Market Monitor Blog
Your home for commercial electricity and natural gas market news—covering market factors like supply, demand, regulatory affairs, weather, and more.
M.I.T. Engineer Harnesses the Power of Sustainable Energy
With a love for the environment, and a desire to revolutionize the energy industry, Jesse Hinricher, an MIT senior majoring in chemical engineering, has been conducting research focused on specialized batteries that could be plugged into the grid to provide renewable energy on demand. Read more
Not Cool: Global Warming Extends Streak
NOAA reports that 2018 was the 4th warmest year on record as global temperatures were 1.42° F above the 20th century average. The three years that top 2018 have all occurred since 2015. In the US L48 it was the 14th warmest year on record and the 22nd consecutive year with warmer than average temperatures.… Read more
Does Latitude Drive Risk Attitude?
The week-over-week appetite for risk followed a latitudinal pattern. ERCOT and PJM buyers demonstrated a moderate increase in index or flex products this week and their counterparts farther North in NEPOOL and NYISO were more interested in fixed prices. The volume priced was on the high side. Read more
EIA: Natural Gas Prices Key To Future Generation Mix
The U.S. Energy Information Administration said that future electricity generation and capacity is significantly influenced by natural gas prices. The agency projected that with low prices, gas will make up 54 percent of generation through 2050; with higher prices, the share falls to 21 percent. Read more
ISO-NE Capacity Prices Fall, But Controversy Flares Over Wind Participation
Capacity market prices dropped in ISO-New England’s annual auction, which cleared 34.8 GW of capacity at $3.80 per kWh-month. But the owner of an offshore wind facility – which had been denied “renewable technology resource” status – said they would have been lower if it had been allowed to fully participate… Read more
New Gas Pipeline Capacity, Gas-Fired Generation Surged In 2018
Last year saw an increase in new U.S. gas pipeline capacity and gas-fired generation coming into service, according to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. FERC reported that about 13 billion cubic feet per day of new interstate pipeline capacity went online in 2018, up 35 percent from the previous… Read more
Keystone State Looks to Add Gas Severance Tax
Pennsylvania has been the lone shale producing state without a severance tax on the extraction of natural gas. Read more
Weather and Natural Gas: Is the relationship over?
Population-weighted Heating Degree Days (HDDs) across the U.S. are nine percent higher this winter season as of Feb 9, according to NOAA data. Read more
Mysteries of the Market: Power and Gas Prices Diverge in Vortex
Chicago was colder than the Artic. One-third of U.S. households experienced temperatures as low as 0° F. U.S. daily natural gas demand hit a new record of 148 bcf/d. Read more
LaFleur To Leave FERC
Cheryl LaFleur announced she will not seek a third term on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and will leave FERC later this year. Read more