Table of ContentsFeaturesProponents of demand response trace its industry lifelineIn these days of round-trip trading and customer uncertainty, reliability and price stability are more important than ever. One possible solution being bandied about the industry is the concept of demand response.
Senate K-Os Nevada's opposition to YuccaIn July, Nevada Governor Kenny Guinn took one on the chin in his battle to prevent the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository from popping up on the Clark County horizon. However, Guinn has vowed to continue the fight against burying nuclear waste inside the desert mountain.
OpinionCalling all T&D investorsFERC grabbed attention early this month when it filed its Standard Market Design (SMD) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR).
DepartmentsNewsA Yucca Mountain travelogueIt was 6:20 when I walked out into another brilliant Nevada morning. I was headed for Yucca Mountain, a remote patch of desert behind the military gates of the Nevada Test Site and the proposed site for power plants to store used, but still radioactive, nuclear fuel. (Southern Company operates three nuclear plants and each pays into the Nuclear Waste Fund to ready Yucca Mountain for storage, as do other companies in the industry.)
A word to utilities: Don't shy away from CHPCombined heat and power, often referred to by its acronym "CHP," is the oldest form of commercial electricity generation. Thomas Edison installed a CHP plant on Pearl Street, not a simple electric generating station.
News BriefsGov. gives power to NYC businesses: Governor George E. Pataki announced the allocation of lower-cost electricity to assist downtown businesses in NYC displaced or otherwise impacted by the September 11 attacks. The power, which had been supplied by the New York Power Authority to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for the World Trade Center, will be provided to companies employing more than 25,000 workers at locations in lower Manhattan.
FinanceDon't be scared: Market demands utility diversificationThe definition of "diversify" in relationship to commerce is to expand into new areas of business. Market pressures toward diversification within the electric utility industry these days have dramatically decreased. Instead, the media reports of retreats from ventures.
Venture capital investing: Promising technologies for the utility industryThe fundamentals of the electric market require a unique approach to venture capital (VC) investing, which, in many ways, differs from traditional VC investing. Unlike an unregulated market, the electric industry consists almost entirely of large, incumbent players who possess dominant positions.
Industry ReportCrossing the threshold: The new era of the unregulated generation industryThe course and the nature of the unregulated generation industry over the past half-decade will be providing raw material for business journals, academic research, internal white papers, and conference submittals for years to come.
Electric & Gas TradingPipeline capacity trading on the riseIn spite of what has befallen the stocks of energy trading, marketing, producing, distribution and processing firms in the natural gas market (particularly in the capacity trading business), recent statistics demonstrate that the natural gas pipeline capacity release market continues to thrive.
E&G Trading BriefsIn late July, El Paso Corp. announced that in its review to date, it has found no evidence of so-called "round-trip" or "wash" trades in the United States involving the company.
Info. TechnologyPutting the hype in context: IT execs discuss utility trendsEL&P invited four IT executives to share their opinions about IT trends at utilities. The participants included two representatives from utilities and two solution providers.
Pumping up utility EBPPElectronic bill presentment and payment (EBPP) is the electronic presentation of recurring statements, bills, invoices, and related information sent by a company to its customers, and the corresponding electronic payment for goods or services.
IT BriefsLASCOM announced that the energy merchant business unit of Cinergy Corp. selected Advitium for its project collaboration tool initiative. Under the terms of the contract, LASCOM will automate several business processes, including engineering drawing release, vendor communication and work approval procedures.
TechnologyCooling water intake regulations hit nuclear, fossil-fuel plantsOn April 9, 2002, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed new regulations for existing cooling water intake structures. The regulations could require significant changes at both nuclear and fossil-fueled power plants with once-through cooling systems.
Tech BriefsCENfuel announced the U.S. commercial availability of a process for ultra-cleaning coal prior to combustion. According to the company, the CENfuel process has been proven in laboratory and pilot plant testing of more than 100,000 tons in Europe, Asia and the U.S.
Transmission & DistributionUnderwater project struggles for airSeveral years ago our client, Cross-Sound Cable Company LLC, began its efforts to construct and operate a high-voltage direct current (HVDC) electric transmission and fiber optic cable system from New Haven, Conn. to Long Island, N.Y. capable of transporting 330 MW of electricity between the points in either direction.
Double your transmission capacity without changing existing towersTransmission line ratings are based on a maximum allowed operating temperature to limit conductor damage and maintain required clearances for public safety. Unfortunately, conductors can reach high operating temperatures when lines overload and we need power the most-peak demand during the summer.
Management MethodsCreating positive employee relationshipsMost managers will happily pat an employee on the back when he or she does an outstanding job, but will say little or nothing to indicate recognition of any other kind of work.
Power PointersPrimer on ACSS/TW overhead conductorThe Aluminum Conductor Steel Supported (ACSS) bare overhead conductor was developed in the 1970s by the Electrical Division of Reynolds Metals (now part of General Cable Corp.). ACSS/TW (Trapezoidal ACSS) is an enhancement of the original product where the aluminum strands are pre-shaped into wedge-like shapes to fit tightly together and reduce empty spaces between strands.
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This IssueNo Image Available Volume 80
Issue 8
August 2002
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