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NMPP Energy's Energy Education 101 is an ongoing series of articles focusing on a variety of energy-related topics with the goal of providing straightforward information to help provide a better understanding of the energy that powers our modern society.
Utility-scale battery energy storage systems have been growing quickly as a source of electric power capacity in the United States in recent years. In the first seven months of 2024, operators added five gigawatts of capacity to the U.S...
When thinking of electricity and the electric grid, most people likely think of their local electric utility and local electric distribution system. But when it comes to managing the U.S. bulk electric grid, most of that responsibility lies with...
The electric utility industry employs a fairly simple concept for maintaining reliability: utilities must ensure they have enough electric supply available to serve their total electric load and then have a required “cushion” of electric supply...
The Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska’s (MEAN) Power Supply, Risk Oversight and Finance Committees met recently to review MEAN’s financial policies and guidelines, including its cash reserve policy and guidelines. Like many other public power...
How much do you know about hydrogen as a fuel source? The American Public Power Association (APPA) compiled a run down of myths and misconceptions about hydrogen and its applications across the energy sector and other parts of the economy. To...
As electric vehicles (EVs) become more mainstream more people are familiarizing themselves with the different EV charging options available. There are three types of EV chargers with varying speeds at which they can charge a vehicle: Level 1...
Flipping on a light switch is simple enough. Opening the refrigerator to grab a cold beverage is a routine, common convenience. Grabbing a hot coffee to start our morning is done without much thought. These mundane, daily chores seem extremely...
There is a growing push for cities and businesses across the country to strive to use 100 percent renewable energy. The U.S. Conference of Mayors in 2017 approved a resolution supporting a 100 percent renewable energy goal by 2035. Businesses...
Modern society requires electricity to be available on-demand around the clock. Fulfilling this need requires constant monitoring of electric demand on the electric grid and then matching that demand with electric load from various electricity...
Most people might think of the U.S. electric grid as one, giant complex system. In reality, it’s actually three systems operating essentially independently except at a handful of integrated connection points. These points, known as Direct...
The topic of electricity generation can be complex. We all use electricity but few think about how it’s generated and how it gets to where we need it. A subject often misunderstood and overlooked by most outside the industry regarding...
The solar energy trend continues throughout the United States as well as the trend of solar energy projects being developed at the local level, either by individual electric utility customers or by electric utilities and communities. Rich...