Meet Author and Energy Analyst
Meredith Angwin
As a working chemist, Meredith Angwin headed projects that lowered pollution and increased reliability on the electric grid. Her work included pollution control for nitrogen oxides in gas-fired combustion turbines and corrosion control in geothermal and nuclear systems.
PURCHASE THE BOOK
Shorting The Grid
by Meredith Angwin
Shorting the Grid, The Hidden Fragility of Our Electric Grid is an exposé of the insider-ruled practices of the “deregulated” areas of the United States electric grid. The grid in these areas is managed by a regional transmission organization (RTO). Within these organizations, no group is responsible or accountable for grid reliability. The RTO areas have higher retail electricity prices, no way for ordinary citizens to influence decisions, and a more fragile grid. Using the rules and history of the New England grid as an example, the book shows how RTO areas are moving steadily to a future of “rolling blackouts” where the grid operator deliberately cuts power to one section of the grid after another.
Read the Angwin Energy Blog
Movie Time for Nuclear Energy
Oliver Stone has a new movie, “Nuclear Now,” about a positive energy future. Robert Hargraves and I will lead the discussion at a showing in Montpelier on May 1.
A Blizzard of LNG
A recent FERC meeting looked at the fragile New England electric grid in winter. We need LNG imports and we will continue to need them. They will be expensive and electricity will be expensive. Many people commented, but the facts remained in place.
Reality and Possibilities in Australia. Do renewables need their own grid?
Inspired by the problems of the Australian grid, some have suggested two grids: One for “as-available” power (such as wind) and one for dispatchable power. A complex system, sure to fail.