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Issues concerning the importance of the accurate notification of bad weather to the system restoration administrators of electric utilities are presented. Private weather companies are used to monitor and predict the weather.

Electricity distribution companies are investing in technology to improve their efficiency and performance. Some of the heaviest investment is in support solutions for field service engineers.

The ice storm which swept Quebec and Ontario in Jan 1998 was highly destructive that most power transmission lines in the area suffered massive damages, creating a long-term outage. Rescuers spent about 16 hours to improve the area's condition and restore facilities.

The industry groups, politicians, regulators and others have raised the call for new investment in transmission, as the investment in the grid has trended steadily downward since 1989. Equity funds, pension funds, construction companies as well as operation and maintenance companies might be willing to invest in new transmission if they could obtain a stable profit of regulated returns.

The implementation of high standards of engineering design and maintenance will reduce the extent and number of unplanned outages. The benefits of implementing an automated mapping system are discussed.

The successful purchase of PacifiCorp's electric utility in Montana by the Flathead Electric Cooperative is greatly attributed to the field and office workers. These workers were responsible for ironing out details in the processes, standards and techniques.

The goal of interconnecting Europe's power systems continues to progress, albeit at a slow pace due to technical and political differences. German electric utility Vereinigte Elektrizitatswerke is tasked to head retrofits and new construction for the region towards the year 2000.

The New England Power Exchange installed a security upgrade system (SUS) to solve problems with obsolescence and security in its energy management system. Careful planning was the key to the successful implementation of the SUS.

Issues are presented concerning the implementation of retail electricity competition in Texas. The scheme is to be launched on June 1, 2001 and will affect 5% of consumers. The blackouts experienced in California are discussed.

Arizona Public Service Co. implemented a re-engineering program in 1994 to regain control of its transmission and distribution projects. Through this re-engineering program, the utility was able to improve its flexibility and become more responsive to customer needs.

Portland General Electric Co now uses a turnkey approach to complete its electric power transmission and distribution projects. By contracting out the substation design and construction process, the utility is able to learn new and advanced concepts in project management.

The issue of DSM was one of the topics discussed at the Jun 1992 demand-side energy conference in Denver, CO. Research reveals that electrotechnologies are more fuel-efficient than fuel-burning technologies.

Voltage reduction lessens reactive power demand and stabilizes transmission voltages. Such beneficial effect remains as long as the voltage is maintained at a reduced level. In addition, voltage reduction is capable of decreasing load for only a short duration of time.

Independent power producers who decide to purchase foreign privatized assets may be vulnerable to some problems such as culture shock, outbreaks and unfamiliar climate. They are also likely to encounter difficulties on regulatory and legal structures.