Class of 2007

This time each year we hear from Washington on the “State of the Union” and from our hometowns on the “State of the State”. World-Gen’s Class of 2007 brings us the “State of Energy.”

Rick Smith sees U.S. demand for new capacity at 15-20 gws a year. Bechtel is controlling costs by offering “one-stop shopping.”

John Krenicki envisions technology and diversity as the two keys for GE’s global energy market. The CEO wants the industry to focus more on efficiencies.

Emerson is working with contractors in a front-end collaboration. CEO Yeager delivers 95 percent customer satisfaction from a tenured work-force averaging 20 years of service.

Siemens launched a new operating group for environmental services. John Wilson will use Siemens global network in 190 countries to add to its portfolio of exhaust cleanup products.

World-Gen was the representative U.S. publication invited by UKTI to report on the Carbon Trust’s, Marine Energy Challenge. Sir Alan Collins sees the UK leading the world’s efforts in marine energy technology.

Utilities can leverage assets with multi-use networks. Sharon Allan is the president of Elster Integrated Solutions, a new unit that delivers solutions across gas, electric and water.

Wartsila has filled a niche in power generation between baseload and peaking. Frank Donnelly calls it “flexible power” and over 35 gws are in operation around the world.

PIC and Marubeni launched PMEG in late 2005 to provide O and M services to power plants of all technologies globally. President Tom Paul said PMEG has filled the gap, whether it’s turnkey services or O and M staffing, and gained the “trust.”

Hitachi spends $5 billion annually on research and development in the world market. CEO Hank Bartoli sees new products entering the US market for IGCC, AQCS, renewables and nuclear.

PJM operates as an RTO for 51 million people in 13 states and D.C. COO Audrey Zibelman is evaluating 10 transmission proposals totaling $10 billion in new investments.

Alstom believes the market will dictate the best technology. CEO Tim Curran is seeing the highest pace of construction and retrofit in the US in 30 years.

Skip Bowman, CEO of the Nuclear Energy Institute, wants the industry to address closing the nuclear fuel cycle and start licensing Yucca Mountain. The industry will spend $2 billion to set the stage for building advanced design reactors.

Capgemini launched the “Smart Energy Alliance” to help utility customers achieve and maintain a competitive advantage in their distribution operations. Doug Houseman is explaining next generation distribution in weekly workshops.

John Hofmeister, CEO of Shell Oil, pointed out that the U.S. makes up four and a half percent of the world’s population and uses 25 percent of the world’s oil and gas. Shell is conducting a grassroots 50-city tour to discuss energy efficiency, national education programs in schools and treating ghg as a national rather than a state issue.

World-Gen and other media toured Caterpillar’s, Lafayette, Indiana facility. Bill Rohner puts forth three trends driving the market.

Jennifer Kreischer, PWC’s partner for US Power saw Europe and Asia-Pacific outpace the North American market in deal activity in 2006. She forecasts a continued interest in renewables and clean energy.

Dan DuBois tells us only one in ten proposed wind farms get built nationally. Permitting and community support are key to the success of projects.

Matt Cheney and his team at MMA Renewable Ventures pioneered new models for third party financing for solar projects. Solar’s inherently long life time translates into attractive PPA’s.

Yakout Mansour is Cal-Iso’s third president responsible for providing electricity to 30 million Californians. Mansour just released his 2007 Transmission Plan calling for a regional strategic approach.

Secretary of Energy Sam Bodman is tasked with increasing America’s energy portfolio and promoting energy efficiency. He wants to include renewables, nuclear and coal technologies and upgrade the grid.