Feature
Deal of the year
In this special report, Energy Risk takes a look at some of the most interesting and innovative deals conducted in the energy arena over the last few months
In defence of VAR
High profile losses such as those at hedge fund Amaranth last year had people questioning risk management tools, particularly value-at-risk. But Chris Schlegel and Andrew Kosnaski believe VAR would have given adequate signals to traders in the volatile…
Gateway to Europe
Turkey has ambitious plans to open its rapidly-growing gas market up to competition. Yesim Akcollu looks at how realistic these plans are
Moves to maturity
While many obstacles to the liquid short-term trading of gas in Europe remain, the market infrastructure is showing some signs of maturing. Oliver Holtaway looks at hub development in the European gas markets
Richest US state hedges to dodge blackouts
The US state of Connecticut is rolling out an innovative method of power contracting which it hopes will alleviate some of the state's energy woes. If effective, the model could spread to other states, writes Elisa Wood
Depending on Russia
Europe's increasing dependence on Russia for gas supplies throws up new risks that must be assessed. Understanding political risk is key, but the biggest risk to supply could be the lack of investment in the sector, finds Roderick Bruce
An uncertain future
European natural gas demand is expected to rise in the next three decades. But, as Anouk Honore finds, the overall picture is not easy to predict, and depends on what happens in individual countries – particularly Italy and Spain
Less is more
With Phase II of the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme set to be rolled out, Miles Austin investigates whether it will deliver greater emission reductions than Phase I
The regulation debate
Following a series of price spikes, consumer groups in the US are rallying against the deregulation of electricity marketswith some success. David Watkins investigates
Successful networking
Germany's virtually non-existent gas market has been given a shot in the arm by the country's network regulator, which has banned anti-competitive grid access contracts. Could this be the start of a success story, asks Oliver Holtaway
Gas storage parking lot full
More US natural gas storage is needed if price spikes are to be alleviated in the coming months experts believe, but construction interest is limited, finds David Watkins
Food for fuel
In part II of our investigation into the attraction of 'cleantech' investment, Catherine Lacoursière looks at the growth of biofuel plants, and asks: does the world have enough feedstock to power them?
More than just talking about the weather
Energy Risk launched the Environmental Risk brand on October 17, with an e-symposium on the weather risk market, which attracted over 500 online delegates. A range of other online conferences on emissions and renewables will follow
Urge to merge
The landscape for US commodity exchanges is undergoing considerable change, with many heavyweight names announcing mergers or new co-operations. David Watkins looks at what this will mean for energy trading
Uncertainty hampers forward planning
The long-term investment plans of US utilities are being hampered by regional regulatory ambiguity and a string of failed mergers. David Watkins investigates
Changes at intra-day
Nord Pool and the European Energy Exchange are going head-to-head in an effort to deliver intra-day trading to Germany's power market. Oliver Holtaway investigates
Valid Assumptions Required: advanced volatility measures
In the next article of his VAR series, Brett Humphreys discusses more advanced methods for estimating volatility.
Lessons learnt
This year was one of unprecedented volatility for energy markets, yet it also marked a step-change in market maturity. Energy Risk asked some key players what they see as the defining events of 2006 and how they will affect behaviour in 2007. By Stella…