San Diego Gas & Electric

Demand Growth and the New Normal

Five forces are putting the squeeze on electricity consumption.

It’s tempting to attribute the recent slowdown in electricity demand growth entirely to the Great Recession, but consumption growth rates have been declining for at least 50 years. The new normal rate of demand growth likely will be about half of its historic value, with demand rising by less than 1 percent per year. This market plateau calls for a new utility strategy.

Rooftop Tsunami

Utilities sound the alarm as PV nears grid parity.

A growing wave of rooftop PV projects is starting to look ominous to some utilities. Will lawmakers accept utilities’ warnings at face value—or will they suspect they’re crying wolf?

CPUC Targets Privacy Worries

The California Public Utility Commission’s recent proposed rule aims to protect customer privacy while also facilitating third-party access to smart meter data for energy management, demand response and other customer service applications. But does it go far enough?

The ruling applies to any services that keep collecting and using data without any active role on the customers’ part.

In response to direction from the state legislature to protect customer data privacy as smart meters are installed, California Public Utility Commission President Michael Peevey issued a notice of proposed decision in Rulemaking 08-12-009(“Decision Adopting Rules to Protect the Privacy and Security of the Electricity Us

CFOs Speak Out: Looking Beyond Power

Chief financial officers discuss new strategies and the possibility of further convergence inside and outside the energy industry.

A whole new cast of characters is expected to enter the energy industry—overseas ventures, telecom firms, insurance companies, and financial-services groups. But even as the future seems to hold boundless opportunity, utility executives and industry experts continue to disagree on what sort of consolidation is right.

Power Measurements

An improved definition of heating and cooling degree-days for power markets.

Power Measurement

An improved definition of heating and cooling degree-days for power markets.

Anyone who owns an air conditioner and pays an electric bill knows that weather drives demand for electricity, but quantifying the relationship between weather and electricity demand isn't easy. Was last winter severely cold? Winters are always cold. If it really was cold, exactly how cold was it?

Low-Tech vs. High-Tech AMP: The 21st Century IT Debate

Some want to cut costs, others to improve service.


 

Some want to cut costs, others to improve service.

Uncertain economic times have always moved companies to find ways to cut costs. Utilities and energy companies are no different. They have turned to automated meter reading (AMR) during the past years in increasing numbers.

But many technology experts disagree on strategy: should utilities go high-tech or low-tech on AMR?

Off Peak

There's no getting around it&#151;price caps aren't for everyone.<b> </b>

Off Peak

July 1, 2001

L.A. Loves a Loophole

 

There's no getting around it—price caps aren't for everyone.

FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C.

OFFICE OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL

MAY 25, 2001

Off Peak

The city utility in Vernon, California thought it had bought plenty of power, but then got blacked out anyway.

Off Peak

June 1, 2001

Dear ISO: Why Me?

 

The city utility in Vernon, California thought it had bought plenty of power, but then got blacked out anyway.

March 19, 2001
Dear Mr. Winter: