Patsy Wurster

Welcome to a very special edition of Platts Insight magazine focusing on one of today's hottest topics in electric power—smart grid and its technologies. Based on the 2008-2009 Platts/Capgemini Utilities Executive Study, North American utility executives believe the level of government funding will be extensive for renewable energy use and smart grid technologies. However, executives are split on the short-term impact of government initiatives such as smart grid on the profitability and structure of the electric power industry. Read More

Paul Cusenza is CEO of Nodal Exchange. He has 25 years of experience in building and managing businesses. He was a co-founder and co-president of 23andMe and a SVP at Perlegen Sciences. He was part of the senior management team of Capital One Financial and was a partner at Mercer Management Consulting (now Oliver Wyman). He received a BSE in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan and a MBA from the Harvard Business School. Read More

After transforming almost every other aspect of our lives, modern information technologies are about to change the ways in which we receive and use electricity. The integration of technologies and a holistic vision of the electric transmission and distribution grid is commonly termed a "smart grid." Read More

Audrey Zibelman, President and CEO, and Allen Freifeld, Senior Vice President of External Affairs, Viridity Energy

The widespread deployment of smart grid technologies in the coming years holds the promise of significant benefits to end-users, utilities, and to the functioning of our economy. However, this promise will be realized only if the market rules governing the participation of demand response are as smart as an intelligent grid. Read More

Edward N. Krapels and John M. Edwards, Anabaric Transmission LLC

Every September, in greater and greater numbers, we usher our young adults into colleges and universities across the country. What was once a privilege reserved for the wealthy has practically become a right for everyone. Read More

In the wake of a weakened economy and a new US presidential administration, the North American energy industry is facing mounting challenges on multiple fronts—ranging from regulatory uncertainty and the environment to the lack of critical infrastructure and increasingly restricted access to capital. Focused on meeting these challenges, utility executives have strong opinions about how the administration should approach setting energy policy, according to the latest industry study from Platts and Capgemini. Read More

Paul Cusenza, Chief Executive Officer, Nodal Exchange

The sourcing, cost and environmental impact of meeting energy needs continues to dominate our headlines and blogs. We all generally want the same thing: access to energy where and when we want it, at the lowest possible cost (both short and long term) and without harming our environment. Read More

Jim Taylor, Engineering Superintendent, Tucson Electric Power Co.

Including its surrounding area, the population of Tucson, Arizona recently exceeded 1,000,000 people. With its burgeoning population comes demand for affordable housing and subsequent development. Read More

Jim Greer, Senior Vice President, Asset Management and Engineering, Oncor

Smart grids are a smart move for you, me and every consumer in America. Technology is sweeping away reactive, one-way electric grids in favor of proactive, intelligent systems that put consumers in control of their electric use. President Barack Obama's call for a national smart grid initiative adds even more urgency to the movement. Read More

John Ferrare, Co-Owner, Enerdynamics

By some estimates, nearly $500 billion will be spent upgrading meters, appliances and the electric grid itself in the next two decades. The opportunities are enormous and once-in-a-lifetime. But for many companies with products to sell, the electric utility business is an enigma. And that presents a problem that can make selling even the most innovative product a tremendous challenge. Read More