowing – and Michigan is reaping the benefits.

This post is one in a series of feature stories on trends that shape advanced energy markets in the U.S. and around the world. It is drawn from Advanced Energy Now 2017 Market Report, which was prepared for AEE by Navigant Research.

Global biofuel markets are driven by a unique elixir of national annually adjusted production targets, oil prices, and desire for energy independence. Biofuels have endured more than a decade of scrutiny for everything ranging from subsidies to environmentalist concerns to possible impacts on food prices. Despite all of this, biofuels have proven a resilient global market led by the United States and Brazil. Revenue from ethanol production dropped dramatically in 2016 – down to $37 billion globally, and to $20.6 billion in the United States – as ethanol prices have fallen in competition with low-priced oil (see figure below). In both worldwide and U.S. markets, ethanol revenue hit its lowest point in the six years Navigant Research has been tracking the industry. In addition to the low oil prices, and resulting low gasoline prices, low corn prices contributed to the decline in ethanol pricing. Corn prices also fell to the lowest in a decade in October 2016, right after the U.S. corn harvest ended.

This week, the news is about cities taking the helm on advanced energy market creation, with Philadelphia joining scores of other cities in taking a pledge for advanced energy—though one columnist thinks the media attention lavished on 100% renewable statements is “mindless cheerleading.” And, like many weeks this year, storage is taking center stage as utilities deploy all kinds of technologies, from EV batteries to hot water heaters, to hold energy until it’s needed.