Feature
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…
Western congestion
Despite huge strides to improve power transmission efficiency in California since 2001, the region is still flagged a 'critical congestion area' by the US Department of Energy. Neil O'Hara looks at the state of play
Future imperfect
Hedging physical deals with derivatives may be active risk management, but if the physical contract is breached, it can result in unnecessary losses. Andrew Meads looks at whether the innocent party can recover these losses
Platform for production
While a healthy flow of new oil is forecast to come on stream over the next few years, there's concern that projects will be held up by a lack of infrastructure, particularly rig availability and personnel, finds Roderick Bruce
VC funds clean up
Investment in clean energy technology is attracting new venture capital money even as the traditional investors, electric utilities, are withdrawing. In the first of a two-part series, Catherine Lacoursière investigates the latest financing trends in…
Weathering oil risk
Managing weather risk is increasingly important for petroleum companies. Murad Jivraj looks at how optimal oil risk management can be obtained through combining traditional structured products with new weather derivatives
Trading opinions
Energy risk professionals from all over Europe gathered in London last month at the Energy Risk Europe conference to debate the hottest topics facing the industry today. The Energy Risk team bring you some highlights
Shifting sands
High oil prices and a lack of accessibility to reserves are reawakening oil majors' interest in Canada's oil sands. David Watkins looks at their potential and at the challenges involved in this capital-intensive mining operation
Biomass back on track
Generating power through biomass – corn, soybeans, trees, plants and animal waste – looks set to receive a boost in the US, after stagnation during the 1990s, finds Elisa Wood
A clearer picture
Energy bills are now prominent on most UK businesses' radar screens. Alistair Buchanan of UKregulator Ofgem offers an update on developments that could affect the UK's gas market this winter
Oil prices: Risk of a fall?
Consensus forecasts predict lower oil prices next year, although a minority of analysts, sceptical that demand will fall, expect higher 2007 prices. Beyond 2008 the supply picture could be much tighter than generally thought, some experts say. Stella…
Surveying risk management
How is risk management viewed in your company? Are there risks you would like to measure but don''t? Which methodologies are most commonly used? What should the discipline tackle next? Our latest survey reveals all
Catching the wind
After a 20-year hiatus, the US wind power industry has grown rapidly in the past two years. Its future, however, depends on Congress drawing up clear, long-term legislation, finds Neil O'Hara
Do energy hedge funds need cutting down to size?
Energy hedge funds have made public over $10 billion worth of losses in recent months, once again calling into question their impact on energy markets and raising concerns of systemic risk. Catherine Lacoursiere investigates
Risk management for LDCs
US Gas Distribution Companies, long experienced in managing volumetric risk, now face market risk, high commodity prices and credit risk. Matthew Frye looks at strategies to model these risks in aggregate
Hedge fund technologies
Energy markets continue to attract hedge funds - but, as recent high profile losses have shown, operating in them is challenging. Having the right trading and risk management IT is essential. Stewart Eisenhart reports
Risking it in Russia
When attempting to assess energy risk in Russia today, traditional methods of risk analysis are no longer sufficient; they mustbe accompanied by detailed political risk analysis, writes Robert Amsterdam
Accurate options pricing for all
SuperDerivatives has entered the energy world with big aims - to bring transparency and increased liquidity to options markets. Oliver Holtaway looks at the company model, and asks how big a splash it's likely to make