The mirage of retail wheeling
- Worldwatch Inst., Washington, DC (United States)
For decades, the electrical utility industry was one of the world's most staid, immutable businesses, generating little excitement and even less controversy. Today, that industry is being turned upside down as one government after another considers and implements reforms. Not since the time of Thomas Edison has the electric power business been so dynamic. Although utility reforms vary widely, the broader trends are clear: away from public and private monopolies, and toward increased diversity and more competition. The reform efforts reflect a broad consensus that the current system is inefficient and has failed to take advantage of many economic and technological opportunities. Despite a promising array of innovations, a limited and distorted approach to utility reform has captured the attention of some utility analysts and regulators in the mid-nineties. It goes by the arcane term, retail wheeling. If enacted in the form proposed in several countries, retail wheeling would only partially realize the benefits of increased competition, and would severely undermine the long-term planning that has been so vital to the evolution of an efficient, environmentally sound electricity market. The paper describes early impacts of retail wheeling in countries who have passed such legislation and forecasts longer term impacts from retail wheeling.
- OSTI ID:
- 6585830
- Journal Information:
- Cogeneration and Competitive Power Journal; (United States), Journal Name: Cogeneration and Competitive Power Journal; (United States) Vol. 10:1; ISSN CCPJE8; ISSN 1066-8683
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
240600* -- Power Transmission & Distribution-- Legislation & Regulations-- (1990-)
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290700 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Transport & Storage
296000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Electric Power
CALIFORNIA
COMPETITION
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DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ECONOMIC IMPACT
ELECTRIC POWER INDUSTRY
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