Energy Plugs: Unique Reactors, and Green Pricing and Net Metering Programs 2003

Unique Reactors

“Unique Reactors” is a general interest feature on the largest, oldest, newest, and most unusual nuclear reactors in the United States and abroad.

The timeline begins in 1951, when the National Reactor Testing Station in Idaho used the world's first nuclear-provided electricity to light one of its buildings. The source of the power was the Station's Experimental Breeder Reactor-1 (EBR-1), a unit that continued in service until decommissioned in 1964.

Numerous other examples include:

Russia’s Obninsk Nuclear Power Plant, the world's first nuclear power plant, began generating electricity in June 1954.
The X-39 engine for a proposed atomic-powered bomber was tested in Idaho in 1955 but the project was cancelled before a prototype aircraft could be put into operation.
The Soviet icebreaker Lenin was the world’s first nuclear-powered surface ship.
The oldest U.S. reactors still producing electricity, Oyster Creek in New Jersey and Nine Mile Point in New York, have been in service since 1969.
The four largest reactors in the world are all located in France.

The article also covers more recent events:

The Advanced Test Reactor, described as a "virtual time machine," can duplicate the impact of years of radioactive exposure of materials in a commercial nuclear reactor in weeks or months.
India has announced that a prototype advanced heavy water reactor is slated for construction. This unique reactor will be fueled by a mix of thorium and uranium and will yield more uranium than it consumes.
The Severodvinsk Reactor, the world's first commercial floating nuclear power plant, will come online in 2008.

“Unique Reactors” provides links to related materials, including diagrams.
Questions about the contents of “Unique Reactors” should be directed to:

John Moens, Office of Coal, Nuclear, Electric, and Alternate Fuels
john.moens@eia.doe.gov
Phone: (202) 287-1976

Green Pricing and Net Metering Programs 2003

Green pricing programs allow electricity customers to pay the additional costs for renewable energy through direct payments on their monthly bills.

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) collects information on green pricing in a survey of electric industry participants, and reports key facts and trends in “Green Pricing and Net Metering Programs 2003.”

For example:

In 2003, the number of electric industry participants reporting customers in green pricing programs was 308, up 45 percent from 2002.
The number of customers in green pricing programs increased 23 percent nationwide to 877,126 in 2003. Residential customers accounted for about 93 percent of the total.
Participants reported having green pricing customers in forty States, including six States that were reported for the first time in 2003.
Ohio led in green pricing customers with 428,849 customers, and accounted for nearly 44 percent of the increase over the previous year.

Net metering programs are summarized in the same report from information collected by the EIA. These programs vary by State and utility, but usually apply to very small generators that typically use solar or wind energy.

Net metering allows a customer operating a small generator to purchase extra electricity when needed and to sell excess power back to the utility. This arrangement facilitates the operation of intermittent generators, such as those using solar and wind energy, and improves their economics.

Highlights of 2003 results include:

The number of electric industry participants reporting customers in net metering programs rose to 127 from 96 in 2002.
The number of customers in net metering programs during 2003 was 6,813, a 52-percent increase over the previous year. Residential customers accounted for 86 percent of the customers in the program.
Participants reported having net metering customers in thirty-nine States, including four States that were reported for the first time.

Questions about the contents of “Green Pricing and Net Metering Programs 2003” should be directed to:

Louise Guey-Lee, Office of Coal, Nuclear, Electric, and Alternate Fuels
louise.guey-lee@eia.doe.gov
Phone: (202) 287-1731

For general information about energy, contact the
National Energy Information Center at 202-586-8800 or infoctr@eia.doe.gov

If you are having technical problems with this website, contact the
EIA Webmaster at wmaster@eia.doe.gov or call 202-586-8959

URL: http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/plugs/pldec04.html
File last modified: December 21, 2004


		Unique Reactors
		“Unique Reactors” is a general interest feature on the largest, oldest, newest, and most unusual nuclear reactors in the United States and abroad. The timeline begins in 1951, when the National Reactor Testing Station in Idaho used the world's first nuclear-provided electricity to light one of its buildings. The source of the power was the Station's Experimental Breeder Reactor-1 (EBR-1), a unit that continued in service until decommissioned in 1964. Numerous other examples include: Russia’s Obninsk Nuclear Power Plant, the world's first nuclear power plant, began generating electricity in June 1954. The X-39 engine for a proposed atomic-powered bomber was tested in Idaho in 1955 but the project was cancelled before a prototype aircraft could be put into operation. The Soviet icebreaker Lenin was the world’s first nuclear-powered surface ship. The oldest U.S. reactors still producing electricity, Oyster Creek in New Jersey and Nine Mile Point in New York, have been in service since 1969. The four largest reactors in the world are all located in France. The article also covers more recent events: The Advanced Test Reactor, described as a "virtual time machine," can duplicate the impact of years of radioactive exposure of materials in a commercial nuclear reactor in weeks or months. India has announced that a prototype advanced heavy water reactor is slated for construction. This unique reactor will be fueled by a mix of thorium and uranium and will yield more uranium than it consumes. The Severodvinsk Reactor, the world's first commercial floating nuclear power plant, will come online in 2008. “Unique Reactors” provides links to related materials, including diagrams. Questions about the contents of “Unique Reactors” should be directed to: John Moens, Office of Coal, Nuclear, Electric, and Alternate Fuels john.moens@eia.doe.gov Phone: (202) 287-1976


	Green Pricing and Net Metering Programs 2003
	Green pricing programs allow electricity customers to pay the additional costs for renewable energy through direct payments on their monthly bills. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) collects information on green pricing in a survey of electric industry participants, and reports key facts and trends in “Green Pricing and Net Metering Programs 2003.” For example: In 2003, the number of electric industry participants reporting customers in green pricing programs was 308, up 45 percent from 2002. The number of customers in green pricing programs increased 23 percent nationwide to 877,126 in 2003. Residential customers accounted for about 93 percent of the total. Participants reported having green pricing customers in forty States, including six States that were reported for the first time in 2003. Ohio led in green pricing customers with 428,849 customers, and accounted for nearly 44 percent of the increase over the previous year. Net metering programs are summarized in the same report from information collected by the EIA. These programs vary by State and utility, but usually apply to very small generators that typically use solar or wind energy. Net metering allows a customer operating a small generator to purchase extra electricity when needed and to sell excess power back to the utility. This arrangement facilitates the operation of intermittent generators, such as those using solar and wind energy, and improves their economics. Highlights of 2003 results include: The number of electric industry participants reporting customers in net metering programs rose to 127 from 96 in 2002. The number of customers in net metering programs during 2003 was 6,813, a 52-percent increase over the previous year. Residential customers accounted for 86 percent of the customers in the program. Participants reported having net metering customers in thirty-nine States, including four States that were reported for the first time. Questions about the contents of “Green Pricing and Net Metering Programs 2003” should be directed to: Louise Guey-Lee, Office of Coal, Nuclear, Electric, and Alternate Fuels louise.guey-lee@eia.doe.gov Phone: (202) 287-1731

		For general information about energy, contact the National Energy Information Center at 202-586-8800 or infoctr@eia.doe.gov If you are having technical problems with this website, contact the EIA Webmaster at wmaster@eia.doe.gov or call 202-586-8959 URL: http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/plugs/pldec04.html File last modified: December 21, 2004