Free speech in India

Amit Varma's India Uncut has a very thoughtful article. As I gear up for my visit to India in 5 years - there are several things I will get present to. Not the least of which I am sure will be the incidents of Nandigram - which keeps me reminding - that behind the veil of Tom Friedman's India there is the core that most of us have known over the years - growing up. Like it or not, that India is changing at a very slow pace.

Perils of solo-sailing

I am not a sailor. Nor am I comfortable challenging myself against nature. And that's probably why I am so intrigued and awed by those who do so. Why do people risk their lives? What are they accomplishing? Especially, those who have meaningful jobs and loads of accomplishments in much more sane "real" world.

Take for example, Jim Gray. Turing award winner (considered the Nobel prize in Computer Science) gone missing earlier this year.

I recently watched Deep Water. A fascinating documentary/movie on the perils of solo-sailing and how the indifferent sea can impact the human mind in solitude. Though I will never fathom what draws people like Jim to such adventures, but I did get some insights through this movie. Highly recommended.

Trusted Advisor

I have still not figured out a way to kinda balance all the things that are in my plate and so blogging has not seeped its way into my laundry list of activities. So amidst traveling between Charlotte and Chicago and DC in between - classes, seminars, homeworks - not to mention happy hours and Diwali parties all seem to fight for its due place in my calendar. So, I am still iterating different possibilities to find the right mix - my version of the "golden mean". There are so many thoughts racing my mind and so many topics to write about in a way has been acting more as deterrent by jamming my head rather than providing food to pen. So one thing at a time.

Last weekend I had the good fortune of attending Prof Hitendra Wadwa's strategy consulting bootcamp which was a memorable experience. As I have been consulting for a while and encounter different people with varied views on what consulting is and consulting should be, it was quite refreshing to find what he had to say especially in the area of buying in the support of the client and key stake holders. The role of trust as being the paramount force in getting your advice heard and accepted by the client. In this regard, I learned about David Maister's book "The trusted advisor". I have gone through the first pass of the book and it is quite an interesting read the changing nature of consulting (for that matter any high-end professional service). How one moves from a mere service provider to a trusted advisor. The central idea being the role of trust and relationship with the client in building long term business proposition. In a way going back to "conversation", "relationship", and within that relationship enact a business transaction. The book really throws light into what distinguishes subject matter consultants from general management/strategy consultants.

The book is an enjoyable read. As with any soft skill - developing and mastering it is not easy and quantifiable. But what distinct ordinary consultants from extraordinary is the mastery in the art of relationship building, bonding, and intimacy with the client. David Maister's blog is here. I will explore more into this area. As David points out at every step - as with personal life , in professional life to offer advice and to see that the advice is realized, one has to earn the right to offer advice first. And just because the client is paying you does not automatically give that right to you. Like a personal relationship, connection at an emotional level is necessary.

Back to writing

For the last couple of months - several changes have been taking away my attention. And somehow I realized how in installments my entire day is getting consumed. Well, one aspect of my life that has become really interesting is my back-to-school venture. I joined U of Chicago GSB for my MBA and so far has been quite an interesting experience. In vein of Chicago GSB and me writing this blog again, I cant help myself from linking to neat article on I,Pencil, a very well-written essay on free markets. Check this here.

Buy vs Build vs Opensource in confusedofcalcutta.com

JP makes some interesting points (as always) in his post in confusedofcalcutta.com while discussing when to build vs. buy vs. Opensource software. He goes on to say the staff in an IT department should devote their time in accordance with the problem they are solving. And then, the part that set me thinking was -

“You see, the primary reason why “proprietary” companies get upset with things like opensource is because they’re fighting a losing battle. They want us to pay a premium for the solutions to our common problems, because that’s their business model.”

I couldn’t agree with him more. But I also think that we cannot entirely presuppose that it is because of a favorable already-in-place business model that’s causing them to be leery and in many ways upset with the thought of Opensource. A major part of the problem is defining the problem itself and having a better understanding of what we are trying to solve. In other words, does the internal IT department and the vendors understand whether it is a common problem, rare problem, or a unique problem in the first place? Is the solution going to be generic and can be applied to others in the industry? Is it applicable across industry? And so on. To answer these questions folks in the IT departments need not only internal awareness and understanding of their own problem but also need to know what’s going on outside their organization in other places. Sharing of information through industry networks and participation in such communities (including Opensource as JP mentioned) becomes very important to obtain and get educated in this information. It requires management commitment and incentives for the staff to participate in these forums. In my work life, over the last few years, I have found there is a gradual decrease of participants from utility companies (including IT department) in industry conferences, workgroups, and even in the standardization processes for a variety of reasons – most common of those are motivated by cost cutting and evaporation of an incentive program for staff to engage in these activities. Most of the participants these days represent vendors or consulting companies. It is interesting to see that this lack of information and external awareness is correlated to loss of power with vendors in seeking solutions or even buying systems and services. By the same token, a few leading utilities leverage tremendous buying power with vendors driving the vendors to innovate and incorporate features and even not paying any premium simply because they could justify that the problems are not unique as being claimed by the vendor. So while it is important to focus on the nature of our solutions, it is equally important to understand the problem. And the role of industry communities, knowledge groups, sharing of information, relationships, and conversations are vitally important at the problem side of the equation as well.

My down time

I have been taking a break from writing this blog. I will be back in the first week of August. Apart from my day job, I am enjoying summer in DC. Beach, aimless reading, and photography. And of course hanging out with all my friends. I will be back here soon.

Bengalis and Fish

Being a Bengali, I cannot culturally separate myself from fish and rice. Today, Salon has an interesting article that resonates with my chords. Here it is.

Today's news

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From Life gives you lemons.

BTW, I love Apple. I think iPhone is cool. But, when I had to buy a new cell phone last week, I bought the Nokia N75. Had too many open ifs and buts with the iPhone.

Google Street View

I just tried out the new Google Streetview feature. I was awed. Sometime back while giving directions to a group of friends I was struggling through explaning all the detours because of all the construction work that is going around. It became quite obvious that the plan view of street maps had its limitiations. After all we don't drive using the plan view. I was wondering - how nice if we had an elevation view in road maps - which showed buldings and landmarks - just the view we get while we drive. I thought about going around taking pictures from the nearest subway stop to my apartment which will be a good half a dozen pics for a 5 minute walk. I cannot imagine that Google has actually ventured to implement this. It is available for some cities now. But to step out in that direction is all about thinking huge and considering it is all in the art of the possible. Remarkable!

