Electricity Market Reform in Japan
Bumpy Road Ahead
This is the first in a series of three articles related to power market reform in Japan and its implications both for Japan and globally.
Wholesale
Order 745: A Time Bomb for Electricity Consumers
One of the worst orders FERC has ever produced
Order 745 overcompensates demand response, unduly discriminates against wholesale suppliers, sanctions and institutionally enforces the exercise of monopsony market power, and will ultimately raise electricity prices.
Beware of Vertical Arrangements for Gas Procurement
Owning gas reserves benefits consumers?
Regulators should start with the premise that long-term contracting with an independent gas producer or middleman is preferable (e.g., with a marketer). Vertical arrangements pose a number of tough questions for state public utility regulators.
Getting Berned
What’s the price tag of banning fracking?
Ironically, a ban on fracking would increase coal generation, which emits carbon dioxide at twice the rate of gas generation.
FERC v. Ohio
Will the Feds weigh in on the great Buckeye brawl?
Ohio ratepayers could prosper if natural gas prices rise in the next few years, boosting revenues when the utilities resell into PJM markets.
Piggybacking on the Grid
Why net energy metering is unfair and inefficient.
While customers may have reached a “net zero” threshold on energy, they are a large net negative on very expensive grid services.
New York Takes the Lead
No proposal is as radical – or as well thought out – as REV.
If the New York Rev is fully implemented, utility earnings would depend more on creating value for customers and achieving policy objectives.
Gas Pipelines for New England
A consumer model that compounds public benefits.
Natural gas used for electric generation is running headfirst into the lack of sufficient pipeline capacity. The magnitude of these changes demands a fresh look at business practices, especially in New England, which is suffering while neighboring regions benefit from the Marcellus Shale bonanza.
The Future History of Tomorrow's Energy Network
A look back from year 2050 – on what we thought we once knew.
A decentralized form of electricity generation and delivery is becoming commonplace – and the question is whether utilities are doing all they can to prepare.
Enron's Lessons
Are regulators managing market manipulation?
Some will stray from ethical behavior. But markets must be regulated to maintain confidence.