Articles by Risk Staff
Covering the threat
Since September 11, energy companies have had to re-assess the threat of terrorist attack. Despite the insurance industry introducing new terms and products, some companies remain unprotected, as Joel Hanley discovers
At the end of the tail
When fat tails are present, extreme value theory provides a framework for estimating value-at-risk at higher confidence levels with greater accuracy than traditional Var methods. Naveen Andrews and Mark Thomas explain
Weather risk solutions
The weather risk management industry is showing encouraging development around the world. Element Re outlines its strategy for keeping up with the growing needs of the market-place
Opening up Germany’s gas market
The German government has yet to step forward and commit to the European objective of an internal market for natural gas. Dr Jörg Spicker of Aquila Energy GmbH says now is the time for action
Two hubs or one?
Independent traders are desperate for a hub that will provide real liquidity and help force the Ruhrgas-dominated German natural gas market to open to competition. Peter Joy reports
At the heart of Europe
As the rest of Europe has still to get fully to grips with cross-border energy trading in a liberalising environment, Germany, Austria and Switzerland are providing an example of a workable regional electricity market, says Eurof Thomas
Controlling power
Maggi Shippy-Ksionsk and Stefan Ulreich explain how portfolio risk management gives a company control over its energy procurement
Out on its own
European countries tend to have an appointed power market regulator, but Germany has taken a self-regulatory approach. How does the electricity spot price behave as a result? Tobias Federico offers an econometric analysis
At home and abroad
Given its location at the centre of Europe, Germany is the key to any future pan-European energy market. But some of its leading companies have their eyes on markets beyond continental Europe, reports Robin Lancaster
Clearing the way?
The German over-the-counter market has been growing quickly in recent years, but a series of shocks has sparked fears of credit risk exposure. Can trading regain recent highs and save the OTC market from credit-wary traders, asks Joel Hanley
Growing quietly
The liberalised German markets now allow large industrial end-users to manage their energy price risk. But, while the competition to manage their exposures is large, these firms are playing their cards close to their chests, reports Joel Hanley
Airlines tackle price turbulence
Industry woes force airlines to get serious about improving efficiencies, including implementing new hedging and procurement tools, as Don Stowers discovers
Going to extremes
With regional generating capacity in the US having to tackle temperature extremes, software provider Logical Information Machines looks at Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Maryland market data history to suggest how we might forecast such extremes
When the wind doesn’t blow
In light of the increased interest in investing in renewable energy following the publication of the EU renewables directive in September, David Pethick, Rebecca Calder and Chris Clancy suggest a method of reducing wind risk
