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Strategy & Planning

Microgrids: Where's the Beef?

Integration beats islanding, anyway you slice it.

A microgrid is a throwback. It’s anathema to what we know about economies of scale. Integration is what maximizes the ability of least-cost resources to reach load. By interfering with least-cost dispatch, microgrids can only raise energy costs.
Byline: 

Steve Huntoon

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From Grid to Cloud

A network of networks – in search of an orchestrator.

The Energy Cloud will change the way we generate, store, and consume energy by changing from a one-way power flow to a dynamic network of networks supporting two-way energy and information flows.
Byline: 

Jan Vrins, Hector Artze, Richard Shandross, and Mackinnon Lawrence

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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

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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

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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

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The Rise and Fall of Big Transmission

The alternatives may make more sense.

After 10 years of dramatic announcements and proposals, the reality today is that Big Transmission has fallen and it won't be getting up - not even for the Clean Power Plan. And the fall of Big Transmission is not a public policy failure. Rather, it never did make sense.
Byline: 

Steve Huntoon

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The Fortnightly 40 Best Energy Companies

A reshuffling of the rankings. Is nuclear the cause?

Of the top ten movers in this year’s Fortnightly 40, seven utilities rose in the rankings and three went down. But the utilities moving the most from 2013 to 2014 went down hard.
Byline: 

Herman K. Trabish

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Business Model Mashup

Three ‘power plays’ for utilities seeking growth.

Threats to the utility business model mean that it’s time to make choices about future growth to protect cash flows while investing in new ventures.
Byline: 

Greg Bolino

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Time for 'Megawatts Without Borders'

Why can’t we fly in a portable power supply to aid a poor country in distress? Here may lie opportunity.

Zambia, the landlocked and poor country in Southern Africa, is suffering a crippling power shortage. Musing about this, I find it extraordinary that there are no reliable, affordable, and portable power supply units that could be brought in to help Zambia.
Byline: 

Llewellyn King

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