Voyerism and Blogosphere

Tom Friedman writes (subscription required) about how persistence of information makes our life open to rest of the world. Google my name and you will get a sense of what I have done. My real life is out there for people and yeah, if I screw up - it's written in stone forever. Well, what Friedman writes about is an ongoing discussion which some people have come to understand faster than the others. Others will come upto speed - eventually. For some, unfortunately, it will come rather painfully. The kicker is - that "learning from your own mistakes" this time may prove very costly - since getting a second chance once your reputation is tarnished and stored in the internet can be impossible to be undone. So - as some people do - get smart. Learn from other's mistakes and to kick up a notch learn to pre-emept possible problems and prevent such situations. It is critical that as individuals, as groups, as companies, as communities - we run ourselves - as we are being watched, taped, and tapped. While I was growing up, my mom used to say the "eyes of the invisble" (you may call it God) sees everything, knows everything. As time and age drove me to pursue questions of life, existence, and Woody Allen movies - I got sucked into philosophical explorations of voyerism. Well, movies opened this question for the first time. But now, with the pervasive availability of such information - the reality is omnipresent. My past is my present (as Friedman says). The power of the invisible is real. Deal with the voyerism - or perish. We can't hide ourselves anymore.

China's Universal Cellphone Charger and Regulation

I bought a new cellphone last week. After some shopping around, I finally decided on Nokia N75. After one week, I must admit I am liking it a lot. But the most annyoing aspect is that I have to carry one more charger with me. When I travel, I have my blackberry, a laptop, an iPod, and my cell phone. Each has its own charger and so often do I stumble and freak out - just to keep track of each one. How many times have I wondered how nice it would be if there were one universal charger. No more becoming paranoid whether I have forgetten it in my hotel rooms or forgotten to bring them along.

The Chinese government has definitely heard from people like me and have come up with this regulation. Universal cell phone charger. How cool is that? When will US follow suit? How come Chinese ministry can think of such regulation. One possible reason may be that Information minister has a background in engineering. It is quite impressivee to see how many top leaders in Chinese government have engineering degrees. Who knows! May be that's the key to getting a universal charger. User convenience precedes over user captivity.

Facebook?

There is quite a buzz around Facebook and I was not quite getting the long and short of it. Why? Well, this post from Marc Andreessen explains quite a bit.

Seth's Drivers

Seth Godin writes about different kinds of drivers in organizations. Read it here.

Energy and Happiness

Several years back, the King of Bhutan coined the term Gross National Happiness. Here's an interesting take on how energy consumption relates to happiness. Read it here.

Enforceable NERC standards

Finally, the NERC standards for reliability have become enforceable. This will translate to dollars being spent in conformance programs and will involve IT spending. While different stakeholders will surely have different opinions and views on how to deal with this requirement, there is no doubt that this is some work that needs to be done. It will be interesting how it unfolds. here's another article. Also, the FERC reliability site has important info.

For full disclosure - I consult utilities in the area of regulatory compliance.

Internet still not there...

Stephen Lewis has an interesting point that only a small stock of knowledge and information resides in the internet and that too it is not well stocked. A visit to my local public library proves this point. Taking his view a bit tangentially, many a writer or a journalist kids himself that wheeling through the internet will substitute the dusty wheels and heat of travelling through the Sahara to cover a story. Well, the good ones don't, and the good ones will not do so in near future. It will take a while for the internet to get there...

Failure as an option

Hugh has this nice post. Failure stinks but I can't deny that I have learned much more - whether it is about software, people, projects, or relationships from failures than from anything else. When others say such stuff - I sometimes feel it is an overused cliche'. But when I look into my life and see it closely - I agree it is true. Rock on Hugh...

HBSWK cites greater need for general managers in energy

HBS working knowledge highlights the importance of general managers in energy who are able to appreciate the different cross-connects between various disciplines. Those who can cut across entire value chain of generation to distribution. And across diverse generation methods, environmental challenges, and financial requirements. Read it here.

Sopranos ending...

[spoiler ahead]

I had to wait a good 4 hours until I confirmed it was not my TV or cable that crashed right at the end. By the time I got back something, acknowlegments were on. Anyway, such an ending was way out of my imagination. Seems like David Chase did something similar to what Michale Haneke did with Cache'. The idea being - it is not director's job to settle all plots and answer everything. It is upto the audience to keep thinking. Although, the ending baffled me for several hours, the more I think about it - the more I like it. No moral statements, no judgment calls, non-pedantic, and quite intense. Simply remarkable!

Info Aggregation

I am considering buying a property and have been using zillow (I don't think we can say zillowing as yet) quite a bit. A very good example of information aggregation where I can check a particular location, check real estate prices, whether they are up for sale, prospective real estate agents, and so on. Some of the places are quite old and I have been wondering how about electric utilities and also water supply companies allowing us to access what the typical utility bills are. If they are listening, listen to what Dr. Weinberger has to say "If you love your information set it free"

Fermat's last theorem

Here's a great documentary:

Fairfax increases wind energy purchase

Earlier this month, my home county announced some significant steps to be eco-friendly. Can't help wondering - if things are difficult to do in Washington, you can do it in Fairfax or Arlington or Montgomery.

In lighter vein

Bumped across this Monty Python skit in Youtube. Below is an excerpt of what the commentator say. I like the remark on Marx. Brilliant!

Nietzsche receives a yellow card after claiming that "Confucius has no free will"; "Name go in book" says Confucius. The Germans dispute the call; "Hegel is arguing that the reality is merely an a priori adjunct of non-naturalistic ethics, Kant via the categorical imperative is holding that ontologically it exists only in the imagination, and Marx is claiming it was offside." When viewing the replay it is clear that goal was offside and Marx was correct in his dissent.

Update: There is an entry in the wikipedia

Conversations on Electric Power

The British government released the Energy White Paper after some hiccups. The highlights are government’s strategy in the area of nuclear energy which almost echoes the discussion that’s pervading in US. Nuclear energy has its plate full of challenges, some of which I have attempted to capture in this blog. It is noteworthy why the white paper was delayed. It was because Greenpeace managed to force the government through court action into a “forced consultation” and public participation in such an important process. It is interesting that the courts have to mediate in such matters and remind governments whom exactly they are serving.

