Hybrid Nuclear Energy Systems

Appendix L: US Power Markets

The Independent Power Producer (IPP) model of Chapter Six was developed to assess financial fundamentals of largely free markets operating outside the heavy hand of the government. However, the US markets involving the sale of power are heavily regulated. Claims of “deregulated” markets are fictional, with government presence more a level of degree, as opposed to no involvement.

The majority of US electricity sales are through bilateral power purchase agreements, where terms typically involve when, where, and how much energy will be delivered. The terms are generally not disclosed to the public. The transactions typically involve private power companies and public power agencies.

There is also a largely transparent ...