How to slow demand growth in Canada... Distributed energy ripens... Renewable barriers and opportunities

Study confirms potential to slow demand growth in Canada. “Demand Side Management Potential in Canada: Energy Efficiency Study” from the Canadian Gas Association and the Canadian Electricity Association predicts 16 - 56% energy demand reduction in Canada by 2025 through demand-side management. The report claims a 3%-10% reduction is possible in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors by 2025. Additional reductions could be gained through energy efficiency, cogeneration and fuel substitution.

   QuickTake: Another sign that the industry is (finally!) beginning to consider all of its options for handling growth, rather than relying solely on building new plants.

   CEA report (PDF)

Alternative and distributed energy market ripens. The Distributed Energy Financial Group (DEFG) reports that the alternative and distributed energy market is growing, driven by high energy prices, reliability and security concerns, environmental challenges and favorable policies. The group's most recent survey outlines specific segments that could be the most profitable from the perspective of utilities, vendors, regulators, developers, investors and other stakeholders.

   QuickTake: As a consulting firm that specializes in this sector, DEFG has strong motivation to report that things are getting better. Even so, we agree there growing evidence that current trends support a fundamental, long-term shift towards distributed energy.

   Distributed Energy Financial Group update (PDF)

Digital relays sales trends. Newton-Evans has completed its 2006 protective relay study. Interim updates are available now with full publication in September. Despite the strong move to digital relays, electromechanical models still have a market for several more years. Security has taken on greater important to the utilities surveyed, with most taking multiple approaches to securing remote access. And most North American utilities are not yet embracing the IEC 61850 protocol, despite its growing acceptance in Europe.

   QuickTake: We believe 61850 has significant long-term benefits, including technical superiority, greater "headroom," and the potential for significant cost savings when multiple suppliers support a single standard, leading to competition and customer choice. For the most part, however, U.S. utilities are still making decisions based on first cost and old favorites, rather than long-term benefits.

   Newton-Evans study description (PDF, see page 7)

Renewable barriers and opportunities. The International Energy Agency has produced a synthesis of existing research entitled “Renewable Energy Technology Deployment (RETD) – Barriers, Challenges and Opportunities.” It discusses the status, threats, challenges and emerging prospects for renewable energy deployment.

   QuickTake: Although there is little new thinking here, the report is a valuable summary of current thinking.

   RETD complete report (PDF)

The future of China’s power sector. A new report titled “China’s Power Sector Reforms: Where to Next?” by the International Energy Agency lists key milestones in the Chinese energy sector. The country has made commendable efforts like liberalizing its energy markets and building new power plants. However, the efficiency of its plants and grids is exceedingly low, leading to huge waste and large-scale pollution. The $120 report suggests solutions such as a clear legal framework, transparency, better pricing strategies, and demand-side management.

   QuickTake: China has made dramatic improvements in its energy sector. This report reveals that it still has a long way to go. Its progress will affect not only its own citizens, but the entire planet.

   International Energy Agency press release

   International Energy Agency Report buying options

Overview of global utility industry. Global Information's $950 "Utilities" report is a synthesis and summary of information from its regional report. It provides a picture of the global utility industry via statistics, mergers and acquisition reports, country summaries and and vendor profiles.

   QuickTake: You may find the country reports most interesting, as they provide a way to compare market potential in different regions.

   Report TOC and ordering options