ScottMadden’s Todd Williams Presents at Infocast’s Transmission Summit

March 12, 2012 - PRLog -- ScottMadden, Inc., a leading North American energy consulting firm, recently sponsored Infocast’s 15th Annual Transmission Summit, held Wednesday, February 29–Friday, March 2, 2012 in Washington, D.C. This event explored strategies for dealing with the emerging regulatory environment.

Cristin Lyons, partner and leader of ScottMadden’s transmission, distribution, and smart grid practice, chaired the Forum while Rick Starkweather, partner, and Josef Niedermuller, managing associate, chaired two panel discussions. Todd Williams, director at ScottMadden, presented Supply Trends – What Are the Impacts on Transmission?  This discussion focused on important developments in generation and how they will impact transmission.

Below, SNL Energy editor, JP Finlay, provides a wrap-up of Williams’ presentation at Infocast’s Transmission Summit 2012 conference. Click here for a copy of Mr. Williams’ presentation, or SNL subscribers may access the full article here.

As the future of electric generation shifts from coal to natural gas, that impact will not bypass the transmission system, Williams said at the conference. “As we're swinging to gas, we have to look at dependence and try to see effects," he said. Williams listed weather crisis situations and insufficient pipeline capacity as possible issues. He also said the export of domestically produced natural gas could have an impact on U.S. natural gas markets.

Williams said generation portfolio diversity is important, and he expects new rules to emerge on hydraulic fracturing, as the U.S. EPA recently moved to increase its research budget on the drilling practice. The EPA's clean air rules also will force some current electric generation capacity to retire before planned, he said, and some of the retirements could change power flows and require more investments in transmission. "Supply uncertainty is at unprecedented levels," he said. "The mismatch in planning cycles between supply and transmission makes it unrealistic to think that when transmission comes on, supply will be there to meet it."

For nearly 30 years, ScottMadden has been a leader in energy consulting, serving more than 200 energy organizations, including 90% of the top 20. We have completed thousands of successful projects. We provide practical expertise in nuclear, fossil, renewables, transmission, distribution, smart grid, gas, regulatory, and a host of other areas. ScottMadden: exceptional quality; an exceptional consulting experience.

About ScottMadden, Inc.
ScottMadden is a management consulting firm delivering customized, practical solutions for clients in energy, clean tech and infrastructure, corporate and shared services, and the federal government. Our collaborative, small-team approach, coupled with deep content knowledge, experience, and insight, delivers an exceptional consulting experience and superior results. To learn more, visit www.scottmadden.com | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn

Media contact:
Mary Hall
maryhall@scottmadden.com
919-714-7628