Energy People: Hans Kobler and Kevin Fitzgerald
We talked with Energy Impact Partners' CEO & CUO
Energy Impact Partners is a first-of-its-kind electric utility investment fund, formed by industry players with several years of energy experience.
Energy People: Julia Hamm
We talked with Julia Hamm, CEO of SEPA
Julia Hamm started at SEPA soon after college, finding the organization a natural fit for her talents. She is the brains behind one of the largest trade shows in the industry, and has emerged as one of the foremost experts on the nexus between utilities and distributed energy resources.
The Lincoln Leader
Leadership Lyceum Podcast: A Conversation with WEC Energy Group President and CEO Allen Leverett
Allen Leverett was appointed President and CEO of WEC Energy Group in May 2016. As one of the youngest CEOs of investor-owned utilities, Leverett brings verve to industry leadership, but also a deep respect for the past. WEC Energy Group is one of the nation's premier energy companies, serving 4.4 million customers in Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan and Minnesota.
'Markets' Test
We Called Them 'Markets.' Now We're Testing Them.
We're enamored of free markets, particularly in the nineties. But power markets cannot come close to emulating authentic competition. Why? They cannot satisfy the basic conditions of competition taught in microeconomics 101.
The Jetsons and Our Future
"The Jetsons" TV series offered remarkably accurate predictions of today's technology 55 years ago.
Arizona on Value of Solar
Turning Point for Distributed Energy
In December 2016, Arizona's utility regulators set in motion a new policy many believe is likely to undermine investment in solar and other distributed technologies in the state. We urge advocates and regulators looking for sustainable models of state DER policy to think carefully before following Arizona's example.
The Electric Utility in 2030
Fat or Skinny?
Debates over utility business and regulatory models have sidestepped a fundamental question: What do state legislators and regulators want the electricity utility of the future to do? Do they want "fat" utilities that play a larger role in implementing public policy and delivering energy services to customers? Or "skinny" utilities that are more narrowly focused on the ownership and upkeep of the grid?
What if Elasticity is Changing?
New Risk for Electricity Sellers and Investors
A downward shift in peak usage may mean a beginning change in elasticity of demand. A more rapid and pronounced downshift in peak demand might suggest a less robust utility franchise value.
Why Are We Still Arguing About NEM?
Competitive Market Will Take Care of Next Burning Issue
I do not understand why we are still distracted by Net Energy Metering (NEM). It worked well when we had not-so-smart meters and were trying to encourage rooftop solar penetration. People in general and students of regulation in particular are left confused and can easily find some support for both sides. This results in conflicts and proposed compromises that keep the debate going at full tilt. Two things are missing or mostly overlooked in all this regulatory discourse.