One of the statements that stuck out - “The government wants to boost energy efficiency and change lifestyles, to cut rising energy demand and carbon emissions.” Change lifestyles? I ask how? While change seems inevitable, we cannot think about change without considering the pain that comes along with it. And when change is forced upon by the governmental people react in two ways in a democracy. Either people support or they resist. In matters relating to how we will use electricity in future, in spite of all our best intentions, change is not easy. Whether it is getting used to living near a nuclear power plant or worrying about when it will be cheaper to switch on our dishwashers or do our laundry. Given the harshness of the truth that whatever we do we will disturb the general public, governments are treading on sensitive waters here and is evident that most governments are not daring to catch the bull by its horns to avoid a political suicide. The responsibility of changing our lives to align with the challenges of climate change is thus being vested on lone rangers and independent spirits who are doing it on their own. Ironically, while the British government was working on the white paper, BP canceled its green project citing delays in government commitments for financial incentives for green power.

It is not just about UK government. It is not in any one entity's capacity to bring in behavioral, cutural, or institutional changes without engaging the public. Just to digress a little bit here - everyone talks about how internet has changed our lives. I ask - do we realize how this was possible.

If Internet is a computing grid, it is similar in concept to the power grid. However, it is interesting to note why the power grid is an epitome of centralized power while the internet is free – as in no one person exercises ownership, everyone can plug an play, and add stuff to make it richer, better, and more useful. And the more I think about it I am reminded of the Cluetrain Manifesto. Internet brought in a cultural change because it was a free platform for amorphous development of ideas, rapid execution, and permission-less mindset all combined to propell this chaotic but phenomenal change.

The power grid has been just the opposite. Regulated utilities that have tried to control power, authority, and information as much as possible. As a consumer, I don’t have choices of services, forget service providers. I don’t even know how I am getting charged, so on and so forth. Working within a utility – there is a pervasive lets-not-do-anything mindset that shuns from rocking the boat. Status quo is the mantra as opposed to playing out new ideas. Human beings need stuff to play with and it is from playing and exploring that cool things come out. Cost effective green energy, realistic nuclear waste disposal programs, or innovative power project financing schemes have better chances of cropping up in an environment where more “consultation” and “trial and error” mindset is promoted. Then there are secondary effects. Platforms that provide intellectual freedom tend to attract smarter people and better human talent. Given the falling enrollment rates of students in power programs in Universities this may be another benefit serious enough not to overlook.

Let’s not lose sight of the ball here. While Hollywood stars are driving Priuses to the Oscar night, Tom Friedman is writing incessantly about going green in The New York Times, teenagers and college kids IMing each other about saving the planet with solar and wind, it is equally important that we allow honest conversations leading to actual implementation of these ideas in energy sector. Rather than throwing mud on government efforts, spin doctoring scientific assertions as established truths or work of fiction, and making a living by stalling every new idea in the name of “regulation” or “security” – we need to stop people-stereotyping that destroys honest debate. I would like to see more debates on nuclear waste. What should the number of years that we should plan for in Yucca mountain? 100 years, 10,000, or 1 million years. Should customers pay more for electricity? Is it artificially priced? Is it low or high? What are all the negative externalities? How do we price them? Should we allow decentralized power as alternatives to central generation? We need better arguments better rebuttals. I don’t want to see those “going green” being characterized as ultra-liberal tree-hugging hippies. Or, those people in suits championing nuclear or talking in favor of utilities or oil companies as self-absorbed money making machines; or, a cross between Wall Street and Washington conservative who don’t care about poor people. Or, snub one who seems to be all set to cause nuclear accidents, or plummet property prices of areas if I choose to live near a nuclear plant or oil refinery. At the end - the media needs to stop pretending that the next report or next solution that comes from a government or corporate release will solve all problems. And then beat the hell out of some words that were written or spoken.

Let’s go and do something meanigful. If it fails let's agree we will do something else. Let the collective process work and figure out. Who knows what the next magic bullet is. Nuclear or solar or tide or clean coal – or something completely different that we as individuals cannot comprehend now. Let an honest conversation begin.

Australia: Water shortages leading to higher electricity prices

The water crises in Australia is now affecting the electricity prices. Futures are up to the extent that prices of electricity are tipped to double in South Australia. See here.

Jonathan Coulton, an outcome of Web 2.0

Last Sunday, The New York Times Magazine ran an article about Jonathan Coulton. Coulton quit his day job as a programmer and now is a full-time singer/artist. Read the article how he has used the internet - myspace and blogs to create a community to launch his new career. The NYT writer poses:

"Will the internet change the type of person who becomes a musician or writer? It’s possible to see these online trends as Darwinian pressures that will inevitably produce a new breed — call it an Artist 2.0 — and mark the end of the artist as a sensitive, bohemian soul who shuns the spotlight. In “The Catcher in the Rye,” J. D. Salinger wrote about how reading a good book makes you want to call up the author and chat with him, which neatly predicted the modern online urge..."

Well, there is no doubt where things are heading. We are just scratching the surface of two-way communication and realization of collaborative creation and development. What does this mean for businesses? What does this mean for individuals with a record or a book plot in mind? Is this a trend and a sustainable template for similar success or just a fleeting fad? Do the old rules still apply - that some people will just be lucky? One thing that open sourcing from community to create music, art, or software keeps telling me is: there are generous people out there and they are willing to gift their time and talent to see others realize their success. Call it Maslow's self-actualization or anything, sourcing that side of human nature certainly reaps benefits beyond conventional belief. And internet is making it more possible each day.

Oh, I find his CodeMonkey pretty cool. Here.

Comment on confusedofcalcutta Uploading Text

I wrote a comment to JP’s post to which Stephen weighed in and expanded. As the web progresses this will be an ongoing conversation. Security vs. freedom. The embrace of new technology has a particular characteristic. It has been tied to the ease of its use - even when the technology is not perfect. The choice of Windows operating system over Unix is a good example. Ten years ago, I began my career porting power plant control software from Unix platforms to Windows. Why? A simple reason. Windows based system was easy to learn and use for power plant operators. This decision was a tough decision that most of us did not like. Another example is what David Weinberger in Everything is Miscellaneous talks about how Tim Berners-Lee’s brilliant decision to keep things simple with HTML catapulted internet’s growth to where it is now in just a few years. When we are in this riding tide of progress and development, we don’t want to see a red stop sign. We don’t want lawyers and security experts or for that matter anybody to caution us or forbid us. We hate security. Then comes some jerk who invents a computer virus, a freak who breaks in to a sensitive system, or a sociopath who post nasty messages and causes harm. We are alarmed. We start locking our doors and windows by creating accounts and passwords and installing anti-viruses. We start encrypting our data packets and suddenly the network that was running so fast now slows down as it spends more time encrypting and decrypting, thus carrying less real information than it used to do before during that given time. Stephen mentions about how creation of Department of Homeland Security is retrograde from our movement from Dept. of War to Dept. of Defense. Take for instance the long queues in airport security after 9/11. Many business travelers like me still hate it but I have gotten used to it. If you ask a random grandma in the airport, who does not run against a tight schedule, she’d probably tell that she is happy because she feels safer. I cant deny that in some corner of my mind I feel the same way. I think as in real life, in internet too, we will always confront diverse opinions on how much security and how much openness will be allowed. In Web 2.0, world views about what sort of conversations are harmful and needed to be restricted for “security” reasons. There will always be people who will differ in their positions. Conversations surrounding issues like change in military policy will take place for a while and settle to an equilibrium point like the way a page in wikipedia stops from changes until the point when something happens and disturbs the equilibrium. It is too farfetched (and utopian) to think that our real world will replicate the possibilities of Web 2.0 world entirely, albeit all of its good intentions. Nor will the Web 2.0 world squeeze and morph into another reflection of the real world. Both will change and are changing as we keep swinging from one to the other. Eventually we will find the temporary mean position. Needless to say, I am looking forward to this exciting journey.

Black Swan re-visited

Few days ago, I mentioned about reading Nassim Taleb 's Black Swan. I began with the hope that it would be exciting. While it was worth reading once, I was hoping for a bit more. The 400 pages were a bit too long for the thesis of the book. For someone who has grown up with some exposure to oriental philosophy the importance of "luck" in life and the fact that one cannot predict future based on past are moot. To refresh the importance of luck in life (assuming it encopasses business life) I would rather watch Woody Allen's Crimes and Misdemeanors and Match Point.

Auditing Grid Performance Not Enough

Come summer and people in the utilities start panicking of power shortages and potential blackouts. Media begin to get energized around reports such as the one here. Old transformers, stressed grid, and the list goes on. One always hear diverse viewpoints - not the least of them is the assurance that things are not as bad they sound. Like it or not, a seemingly technical problem always sees its resolution through a PR gymnastic contest. The mantra is: As long as something bad does not happen, it is fine. I would like to pause here and ponder on this for a moment. What are we saying here? Isn't is almost like waking up in the morning and telling that as long as I am alive when I go bed, I am happy. Maybe in a philosophical or mystical sense, it is acceptable, but in real world, when we as engineers start looking at the world with these glasses, then we literally kiss goodbye to creativity, innovation, and ways to make our lives richer and better. How did we get such a mindset? More importantly, when have we made "not-as-bad-as-could-be" become equal to "as-good-as-it-can-get" in our utilities. One of the reasons this happens is when we choose mediocrity over excellence. It happens when we prefer status-quo over change. It happens when we don't do anything because no one else is doing. It happens when more people tell us what to do and control our destiny rather than giving us the choice and freedom to think and implement new ideas. And it happens when we forget who we are serving and why we are in the business. And I believe this is the crux of the problem. Some say utilities are being overly regulated and their performance measured in ways that are bordering ridiculous. Regulators believe if utilities do not handle themselves causing societal problems like the 2003 blackout, public policy makers have to intervene. Both have substance in the argument. Take the audits as an example. When there are too many people wearing the proverbial holsters and cop hat to dictate what they should be doing, the entire effort shifts to find ways to avoid them. Utilities do just enough to satisfy the regulators. This is plain and simple human nature. And more often than not, the ensuing list to keep regulators happy becomes long enough to be the "be-all" and "end-all" of all the projects that utilities can afford.

Result: Le's do just enough to satisfy the regulatory audits (NRC audits, NERC audits). By some "glue" let's make sure the grid does not fall apart in my watch.

If we could move away from the audit culture and engage is ways to engage in conversations that promote open distribution and sharing of information to continually serve to the customer's best interests; if utilities develop a price structure that puts the customer before shareholders, it is possible to work under a more powerful context of innovation and improvement. Utility industry has had its quirks. From big barons like Samuel Insull to Enron, we have gotten our regulators excited in a variety of ways. The truth of the matter is somewhere along the way the conversation within the utilities has shifted way too far from serving the customer to serving the shareholders without angering the regulators. Or may be, the conversation of serving the customer was never powerfully constituted as the inelastic demand behavior of consumers was a favorable field to fulfill the goals of corporate greed for a few. As is known, with the regulators, you don't get much credit from doing more than what's required - just like no one credits you if you are driving below the speed limit, but fines you if you are over. Simply measuring the cholesterol levels do not ensure a healthy heart. Similarly, periodic auditing is just the minimum. If it becomes burdensome, as is the case with smaller utilities, there will be hardly any resources left for the grids to improve. In such cases, government needs to let the market decide to fix the prices - an exhorbitantly high price of electricity will signal market condition and initiate a correction. Looking at the "because effect" of electricity, the consequences are too large to live with a grid that barely survives. While some may keep finding ways to prove that everything is fine, I wish it is possible for the rest to begin by addressing the perception (allowing those who believe - all is fine to be true). The perception is: grid infrastructure is old and needs to be made better. And it cannot be done by paying with the proverbial "minimum wage" mindset laid down by regulators. For as the PR pundit will tell, changing perceptions do change reality.

Bonus: JP's post hits right on this point.)

Sellaband Model

BBC covered the business model used by Sellaband to bring artists into market place. In my view, it is similar to kiva or microfinancing of recording artists who would find other ways (usual channels as of today) to fund their recording fees. So far four artists have been funded with this democratized framework. Back where I grew up in Calcutta, during the later half of the past century Durga Puja - the most important festival became a community festival organized by local communities once the costs became prohibitive for individual member to bear all by himself (Not many hers earned money then). People typically contribute as much as they can. When it comes to celebration - and enjoying those 3-4 days of festivity, the community celebrates together. What I have realized that when it comes to feeding our senses of enjoyment and happiness, communities can bind and overcome financial barriers. It will be quite interesting to see how far the Sellband model goes is challenging the existing models run by big recording companies. How will the publicity and advertising be handled. Kudos to BBC for doing that part. This is how a Sellaband artist sounds.

Projects as a network of promises?

I came across Andrew Hintonś excellent slides while reading David Weinbergerś blog. Left me wondering if this architecture will or is already pervading the way we manage projects. Imagine project management was managing a platform or arena for conversations among multiple players interconnected with a network of promises and commitments. There is no distinctive top-down hierarchy from a project manager to ¨worker bees¨. When a promise is broken, the network indicates that or even better - tags that. Smarter ones may trigger an automatic healing process and like a GPS device directs back the link by re-promising or re-distributing the networked chain of existing promises. Will this be more efficient than the conventional model?

