Category Archives: OpenEI
The Open Energy Information initiative (OpenEI) is a platform toconnect the world’s energy data. It is a linked open data platformbringing together energy information to provide improved analyses,unique visualizations, and real-time access to data. OpenEI followsguidelines set by the White House’s Open Government Initiative , whichis focused on transparency, collaboration, and participation. OpenEIstrives to provide open access to this energy information, which willspur creativity and drive innovation in the energy sector.Articles l Homepage
NREL Releases New Utility-Scale Solar Reports
Utility-scale solar is still something of a novelty in the renewable energy ecosystem. Large-scale deployment of these multi-megawatt (MW) installations has only recently been enabled in the United States by two key pieces of federal legislation and state-level implementation of renewable energy standards. The market boomed in 2011, adding more than 760 MW of capacity [...]
The DOE’s Sunshot Vision Study
The DOE‘s Sunshot Vision Study provides an in-depth assessment of the potential for solar technologies to share a significant portion of electricity demand in the United States in the coming decades. Using NREL‘s Regional Energy Deployment System (ReEDS) and Solar Deployment System (SolarDS) models, the SunShot Vision Study provides least-cost geographical deployment of solar technologies, among other [...]
Low-Income Housing Residents Going Solar
Until recently, the low-income housing community has been a tough nut for the solar industry to crack. Low-income housing developments have historically avoided going solar due to the obvious difficulties of incorporating high-cost, discretionary photovoltaic (PV) systems into affordable housing. However, a unique mix of local, utility, and federal support combined with a little financial [...]
The Green Button
The idea behind Green Button is simple. As a consumer, you will can access and use your personal energy usage data how you want. The federal government is encouraging utility companies to give consumers the ability to access their own energy usage information in an easy-to-use format for insight into how best to manage personal [...]
In Focus: Oil Tar Sands
Last week, OpenEI focused on the issues related to fracking. We showed both the potential gains and pitfalls of continued fracking policy in the United States. Another hot issue in the United States and internationally are oil sands, or tar sands. The epicenter of this issue resides in Alberta, Canada, in the Athabasca river basin. [...]
In Focus: Fracking
Fracking has been a hot topic in the United Statesin recent years, but did you know that the concept of fracking has actually been around for several decades? Read on to find out all you need to know about fracking. Hydraulic fractures form naturally in rock layers, caused by the presence of high-pressure fluids that [...]
Energy Expenditure vs. Energy Use
How much energy are we using? And what are the costs? Its a hot topic today, as companies market energy efficient products and the nation’s energy grid undergoes a make over. Its important for people to know what the current trends are, and what if their options are cost-effective. To help with that, the Department [...]
Hydropower in the U.S
Hydropower is an important energy source in the United States, and has remained a relatively steady source of energy over the past several decades. But how well do you understand the landscape of hydropower in the United States? EIA’s energy in brief is an in-depth analysis of the role of hydropower in the United States. [...]
Energy Use and Thanksgiving
Our national holiday devoted to eating, Thanksgiving, is also a holiday that can spike your energy use. The chill of November, along with your guest’s expectations of a large traditional feast mean large amounts of energy use in the home. OpenEI thought it was appropriate to offer a couple of basic energy saving tips to [...]