Energy Revolutions Start With Resolutions

2019, and can you feel the energy? You will. Electricity consumers have a chance to make a lot of changes in their energy use. Perhaps the best way to start is 2019 is to resolve to save electricity, and save money, too.

2018 tested the electric grid, introduced consumer technologies, continued the popularity of natural gas and ramped-up renewable energy. 2019 will bring us more change - new electric vehicles (EV), increased customer empowerment and technical advancements.

Here are some energy resolutions for 2019 that may make you a wiser energy user this year. We’ll go from simplest to the more involved activities.

Resolution 1: Learn about carbon-free electric generation

A number of online resources explain different ways to make electricity. Many with terrific information, but some are aimed at lobbying or sales, so read with an objective eye. Here are a few sources that might help you understand energy generation.

Hydro: Hydro energy is an old concept, but keeps giving us power. National Geographic put together a quick history. The U.S. Geological Survey has a terrific overview.

Nuclear power plants provide large amounts of electricity consistently. The Nuclear Energy Institute has a brief explanation of the way plants operate. There's change coming too: "Advanced reactors include many types of reactors, including small modular reactors, now in development. Several of these new designs do not use water for cooling; instead they use other materials like liquid metal, molten salt or helium to transfer heat to a separate supply of water and make steam." (Source)

Solar energy has been in headlines as a new technology, and also for some controversy about siting the facilities. A terrific introduction to solar is a five minute TED Talk on YouTube, here. The Solar Energy Industry Association has an overview of the technology here.

Wind energy: The U.S. Department of Energy says, "Wind turbines operate on a simple principle. The energy in the wind turns two or three propeller-like blades around a rotor. The rotor is connected to the main shaft, which spins a generator to create electricity." The American Wind Energy Association describes distributed, utility scale, and offshore wind resources here. Another resource describes how wind energy works, here.

The common link on all these? All are carbon-free, something increasingly desired for the environment. Whether these kinds of generation grow may rely on our next resolution - energy policy.

Resolution 2: Learn about energy policy

There are as many policy ideas as people with opinions. Here are a few references about energy policies that will be a part of our energy future:

1) Energy transition: Our energy mix has changed and will change more. For instance, coal generation has dramatically decreased. Solar has increased. Natural gas, too. A report from Deloitte called, 2019 Renewable Energy Industry Outlook: Strong fundamentals bolstered by three enabling trends, says,“Strong fundamentals, emerging policies, an expanding investment community, and advancing technologies will likely underpin U.S. renewable energy growth in 2019." Check the report to see why.

2) Grid modernization: An important topic, and necessary for our electric system. A magazine called UtilityDive ran an article, As grid mod accelerates and regulators push back, Duke and others retool proposals. The article points out, "Utilities are balancing the need to justify their investments with demand by their customers for new technologies."

3) Climate:  How to Understand the U.S. Climate Report is a New York Times article that takes a shot at demystifying what most citizens just hear in news sound bites. Complex topic that will only get more complex.

4) Consumer impact: This story, Demand for cleaner energy driving utility policy in 2019, says, "Utilities decoupling energy from growth to drive innovation," and "Grid transformation is gaining prominence as disruptive forces get further integrated with consumer preference." Customers are making their voices heard.

Actions from state and federal government can affect the amount of each kind of electricity, cost, timing and emissions. Consumers need to be heard in a consistent and thoughtful way.

Resolution 3. Switch to efficient appliances 

Maybe it is time to look at old appliances to see if it makes sense to upgrade, especially with large appliances. The older they are the more energy they likely use.

Energy Star, the U.S. Government-based efficiency program, says homes with new appliances with an Energy Star rating can save about $800 a year. On average, home appliances like clothes washers, dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, air purifiers and humidifiers can make up 20 percent of an electric bill. Energy Star appliances can use 10 to 50 percent less energy. The idea on big a appliance is this: The savings rack up over the life of the appliance, maybe 10 or 15 years. Cumulative savings make a difference.

Resolution 4: Do an energy audit

Do you feel a sense of concern that something seems odd when it is really hot or cold outside? Or, do you try to save energy, but your bill doesn't change? Maybe your house or business needs a check-up. "A home energy audit, also known as a home energy assessment. An audit will point out ways to improve energy usage in a building perhaps with insulation, fixing leaks around windows or doors, note HVAC issues, or improve lighting technology. Small fixes can add up and can save money and in some cases, reduce pollution by reducing electric demand. Here's a guide to doing a simple audit.

Resolution 5: Test drive an electric vehicle

You must be curious! 2019 introduces a record number of EVs. Testing out a vehicle that is a hybrid or all-electric is not like test driving a gasoline-powered car. Top 5 Tips For a Successful EV Test Drive Points out good, basic ideas to try. Consumer Reports ran an Electric Car 101 article in 2017, and while that is a while ago in EV-years, it has great basic information.

Test an EV. Get accustomed to what it is like, just so you'll have that experience when you need to make a decision sometime about your next car.

Get charged up about 2019. Try these New Year's resolutions you may find that 2019 can lead to a better understanding and management of your electric usage.

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A version of this column is on the Energy Consumers of the Carolinas website January 1, 2019