Understanding Electric Utilities and De-Regulation

TLDR: In this article, the authors present a history of the electrical power industry under regulation and de-regulation, and compare the good and bad of utility regulation goals for and effects of de-regulating, comparing four Approaches to Regulation and De-Regulation.

Abstract: 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