Independent energy companies continually face regulatory changes and environmental concerns that affect their business. To compete successfully, you must keep up with independent electric company news. As new technology replaces so many independent power production operations, you have to keep up with the trends in order to receive the tax breaks and government grants that are available.

Follow the latest news about the laws and regulations that shape the independent power producer industry through publications that cover electric power producers. Consider all the new sources of energy and how you can tap into the business through affiliation with independent power production trade groups. Look for independent power producers news and trends in a variety of places.

1. Register for independent electric company news feeds for emerging energy technology.

2. Encourage your staff to find relevant publications for independent energy companies.

3. Join other professionals in trade groups for the independent power producer industry.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get RSS feeds and independent power company newsletters

There are new sources of energy being touted as the way of the future. While the market continues to offer these ideas, you should stay on alert for independent energy company newsletters that keep you informed of inventions and new ways of exploring the energy industry.

I recommend: Keep up with important trends by checking with the numerous publications and the newsletter of the consulting firm of IHS. Blogs and various news sources are offered through Inform’s Independent Power Producers News portal.

Make information gathering an important piece of your non-utility generation business

Encourage managers and all your staff to keep up with independent power production news and trends so that you can cover all the sources. Independent power company information can come from many sources that you don't have time to read.

I recommend: Participate in blog discussion and read articles about the financial issues facing the energy industry at Energy Investment Strategies. Cogeneration & On-Site Power Production offers authoritative articles on decentralized, non-utility power.

Participate in associations for a list of independent power producers

Show up at independent power company association meetings and conferences so that you can build important relationships with other professionals who can share important news and trends with you. By participating in the groups, you will hear about new sources of wind, solar and biofuel energy that are not even making the headlines yet.

I recommend: The Independent Power Producers of New York provides members with a roundup of news from relevant sources as well as news about members and specific issues that affect its members. Keep up with legal changes at all levels that affect independent power production through the resources provided by Independent Power Providers.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Keep a close eye on the political landscape to gather new information about which independent power company is receiving government grants. This can give you an idea of which way the tide is turning for independent power producers nationally and globally.

US independent power producers make energy that they sell to municipalities, farms and private businesses. The independent power production is meant to encourage the creation of non-traditional forms of energy, including wind, solar, renewable and nuclear sources. The federal government has mandated that states support the independent power producer industry by allowing towns and private business to offset utility costs with non-utility generation of energy through tax credits and reduction of utility costs.

Each state has enacted its own set of regulations governing the independent power producers, all within the federal guidelines. You should investigate your state’s rulings and proceed according to the direction they give. As renewable energy becomes more attractive, the availability of energy from independent energy companies and tax relief will exceed any upfront costs you may incur by setting up a contract with an independent energy company.

1. Familiarize yourself with the available options through a list of independent power producers

2. Offset current energy costs by contracting with independent energy companies

3. Support the independent energy companies through investment and trade

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use an independent power producer directory

To jumpstart your renewable energy alternatives, you should get educated about the amount of tax relief and savings you could enjoy from the switch. While you could spend an enormous amount of time reading the history of renewable energy and how it affects the businesses in your state, by utilizing a list of independent power producers, you can find a consultant who can get you tapped into the independent power producer industry quickly.

I recommend: Log Consulting offers businesses access to US independent power producers and consulting services, as well as up-to-date information about energy costs and changes in the independent power producer industry. The American Public Power Association is a good place to start to find information about independent power production.

Find an independent electric company to offset your energy costs

In addition to tax credits, you can find sources of alternative energy that are less expensive than your current utility provider. You also could participate in the global initiative to conserve energy and become greener. Environmentally conservative companies are using that moniker in their marketing campaigns more and more.

I recommend: Siemens is an independent power company that can bring power to your business through offshore wind turbines and gas turbines over long distances. RPL is an American subsidiary of London-based Renewable Power and Light. European independent energy companies are more advanced than US independent power producers and will continue to bring more avenues of renewable energy to this country through these kinds of partnerships as businesses demand more access to independent power production.

Invest resources in independent power production

As the demand grows, so will the profits in the independent power producer industry. While the independent energy company market may be more volatile and subject to market changes more so than the staid and solid utility companies we are accustomed to, the possible rewards are worth the risk. Using market data and predictions from reliable sources can help to ease your risk aversion as well.

