Energy in America is undergoing a period of rapid change, driven by new technologies, consumer empowerment, and the imperative to reduce emissions that cause global warming. But many utilities are dragging their feet, or actively impeding progress.  People who want to save energy or install solar panels are finding their efforts at odds with utilities seeking to […] continue reading »

As the use of renewable energy grows we hear occasional reports of curtailment — when wind turbines and solar generators are shut off because they are putting too much power into the grid. This can happen because transmission development lags behind; it is far faster to build wind and solar than to build transmission to […] continue reading »

“Love and war are the same thing, and stratagems and policy are as allowable in the one as in the other.”         ― Miguel de Cervantes, Don Quixote In addition to energy analysis and advocacy, PaulosAnalysis also offers strategic development and organizational planning to clients in philanthropy and advocacy. The Barr Foundation […] continue reading »

I’m pleased to announced that I got my first article in Grist, the online environmental magazine. The story is on what is probably the only good news about the California drought — less rain means less clouds and more sun, and more sun means more solar power. “The bright side of California’s drought: More solar power” […] continue reading »

Friday, December 5, 2014 X-posted from the Power Markets blog. The venerable Electricity Journal has published the overview paper from the Power Markets Project, Aligning Markets with Clean Energy Policy.  It is now available in the December issue.This is my second time in the EJ.  The first time was in 1998, for my research for the Energy Center […] continue reading »

Monday, December 1, 2014 X-posted from the Power Markets blog. I had the honor of speaking at the annual conference of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC).  I spoke on a panel about “lessons learned from Germany.” It was a lively and informative conversation, with input from Lola Infante of EEI, Julia Hamm […] continue reading »

Monday, November 3, 2014 X-posted from the Power Markets blog. Thanks to my recent experience in studying the Energiewende and visiting Germany, I’ve been invited to speak on a panel of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), on November 16 in San Francisco.The theme:  Germany’s Transition to Renewables:  Gutsy or Foolhardy? […] continue reading »

Thursday, October 9, 2014 X-posted from the Power Markets blog. My article on “Texas and Germany: Energy Twins?” has been picked up by The Globalist, a world affairs news site.  You can read it here. The benefit is that it is much shorter than the version in POWER Magazine, and with fewer pesky graphics.  Enjoy. […] continue reading »

Wednesday, October 8, 2014 The good wonks at Agora Energiewende, the think tank in Berlin devoted to the German energy transition, have introduced new tools to track the German energy system — in real time. The new “Agorameter” tracks electricity production hourly by fuel source, wholesale prices, and imports and exports.  It is currently all […] continue reading »

Wednesday, September 17, 2014  X-posted from the Power Markets blog. Power grid operators need to plan for the future,  but how do they know what to plan for?  They make forecasts of the future, incorporating expected supply and demand, economic growth, weather trends, and demographic changes. No one has a crystal ball, but clearly planners […] continue reading »