Market Outlook
The best energy solutions emerge from many factors. A prime example is the energy market itself — something our team is well-versed in considering on your behalf. Here's an overview.
Natural Gas
NYMEX Natural Gas Pricing
The December 2021 contract settled at $5.447/MMBtu.
The January 2022 contract is trading around $4.111/MMBtu (as of publish date).
Natural Gas Storage
Current BCF in Storage (2021 vs 2020):
| Week Ending | BCF | Week Ending | BCF |
| 05-Nov-21 | 3,618 | 06-Nov-20 | 3,927 |
| 12-Nov-21 | 3,644 | 13-Nov-20 | 3,958 |
| 19-Nov-21 | 3,623 | 20-Nov-20 | 3,940 |
| 26-Nov-21 | 3,564 | 27-Nov-20 | 3,939 |
There is about 10% less in underground storage now than there was at this time last year.
Source: EIA
Weather
Source:NOAA/ National Weather Service
Market News
New natural gas pipeline capacity expands access to export and Northeast markets
https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=50376
New pipelines have been partially or fully completed to expand natural gas service to the Northeast and export facilities. In the Gulf Coast, three projects added 3.6 BCF per day of additional pipeline capacity. In New England, two projects will provide an additional 100 MMCF per day. The Middlesex Expansion Project in NJ was completed to provide 264 MMCF per day to the Woodbridge Energy Center combined-cycle power plant. See November 2021 market report below for illustrations.
Texas blackouts prompt New York ISO to consider 'once in a century' winter events
New York expects to have a capacity margin of 9,080 MW in scenarios where all firm and non-firm generators are available. On the other hand, if an unexpected cold front comes in — and gas constraints limit generator ability to procure emergency supplies — capacity margins could decrease to 526 MW. According to NYISO, 97% generators said winter preparations include freeze protection.
Major U.S. utilities spending more on electricity delivery, less on power production
https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=50456
After adjusting for inflation and speaking in terms of 2020 dollars, utilities spent an average of 2.6 cents per kWh on electricity delivery in 2010. Compare that to 2020’s average of 4.3 cents per kWh – 65% increase! Conversely, spending on power production decreased from 6.8 cents per kWh in 2010 to 4.6 cents per kWh in 2020. So far, in 2021, demand for energy has been outpacing supply and that is said to contribute to higher prices for fuels used by electric generators, especially natural gas. The increased cost for fuel increases the cost of power production.
Battery storage applications have shifted as more batteries are added to the U.S. grid
https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=50176
Frequency regulation is still the most common use for batteries, but other uses (see below) are becoming more common as more batteries are added to the electric grid. See November 2021 market report below for illustrations.
Prices set to fall, battery storage to be less prominent, in ISO-NE's next capacity auction, analysts say
Analysts estimate ISO New England's next capacity auction in February will likely present lower prices than in last year’s auction, given the region's ample supply and a dip in demand.
Archives
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