Modernizing power delivery – particularly in a time of rapidly expanding populations and rising costs of a reliable power supply – encompasses more than replacing old components with new. The investments will need to address integration of larger shares of renewable energy while delivering on higher levels of reliability and resilience that are demanded by… Keep reading →
Contracting with an energy services company can be a wise way for water and wastewater utilities to implement efficiency improvements. Performance contracting is a powerful tool, but success usually happens only when both parties fully tap the specific knowledge each participant brings to the project, and apply best practices. An energy services company (ESCO) is… Keep reading →
Utilities are entering a new era of customer engagement, spawned by the growing connected device market. To be successful and sustainable, utilities should focus on creating a simple and personalized dialogue with each customer – a concept that could be described as the “Customer of One.” Technology plays a pivotal role in this manner and… Keep reading →
Cities across the globe have followed multiple tracks in their quest to become “smart.” It isn’t a question of right or wrong. However, two key themes are emerging in their approach – either start with a pilot project that produces quick results, or undertake a comprehensive master plan that strategically lays out the coming years… Keep reading →
The United Nations urged global business leaders on Wednesday to double investment in wind and solar energy to $600bn a year by 2020. [The Guardian] Chesapeake Energy shares decreased 16% this week and closed on Monday below $3 following the company’s announcement that it was suspending dividend payments on its convertible preferred stock.[Seeking Alpha] A… Keep reading →
In the race to reduce carbon footprints and replace coal as a primary energy source, much has been made of an alleged “battle” between natural gas and renewables in the power generation industry. However, an astute market read — fueled by actions from utilities and regulatory agencies – may find the two sectors growing in… Keep reading →
Every year, the information technology sector spends almost $7 billion on electricity costs, and much of that money goes to cooling computer processing units (CPUs) in data centers. At the Energy Department’s Sandia National Laboratories, researchers have developed an innovative new air-cooling technology — the Sandia Cooler — that improves the way heat is transferred… Keep reading →
The electric utility industry is experiencing significant changes affecting virtually every part of the traditional utility business model, including the regulatory and ratemaking aspects. As utilities grapple with these issues, four key regulatory practices that utilities are seeking have emerged. According to Black & Veatch’s 2015 Strategic Directions: U.S. Electric Industry report, the top rate… Keep reading →
The summer of 2015 brought New England the lowest wholesale electricity prices since 2003, thanks to record low prices for natural gas.
Innovation and new technology are highly valued among wastewater utilities, and these tools can be implemented if performance can be demonstrated through pilots or other testing. But several factors are holding back utilities from fully embracing these advancements – available capital, lack of technical understanding and a perceived apathy at the upper levels of the… Keep reading →
