Power interruptions of the scale of the North American blackout of 2003 are rare, but they still loom as a possibility. Will the ageing infrastructure fail because deregulated monopolies have no financial incentives to upgrade? Is centralized planning becoming Subordinate to market forces? Understanding electric utilities and de-regulation, the second edition provides an updated, Non-Technical description that sheds light on the nature of the industry and the issues involved in its transition away from a regulated environment.
The book begins by broadly Surveying the industry, from a regulated utility structure to the major concepts of de-regulation to the history of electricity, the technical aspects, and the business of power. Then, the authors delve into the technologies and functions on which the industry operates; the many ways that power is used; and the various means of power generation, including central generating stations, renewable energy, and single-household size generators. The authors then devote considerable attention to the details of regulation and de-regulation. To conclude, one new br>Chapter examines ageing infrastructures and reliability of service, while another explores the causes of blackouts and how they can be prevented.<Br>
based on the authors' Extensive experience, understanding of electric utilities and de-regulation, the second edition offers an up-to-date perspective on the major issues impacting the daily operations as well as the long-term future of the electric utility industry.