Utility-Scale Wind and Natural Gas Volatility: Uncovering the Hedge Value of Wind for Utilities and Their Customers

This paper explores methods of quantifying natural gas volatility by examining theoretical models as well as case studies of utility hedging strategies. Including these volatility risk premiums in the price of natural gas establishes a basis for even comparison with utility-­scale wind contracts, which enables smarter decision analysis by regulatory agencies, utilities, and ratepayers.

 

Reinventing Fire Electricity Sector Methodology

This document provides RMI's methodology for the analysis of the electricity sector in Reinventing Fire.

 

Senate Testimony: How Innovative Technologies, Business Strategies, and Policies can Dramatically Enhance Energy Security and Prosperity

In this invited testimony to the US Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (SD-366, 0930-1130), Amory Lovins explained how innovation in business strategies, technologies, and policies can lead to energy independence, energy security, and prosperity. Lovins argued that the surest path to an energy policy that enhances security and prosperity is free-market economics: letting all ways to save or produce energy compete fairly, at honest prices, no matter which kind they are, what technology they use, where they are, how big they are, or who owns them. That would make the energy security, oil, climate, and most proliferation problems fade away, and would make our economy and democracy far stronger.

 

Oil: Our Fatal Dependence

In this article, which is an expanded version of the 2004 article, "How America Can Free Itself of Oil--Profitably," Amory Lovins points out that saving oil is cheaper than buying it, and that the United States can eliminate its oil dependence and revitalize its economy by adopting smart business strategies. Lovins argues that America can end oil dependence by redoubling the efficiency of using oil; save half of natural gas at an eighth of today’s market price, and then substitute it for nearly a third of the oil; and Replace the last fifth of U.S. oil with modern biofuels. These strategies will make America more competitive and result in a better energy policy for the country.

 

Winning the Oil Endgame

This independent, peer-reviewed synthesis for American business and military leaders charts a roadmap for getting the United States completely, attractively, and profitably off oil. Our strategy integrates four technological ways to displace oil: using oil twice as efficiently, then substituting biofuels, saved natural gas, and, optionally, hydrogen. This route for the transition beyond oil will expand customer choice and wealth, and will be led by business for profit. In order to download a complimentary PDF of the complete book, please sign in or register now to receive your username and password.

 

Fool's Gold in Alaska (Annotated Version)

In this annotated version of the article from Foreign Affairs, the authors argue against drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for economic, security, and environmental reasons. For the complete article, see "Fool's Gold in Alaska," (RMI document ID E01-03).

 

Fool's Gold in Alaska

In this article from Foreign Affairs the authors argue against drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for economic, security, and environmental reasons.

 

Clean Renewables and Efficiency, not Coal, are the Key

This commentary in the Aspen Daily News was written in response to an op-ed by then Colorado State Rep. Carl Miller (D). In a previous edition of the newspaper, Rep. Miller wrote an opinion titled: "Electricity from Coal is Essential, Affordable and Increasingly Clean." Sen. Miller's piece reflected on the booming economy, the state's rapid growth, and rising energy prices in Colorado (notably rising natural gas prices), and proposed that Coloradoans look at coal as the solution, especially for those with economic hardships.

 

Is Oil Running Out?

This letter published in Science magazine in 1998, argues that if energy end-use efficiency measures are undertaken, oil will become an uncompetitive energy resource. The letter was written in response to Richard Kerr's 1998 Science article, "Big Oil Under the Caspian".

 

Brittle Power: Energy Strategy for National Security

In this classic from 1982, Amory Lovins and L. Hunter Lovins argue that domestic energy infrastructure is vulnerable to disruption, by accident or malice, often even more so than imported oil. According to the authors, a resilient energy system is feasible, costs less, works better, is favored in the market, but is rejected by U.S. policy.