(Fri, 13 Jul 2018) U.S. exports of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), a motor gasoline additive, totaled 38,000 barrels per day (b/d) in 2017, primarily to Mexico, Chile, and Venezuela. MTBE was once commonly used in the United States but was phased out in the late 2000s as a result of water contamination concerns. Since then, fuel ethanol has replaced MTBE as a gasoline additive.
(Thu, 12 Jul 2018) Between 2010 and 2016, the capacity-weighted average cost (real 2016$) of U.S. wind installations declined by one-third, from $2,361 per kilowatt (kW) to $1,587/kW, based on analysis in the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energyâs (DOE/EERE) <em>Wind Technology Market Report</em>. The reasons for this decline include improving technology and manufacturing capability and an increasing concentration of builds in the regions of the United States with the lowest installation costs.
(Wed, 11 Jul 2018) EIAâs July 2018 <em>Short-Term Energy Outlook</em> (STEO) expects natural gas-fired power plants to supply 37% of U.S. electricity generation this summer (June, July, and August), near the record-high natural gas-fired generation share in summer 2016. EIA forecasts the share of generation from coal-fired power plants will drop slightly to 30% in summer 2018, continuing a multi-year trend of lower coal-fired electricity generation.
(Tue, 10 Jul 2018) In recent years, as its domestic energy consumption has grown, China has become a more significant destination for U.S. energy exports. In particular, China has been among the largest importers of U.S. exports of crude oil, propane, and liquefied natural gas.
(Mon, 09 Jul 2018) EIA has added existing, retired, and proposed power plants in Puerto Rico to its <em>Preliminary Monthly Electric Generator Inventory</em>. This EIA report includes generating units at power plants with a combined nameplate capacity of one megawatt (MW) or greater.
(Tue, 03 Jul 2018) Fossil fuelsâpetroleum, natural gas, and coalâhave accounted for at least 80% of energy consumption in the United States for well over a century. The fossil fuel share of total U.S. energy consumption in 2017 was the lowest share since 1902, at a little more than 80%, as U.S. fossil fuel consumption decreased for the third consecutive year.
(Mon, 02 Jul 2018) The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), grid operator for most of the state of Texas, estimates a reserve margin of 11% for this summerâlower than previous years and ERCOTâs 13.75% reference reserve marginâindicating a smaller cushion of resources to meet summer peak demand and an increased risk of grid stress conditions. The lower anticipated reserve margin is mainly a result of three large coal plants retiring in early 2018 and forecasts of record-breaking summer electricity demand.
(Fri, 29 Jun 2018) The North American Electric Reliability Corporation's (NERC) recent <em>2018 Summer Reliability Assessment</em> finds that there are enough resources to meet this summer's projected peak electricity demand in in all areas of the country except the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). Anticipated reserve margins—the amount of expected unused electric generating capacity at the time of peak load—range from a little less than 11% in ERCOT to about 33% in PJM Interconnection (PJM).
(Fri, 29 Jun 2018) The State Energy Data System now features annual state-level estimates of energy production, consumption, prices, and expenditures by energy source and by sector through 2016.
(Thu, 28 Jun 2018) A new study commissioned by EIA examines the role of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) lines in integrating renewables resources into the electric grid. The review indicates that, although applications in the current electric transmission network are limited, HVDC lines have a number of potential benefits including cost effectiveness, lower electricity losses, and the ability to handle overloads and prevent cascading failures.
