Become a PUF Member Organization

Playing Offense with EVs

How much of a $100 billion market in electric vehicles can utilities capture – or afford not to?

Electric transportation can be the utility sector’s growth engine — $100 billion or more per year — if the industry embraces the opportunities ahead.
Byline: 

Michael Shepard

Read Entire Article

Cyber Security: Are Four-Letter Words Enough?

As it relates to cyber security, the existing regulatory paradigm falls short and provides inadequate protection to the electric grid.

Given the dynamic nature of cyber threats, we should ask ourselves whether mandatory reliability standards drafted by NERC and approved by FERC can get past the uncertainty created by cumbersome procedures and regulatory delays to provide an effective means of addressing the cyber security threat to the bulk power system. Let’s examine some of the regulatory gaps and risks presented by our current system of NERC and FERC oversight.
Byline: 

Elizabeth M. Brereton

Read Entire Article

Hailed a Taxi Lately?

Economic disruption and the future of electric utilities.

Other industries deregulated and it reduced prices and encouraged innovation. What happened to the utility sector?
Byline: 

Leonard S. Hyman, CFA

Read Entire Article

Grid Neutrality

Five Principles for Tomorrow’s Electricity Sector

Just as net neutrality seeks to maintain a fair and open Internet, the concept of grid neutrality emphasizes a fair and open electricity network.
Byline: 

Jenny Hu, Shayle Kann, James Tong & Jon Wellinghoff

Read Entire Article

Life Without Building Block 4

Energy Efficiency under EPA’s Final Clean Power Plan.

Energy efficiency remains the most cost-effective route to compliance with the Clean Power Plan. In the final Clean Power Plan rule issued August 3, 2015, EPA did not include Energy Efficiency in the calculations used to develop state targets. However, EPA and the White House have made it abundantly clear that energy efficiency remains just as viable a compliance option as before.
Byline: 

John Hargrove

Read Entire Article

Efficiency on Display

Texas program succeeds, but faces sunset.

A program in Texas is helping low-income customers benefit from energy savings devices that connect to the smart meter like in-home energy monitors and smart thermostats.
Byline: 

Wannie Park

Read Entire Article

Smart Grid Isn't Dead

Some may wince at the term, but let’s not run away.

Anti-smart meter activists may be gaining some traction, while those with a stake in educating and engaging consumers over smart grid have not.
Byline: 

Patty Durand

Read Entire Article

Getting Smart about the Integrated Grid

In New York it’s where we’re staking our energy future.

Disruptive technologies such as microgrids and battery storage devices are commendable but they are supporting actors and must still work with the centralized grid.
Byline: 

Gil C. Quiniones

Read Entire Article

People (October 2015)

James H. Lash, was named executive v.p. of FirstEnergy Corp. and president, FirstEnergy Generation. James F. Pearson was named executive v.p. and CFO of FirstEnergy. San Diego Gas & Electric named Emily Shults v.p. of electric & fuel procurement. Pacific Gas and Electric appointed Robert Kenney v.p. for regulatory relations - CPUC. American Electric Power named Stephan T. Haynes senior v.p., strategic initiatives and chief risk officer. AEP Texas named Tom Coad v.p. of distribution operations. Consumers Energy appointed Charles Crews as v.p. for gas operations, and Scott McIntosh as v.p. for tax. And others ...

Read Entire Article