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CCGT

The Future of Electric Competition: Concentrated Power

An analysis of competitive power markets finds that oligopolies are the end game for liberalized power markets.

The British wholesale power market is about to enter a new phase. Having enjoyed a long period of surplus capacity, the combination of the forced retirement of some nuclear plant and continued demand growth is likely to lead to a capacity shortage within the next three to four years, and it is by no means clear whether the market, as it currently operates, will be able to maintain secure supplies.
Byline: 

Dr. Anthony White, MBE

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The Future of Fuel Diversity: Crisis or Euphoria?

The fragmented electric industry structure poses an obstacle to a more stable, diverse, and secure power supply.

The Future of Fuel Diversity

The fragmented electric industry structure poses an obstacle to a more stable, diverse, and secure power supply.

Daily news headlines have drawn attention to concerns about fuels, especially the rising prices of oil and natural gas. Fears of interruptions of oil exports from Iraq, Iran, Russia, and Venezuela (take your pick) roil the energy market. But coal is not exempt from bad news, as production declines reduce output from Eastern U.S.

Byline: 
Ellen Lapson and Richard Hunter
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Preparing for a Nuclear Exchange

Three ways to value nuclear power plants for buyers and sellers.

Appraisers don’t make the market — they reflect it — using three approaches to help buyers and sellers of nuclear assets determine plant value.
Byline: 

Michael J. Remsha, P.E., ASA, CMI

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Plants for Sale: Pricing the New Wave

Financial players and load-serving utilities are looking for power asset deals.

Approximately 60 generation asset sales have been announced in the past two years, and future transaction activity is likely to accelerate. Who are the players, and where might the available plants be located?
Byline: 

David Haarmeyer, Mark Griffith, and Grant Thain

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U.S. Glut, Global Opportunities

Where will the next development opportunities occur?

Naturally, many uncertainties cloud the forecast of regional and technological growth. China appears poised to accelerate orders for steam coal plants over the next two years. Issues of financing and market transparency may stifle needed development in Latin America and the former Soviet Union. Finally, today’s high natural gas prices, if sustained, may undercut the CCGT as the most economical power generation choice.
Byline: 

Steve Piper and Wendy Mitts

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Gas Crisis Forum: Is It Real, or Is It Hype?

Chicken Little has cornered the market on gas price doom and gloom, but the data is inconsistent on whether high gas prices are here to stay.


Chicken Little has cornered the market on gas price doom and gloom, but the data is inconsistent on whether high gas prices are here to stay.

A near-universal consensus of alarm appears to be emerging concerning North American gas supply adequacy. The steady march upward of spot gas prices and NYMEX futures over the past year confirms this coalescence of market sentiment. Way back in June 2002, you could still buy Rocky Mountain wellhead production for about $1.25/MMBtu, although Eastern U.S. markets had already exceeded $3.00/MMBtu.

Byline: 
Robert S. Linden
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Gas Turbinemania: The Merchant Power Plant Shake Out

Why it happened? Who lost in the bust? Who will survive to build another turbine?

Some merchant generation developers never saw the generation glut coming. Presenting the winners and losers of the latest cycle of boom, bubble, and collapse in the merchant generation industry.
Byline: 

Robert L. Sansom and A. Michael Schaal

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Neptune and the Northeast

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Neptune and the Northeast



 

Byline: 
Edward Krapels
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How Soon They Forget

The case against re-regulating the electric industry.

Restructuring has already created a badly needed new atmosphere for the industry. There is an infusion of new thinking and vigor that portends bringing the industry's performance up to the standards of the rest of the economy. We have no reason to believe that regulation would fare better in the future than in the past. Let's go forward with electric restructuring. Unfortunately, however, it's turning out to be more difficult than we expected.
Byline: 

Charles M. Studness, Ph.D.

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