Consumer Intermediation in the Age of the Smart Grid: Who Wins, Who Loses, and Why?
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09 Sep 2011
by Christine Hertzog
The Smart Grid will transform the electricity value chain. The wise and forward-looking utility will establish strategies to inform and interact with its consumers in ways few companies have yet considered. Failure to do so may be costly.
he rollout of Smart Grid technologies will significantly impact the relationships between utilities and consumers. It will do so not just through the vast quantity of data the Smart Grid will make available, or how that data may be used and shared, but because of the involvement of others in this unprecedented deployment –
Market Transformation: Getting the Most Out of Every kWh, and Why It Matters
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01 Aug 2011
The US economy is getting a boost from energy efficiency at every level, through innovative technology, standards, policy, and compelling economics. But we’re still a long way from where we need to be.
Moderator: Gregg Easterbrook, author of Sonic Boom, and Contributing Editor to Atlantic Monthly, The New Republic and The Washington Monthly. Panelists: Susan Story, President and CEO, Southern Company Services, Inc., John D. McDonald, Director, Technical Strategy and Policy Development, GE Digital Energy, Claire Fulenwider, Executive Director, Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, and Ralph Cavanagh, Co-Director, Energy Programs, Natural Resources Defense Council.
Electric Vehicles and the Tipping Point: Battery Technology, Gas Prices and Infrastructure
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21 Jul 2011
The coming paradigm shift toward electric transportation and its timing will depend on government policy, global politics, developing a robust supply chain – and ultimately on customer response.
Moderator: Tony Earley, Executive Chairman, DTE Energy Co.; and Panelists: Ted Craver, Chairman, President, and CEO, Edison International; Nancy Gioia, Director, Global Electrification, Ford Motor Co.; Britta Gross, Director, Global Energy Systems and Infrastructure Commercialization, General Motors; Don Karner, President and CEO, ECOtality North America; and Jim Piro, President and CEO, Portland General Electric.
A Renewed Vision for the US Transportation Sector – For Jobs, for the Economy, for Energy Independence, and for Our National Security
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29 Jul 2011
by Sen. Carl Levin
The American auto industry has made a fine start toward a cleaner, more energy independent transportation system, but other countries with growing, aspiring populations are moving to seize the initiative. What’s needed here is a far-sighted goal that will restore US leadership.
he politics of the moment have placed some high barriers in front of those who seek a better energy future for this country. A host of factors have created intense and often conflicting pressures on us as we seek the best path forward.
Toward New Business Models: Outcome-Based Energy Services for People
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13 Jun 2011
by Pamela Morgan
Utilities have traditionally provided customers a commodity – electricity – to meet demand. But as the industry evolves, pushed by disruptive technologies, we may see demand for new services and applications, much like those that have reshaped other industries.
Pamela Morgan is president and principal consultant of Graceful Systems LLC. She was previously Vice President of Regulatory Affairs and Strategic Planning for Portland General Electric Co. Ms. Morgan is an analyst and frequent speaker on regulatory policy and utility strategy. This is the third article in a series on the need for a new business model for electric utilities and its connection to the industry’s underperformance in achieving the full potential of cost-effective energy efficiency.
hat’s the future of the electricity industry? In part one of this series, we looked at declining growth in electricity sales and operating income through the lens of the S-shaped curve.
