GLG News by Council Members Knowledgeable on Metering Services

Titos AnastassacosOwnerOrigin Strategic Resources

Zipcar had a successful IPO - but what does the future hold for carsharing?

April 17, 2011

Analysis of:Upsized Zipcar IPO prices above expected range | www.reuters.com

Carsharing should not be viewed merely as a different form of car rental. In fact it is a business model based on the notion of outsourced mobility service and challenges ownership. It is substitutive whereas as rental is additive, making the potential market many times larger. Its success will depend on offerings becoming better and costs reducing to levels comparable with ownership, even for heavy users. Manufacturers will increasingly adapt vehicle offerings to this type of service. 

Doug HousemanVice President Technical InnovationEnerNex, LLC

Shale Gas ills depend on what you measure

April 13, 2011

Analysis of:Shale gas 'worse than coal' for climate | www.bbc.co.uk

The Issue with Shale gas, is the same as any natural gas and depend on how much of the life cycle you measure. Neither of the two new studies do an apples to apples comparison.

Titos AnastassacosOwnerOrigin Strategic Resources

Greece update 3: Day of reckoning fast approaching

February 16, 2011

Analysis of:Greece ‘Successfully’ Rescued From Abyss, EU, IMF Say | www.businessweek.com

The announced  target of € 50 billion from privatisations is indeed key for the solvency and medium term improvement of the Greek economy which crashed in Q4 2010 and is continuing to head downwards at a rapid pace. But it will not be possible to achieve without major political upheaval.

Titos AnastassacosOwnerOrigin Strategic Resources

Greece: Will the government bite the bullet?

November 16, 2010

The recent upwards revisions of Greek deficit and debt have raised the stakes for the Government. In spite of, or perhaps because of, its relative success in local elections it appears to lack the resolve to tackle the main problem in Greece -the dysfunctional state- head-on, while the broader Eurozone crisis may provide a tactical excuse to avoid or postpone making tough decisions. But the economy continues to weaken and the productive sector is being drained of resources.  Unless the government finds the courage to implement policies to radically restructure the state and articulate a vision for the future, the country risks becoming permanently feeble and (geo-) politically sidelined regardless of what happens in the Eurozone.    

Titos AnastassacosOwnerOrigin Strategic Resources

German solar PV tariffs: The sins of industrial policy

October 16, 2010

Due to huge expansions in installed solar PV capacity in 2009, electricity prices for German households are rising sharply with the less well-off subsidizing the wealthy and manufacturers in China, while German PV manufacturers are being increasingly squeezed out of the market. Like Spain before this should be an example for other countries in Europe to avoid -and yet it seems they are not. The recently announced government energy plan to 2050 relies on more-of-the-same industrial policy. It will be very expensive

Titos AnastassacosOwnerOrigin Strategic Resources

The German energy plan: Visionary and inefficient; unnecessary controversy

October 5, 2010

Analysis of:German government approves new energy plan | www.powergenworldwide.com

The German government has announced an ambitious, if still vague and incomplete, plan to make the leap to sustainability by 2050. However the thrust of the plan and a number of positive elements were overshadowed by the controversy over the extension of nuclear power. It seems likely that the government will eventually be punished for an unpopular decision with an, at best, uncertain economic outcome.The plan's strengths and weaknesses are inherently typical of the "German way": The plan is bold, shows a "can do" attitude and confidence in the future. On the other hand it makes minimal use of market instruments, relies heavily on top-down legislation and regulations and positions the government as the final arbitrator of development: picking winners and allocating resources.The outcome will probably be that goals will be achieved albeit at a much higher cost than envisaged. The risk is that this might derail the economy. The plan will therefore need to be adjusted, amended and even redrawn as time goes on, for example to address the role of coal and gas, to accomodate financing within budgets or even to give market instruments (including non-distorting carbon taxes) a chance.Compared however to the endless debates and not productive arguments and negotiations in other countries or  the UN about how to achieve the necessary CO2 reductions the German plan is refreshing and an effort to lead by example. It makes bold commitments and is therefore a major step in the right direction. 

Titos AnastassacosOwnerOrigin Strategic Resources

Greece: Lacklustre privatization plan announced by government

June 3, 2010

The government has announced a privatization plan lacking in ambition, signalling its intent to avoid structural change. This will hamper the supply side of the economy and reduce growth potential and the chances of success of the EU/IMF restructuring programme.

Titos AnastassacosOwnerOrigin Strategic Resources

Another take on the Greek bailout & the economy; Suggestions for the Eurozone

May 15, 2010

Without significant productive investment the Greek bailout will fail. While required, heavy austerity programmes in single currency areas are blunt instruments. Due to cost rigidities they destroy productive potential and increase social tensions. Focus on the supply side is necessary. EU mechanisms must be created to enable direct interventions in the productive sector and allow surplus countries to effectively "take equity" in deficit countries. This aligns interests and reduces moral hazard

Titos AnastassacosOwnerOrigin Strategic Resources

The Greek bailout: What will happen in the productive economy?

April 11, 2010

Analysis of:euro zone readies giant rescue package for greece | reuters | www.reuters.com

The bailout is based on IMF-type conditions. The Greek government will probably have no choice but to resort to the funds. Consequently the bailout will force a unique retrenchment of the state and relaxation of its grip on the economy. A first brief analysis of possibilities in some sectors and industries.

Titos AnastassacosOwnerOrigin Strategic Resources

Effects of Vattenfall's sale of German power grid

April 2, 2010

Analysis of:Vattenfall agrees to sell German power grid-sources | www.reuters.com

The sale of the Vattenfall network might speed up the process of integrated transnational European grids. It gives Elia control of one of Europe's most important systems due to connected on-shore and upcoming off-shore windpower capacity. The acquisition probably allows for significant cost optimization in the face of major required capacity and automation investments and regulatory margin pressure. Over time it should have a positive influence on transmission costs and prices.  

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