I remember one of my business professors teaching that one of the goals of an information system in an organization is to ensure that it replicates the organizational hierarchy. In other words, the access to information should match who in the organization should be able to get what. Networks flattens the flow of information since the ¨intern¨ can access the same file in the corporate server as the CEO. We have been using administrative controls to manage that. But let s say, we work backwards and let the possibility of information networks dictate the way projects are staffed, organized, and managed. Will that work? Any thoughts?

On Ubuntu now

I am writing from my Dell laptop that is running Ubuntu Linux 7.04. Over the weekend, I could install it like a charm. It will be 10 years using RH Linux and emacs. I have already began to love the sudo apt-get in Ubuntu. Linux community has come a long way. While I celebrate with my old faithfuls - 10 years with Linux and Emacs, I take a moment to remember the Activex, the OLE, COM, DCOM, and other stuff that I had to learn and unlearn. I have even deleted them from my resume. Thatś the promise I get from opensource software that I may never have to do. It evolves but never dies. Never will drop out from my resume. Comforting - aha!

Blessings of an Aging Workforce

This post is opposite to what most people would say in the power industry. Aging workforce is a problem. A big problem in the industry. Knowledge is retiring and there aren´t enough younger replacements to take their positions. In most utilities, engineers and technicians are retiring just to get hired back as freelance consultants. Some utilities are responding more than the others. Companies like TVA have done some remarkable efforts. There are several organizations that have made ¨aging workforce” a buzz word. I take an alternate view on this issues. I do want to caution readers that I am in no way diminishing the seriousness of this problem in saying what I am going to say.

Aging workforce resulting in retiring may have a silver lining. In a Schumpeterish way, this may be utilities and power industryś moment (or period) of ¨creative destruction¨. It is no longer a secret that the electric grid is running on old infrastructure that needs to be retired and replaced by new; and more importantly, a mindset that is averse to ¨letś do business as usual¨ mindset. And there are good reasons for doing so. ¨Letś not fix if ain´t broke¨, ¨Show me the money,¨ ¨where is the ROI,¨ ¨lets not use technology just for technology's sake,¨ ¨I am not going first,¨ etc. are just some of what one hears whenever there is a talk about new upgrades let alone implementing a new technology. And all of them are right. They are justified or called for justification. End result, we have been successful in maintaining a 40 year old system with 40 year old procedures and according to most people in the industry taken the power grid to its Gladwellś Tipping Point of disaster. Ask any CEO of a utility – that is his nightmare.

Amidst all these push and pull, it is clear to everyone that more than ¨technology is available¨ and the ¨finances that are expected¨, it is about the people sitting in decision making positions. Hardly anyone seems to be really bothered why there has not been much of a change for the better. Why has it lagged behind? Why has innovation been so slow? Why are we so tunneled into ROI mindset? Personally, my train of such questions has led to me just one thing - people in the industry. Their willingness and drive to try out new things, of innovation, and creativity - I mean, lack there of all these. Like the HBS MBA students in McAfeeś class, some may argue it is all about the incentives. No incentives for innovation – why innovate? I would add – it is not just about not getting supported for doing something new and bringing into market – it also about not being punished (getting sued or butchered by the press) severely for doing so if it fails. Finally, it all comes back to one thing - people. Why kids take or don´t take up power engineering majors in colleges? What sort talent the industry hires? How are performance reviews done? How is performance measured? Do seniors help juniors grow? Does one get a rewarding career?

Currently, utilities and power companies, albeit their pervasive and ubiquitous presence in the market place cannot boast of a workforce that is looked upon as innovators. It is in fact quite the opposite. They are those who worship status quo. In this world, to get somebody to agree on something new to happen is almost challenging the impossible. This is in quite contrast to 25-30 years back when lots of cool products spun off from utilities. From basic numerical methods, sparse matrix algebra, optimization algorithms, compex control and automation systems, and large scale computation. So, when aged people are gone and new people come in, I view this as an opportunity. An opporutnity to creep in new ideas. To leverage the benefits of IT, communications, and collaboration. To actually see and implement IT to capture knowledge and easily retrieve when needed.

The power grid is a perfect example how as individuals we can exist in ourselves and yet exchange power whether we are in surplus or in deficit. Such sharing not only works in the physical network but also in our social networks. This needs a level of openess where using IT can be a core. We can certainly bring in rapid changes and innovation leading to new host of services. New avenues for better collaboration and information sharing among entities that fulfills some of the requisites to improved reliability and performance of an interconnected system.

To move into this new paradigm we will need everything. Making a ROI case for IT is not easy on its own merit. But instead of using it is as only way to justify improvement we can just take a chance. Imagine if the intial venture capitalist tried to value Google using ROI. In a nutshell, a change in mindset and attitude is required before anything can happen. And for that aging workforce may not be all that bad by adiosing the old and ringing in the new.

Revisiting London Tube Map

I was in Corcoran Art Gallery to see the exhibit on Modernism. What caught my eye was Beckś Map of London Underground. Amazing isn´t it? Seeing one of the first creations of the thought process that highlighted the ¨nodes¨ and the ¨connections.¨ Thinking in ¨topology¨ - beyond the physical ¨map¨ and ¨territory¨ paradigm. It may be that with what´s going around me has something to do with it- power system networks, IT networks, and social networks. A context created that forces me to view the world from node and connections point of view. Nonetheless, worth chewing on that thought how our present and future are connected to how Beck saw the underground. Many Thanks to Jayashri, Dilant, Kaushambi, and Shushma for tolerating me throughout and making it such a fun day.

Black Swan Effect

For those who spend a good part of their waking hours on risk management cannot avoid talking about "black swan" effects. Or what's called "high impact low probability events". But usually, since as human beings we do not have any problem with upside risks, we just care about downside risks. I have just begun reading "Black Swan" which seems to be an rivetting read. More on that later as I get along. I am taking the train from DC to New Haven, CT on sunday which will help me finish the book. While I was wondering about black swan effect, could not help thinking in various ways how black swans can be used as our advantage. Imagine if we had a business success model out of that. For giggles folks, here's a funny video that shows just that. Enjoy...

Power Blackout in Colombia

There was a nationwide (almost 80%) power blackout in Colombia yesterday. Reports from BBC and CNN indicate that the epicenter was a technical glitch in a substation in Bogota. It will be interesting when the post-mortem results come out.

GNEP - not that bad.