I recommend: Enerdata compiles data for investors in the independent power company industry, as well as analysis of the data. JP Morgan runs a complete investor relations department focused on independent power producers. They track the independent power producer industry and other energy providers markets worldwide.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you are an entrepreneur looking for a new venture, the American independent power production industry is wide open for up and coming ventures. And you should have no trouble finding funding for an independent electric company.

An independent power producer, or non-utility generator, is an independent energy company that produces power to sell to customers. Independent energy companies were not typically used until the move to cleaner, sustainable energy began. Wind and solar power from independent power production can now be purchased by consumers with a long-term price guarantee.

Anyone who wants to work for an independent power company will need to learn about various types of power generation, how the technology works, and even in some cases how to sell a business on using an independent power producer instead of public utilities. Independent power producers education and training opportunities can be found through:

1. Training provided by US independent power producers or other utility training facilities.

2. Information provided by a manufacturer of energy equipment.

3. Seminars that introduce professionals to independent electric company news and trends.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Participate in training offered by an extensive list of independent power producers

Many independent power producers and energy organizations offer different types of training that are useful to independent power producers. These training sessions may take place in the classroom or through on-site education. Topics range from power conservation to project development and assessment.

I recommend: Z-Global provides classroom and on-site training options to help grow your independent power production business. Training includes everything from development to marketing. Independent Power Associates is a consulting firm that provides operator training and certification for those that work with independent power technology.

Attend seminars for the independent power producer industry

The independent power producer industry has many small and large power producers that meet to network and share information throughout the year. Many organizations hold events to teach members about the latest industry technology and management practices.

I recommend: Independent Electricity Consultants holds annual seminars to discuss topics in independent electricity markets that may be of interest to lawyers, ISO and those who market the electricity product. The Electricity Governance Initiative organizes many events throughout the year that cover many topics useful to independent power producers.

Utilize safety training for employees who work with non-utility generation

Safety is another vital training topic for anyone who works for an IPP. Safety courses teach professionals how to perform repairs and maintenance on utility systems in the safest way possible. These courses are designed for engineers, consultants and anyone else who works extensively with power systems.

I recommend: Electrical Safety Consultants International provides a team of safety trainers to teach OSHA safety standards. The Kilowatt Classroom provides detailed explanations of OSHA standards for electric work, as well as a one-day training seminar to meet the safety training requirement.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  As an independent energy producer, you will also need to learn about guidelines and regulations for pricing your product. The government regulates price to ensure affordability, and also to prevent wasted resources.

Independent power producers bring power to small areas, farms or businesses. Most independent power producers focus on non-traditional or more environmentally friendly forms of power production. All states regulate independent power producers in different ways, however the U.S. Government does have some regulations for these agencies. When you are looking for an independent power producer, review the independent power producers key terms to ensure that you know if the company is up to standards.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

PURPA

The Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act, or PURPA, is a U.S. Governmental act that encourages efficient and environmentally friendly polices in small public utility companies.

I recommend: Visit EnergyVortex.com to learn more about PURPA. The Union of Concerned Scientists also has information about the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act.

RPS

Renewable Portfolio Standards,or RPS, states that all energy companies must maintain a certain percentage of their energy usage from renewable energy. Every state has its own RPS that the energy companies must comply with.

I recommend: Visit RenewablePortfolioStandard.com for more about RPS. The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy website also has information about RPS.

JAA

A JAA, or joint action agency, is a state-authorized organization that provides for the energy needs of municipal electric utilities.

I recommend: The American Public Power Association website provides more information about JAAs.

APPA

The APPA, or the American Public Power Association, is an organization for community-owned power companies. The APPA strives to promote public knowledge of energy services and ensure reliable service.

I recommend: Find complete information at the American Public Power Association website. Read more about the APPA at the Alliance to Save Energy.

IOU

IOUs, or investor-owned utilities, are utility companies that are owned by those who invest in them. An investor-owned utility company can be as small as one home that uses a well or as large a major conglomeration that is traded in the stock market.

I recommend: EnergyVortex has more details about IOUs. Find details about investor-owned utility companies at the MuniNet Guide website.

NERC

NERC, or the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, is an agency that develops and enforces regulations for electric companies. The North American Electric Reliability Corporation is sometimes referred to as the North American Electric Reliability Council.

I recommend: Visit Hewlett-Packard to read more about the North American Electric Reliability Corporation. Discover complete information at the North American Electric Reliability Corporation website.