Research Writing

Find a newspaper or internet article about how new technologies are disrupting electricity markets or the utility business model. Sources would include major newspapers (New York Times, Wall Street Journal) as well as some industry web sites like Greentech Media, Utility Dive, RTO Insider, Power Magazine, Public Utilities Fortnightly, and IEEE Spectrum or IEEE Power and Energy Magazine. Once you choose your article, write up a couple of paragraphs. One paragraph should describe what you learned from the article. A second paragraph should be some original thoughts. For example, if the article is describing a technology or demonstration project you could discuss how it might be disruptive to markets or business models. If your article is describing the impact that wind and solar are having on the power grid, you might discuss whether you agree or disagree with the article's conclusions, and why.