Alex Raskin writes about the recent agreement between Japan and US on collaborating in development of nuclear energy. The official news release is here. In January, DOE released a strategic action plan for Global Nuclear Energy Partnership. The details are here. Whether nuclear power is good or bad is highly debatable. All that is healthy. A slice of those views are present in the comments in Raskin's post. In general, here are the beliefs for supporters of nuclear power: nuclear power is cheap, it is GHG pollution free, and it can produce bulk power. From the skeptics: nuclear power is dirty and waste disposal is a pain, safety is a concern, highly subsidized by govt., risky if it fell in hands of the terrorists, and causes other forms of pollution.

All are valid arguments. Lurking in these arguments though - is the persistent question: What's the way out? The problem does not have a silver bullet.

The reality is that we have become used to a level of energy consumption that we think it is almost our god given right. Like the air we breathe. Energy-lifestyle has become our culture. Asking me to consume less is like asking me to give up my favorite vice. We love to live in the denial that the looming energy crisis is not going to affect me. We human beings never react to crisis willingly? Especially when we know it is slow. We are not willing to pay extra taxes or see our tax money go into wrong initiatives. GNEP in this particular case. We do not want to be charged a higher electricity bill. So what are the other options? We and the government go after the manufacturers to take a big bite. And manufacturers respond to shareholders. Unless shareholders incentives are good they don't care. And who knows what the incentives are.

Government may be not the most efficient of enterprises. May be it uses spin doctors and smoke and mirrors for leverage as Raskin indicates. But again, government is not where I look for a lean mean six sigma culture. More than anything else, I look for it to take up projects that is beyond any body else. So, while I share all the concerns, I believe the energy situation requires the real "Fortune 1" enterprise - Uncle Sam to take the lead. And implicit in this expectation is the role that government needs to play in outgrowing politics and sincerely educating people of what the goals are, the timeline, and the process. Evangelize, evangelize, evangelize. Perfect solutions don't exist today, but let's face it: this is a busy economics and not a burst economics problem. As much as I would like, building the advanced nuclear reactor will not happen the same way as developing youtube. Not even Google. It would take long drawn , persitent, planned commitment. Many hours, many failed attempts, lot of dollars, and many a career. Govt.'s initiative in involving the global community is smart. Other countries have continued its development in nuclear energy (while US nuclear R&D was quiet) and in some ways gone ahead of US in spent fuel extraction, reprocessing of waste and sodium-cooled recycling reactors. So collaboration will be a benefit. And more so: to the extent the process is opened up, there is greater trust. Trust is paramount to handling the politics surrounding nuclear energy. To the extent we open up, it is easier to get access to what others are doing. More exchange means more cross-border conversation which leads to greater mutual understanding and better understanding what others are doing for nuclear security.

Final word: geothermal, hydro, etc. holds lot of promise, but at this point they do not show any potential for solving bulk power needs. Unless, of course we reduce our consumptions by many folds. Any takers on that front?

Can IP/Patents be assets in hedge funds up for suing grabs?

I was talking to someone today who spoke about funds buying intellectual property as assets to be used to sue other companies. I think the story in Forbes is in similar lines. I am not a lawyer and I do not know about rather compex topic called patent laws. All I have done is read some of Larry Lessig's books and watched his lectures. And being an engnieer at heart, I just think what's happening is a blatant abuse of the patent process whose goal to me - is to motivate creative people engaged in the innovation process. I don't understand if someone is not creating anything, how can he/she claim the patent as a right and treat it as a commodity. If suppose NASA owns a patent, isn't it different from me owning the same patent. Say NASA likes me and gives me the patent as a gift. Then, is it an asset to me? Can I build a space shuttle in my apartment? But if Airbus got it, maybe it can be patent infrigement because in that case Airbus will have a competitive advantage. It looks like some people are just waiting on the sidelines doing nothing and waiting for making money by suing. I know many people will think I am wrong. Maybe they will say I know I don't know much about what I am talking about. But something ain't right here. I might as well hold this position that goes up in flames rather than keep quiet on such a bizarre process. If not for anything else, I'll learn something.

Blending movies

A friend of mine showed this bunch of cool videos most of which are blended movies. They are amusing - check them out. With Sopranos ending in a few weeks and TV getting more and more boring, I think I will enjoy my summer more with Youtube and stuff like these for entertainment.

Thinking Power Grids Like Airspace

Being a Red Sox fan gives me the liberty to indulge my expectations to border on hopeless futility. The electric grid is one of the cornerstones of infrastructure. Zillions of studies have been done to correlate reliable electric power to increased GDP to healthier babies. Many more million studies have been done in the past two decades to show how to de-regulate, re-regulate, partially regulate, and all kinds of combination one can think of. From both the banks of the Charles river to the banks of Hudson to Gulf coast to sunny California to other side of the pond - everywhere people have got involved in throwing ideas and papers by the dozen. Enron. Blackout. The Energy Act. But the saga goes on.

The question I posed to myself - If the power grid is an infrastructure - how would I like to see it? Does it compare with other infrastructure like ports, airports, and roads. Take for example airports? If the grid were operated like the airspace, and power wheeling as commodities being transported - will that work? Thousands of transmission lines resembling air routes. Substation nodes like airports acting like connection points to get plugged into this platform. Thinking the grid as a common. A platform. A marketplace. (As characterized by the book "Invisible Machines" which JP discussed lately). If so, all these "challenges" on who owns the grid, who monetizes, who arbitrages - become a different conversation. Generators and Loads become participants in this market place. Generators sell power and load entities buy power from this marketplace. The system operator (much like the ISO today) controls the physical movement and maintains the physics of the system. Its job is similar to the air traffic controller. The diversity of generation - nuclear, coal, solar, hydro gets morphed as different types of service. Based on their characteristics - their pricing will vary. Need a greater response time, pay extra for the gas power plants compared to coal. We can think about doing the same at the load side too. In concept, we establish a multi-sided platform markets that the book talks about in the contxt of software platforms. As a consumer I get a whole lot of choices - which creates competition - for those - who believe that competition drives innovation and lowers prices by reducing market power.

As for the grid. Just like any other market place - it will have to upgrade to satisfy buyers and sellers. What happens if in your city or country there are poor airports, poor health care, poor education system? Either you bug your policy makers or choose to migrate to some other place (of course, many may give up and stay put - whining or resigned to fate). But, buyers and sellers do force enhancements. Much like what I observed over the last few years what happened in Baltimore airport. Expanded terminal, new parking lots, more shops, more shuttles - Why? Because Southwest started operating a lot many flights. Infrastructure upgrade due to increased demand.

While the grid keeps operating as the largest machine man has ever made, while many have voiced how fragile it is becoming, while many believe the economic incentives are not adequate, while many are looking for solutions in creating multiple regional markets to trade electricity - I wonder how it will be if we look at ownership rights of the grid itself. I'll allow myself in this indulgence for sometime - looking at the barriers, benefits, and "boo-yahs". Thanks to JP and the folks of Invisible Engines for fueling this conversation.

