Electricity Production and Conversion

Electric and gas utilities’ Research & Development activities deal nearly exclusively with energy conversion, distribution, and energy usage (at least to the extent that these firms still focus on these core businesses). Although detailed data on utility Research & Development are not collected systematically, it seems that Energy R&D spending by many utilities has declined during the past decade or so. For example, a 1996 survey by the U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) found that the combined Research & Development spending of the 112 largest operating utilities in the United States dropped from $708 million in 1993 to $476 million in 1996. (more…)

How Batteries Lead to Better Energy Efficiency

The pace of innovations in batteries has not matched the remarkably fast evolution in the development of portable electronic technology. Batteries are widely regarded as the weak point slowing the rapid innovations in portable technology. Chief among consumer complaints are that batteries do not last long enough and that they do not last as long as the manufacturer claims they will. (more…)