Contracts for difference are a small part of the wholesale market now, but soon they will be affecting market behaviour, argues Mark Meyrick Under the government’s Electricity Market Reform, its replacement for the Renewable Obligation is now upon us. The…
Perspective
OPINION: We can all win in the energy transition – get involved
by New Power • • 0 Comments
Ahead of the Erasmus Energy Forum, meeting in Rotterdam on 28-29 June, Volker Beckers and Wolf Ketter argue that we need a joint understanding of the need for energy transition and how to implement the necessary changes. Once that is…
OPINION: For industry codes, form should follow function and the customer comes first
by New Power • • 0 Comments
Tony Thornton, head of transformation at Gemserv, says a single Retail Energy Code could help support a simplified consumer-centric code governance model, but it must be implemented around a complex reform programme already under way. Aligning codes to function is a…
OPINION: Energy networks are making too much profit
by New Power • • 0 Comments
Morgan Wild, senior policy researcher at Citizens Advice, thinks it is time for Ofgem to re-examine its assumptions. Market comparisons justify lower returns and reduced cost allowances in the next RIIO period Energy networks are making bumper profits. Ofgem’s…
OPINION: The energy industry needs a ‘grand bargain’ on flexibility
by New Power • • 0 Comments
The future of European energy depends on flexibility. This calls for a regulatory rethink based on a grand bargain between all players, says Simon Hobday, partner at Osborne Clarke If the future’s bright, the future’s flexible. The two go…
OPINION: a holistic approach is crucial to establishing the credibility of DSR
by New Power • • 0 Comments
Robert Owens, VP asset optimisation at SmartestEnergy, argues that DSR providers must maintain standards to maintain confidence in this important new market With this week’s Transitional Arrangements auction clearing higher than expected at £45/kW, there is now a chance…
OPINION: Local authorities should join the battery gold rush
by New Power • • 0 Comments
Mark Bramah of Municipia and Marc Wynn of Asset Utilities argue that local authorities should take the lead in developing electricity storage to develop a new income stream Councils undertake energy projects for different reasons: as a means of…
OPINION: energy industry must prepare for customer power and technology shocks
by New Power • • 0 Comments
Domestic and business customers, are about to become much more important drivers of change in the energy market, and in a decade they could be far more influential than utilities or central government. When they take up new technologies the…
OPINION: Please come back bankers, all is forgiven – we need wholesale market liquidity
by New Power • • 0 Comments
Dominic Whittome, consultant and ex-energy trader, regrets the loss of banks and other third parties from commodities and power trading In November the Financial Times reported that Barclays was winding down its energy – largely oil and gas – trading business,…
OPINION: Tidal power can help cut carbon emissions
by New Power • • 0 Comments
Andrew Crossland, energy storage specialist and blogger at MyGrid, says we should invest in tidal lagoons to increase the diversity of our energy supplies and reduce our carbon emissions The UK is committed to carbon reduction in all sectors of…