Open innovation and consulting

James Governor's post on IBM's offering of free consulting services is very intersting. Definitely it is one of the cornerstones of IBM's current innovation stragegy where Irving Wladawsky-Berger writes:

"We are enabling customers to connect their data to the Internet by writing "glue" code for transaction monitors like CICS(TM) and databases like DB2(TM), and giving it away. We also have established Internet consulting practices to help customers. In addition, our Open Systems Centers worldwide will help plan the architectures, prove the concepts and prototype the solutions for customers."

IBM's initiative is an excellent way to hand over the keys to customer to play and get their hands dirty. As James points out - this is a "smart" move. Why? Because this will get customers to generate new needs or application areas that will bring in "unique value" propositions. And guess what - there will be no better people to pick up those businesses than those IBM folks who are already inside the door. People who are in consulting know unique value as opposed to commoditized services is where the big bucks are. A bit of pro-bono work goes a long way. This is a good demo of how opening the innovation, how incorporating one's customers within a company's value chain opens doors for business opportunities. Because of the intangible nature of the way this process works, people generally find it difficult to quantify and hence justify such initiatives. But the fuzzier the situation gets, the muddled it is, the more confusing the benefits and costs are - the greater the opportunities are to make money in high-end consulting business. Opening the business models unleases such an opportunity. And IBM is right on the money.

How do we feel?

The nor'easter in the eastern seaboard has left me pretty much indoors this weekend. Clouds and rain makes me feel a certain way. Looks like I am not alone. I can go to wefeelfine and find out what others in my area are "feeling". The website has collected a database of human feelings and emotions based on what they express in various places in the web. Check it out for yourself. It's pretty cool!

Kiva and Microfinance

Few weeks ago, I read about Kiva in one of Nicholas Kristof's article in New York Times. While many are charcterizing this as a "sexy" thing to do, I don't mind doing a tiny bit rather than "sitting on a fence". So, once the Times covered it, I was rest assured about some credibility. An aside - this is one of the reasons why I still believe NYT and credible entities need to exist in the internet. I know myself well enough - I would have never shelled off a dime if I did not have some comfort of legitimacy. Kiva was simply amazing. The process was simple and within 24 hours, I got an update that my beneficiary in Kenya has got his loan and on his way to expand his stock of shoes and repairing tools. It does make me feel good. Not for the amount of money that I chipped in, but the fact that when many chip in, it turns out to be a good sum. Time and again we argue about solving issues by democratization resulting in settling with the lowest common denominator. We argue competition enhances performance. As JP has mentioned in many of his posts - gift economics vs. market economics, sigularity vs. plurality, teamwork vs. individuality, and opernsource vs. proprietary are many faces to these ongoing discussions. Well, organizations like Kiva is another example to remind us that there are alternate frameworks to explore. And in some cases, maybe, works much more effectively than products that come from our conventional, common, or popular wisdom.

Future of libraries

I was out in my local public library to pick up a particular book. There came a passing thought. With Web 2.0 and the way Google is marching ahead, I was thinking whether we will be needing libraries the way they are several years froms now. Google had the project to scan shelves of books into their database. I think due to coyright restictions things are going slow. Come to think of it, Google is the database. So to read a book, if it is available in the web - it saves a trip to the library. Saves energy. Sure there are other opporutnity costs we can take credit for. So what happens to the libraries? They deifinitely have to re-define re-strategize themselves. What happens to the catloging process? Maybe less of a storehouse and more of a meeting place. Maybe more like a club for conversations. Well, that too can be done over the web. Then what? What do we then use the brick and mortar for? I will keep thinking about it.

Cody's and Demise of Inde Book Stores

Codys was once a Berkeley icon. I look at my frequent buyer's card and keep wondering about Codys'. Whenever I visit the Bay area, I always love to hang out here. Now, within a span of 9 months two of their three stores close down. Their signature Telegraph Rd store in Berkeley was closed amidst quite a bit of sentimental outpour and lament that people nowadays buy everything online. I remember, even New York Times mentioned that. One of the comments that stuck on me was about the owners comment on - Kant's "Critique of Pure Reason" gathering dust on the shelves - with no takers. Meaning - people don't go for these books anymore - signaling a phase shift in tastes and preferences. So, it is not just competing with other forms of books stores - the big boys - Borders and Barnes & Noble, but it is also about competition. With other modes of information, education, and entertainment. To counter that, in a modest way, Codys' promise to the die-hard fans was that their new store in Stockton St. in downtown SF would do the magic - offset many of the pitfalls that Telegraph had and prove to turnaround the business. Not so. I have been visiting Codys quite often over the last year and also Borders that is a few block away on Powell St next to Union Square. The difference is quite obvious. I cannot say whether Borders is making a profit or not but one thing I can certainly say - there are more people shopping in Borders. I wonder - Why? Before getting into what the possible reasons are - I must admit I am a big fan of independent books stores and these reasons, albiet my personal observations - cut to the heart of why an independent store fails to get my business. I go to inde book stores over a B&N or Borders only for two reasons: Unique experience and Discounts.

Codys fails my expectations on both these grounds. Let's take the easier one first - discounts. I haven't seen Cody's provide discounts over marked prices. The only discounts one can get is through the frequent buyer card which is - buy for $200 bucks to get a $20 off - a 10% discount. A B&N membership works much better for me. Compared to say - The Strand book store in NYC (which is a favorite place of mine) - Codys simply falls way short. So buying a book in Codys is no better than anywhere else - maybe even worse. As far unique experience, I must admit - I do feel a difference when I go into Codys. There is a certain order in which the books are shelved which gives a special touch. There are some books that may be found only in Codys - another way an inde store would try to differentiate - but there weren't that many - to make a mention of this fact. After a few visits, I felt Codys to be quite boring. The other aspect of the experience is when you interact with the people manning the store. I did not find anything special about the staff in Codys. They appeared as ignorant or confused or knowledgable as any body else who relies completely on computer searches. In comparison, I had two "aha" or as Tom Peters would say "wow" moments in the Borders next door. Once, the person at the checkout looked at my credit card and started discussing about stories written by a Berkeley based South Asian author who had the same last name as mine. I don't know how many times I have used my credit card before that evening - but never before, has my last name resulted in such a conversation. The second time was - when I asked for some help to find a particular book. I had completely forgotten the title of the book and badly mixed-up the author's name. The best I could specify was the theme of the poem. And the lady who was helping me - without checking the voodoo-blessed "system" took me to the bookshelf and said, "There you go! Late Wife by Claudia Emerson." "Yup, That's the one I was looking for," I replied - smiling - utterly embarrassed and completely impressed.

