Power Markets and Economics: Energy Costs, Trading, Emissions

I have specialised in power system development and economics for the last 40 years having worked for a distribution company and as a senior manager with a generator (CEGB), a transmission company (NGC) and a manufacturer (ABB). Prior to liberalisation I worked on the development of algorithms to optimise system planning and operation which led to my playing a lead role in the restructuring of the UK power sector in 1990. In 1998 I set up as an independent consultant with a company called ‘Electricity Market Services Ltd’ and published a book on early experiences with Wiley called ‘Electricity Markets’. Since then I have worked on projects throughout the world. I have advised government agencies and regulators in Belgium, the UK, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Oman, Namibia and Abu Dhabi. I have analysed markets for clients covering the UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Ireland, Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania, Greece, Turkey, Scandinavia, the Ukraine, Russia and Kazakhstan, Botswana and Mozambique. I have also undertaken assignments in the US, Trinidad and Tobago and Singapore, for banks in Europe, the World Bank and for oil and gas companies. This new book is based on the experience and understanding gained from this wide spectrum of assignments and international experience. It shows how power costs can be calculated and compares those from conventional sources with renewable and other alternatives. It also includes detailed calculations of distribution and transmission charges showing the makeup of end user charges and the impact of emission restrictions. Part three discusses the operation of markets and how they may be analysed while part four speculates on future developments. I was encouraged to write the book and record my understanding and experiences by universities and others who recognised the shortage of books in this area. I have included worked examples and endeavoured to keep abreast of the latest developments. The industry continues to face new challenges and it remains to be seen how well the market structures put in place will be able to deal with them.

I originally trained as a power systems engineer with a first in Electrical Engineering. I subsequently took a Diploma in management Studies and completed a PhD in electricity markets. I am a fellow of the IEE, a senior member of the American IEEE and a member of the British Institute of Management.