Nora Brownell's Energy Blog

Sharing Ideas on Energy Regulation and Technology

Every organization involved in the energy sector uses the Internet to do research, find new business or to see what their competitors are doing. Sharing that information though is tough work, especially if the people doing the work are from different parts of the organization. Social Bookmarking tools like delicio.us can break down at least the technological barriers of sharing energy information.

Return to old days will fail to solve energy woes

This post appeared in the OP ED section of the Patriot News on June 3, 2007. I feel very passionate about this issue and at the request of Nora Brownell, have given permission to publish it here. John Hanger, Penn Future .

Critics of Pennsylvania' restructured electricity market are either suffering from amnesia or blinded by ideology when they claim that returning to the old system will protect customers from high prices. Fifteen years ago (before restructuring), Pennsylvania's electric rate was about 15 percent above the national average. Electric customers in the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh metropolitan regions paid electric rates that were routinely around the 10 highest in the nation.

No Lack of Interest in US Energy Sector from Investors and Technology Firms

What I saw at the US and Japan conferences was very encouraging, especially if we really embrace the concept of an updated and restructured US and North American energy sector and markets. First, there is an enormous amount of money that would like to invest in the US energy sector from large and small private equity funds in the the US and abroad.

Women in Energy -- for a smile

Late Thursday, I received an email from my colleague Caren Byrd reminding me that March is Women in History Month. Many of us don't know the names of women who worked in the energy and electricity industry.

Thanks to Judith Warrick and Caren, we now have a better idea of what some of these women were faced with. Judith searched the web for names and came across short histories of five women who qualified and one that was just so sad and interesting she had to include it. Please share this with the women in your lives. Thanks.

Nora.

No Room for Mistakes in US Energy Sector Investment and Technology

The demand for capital investment in electric transmssion, distribution, generation, demand side management and smart grid technology are too great to make the same old mistakes. Yet a lack of regional planning in the US energy sector makes the likelihood of making big mistakes (wrong stuff, wrong place, too much/too little) a big risk. The solution may be better clarity by federal and State regulators on where they stand on new financial and technolgy entrants and programs they can establish to encourage innovation.

What Nora Brownell's been doing since leaving FERC

Since leaving the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in 2006, I have been traveling and participating in various energy infrastructure, financial and technology conferences in the US and Japan. These topics are of great interest to me and I hope to share some insights and views. Here's a brief break down of the subjects discussed at these conferences.

Nora Brownell appointed to Board at Comverge Inc.- Grid Reliability and DMS provider

On January 10, 2007, I was appointed to Comverge's Board of Directors. Comverge is a leading provider of clean energy solutions that enhance grid reliability. It also enable utilities to increase available electric capacity during periods of peak energy demand on a more cost-effective basis than conventional alternatives. Here is the Press Release.

On Where Shopping for a Power Company is Easiest

I've been quoted in an excellent article by Renuka Rayasam who covers the Small Business Scene for US News and World Report. Click on On Where Shopping for a Power Comapny is Easiest to read the article.