Future Service-Oriented Utility
What is value of going digital?
We see the potential for a large pot of value for utilities, sitting in clouds of smart meter data.
A Mindset to Mimic
What if Utilities Were Lead Like Amazon?
Reflect for a moment on the Amazon story. Yes, it’s a different type of business. But take careful note of how their leader’s mindset has shaped the outcomes.
Finishing Transmission Planning Reforms
No Way to Get There Without FERC Acting Now
Ineffective interregional transmission policies, not technical or economic barriers, are the chief factors holding up the construction of new interstate transmission. This will not change without FERC intervention.
Active Grid
Where Smart Energy Meets Internet of Things
Imagine what could be achieved if the current modernized grid evolved to be even more dynamic, a complete solution encompassing electricity, gas and water.
Book Review: Gretchen Bakke's Meditation on The Grid
Sweeping Generalizations, Unsupported Statements, Conjecture, Speculation
Bakke’s background guarantees we will get a fresh perspective that has favorably garnered the attention of The Wall Street Journal and Canada’s National Post.
October excerpt: Why financial strength matters
An excerpt from October’s Public Utilities Fortnightly, among the 23 articles, columns and letters in this issue
An excerpt from October’s Public Utilities Fortnightly, From the Editor, pages 4 and 6:
If you believe the nation’s electric grid (including its generating, transmission and distribution infrastructure) doesn’t need much tending to, doesn’t need much capital investment, then the financial strength of our utilities doesn’t matter much to you.
But consider the converse. If you believe the grid does need much tending to, does need much investment, then the financial strength of our utilities does matter a whole lot to you…
You Must Read 'Last Days of Night'
Foundation story for our industry, with intrigues of Edison, Westinghouse, Tesla, Morgan and Bell
“Last Days of Night” is a historical novel about the war of currents between Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse, along with Nikola Tesla, J.P. Morgan and Alexander Graham Bell.
October issue: Two compelling excerpts
From our upcoming October issue, among 23 articles, columns, letters
“Rethinking Rationale for Net Metering,” By Barbara Alexander, Ashley Brown, and Ahmad Faruqui; and “Leadership Lyceum Podcast Summary,” Tom Fanning, Southern Co. CEO, with interviewer Tom Linquist.
Electric Prices Lagged Inflation for Residential, Commercial, Industrial
Residential electric prices increased eight-tenths as fast as inflation, commercial seven-tenths as fast, industrial nine-tenths as fast
All this week, we’ve been filling you in, on what the August 2016 electric price data published last week (the Consumer Price Index and Producer Price Index) means for utility policy and regulation.
There was too much to fit in a single column.
Texas Solar Two Step
Different Outcomes in State’s Two Distinct Markets
Texas highlights the importance of market structures and economics in the growth of solar deployment. Driven by customer interest and policy objectives, distributed and utility-scale solar has thrived in municipal and cooperative service territories. The same has not been true in the competitive wholesale market with retail choice.