Utility Week - Viewpoints Latest News

Energy plans place costly burden on power networks

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

A timely reminder about how much strain our energy networks can be put under was provided by David Clarke, Energy Technologies Institute chief executive, when he gave the Bridge Lecture last week. He noted (see news story, page 4) that domestic gas usage can increase sixfold between summer and winte

New CCGTs need guaranteed returns

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The UK government now seems to have accepted that new unabated gas-fired power stations will be required when dirtier plant is closed after 2015. New combined cycle gas turbines (CCGTs) have lower emissions than coal, yet retain the flexibility required to accommodate variable renewables.

Investors must be able to trust government

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Convincing investors to pay for expensive, risky projects is a tricky business. Initially the set-up is simple: offer a guaranteed return for a guaranteed period. If it's high enough, there will be investment out there, no matter how big the project - even building thousands of wind turbines miles o

Don't just talk about water success, achieve it

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The first new Water White Paper for nine years was released in December, and it could mean 2012 will be a demanding year for the England and Wales water utility sector. Significant changes to the current abstraction regime, more businesses able to change water supplier, longer-term integrated planni

Where is the next tractor coming from?

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Here at S&C we're celebrating our 100th anniversary. Looking back over the past century, there are of course massive differences between technology and innovation then and what we have today. It is interesting to note not only how much various sectors have evolved, but also the way in which they hav

Sometimes you need more regulation, not less

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The aim of reducing unnecessary red tape is a good one. It's been the stated aim of the coalition government from the start, and it has to be said the two parties have followed through on that promise.

Where's the break point?

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The UK's assumption about carbon costs underpins some huge programmes - not least the smart meter rollout. It has to reflect assumptions about how costs will change over the long term and can't swing on the whim of today's market.

DNOs can still seize the smart meter opportunity

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The case for an area-by-area rollout of smart meters - made by the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) in a report for Which? - is compelling (see page 5).

Why networks are embracing customers

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

We have already seen a fair amount of bad weather this winter. You will have heard the usual messages about not going out. Stay at home, safe and wrapped up warm.

Rethinking the industry could have benefits

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The Water White Paper has done a good job of defining new demarcation lines for the industry. It allows for different views of the separate parts of the "supply chain" to be taken, without enforcing the kind of split that would scare industry and investors.

Water White Paper debate must engage the public

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

So far, as was pointed out during Utility Week's online discussion forum last Friday, there has been little public debate on proposals in the Water White Paper. That should change as the implications begin to filter into the public consciousness.

An off-the-shelf future for the water sector

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

It's tough being a water company right now. Consumer and industrial demand is affecting availability, managing the obsolescence of complex, distributed assets is a challenge and the regulator is shifting the incentive model in favour of customer experience.

'Smart' should watch and learn as NHS shares data

Tue, 3 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Those who have a stake in the successful rollout of smart meters - which is the energy industry, new entrants, the entire customer base and the whole country - should take careful note of the current discussion about the NHS sharing data with private companies with the aim of helping medical researc

Water White Paper was worth waiting for

Tue, 3 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Timelines in the water sector are so long that it is more important for policy to be right than to be hasty. The final appearance of the Water White Paper last week made my wait worthwhile because, after thorough consideration, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has adopt

The water trilemma

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Energy utilities have been grappling for years with the three irreconcilable objectives of energy policy: low-carbon generation and sustainability, security of supply, and affordability. What they discovered is that there is a trilemma; and worse, that the three are only achievable when we are in ti

Team spirit will speed smart savings for all

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

The future of smart metering in the UK has been discussed and debated for many years by utility industries. We are now in a position in which the government, energy industry, product manufacturers and consumer groups are in broad agreement on the planned rollout. However, there are still doubts abou

Cuadrilla makes Blackpool rock

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Blackpool - a seaside resort that conjures up images of donkey rides on the beach, riotous illuminations and the famous tower. Now, thanks to the controversial practice of "fracking", the town can add earthquakes to the list.

Stakeholder engagement? Practise what you preach

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Ofgem wants the energy businesses it regulates to do more stakeholder engagement. That principle has been enshrined in its new RIIO formula, which asks network owners to identify and talk to their customers. The regulator wants companies to fully understand not just how customers perceive them and r

Blue sky thinking when it comes to solar

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Not many days go by without Greece finding itself on the news agenda. For all the depressing mundanity of the current financial crisis here in the UK, we can at least thank our lucky stars that we do not live in the cradle of civilisation turned bankrupt state. With national debt currently hovering

The CRC league table won't be informative for years

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

It's been interesting to see where utilities stand in the league table for the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme, published for the first time this month by the Environment Agency. But it would be going too far to say that it was informative.