Advanced Energy Perspectives

Every week we see news of advanced energy companies and technologies challenging the energy status quo and growing the industry. This week was no different, with the news that the United States had reached 1 million solar installations. As always, AEE’s members are right at the fore, driving the industry and the economy forward.

One of the most exciting things about advanced energy is its promise for the future. Yes, advanced energy is revolutionizing the way we generate, transmit, and use energy today, and some forms have been in use for thousands of years (check out Wikipedia’s entry on early river-based hydropower systems), but the promise of future technology is enough to get any red-blooded American excited. Well, this red-blooded American, anyway. From new ways to get power from the ocean to small-scale nuclear energy to a solar array fit for any Mouseketeer’s clubhouse, come with us to a journey to Tomorrowland.

It’s no secret that electric vehicles (EVs) are changing the transportation industry. Although they make up a small share of the total vehicles on the market, EVs are pushing innovation, technology, and sales. Last week, EVs got a huge boost from Tesla’s announcement of the Model 3, the affordable EV with a 215-mile range. Tesla’s taking on the world, but is the world prepared for a future driven by EVs?

What are the differences between me and the Energy Information Administration (EIA)? This might be difficult, so I’ll give some hints: One of us is a government agency funded to the tune of $122 million and one of us is a Social Media Manager at AEE. One of us has an Administrator, a Deputy Administrator, four Assistant Administrators, and 16 connected offices tasked with collecting, analyzing, and disseminating independent and impartial energy information to promote sound policymaking, efficient markets, and public understanding of energy, and one of us has a mug with a panda on it (see photo). But the main difference between me and the EIA? I have no trouble admitting when I’m wrong. For EIA, on the other hand, a full-throated confession of error seems harder to come by.

This week we saw a small change that may mark a major shift in thinking about energy, as well as some utility wheeling and dealing. Strap in, it’s time for Friday’s news round up!

Two weeks ago, we speculated that America’s utility merger madness may have stalled out.