Today in Energy

The U.S. Energy Information Administration's (EIA) Electric Power Monthly now includes more information on usage factors for utility-scale storage generators as well as a monthly and an annual series on the total available capacity for several power plant technology types.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration�s (EIA) annual survey of more than 600 electric utilities and third-party program managers shows that total inflation-adjusted energy efficiency (EE) spending and electricity savings fell in 2018 as the cost of achieving savings increased in the residential sector. EE spending fell for the second year in a row, in part, because of less administrative, marketing, and other spending not directly related to energy efficiency incentives. Since 2014, reported energy efficiency savings have increased by 7%, and energy efficiency incentive spending has declined by 6%.

In 2019, U.S. annual wind generation exceeded hydroelectric generation for the first time, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration's Electric Power Monthly. Wind is now the top renewable source of electricity generation in the country, a position previously held by hydroelectricity.

In the U.S. Energy Information Administration's (EIA) February Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO), EIA forecasts that the Lower 48 states' working natural gas in storage will end the 2019-20 winter heating season (November 1–March 31) at 1,935 billion cubic feet (Bcf), with 12% more inventory than the previous five-year average. This increase is the result of mild winter temperatures and continuing strong production. EIA forecasts that net injections during the refill season (April 1–October 31) will bring the total working gas in storage to 4,029 Bcf, which, if realized, would be the largest monthly inventory level on record..

United States refineries are some of the most complex in the world and can process a wide range of crude oil qualities. Although U.S crude oil production has grown significantly since 2009, having access to imports from oil producers around the world provides refiners with the range of crude oil quality that is optimum for each refinery's configuration, maximizes profitability, and enables the refinery to either supply petroleum products for domestic consumption or export at competitive prices.