Willis / Philipson Understanding Electric Utilities and De-Regulation

2. Auflage 2005
ISBN: 978-1-4200-2826-3
Verlag: Taylor & Francis
Format: PDF
Kopierschutz: Adobe DRM (»Systemvoraussetzungen)

E-Book, Englisch, 514 Seiten

Power interruptions of the scale of the North American Blackout of 2003 are rare, but they still loom as a possibility. Will the aging infrastructure fail because deregulated monopolies have no financial incentives to upgrade? Is centralized planning becoming subordinate to market forces? Understanding Electric Utilities and De-Regulation, Second Edition provides an updated, non-technical description that sheds light on the nature of the industry and the issues involved in its transition away from a regulated environment.

The book begins by broadly surveying the industry, from a regulated utility structure to the major concepts of de-regulation to the history of electricity, the technical aspects, and the business of power. Then, the authors delve into the technologies and functions on which the industry operates; the many ways that power is used; and the various means of power generation, including central generating stations, renewable energy, and single-household size generators. The authors then devote considerable attention to the details of regulation and de-regulation. To conclude, one new chapter examines aging infrastructures and reliability of service, while another explores the causes of blackouts and how they can be prevented.

Based on the authors' extensive experience, Understanding Electric Utilities and De-Regulation, Second Edition offers an up-to-date perspective on the major issues impacting the daily operations as well as the long-term future of the electric utilities industry.

Zielgruppe

Power, energy, electrical, and utilities engineers, economists, and utility managers.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Willis, H. Lee

Philipson, Lorrin

Willis, Howard Lee

Fachgebiete

• Wirtschaftswissenschaften Wirtschaftssektoren & Branchen Energie- & Versorgungswirtschaft Elektroindustrie

Inhaltsverzeichnis

THE ELECTRIC INDUSTRY AND ITS TRADITIONAL REGULATED STRUCTURE
Introduction
Electric Utility Functions and Systems
Electric Utility Resources and Organization
Vertical Integration and Monopoly Regulation
Electric Utility Business Frameworks
Government Regulatory Agencies and Commissions
Electrical Equipment Suppliers and Developers
A Complex Industry Undergoing Major Changes
THE ELECTRIC INDUSTRY UNDER DE-REGULATION - AN OVERVIEW
Introduction
De-Regulation: Concepts and Evolution
No Competition at the Retail Level
Competition at the Wholesale Generation Level
Independently Operated Regional Transmission Grids
The Electricity Doesn't Care Although People and Money Do
The Electric Utility Industry Under De-Regulation
An Industry In Need of Fine Tuning
A HISTORY OF THE ELECTRIC POWER INDUSTRY
Three Intertwined Aspects Grew Simultaneously
Growth of Electrical Usage
The Growth of Electrical Systems Technology
The Rise of the Electrical Utility Industry
Looking to the Future
For Further Reading
ELECTRIC POWER
Introduction
Voltage, Current, and Power
Characteristics of Electric Power and Systems
Key Points
For Further Reading
USING ELECTRIC ENERGY
Introduction
A Flexible Form of Energy
Four Basic Applications
Electricity is Bought for End-Uses
The Utility's Perspective on Customer Power Usage
Conservation, Energy Efficiency, and Demand-Side Management
Summary
For Further Reading
CREATING ELECTRICITY: POWER GENERATION
Generating Electric Power
Electric Generating Systems
Types of Generating Plants
Summary
For Further Reading
RENEWABLE POWER GENERATION
Free Fuel and Low Environmental Impact
Hydro Power
Wind-Driven Power Generation
Solar Power
Other Renewable Generation Technologies
Are Renewable Resources Practical?
For Further Reading
DISTRIBUTED GENERATION AND STORAGE
Distributed Power Generation
Types of Distributed Generators
Distributed Power Storage
Summary
For Further Reading
ELECTRIC UTILITY POWER SYSTEMS
Introduction
T&D System Equipment
T&D System Layout
Summary
For Further Reading
REGULATION AND DE-REGULATION
Introduction
Why Were Electric Utilities Regulated?
Why De-Regulate? The Good and Bad of Utility Regulation
Goals for and Effects of De-Regulation
Comparing Four Approaches to Regulation and De-Regulation
Increased Services From and Financial Pressures On LDCs
For Further Reading
DE-REGULATION AT THE WHOLESALE POWER LEVEL
Introduction
The Wholesale Power Marketplace
Do Buyers Submit Bids?
Buying Energy vs. Buying Capacity
How is Wholesale Power Priced?
Summary
THE POWER GRID IN THE DE-REGULATED INDUSTRY
Generation and Transmission in a De-Regulated Industry
The Wholesale Transmission Level
What is Being Sold at the Transmission Level?
How Is Transmission Service Priced?
The Eventual Winner: Locationally-Based Pricing?
Summary of Key Points
For Further Reading
POWER DISTRIBUTION IN A DE-REGULATED INDUSTRY
Introduction
Open Access Distribution
Changes in Distribution Operations
Will Distribution Performance Improve Due to "Competition"?
For Further Reading
RETAIL SALES IN A FULLY DE-REGULATED INDUSTRY
Introduction
Load Aggregation and Services
RESCO Identities and Industry Position
How Does It All Work?
For Further Reading
SERVICE RELIABILITY AND AGING INFRASTRUCTURES
Introduction
Aging T&D Infrastructures
Sustainable-Point Analysis of Aging Infrastructures
Outages and Reliability
For Further Reading
SYSTEM BLACKOUTS AND OPERATIONAL COMPLEXITY
Introduction
Blackouts: An Overview
Synchronized Operation of Power Systems
Why Do Blackouts Occur?
Summary and Concluding Comments
For Further Reading
GLOSSARY
INDEX