Feature
Bankruptcy Code confusion
Amendments to the US Bankruptcy Code concerning forwards, swaps and commodity contracts have far-reaching implications for energy company bankruptcies, but uncertainties remain, write Kenneth Irvin and Nathan Coco
Interview - Czech power
The best performing European utility stock, with growth of 260% in the last 24 months, Czech Republic power company CEZ aims to be market leader in the power markets of central and south-eastern Europe. Alan Svoboda, executive director for sales and…
Carbon funds - Here come the funds
While government-run procurement funds were the first to establish themselves in the carbon market, more and more private sector funds are now bringing investment capital into the sector. Oliver Holtaway reports
Auctioning - Carbon under the hammer
As the EU emissions trading scheme gears up for its second phase, countries are deciding how much of their allocations will be auctioned. Oliver Holtaway reports
Bright forecast for weather derivatives
To attract more corporate end-users, purveyors of weather derivatives are creating new products in search of the perfect hedge, as Catherine Lacoursiere finds
Vultures in Congo
Energy companies have long accepted a degree of country risk when investing in developing nations. But oil and gas companies now face a new threat to their international investments - and its origins lie closer to home. Andrew Derman, Andrew Melsheimer…
European gas - Battle of the brokers
Boutique environmental brokers walked the European market through the early days of emissions trading, but as traditional money and energy brokers move into this increasingly commoditised market, how will the early educators continue to compete? asks…
Kick-start for coal futures
Ice Futures and the European Energy Exchange have gone head-to-head in the latest attempt to kick-start coal derivatives trading. Oliver Holtaway investigates
US emissions - State of play
Point Carbon's Veronique Bugnion takes a look at the scope and timeline for the carbon emission cap-and-trade programmes on the drawing board in the US
Case study - Do-it-yourself power
The Russian aluminium giant RUSAL aims to achieve 50% energy self-sufficient by 2013. It is partnering with governments and large players on hydro-projects in eastern Europe and central Asia and wants to move forward as both an energy and a metals…
Case study - A newcomer's view
Already present in the power markets of Slovakia, Bulgaria and Romania, Italian power utility Enel sees eastern Europe as ripe for physical acquisition and market participation. Enel's Fabio Mezzetti and Tatiana Glouchtchenko talk about the risks and…
Obstacles - Growing pains
Eastern European power markets have experienced rapid growth since liberalisation at the start of this decade, but there are still many obstacles impeding the market's development, finds James Ockenden
Weathering power's demand
Using temperature forecasts to predict power demand has some major pitfalls. Here Martin Fischer and Michael Grossman suggest ways to glean more from forecasted temperature data
Valid Assumptions Required: Volatility
Brett Humphreys reviews the assumptions associated with calculating volatility based on historical data.
Brazil switches on to risk management
As Brazil's electricity market restructures, increasingly sophisticated risk management tools and systems are required, writes Leigh Parkinson
Mercury rising
US states fear a federal cap and trade programme intended to reduce mercury emissions will lead to mercury hot spots, along with the forced closure of plants within states that don't enter the scheme. Catherine Lacoursiere investigates
Money for old smoke
Despite the lack of mandatory, standardised carbon trading in Asia, interest is growing fast. And several trading initiatives are under way, finds Joe Marsh
Technology - Software selection - Selection success
Getting the best results from external ETRM software offerings requires careful preparation and an ongoing commitment from management. Addam Alderete outlines the key issues
In search of STP
Trading complexity, compliance issues and increasing competition are all driving companies to improve their electronic STP processes. Eric Fishhaut takes a look at some of the latest developments
Technology - Build or buy - To build or buy?
Today's complex energy markets mean the traditional decision of whether to build or buy trading and risk management software systems has never been more important, writes Mark Raine
Technology - Market Overview - Hot markets for ETRM applications
With high and volatile energy prices driving an increase in energy trading, energy companies and financial institutions playing in energy markets will need to focus on the most advanced technology to meet the needs of this fast paced market, writes Jill…