Features

Utility Week will not publish on Dec 11 and 25 - 2009

Utility Week editorial calendar 2010

Special issues

29 January - DEALING WITH THE CUSTOMER
The customer may be king, but he can also be very challenging to manage. This edition will look at a range of issues focused on the customer, including: acquisition and retention strategies; service issues; communication demands; billing and tariffs; payment management; branding and marketing; switching; and dealing with vulnerable customers.
Marketers: be interested in this issue if your business involves CRM, payment management, debt collection, IT, call centres, outsourced service provision or billing.

26 February - THE LOW CARBON FUTURE
With Kyoto commitments expiring in 2012, what is the next phase of the international community's strategy for dealing with climate change? And how are national policies shaping up to deliver this? We pay particular attention to the UK government's low carbon transition plan and the role utilities will play in delivering it. Will the renewable heat incentive, new support for renewables and a feed-in tariff have the desired effect? What will it cost and who should pay? And how far will existing utilities benefit from this new green economy?
Marketers: be interested in this issue if your business involves engineering, asset management, property management, green products and services, or IT.

26 March - IMPLEMENTING THE CRC
The Carbon Reduction Commitment, a new emissions trading scheme targeted at large non-energy intensive organisations, takes effect in April. It will affect some 20,000 bodies, including utilities. Are you prepared? What will it cost and involve? What business opportunities does it present for energy companies to sell efficiency products and services to participating organisations? How will liability be established, and what are the penalties for non-compliance?
Marketers: be interested in this issue if your business involves property management, asset management, smart metering, billing or IT.

April - DELIVERING THE NEXT FIVE YEARS
This month, water and electricity distribution companies commence their investment programmes for 2010-15. Articles will examine work programmes, cost and carbon control, delivery methods, financing, staffing issues and community liaison.
**Marketers: be interested in this issue if your business involves asset management, GIS, mobile working tools, IT or engineering products and services. **

28 May - DATA MANAGEMENT AND MINING
In this age of information, clean, accessible data is an extremely valuable asset. Is your utility making the most of information it already has - on customers, networks and assets? How will retailers and network operators cope with the groundswell of data smart metering could bring? Is your data secure? What exactly can and can't you do under data protection rules?
Marketers: be interested in this issue if your business involves data collection, data analysis, data management, IT, asset management, CRM, billing, smart metering or GIS.

25 June - 21ST CENTURY GRIDS
Smart grids promise to support multiple generation options including renewables; to incorporate greater levels of energy storage; to enable extensive consumer participation; to increase network resilience; and generally to deliver electricity far more efficiently than at present. We assess these prospects, and explore issues around other grids, such as interconnection, the water network and water trading.
Marketers: be interested in this issue if your business involves smart metering, IT, network technology, security, GIS or asset management.

23 July - SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
With higher energy and water standards for new homes set to become mandatory, utilities will have a crucial role to play in delivering sustainable, cost-effective development. What exactly do the new standards demand? Where are they key developments taking place? How far have energy and water efficiency technologies advanced? Will energy services companies ever materialise? What about retrofit options? Should energy and water companies be working together more for mutual benefit? And how are energy suppliers performing on the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target scheme which ends in 2011?
Marketers: be interested in this issue if your business involves smart metering, billing, IT, CRM, or energy/water efficiency products and services.

24 September - THE FUTURE OF UTILITIES
We examine the big issues on the horizon for utilities. How will coping with climate change alter operations? How will smart metering be rolled out and how will it change energy retail and networks? Will a competitive water market really take off, and who will win/lose if it does? Will energy services companies ever get off the ground? What new technologies are around the corner? And then there's the whole transition to a low carbon economy...
Marketers: be interested in this issue if your business involves smart metering, IT, CRM, billing or innovative products/technologies.

29 October - MANAGING OUR PEOPLE
Staff are utilities' most valuable asset. This issue will explore the dual challenges of attracting and keeping good personnel and their operational management. Topics will include acquisition routes; retention strategies; training and development; managing field teams; and ensuring staff health and safety.
Marketers: be interested in this issue if your business involves mobile working tools, IT, health and safety equipment, GIS, training, payroll services or recruitment.

26 November - PIPES AND WIRES
The nitty-gritty of utility business takes place on the ground - operating, maintaining, repairing, replacing and managing network assets. How are companies working with engineering contractors, suppliers and other partners? What major projects are underway? How can utilities compete for the best personnel? What is the latest in asset maintenance and management strategy? And what is now expected on streetworks management?
Marketers: be interested in this issue if your business involves engineering products and services, mobile working tools, GIS, asset management or IT.

PLUS
A POST GENERAL ELECTION SPECIAL examining the likely impact on utility strategy, policy and regulation, and profiling key personalities and players.

Utility Week will not publish on the following dates - 1st and 8th January, 9th April, 2nd and 30th July, 13th, 20th and 23rd August, 7th, 24th and 31st December 2010.

For editorial queries, please contact Karma Ockenden on karma.ockenden@rbi.co.uk or 020 8652 3819 and for advertising queries please contact Fay Newman on fay.newman@rbi.co.uk or 020 8652 8690