Tag Archives: electric generation technology

New Models Emerging as Potential Future of the Electric Distribution System, Part I

Posted on January 28, 2015 by Enerdynamics

Technology is rapidly changing electric distribution and customer energy usage, which means electric utilities and their regulators are working to develop a model for the future of the electric distribution utility. Two potential models that are emerging in some U.S. states are the Distribution System Platform Provider (DSPP) and the Distribution System Operator (DSO). Continue reading →

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Utility Commissions Speak on the Future of the Utility: Microgrids in California, Part II

Posted on June 26, 2014 by Enerdynamics

by Bob Shively, Enerdynamics President and Lead Instructor Last week’s post on Energy Currents introduced discussion of a whitepaper written by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Policy and Planning Division titled Microgrids: A Regulatory Policy. In that post we examined … Continue reading →

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Drop in Electric Demand and Spike in Rates an Ignored Issue in the Midwest

Posted on February 27, 2014 by Enerdynamics

By Bill Malcolm, guest author When EPA announced new emissions regulations affecting coal power plants, some in the industry predicted resulting power outages. But as coal retirements occur, the situation looks much less dire. Initial 8,500 MW power shortfall predictions … Continue reading →

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Gas and Electric Industries Seek a Happy Codependence, Part II

Posted on October 24, 2013 by Enerdynamics

by Bill Malcolm, guest author In last week’s post we introduced the discussion on how the gas and electric industries are seeking ways to better coordinate the way the two industries operate. This is especially important as gas-fired electric generation is … Continue reading →

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Integrating Renewables into the Electric Generation Resource Mix

Posted on June 7, 2012 by Enerdynamics

We recently posted the following graph (of California ISO Hourly Breakdown of Total Production by Resource Type for May 1, 2012) on our Facebook page and asked followers to guess what resource the red section represented: Below is the same … Continue reading →

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Why Don’t Tornadoes Cause More Widespread Blackouts?

Posted on March 12, 2012 by Enerdynamics

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons By Greg Stark, Enerdynamics Instructor In the wake of the devastating tornadoes that recently ravaged the Midwestern U.S., a question arose that I think warrants an explanation: “When tornadoes take out transmission lines, why aren’t there … Continue reading →

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Is the U.S. Electric Generation Mix Adequately Diversified?

Posted on February 23, 2012 by Enerdynamics

by Bob Shively, Enerdynamics President and Lead Instructor “My own bias is that natural gas, or shale gas, displaces coal. But the best approach is to manage the risks by diversifying. I’ve seen all the cycles up and down and … Continue reading →

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Are We On the Cusp of a Transformation in Electric Generation Technology?

Posted on October 18, 2011 by Enerdynamics

by Bob Shively, Enerdynamics’ President and Lead Instructor The U.S. electric power industry was born in 1882 when Thomas Edison’s Edison Electric Illuminating Company opened a central generating station at Manhattan’s Pearl Street. Soon thereafter a number of small distribution … Continue reading →

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