Power marketers: Who are they, and what do they do?

Journal Article · Tue Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1998 · Electricity Journal

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S1040-6190(98)00099-2· OSTI ID:320861

Sioshansi, F P ^[1]; Altman, A ^[2]

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1. Convector Consulting NA Inc., Menlo Park, CA (United States)
2. EPRI, Palo Alto, CA (United States)

Although activity quintupled to 1.2 billion megawatt-hours in 1997, many electric industry participants still have only a vague idea of what the identity and role of power marketers are. Like the independent power producers before them, however, they should no longer be regarded merely as marginal side players. This article attempts to explain what power marketing is, who power marketers are, what they do, why they do it, and what is behind their explosive growth in the past few years. This article also explains what types of products and services they offer, why these products and services are in demand, and what are the fundamental drivers for this demand. Understanding the last item is particularly significant; namely, the rapid restructuring of the wholesale--soon to be followed by the retail--electricity markets in the United States. An equally important impetus for the industry`s growth is the passage of the highly significant Energy Policy Act in 1992 and, more recently, the promulgation of Orders 888 and 889 of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in 1996. In the absence of those, there would be no power marketing industry as it is known today.

• Sponsoring Organization: Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (United States)
• OSTI ID: 320861
• Journal Information: Electricity Journal, Journal Name: Electricity Journal Journal Issue: 10 Vol. 11; ISSN ELEJE4; ISSN 1040-6190
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
COMPETITION
ELECTRIC POWER INDUSTRY
MARKETERS
RETAIL PRICES
WHOLESALE PRICES