Category Archives: commentary

Account for environmental externalities? We can do it.

I am pleased to report that my last post (“Renewables: it takes a portfolio”) received the most comments ever! In that post I discussed how to think about constructing a least-cost portfolio of thermal generation, storage, and demand response to complement … Continue reading

Posted in commentary | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Renewables: it takes a portfolio

Renewables are often touted as being cheaper than fossil generation. Certainly true when we have wind or sun. But when it is not sunny and not windy, we must, by definition, use a more expensive resource. So how do we make sure that … Continue reading

Posted in commentary, research | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Texas Blackout: Let’s Not “Fire, Ready, Aim”

As has been exhaustively reported, the severe weather event in Texas and surrounding states in mid-February resulted in blackouts across the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) region, including blackouts for all but 90 minutes of a 59-hour stretch at … Continue reading

Posted in commentary, news | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment