Challenges

Although stability has returned to California’s electricity markets, those markets face many remaining challenges that, if not handled correctly, could easily throw the state and the broader interconnected Western grid into renewed chaos, the California Independent System Operator (Cal-ISO) recently told FERC.

Attempting to draw a clear line in the sand with state regulators, PPL Corp. yesterday openly questioned the Montana Public Service Commission’s authority over the company’s power plants in the state, and PPL said it wouldn’t rule out the possibility of taking legal action in response to a PSC order issued Tuesday.

Restraining themselves on what challenges, if any, will be made to the federal wholesale power price mitigation ordered Monday, both friends and foes of price caps expressed skepticism Tuesday about the prospects for the new wholesale price limits in the western states.

Fending off accusations that it intentionally withheld power from the California market in March and April of this year, Mirant Corp. is challenging the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and the California Independent System Operator (Cal-ISO) to cough up evidence that would substantiate these charges.

Fending off accusations that it intentionally withheld power from the California market in March and April of this year, Mirant Corp. is challenging the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and the California Independent System Operator (Cal-ISO) to cough up evidence that would substantiate these charges.

Land restrictions and the availability of adequate drilling services — including qualified personnel — pose the greatest challenge to increasing North American gas production, according to Ziff Energy Group’s Third Annual Gas Industry Survey, unveiled in Houston at the North American Gas Strategies Conference. Ironically, last year’s biggest challenge was considered to be low prices.

Because the power system was not developed for today’s growing digital technology world, the industry faces a series of challenges to overcome its growing grid constraints. Without upgrades, “even with new power available, we won’t get it,” the strategic planner of the Electric Power Research Institute told a Houston energy audience last week.

Land restrictions and the availability of adequate drilling services — including qualified personnel — pose the greatest challenge to increasing North American gas production, according to Ziff Energy Group’s Third Annual Gas Industry Survey, unveiled in Houston yesterday at the kickoff of its North American Gas Strategies Conference. Ironically, last year’s biggest challenge was considered to be low prices.

Because the power system was not developed for today’s growing digital technology world, the industry faces a series of challenges to overcome its growing grid constraints. Without upgrades, “even with new power available, we won’t get it,” the strategic planner of the Electric Power Research Institute told a Houston energy audience yesterday.