My point is: Yes, there are challenges for stores like Codys'. Some may argue that selling books and even music through such a business model may be selling "buggy whips" in today's markets. But, people like me love independent stores for a reason. It is the same reason why people still buy sail boats and sail. It is for the same reason why the horse carriages that go around Central Park would buy buggy whips. And if shops like Codys do not pay heed to why people love their stores amidst the changing market, well - they are sure to pale into the oblivion.

Challenges with Nuclear Power - Where's the money?

After consulting several nuclear power companies, I am intrigued when so many people sound so enthusiasatic about nuclear power. Am I not seeing something that others are able to see? The skeptic and the cynic in me keeps pricking - how it is possible to make a business case for nuclear power. The industry is heavily regulated, frequently politicized, grossly terrorized, and overly demonized. End result is large sums of money flow into the hands of influential PR firms and lobbyists to do damage control and damage prevention. The once categorized “too cheap to meter”, nuclear energy has not seen a new plant built in 3 decades. This of course does not undermine the fact that operational efficiencies have increased tremendously with existing plants - with fewer outage times and refueling time. Generation capacity has increased even though no new plants have come up. Pretty remarkable! But how real do we see its future? The proponents will tell, “It has never been better than now in the last 30 years.” That’s a true statement. But is this good enough to carry the day to make a case for new nuclear power a reality? Is Wall Street ready? In other words, many are saying inside closed doors - Baby! Show me the money!

Here are the barriers and some of the measures being taken to overcome these barriers:

Issue 1: Delay, high cost, and financial risk.

Step taken: Replace two-step review process that required separate federal permits for construction and operation of plants with pre-approved designs. NRC now reviews a combined construction and operating license (COL) application which, if approved, reduces the risk that a completed plant may face costly delays in getting an operating license after construction is complete.

Challenge: Federal approvals are not enough. State regulatory commissions will also have to sign off on plans to build new plants. Risks still remain.

Issue 2: Building the Financial Case

Step Taken: Providing carbon tax credits. Because nuclear plants emit virtually no carbon into the atmosphere, that would give them a huge economic advantage over plants that burn fossil fuels. That financial edge could be $12 per megawatt less than the cost of electricity generated by plants that burn fossil fuels

Challenge: Washington needs to levy “Carbon tax” of any new plant built in the next few years. .

Issue 3: Long lead times

Step Taken: Nothing major. Usual process improvement practices.

Challenge: At best, the first plants won’t come online before 2013-14 and will cost an estimated $4 billion each. Before ground is broken for the first new plant, the power industry will have to convince state regulators and investors that the numbers add up. To do that, they face several important hurdles.

Issue 4: Getting Financing

Step: Most of these projects are expected to be financed by bonds - just the way roads and railroads are. To help reassure investors that the bonds are a safe investment and has limited credit risk, Congress has provided loan guarantees for 80 percent of the financing for the first several projects to win NRC approval. Typically, these projects would have 80:20 debt equity ratio. But federal officials in charge of loan guarantees have interpreted the law to mean that those guarantees apply only to the debt portion of the financing package.

Challenge:Using that math, the loan guarantee — 80 percent of 80 percent — will only cover about two-thirds of the total cost. Where will the rest come from? If risk costs are factored in, Cost of Equity may be prohibitively high.

I will keep posting views relevant to this topic as we go along.

Challenges with Renewbles

What are the broad problems that relate to renewables?

Problem 1: Does it help in reducing environment emissions or provide environmental benefits?

Problem 2: Does it help in saving costs? Is it in Gernation, Transmission, or Distribution system ?

Problem 3: Does it help in increasing reliability? Is it in Gernation, Transmission, or Distribution system ?

Problem 4: Who are the stakeholders and what are their stakes?

Problem 5: What are incentives and who gets them?

How real are the renewables?

There is so much buzz with renewable energy that it is almost choking. My goal is to be realistic. But even at the risk of sounding a cynic amidst all the hoopla, I would draw myself to look at many aspects of this issue. The foremost task is to scope out the problem in its multiple dimensions and then to attack it one at a time.

Let’s look at the American markets. Why PVs are not taking off as it should be? What are the major barriers? How dow we overcome this?

The answer is simple in a way. It is all about the money. As we speak, the price of electricity from PV is pretty high compared to buying it from the utility which typically generates from a mix of coal, gas, and nuclear resources. In US, the costs from PV are prohibitively high compared with the conventional generation. According to EIA data published by US DOE, the average cost of electricity in US is around 8 to 10 cents per kWh. This is way lower compared with cost of electricity produced by PV which is around 31 cents per kWh even with all subsidies and incentives are taken into account. This make is 3 to 4 times more expensive. Remove the subsdies, you are looking at a much higher number.

So where do we go from here. There are two ways to look at. First, the cost of PV has to come down. Second, account for the costs of externalities into cost of conventional electricity. Meaning, we need to make a cost estimate of the degradation of the environment, the long wires that simply destroy the aesthetics, the opportunity costs of right of way, and other subtle impacts of conventional generation. So what is realistic? Costing of externalities is certaintly not - at least in the near term. Therefore, main focus should be on how to bring the costs down.

Another way to look at these issues – which will be rather un-populist, is to increase the cost of energy in US and make it float according to what the rest of the world pay. Take gas or oil, we pay lesser than rest of the world and if we are brought to par, we will be paying more from “potatoes” to the electrons we consume. But no party can run for office with that in their agenda.

Well, these are the options. Let’s track down as we get along the issues and emergence of something innovative. Who knows - with the Democrats in congress and activist environmentalist getting more attention, regulations can change. Maybe, a better deal with renewables is in the offing.

Alternate Energy

Although this whole area of of alternate energy and renewable energy is buzzing with excitement - I am not able to shrug off my skeptcism. I am still not see that the world's large turbine generator sets roaring with steam dumped from a 80 meter high boiler fading away into a technical museum any time soon. Nor can I visualize the skylines filled with windmills or domes of nuclear reactors. I don't see the numbers of demand and supply adding up. Let's say how many windmills will you need to supply New York?

Coal plants and gas plants may not be going away soon. I would urge on holding on to the coal stocks! However, renewable energy is not the same pipe dream like the "paperless office". It is a necessity. So, at least, we need to get started with all seriousness and leverage the benefits of renewable energy that will be in peaceful coexistence with the conventional generators. In other words - Hybrid power generation mix.