Feature
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…
Burying a problem
As North American power generators prepare for a carbon-constrained world, new coal plants are being built with the option of installing carbon capture and storage technology. And the economics could be about to improve, finds Catherine Lacoursiere
JI emerges from shadows
Long seen as a sideline to the Clean Development Mechanism, the Joint Implementation market could be set to take off, as international regulators and the key JI host countries are coming close to establishing JI approval procedures. Oliver Holtaway…
Switzerland powers up
Though not a member of the European Union, Switzerland is liberalising its power market in order to bring itself more in line with the EU's liberalisation policy. Oliver Holtaway takes a look at this process and the expected impacts on energy markets
Trading concerns
The convictions of Ken Lay and Jeffrey Skilling in May closed a sorry chapter in energy trading. But it should be noted that much of what was good about Enron remains. However, some are concerned that Enron-like innovation now risks being stifled by lack…
Valid Assumptions Required: Historical Simulation VaR
Brett Humphreys discusses the assumptions underlying the calculation of a VAR using the historical simulation methodology.
Technology - Project management - A stitch in time
Companies entering the energy sector have a fairly short window of opportunity to get up and running. City Practitioners Ian Bentinck and Jeremy Taylor examine some of the technological and project management issues that can arise