Structural change in industry and futures for the electricity industry. Final report
- Global Business Network (GBN), Emeryville, CA (United States)
The electricity supply industry in the United States has been experiencing major technological changes and economics of the business have altered dramatically since the passage of the Public Utilities Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA). This opening of power generation business to competition was under-pinned by significant increases in gas turbine efficiency, commercialization of smaller units with high efficiencies, low gas prices, and cost consciousness on the part of independent power producers (IPPs) and major industrial customers. The pace of change continues to accelerate, driven by ongoing technological innovations and customer demands for better, more customized services and lower costs. The purpose of this report is to provoke further thought on the likely course of structural change in the electric utility industry over the next twenty years. The prime focus of the report is on technological change and its impact on economics, and the resulting organizational and structural change. This report begins with a brief look at structural change in several capital-intensive industries to identify common patterns applicable to the electricity industry. The industries selected have network-like operations, similar to the electric utility industry. This is followed by two scenarios which illuminate different plausible futures for the electric power industry. The report concludes with insights on the potential course of regulations and suitable strategies to prosper during the transition phase.
- Research Organization:
- Electric Power Research Inst. (EPRI), Palo Alto, CA (United States); Global Business Network, Emeryville, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 95174
- Report Number(s):
- EPRI-TR-105144; TRN: 95:006299
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: Jun 1995
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Economically dispatching cogeneration facilities
A business case for on-site generation: The BD biosciences pharmingen project