Currently, the power industry is experiencing profound changes that pose a number of uncertainties for electric utilities. Now, utility executives must consider new business models, become acquainted with new industry participants, and understand the new roles emerging for technology, customers, and regulators. The original question of “will these changes happen” has changed to, “when” and “how fast” they will occur.

This issue, Electricity Today Magazine examines a fundamental shift already occurring in the electric industry’s “license to do business” and “participants in the game”, and sets forth frameworks electric utilities may consider as they transition to new business models to confront the challenges and seize the opportunities that lie ahead.