Climate Change: The Heat Is On
From reporting to trading, utilities try to meet new expectations.
Implementing a strategy on climate change is a new sign of corporate responsibility, and utilities are responding in a variety of ways.
Department of Energy
New Nuclear Construction: Still on Hold
A number of factors point to expanded nuclear generation. But when?
A number of factors point to expanded nuclear generation. But when?
The role that nuclear power will play in the U.S. electricity generation mix during the coming decades has been a subject of continuing speculation. Few analysts deny the remarkably improved prospects for the existing fleet of reactors: Efficiencies realized by industry consolidation, reactor uprates, and plant license renewals have, in a period of about five years, greatly increased the market value of nuclear plants and the competitive advantage of companies that own them.
The Regulators Forum - States to Feds: Don't tread on Me
How far do states rights go in transmission planning?
Regulators from five states across the country discuss the fallout from the August blackout, and their battle with the feds over how to tackle the tough issues the states are facing.
Close to Load, Far From Consensus
Feds seek plug-and-play for distributed generation, but utilities want the power to stay local.
Pity the poor Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. With its market crusade out of favor, and transmission reform suddenly suspect after the Aug. 14 blackout, it could use a new agenda. Indeed, FERC this past July had proposed a new set of standards for the connection of small- and micro-sized power plants units to regional transmission networks, or even to radial or local distribution lines operating at low voltages.
People
People for November 15, 2003
New opportunities at Duke Energy, the Department of Energy, Progress Energy, and others.
The Myth of the Transmission Deficit
The grid does not need a Marshall Plan for new investment.
Do we really need to invest $50 billion to $100 billion in the U.S. transmission system? The industry says yes, but the evidence says otherwise.
What Do You Mean by Green?
Seemingly eco-friendly definitions can prevent adoption of renewable portfolio standards.
Seemingly eco-friendly definitions can prevent adoption of renewable portfolio standards.
Blackouts? never Again! (But...)
We ask merchant grid developers if anything can ever be done.
We ask merchant grid developers if anything can ever be done.
The blackout of August 2003 should have come as no surprise. The Department of Energy's May 2002 National Transmission Grid Study finds growing evidence that the U.S. transmission system is in urgent need of modernization.
People
New Positions:
People
New Positions:
AEP named John D. Harper vice president of general services. Harper has been with AEP since 2000, most recently as vice president of corporate technology development.
Paul M. Barbas joined the senior management at Chesapeake Service Co., taking on the role of president. He also becomes vice president of Chesapeake Utilities Corp. Barbas previously was executive vice president of Allegheny Power.
Cyber Security: A "Virtual" Reality
Two years after 9/11, the industry remains vulnerable.
Two years after 9/11, the industry remains vulnerable.
Two years ago the utility industry, like everyone else in America, was blindsided by the terrorist attacks of 9/11. In the aftermath, the rush to secure the grid was on, and the caps on security spending came off-at least for a little while.
Two years later, where are we? Is the grid better protected from attack?
It is, but not by much, according to the experts Fortnightly consulted.