Calendar of Events

2013 Deloitte Energy Conference
May 21, 2013 to May 22, 2013 | Washington, DC
Distribution Automation & Grid Modernization
May 21, 2013 to May 22, 2013 | Charlotte, North Carolina
5th Annual Managing Regulatory Compliance for Electric Utilities
May 21, 2013 to May 23, 2013 | Atlanta, GA
View More

Keywords

View All

Public Utilities Reports

PUR Guide 2012 Fully Updated Version

Available NOW!
PUR Guide

This comprehensive self-study certification course is designed to teach the novice or pro everything they need to understand and succeed in every phase of the public utilities business.

Order Now

Microgrid

Economy of Small

How DG and microgrids change the game for utilities.

Michael T. Burr

Energy microgrids have emerged as more than just a curiosity. The technology is improving, costs are falling, and developers are lining up to build projects. How will microgrids overcome the substantial challenges that stand in their way?

Read Entire Article

Old School Microgrid

Resilience depends more on determination than technology.

By Michael T. Burr, Editor-in-Chief

A brutal storm ripped through southwestern Minnesota in April and snapped 2,000 power poles. Worthington Public Utilities kept the lights on with a seat-of-the-pants microgrid.

Read Entire Article

No Going Back

Free markets are not a fad.

By Michael T. Burr, Editor-in-Chief

Half-hearted deregulation hobbles the forces of supply and demand before they can get out of the gate.

Read Entire Article

Smaller, Cheaper, and More Resilient

The rationale for microgrids.

Edward N. Krapels and Clarke Bruno

Despite an array of challenges, microgrids are becoming a force in the market. Innovative projects bring greater efficiency and resilience.

Read Entire Article

Peaceful Coexistence

Independent microgrids are coming. Will franchised utilities fight them or foster them?

Sara C. Bronin and Paul R. McCary

Despite offering a range of benefits, microgrids are proving to be controversial—especially when non-utility owned microgrids seek to serve multiple customers. The biggest battles are taking place in the realm of public policy. But utilities that pursue collaboration rather than confrontation are finding interesting opportunities for profitable investment.

Read Entire Article

Turning Energy Inside Out

Amory Lovins on negawatts, renewables, and neoclassical markets.

Michael T. Burr

Fortnightly speaks with Amory Lovins about the evolving role of conservation, competition, and distributed resources in the energy industry.

Read Entire Article

'Resilience'

A new watchword for the industry and its regulators.

Michael T. Burr, Editor-in-Chief

If the concept of resilience—including cyber and physical security—had been baked into the industry’s culture from the beginning, the energy grid might look a lot different from what it does today.

Read Entire Article

SCE and GE to Upgrade UC-Irvine Campus Grid

Southern California Edison (SCE) and GE are collaborating to put the smart grid to work by upgrading and modernizing the utility’s infrastructure. The project will include electric-distribution infrastructure, substations, residential homes, cyber security systems, battery energy storage, and EV charging stations at the University of California-Irvine, and other products that affect the reliability of a modernized grid.

Franchise Fracas

Will Boulder be the last city to go muni? Don’t bet on it.

Michael T. Burr, Editor-in-Chief

When the goals of a utility and its host community aren’t in sync, breakups happen.

Read Entire Article

Islands in the Storm

Microgrids begin to make economic sense.

Michael T. Burr, Editor-in-Chief

With microgrids in place, doomsday preppers wouldn't need to worry so much about a zombie plague.

Read Entire Article

Pages