Power production involves the harnessing of nuclear, solar, wind, water, tidal and geothermal and hydrocarbon energy sources and converting those energy sources into useable electricity or other power through processing, and ultimately, distributing that power through transmission stations and other purveyors. It's estimated that one-third of the world's total energy power production goes to meet electricity demand and within two decades it will likely be 60%. In addition to assessing prices for numerous grades of power sources in North America, Europe and Asia, Platts reports on news, policy and regulation, carbon emissions, supply/demand and other factors affecting this energy sector. See electricity, coal, nuclear, policy, and other power sectors listed further below.
Sarah Cottle
Editorial Director
Power
Asia & EMEA
London
Brian Jordan
Editorial Director
Electricity, Coal & Natural Gas Markets
Washington, DC
Martin Daniel
Editor
Platts Power in Asia
London
Martin Burdett
Editor
Platts Energy in East Europe
London
Mike Wilczek
Senior Editor
Power Market Derivatives
Washington, DC
Eric Wieser
Markets Editor Electricity
Washington, DC
(hydro-power)
Henry Edwardes-Evans
Managing Editor
Platts Power in Europe
London
Electricity is the lifeblood of modern economies, powering not only homes and businesses but also the communication technologies that are increasingly changing how people interact. Platts covers electric power as a commodity in itself in North America, Europe and Asia, as well as the fuels that produce power: mainly nuclear, coal and natural gas, and the renewable sources that represent a growing segment of the production mix. The electricity sector accounts for a large proportion of total global use of natural gas and coal, especially in developing markets such as Asia.
The distinguishing feature of electricity is its real-time nature. Unlike the fuel sources that produce it, power cannot be stored in large commercial quantities (except in hydropower reservoirs, a fact that makes hydro a unique and valuable power source in many places.) The generation, transmission and consumption of electricity is thus a complex system that requires finely-tuned engineering and, where there are competitive markets for it, a sometimes equally complex system for buying and selling it. With carbon dioxide (CO2) regulation a growing prospect in the United States and an expensive reality in Europe, power generation investment decisions have added enormous new challenges to the industry.
Mike Wilczek
Senior Editor
Power Market Derivatives
Washington, DC
Brian Jordan
Editorial Director
Electricity & Natural Gas Markets
Washington, DC
Henry Edwardes-Evans
Managing Editor
Platts Power in Europe
London
Martin Daniel
Editor
Platts Power in Asia
London
Coal, a fossil fuel, is a readily combustible rock and the largest source of fuel used to generate electricity worldwide. About 50% of the power used in the United States and about 33% of the power used in Europe is generated by coal. It is plentiful and relatively inexpensive to mine, transport and burn, which is why so many power plants use coal for their daily operations, called baseload power. In addition to price assessments of dozens of US and international steam/thermal and coking coals markets, Platts provides news and information on market factors, electric power issues, mining activity, and environmental regulations and seaborne freight rates (the latter, supplied by third parties) that could enhance or devalue coal as a commodity on a global basis. Coal-fired power generation is one of the world's largest sources of carbon dioxide emissions. It's double that of natural gas, and followed closely by coal seam gas—also known as coal bed methane—which is natural gas bonded to coal particles. As world governments and industry debate climate change and its solutions, the electric power and coal industries are jointly searching for ways to further reduce emissions and develop the technological means to reduce, capture carbon dioxide and store it. Developing commodity technologies and alternatives include carbon capture and storage, coal seam gas and coal bed methane. For more information, see the carbon emissions section.
James O'Connell
Managing Editor
Platts International Coal Report
Singapore
Regina Johnson
Managing Editor
U.S./Americas Coal
Washington, DC
The global nuclear power industry has yet to realize its envisioned "renaissance," but energy companies continue to lay the groundwork to allow them to move ahead with new reactor construction. The effort is being driven by renewed interest in the technology amid increased concerns about global warming, energy security, and heightened demand for electricity. About 440 operating power reactors provide about 15% of global electricity. In addition to news and information on nuclear power generation, refueling outages, other supply/demand aspects of the nuclear power market, Platts assesses the forward range of expected transactions in the global physical uranium market (the feedstock for nuclear generation) for the week ahead.
As of early 2009, more than 30 reactors are planned or in various stages of construction worldwide and some 30 new reactors are anticipated in the United States over the next decade. Worldwide, most nuclear power plant owners are making heavy investments in equipment and human resources to prepare for plant operating lives of up to 80 years. There are still concerns about the disposal of highly radioactive waste from spent fuel, but even some environmentalists have become more accepting of nuclear power because it avoids carbon emissions.
Ann MacLachlan
European Bureau Chief
Nuclear Publications
Paris
(English & French languages)
Tom Harrison
Chief Editor
Nuclear
Washington, DC
Claire-Louise Isted
Senior Editor
Platts Nucleonics Week
London