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Oklo and Siemens Energy Sign Agreement to Accelerate Power Conversion System for New SMR in Idaho

LCG, November 19, 2025--Oklo Inc. and Siemens Energy announced today that the parties have signed a binding contract for the design and delivery of the power conversion system for Oklo’s Aurora-INL (Idaho National Laboratory) nuclear small modular reactor (SMR). The agreement authorizes Siemens Energy to begin engineering and design work to expedite procurement of long-lead components and to initiate the manufacturing process for the power conversion system. Oklo’s expertise in advanced fission technology will be combined with Siemens Energy’s extensive industry experience with steam turbine and generator systems, with the ultimate goal of generating carbon-free, reliable electricity.

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NERC's New Winter Reliability Assessment Raises Concerns for Elevated Risk of Insufficient Supplies to Meet Demand in Extreme Operating Conditions

LCG, November 19, 2025--NERC yesterday released its 2025–2026 Winter Reliability Assessment (WRA), which concludes "much of North America is again at an elevated risk of having insufficient energy supplies to meet demand in extreme operating conditions." The WRA does state that resources are adequate for normal winter peak demand, but extended, wide-area cold snaps will be challenging.

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Industry News

FERC Finds Market Abuse During Western Crisis

LCG, August 14, 2002-The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission released a report today citing evidence of electricity and gas market abuse by energy companies during California's energy crisis of 2000/2001.

FERC found evidence that Enron Power Marketing Inc., Avista, and El Paso Electric may have engaged in market manipulation. The federal regulator has begun formal investigation of these three companies as well as Enron Capital and Trade Resources Corp. and Portland General Electric.

The five companies are reportedly cooperative with FERC's investigations, and Avista has asserted its participation in proper market practices.

Unlike FERC's hands-off approach to California's crisis during the state's severe electricity shortage, the regulator is now more than willing to acknowledge the possibility of market abuse. Californian officials hope that FERC will make findings that will allow for refunds to consumers. A hearing held by a FERC administrative law judge will begin sometime soon regarding exactly how much in refunds should be mandated.

According to Donald Gelinas, commission market, tarrifs, and rate office director, "[FERC] found a lot of strange behavior that affected natural gas prices."

The report asserted that gas price reporting used during the crisis was flawed. Industry surveys used to report prices did not use statistically correct methods and could be manipulated, it said.

Other reported problems with the market included the state's market structure, which FERC says allowed for prices to rise in an unreasonable way.

Although many in California are excited about the report and FERC's change of heart, Governor Gray Davis called the report a "whitewash," asserting that the agency did not do nearly enough.

"FERC is impotent. FERC is anemic. FERC is spineless," he said.

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