Strategy & Planning

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.

Energy People: Werner Buehler

We talked with Werner Buehler, General Manager of Oregon Trail Electric Consumers Cooperative

Werner Buehler is the general manager of Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative based in Baker City, Oregon. Oregon Trail serves 23,000 members in four rural counties in eastern Oregon.

Helter Skelter

Closure of a Perfectly Decent Nuclear Power Plant

Prematurely closing a nuclear plant because of the inflexibility of solar and wind generation is like going after a fly with a sledgehammer.

Marginal Utility

Way Forward for Electric Utilities
To address this brave new world facing the U.S.’s electric utility industry, we suggest an electric utility six-pack to facilitate the transition.

Legislative and Consumer Advocate Challenges

Reforming the Regulatory Advocacy Process

State legislators must be mindful that the customer base is evolving. We will need to reassess the enabling legislation that defines the consumer advocate’s roles in our various states. The consumer advocates, within the statutory authority granted, may have to choose which customers to represent before utility commissions.

Nuclear Energy: Tastes like Chicken

Combo platter, nuclear and renewables, best deal on the menu
In a world where carbon dioxide has become somehow toxic, carbon-free energy sources are sought after all over the world. Nuclear energy is the other white meat, so to speak. Renewable nuclear energy, which can be recycled, has great value and should be encouraged. Here are five things policy makers can do to enhance the taste of nuclear energy.

Transitioning to the Utility of the Future

Can an Old Dog Learn New Tricks?

As utility executives prepare for the transition to the “utility of the future,” they they would do well to remember the lessons of top dog trainers. Lessons that share a lot of common ground with the best management models.