Nov/Dec Issue-A Treat for Readers and Editors

摘要

I've mentioned before that Electric Light & Power magazine's November/December issue is one of the most anticipated of the year. This is true for not only our readers, but for the editorial staff, too. I look forward every fall to receiving the power plant operating performance tables from Tom Hewson, principal at Energy Ventures Analysis Inc. I'm reminded each year that all forms of electricity generation in the U.S. are interdependent and that a change in one area affects the entire generation fleet. When you read the operating performance article that begins on Page 18, you'll learn that in 2013, a 35 percent increase in the average spot price of natural gas affected power plant dispatch order, resulting in a slight increase in coal-fired generation and a decrease in gas-fired combined-cycle generation. This is the first time we've seen coal-fired generation increase since 2010, as well as the first time natural gas generation has declined since 2008. You'll read in the article why this trend likely will not continue.