Past Projects

MARKET ASSESSMENT FOR ADDITIONAL NATURAL GAS PROCESSING CAPACITY

Conducted economic and financial analysis to determine the feasibility of building new gas processing facilities designed for deep ethane extraction. Conducted feasibility analyses to determine optimal plant size given the projected prices of natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGL), the price impact of adding additional capacity on the market, transportation costs, and project development and construction costs. 

OIL PROCESSING RE-ENGINEERING

Evaluated and implemented solutions for breaking and separating heavy oil/water emulsifications in Kernridge Oilfield in Bakersfield, CA. Determined that the solutions previously implemented had actually worsened the emulsification of the oil. The solutions identified under this research would save a projected annual $60 million in cost to operate the oil field. 

MARKET ASSESSMENT FOR NEW ENERGY SOFTWARE PRODUCTS

Using insight regarding energy industry trends and strategies, advised and coached this firm's marketing and strategic planning staff regarding its approach in positioning its software products in this industry. Developed approach and methodology, prepared interview guide, interviewed employees, customers, and competitors, and synthesized results to formulate recommendations. 

CORPORATE GROWTH STRATEGIES AND CUSTOMER VALUATION

Developed corporate growth strategies for the post-merger combination of American Electric Power and Central & South West. Supported the merger integration team. Developed modeling methods to properly determine the asset value of the utilities' customers in post-merger scenarios based on their margin contribution to the utility. 

VISIONING AN E-BUSINESS IN THE UTILITY VERTICAL

Developed a competitive e-commerce business model. Assessed the competition, identified target segments, calculated predicted margins, and modeled the financial performance. 

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND LAUNCH

Developed the product strategy and business plan for an information service for Central & South West's business customers. Identified target market segments and product features and functionality. Identified partners to implement this strategy, recommended deal terms and assisted in the negotiation of agreements. Once this service was up and running, developed a channel strategy to support the distribution of this offering, identified partners, recommended deal terms, and supported the president in the implementation of the strategy. 

MARKET ASSESSMENT FOR NEW ENERGY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Conducted market research, identified eligible market segments, developed product offerings, positioning, and pricing, assisted in staff training, development and organization. Prepared financial models and presentations for senior management. Assisted in preparing PURPA filings and assessed regulatory issues. Worked with senior management to identify staff and resources, assisted in the design of compensation and incentive systems, participated in the development of marketing communications and branding strategies. Provided ongoing support to the management of the organization after the business was launched. 

MARKET ASSESSMENT FOR NEW PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

As project manager and principal investigator, developed a methodology, metrics, and financial model to analyze the value of offering a variety of new products and services to Duke Power's commercial and industrial customers. Designed research methodology and conducted market research and surveys to determine customer acceptance of such offerings. Developed financial models to support Duke's decision to offer these products. Expanded the analysis to determine the opportunity for Duke to offer these products to non-utility customers. This analysis included not only margin analysis from the products and projected rates and velocity of customer adoption as well as competitor behavior in reaction to the new business launch but also modeled the organization, systems and processes which would be required to undertake such an endeavor. 

MARKET VISIONING

Participated on a team of consultants and Duke Power executives looking to formulate the underlying mission and strategies for the new Duke Energy. 

MARKET ASSESSMENT OF NEW ENERGY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES FOR RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS

Developed a methodology and conducted a due diligence review of a weather prediction model designed to use Monte Carlo techniques to predict the demand for energy in individual households. The model supported a business designed to offer guaranteed fixed price energy contracts for home owners and weather hedging financial products to utilities. 

BUSINESS PLAN AND STRATEGY FOR BILLING, SALES FORCE AUTOMATION AND CUSTOMER SERVICES SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS FOR THE ENERGY INDUSTRY 

As project manager and principal investigator, developed the business strategy and implementation plan for AllEnergy to offer outsourced billing, sales force automation and customer services solutions to the energy industry. 

MARKET ASSESSMENT OF OUTSOURCED SERVICES FOR RECURRING BILLING INDUSTRIES

Assessed the opportunity and formulated recommendations to offer outsourced billing services to recurring billing industries such as telecommunications and energy utilities. Reviewed competitive services and products, surveyed potential markets interest in such an offering, analyzed the financial and operational feasibility for American Express to pursue these strategies. 

MARKET ASSESSMENT OF CREDIT CARD ACCEPTANCE IN RECURRING BILLING INDUSTRIES

Researched the payment practices of customers in the electric and natural gas industries and compared this to practices in other industries, surveyed billers’ attitudes regarding this opportunity, reviewed regulatory issues, analyzed the billers’ technical ability to process credit card payments, identified the various channels American Express could pursue to promote credit card acceptance, researched American Express's competitors actions in this area, set up and participated in sales calls to utilities, developed positioning strategies for American Express. Identified associated business opportunities American Express could pursue. 

MARKET RESEARCH FOR KIOSK-BASED RETAIL SERVICES

The aim of this study was to assess the market potential for an array of kiosk-based financial and ancillary services offered at American Express merchant locations. The study prioritized product/service bundles and merchant sites, as well as assessed market size, segmentation features, and revenue opportunities. Developed the research approach, managed the focus group research at sites across the US, evaluated the data, and prepared the findings and recommendations for the client. These provided the basis for the product and business development plan. 

MARKET ASSESSMENT FOR COGENERATION PLANTS

Developed the metrics and implemented a model to identify prospects for electricity cogeneration plants in the Northeastern and MidAtlantic US. The result of this work was the identification of over 200 potential steam hosts in the Eastern US. 

COGENERATION FINANCIAL ANALYSIS AND FEASIBILITY

Developed financing proposals for electricity cogeneration plants. Built the financial models, conducted the market assessments and feasibility studies, and prepared the business and financial documentation. 

MARKET ASSESSMENT FOR NEW ENERGY PRODUCTION

Developed forward prices for natural gas and electricity and worked with engineers to develop a hard cost budget for construction of the facilities. The options included landfill gas and cogeneration. 

ACCOUNT MANAGER TRAINING FOR THE DEREGULATING ENERGY INDUSTRY

Prepared and conducted a training program for key account managers. 

MARKET ASSESSMENT FOR EMERGING ENERGY INDUSTRY GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES

Identified emerging product opportunities for companies marketing to key accounts in the electricity industry.

MARKET ASSESSMENT OF DEREGULATION FOR INDUSTRIAL ENERGY USERS

STRATEGIC PLAN FOR ENERGY-RELATED CAPITAL EQUIPMENT LEASING PORTFOLIO

Principal investigator in evaluating the impact of changing economic conditions and regulatory policies on the portfolio of project finance and capital equipment leasing transactions for power plants, aircraft, gas turbine generators, and telecommunication systems. Work included interviews with industry and government officials to assess market, risk and regulatory parameters; a detailed cost study of exemplar projects; the design and implementation of project-specific models to evaluate cash flows and IRRs under a number of different scenarios; consolidation of project-specific analyses to model institutional risk and return performance and capital requirements; and periodic study review updates with executive management. 

CUSTOMER TARGETING SYSTEM AND DATABASE FOR NEW PRODUCTS AND SERVICES 

Acted as project manager for a team which used customer billing information and identified complementary outside data sources to develop a data base system for targeting existing commercial and industrial customers for new product and service opportunities at Consolidated Edison. 

STRATEGIC MARKET ASSESSMENT FOR NEW NATURAL GAS PRODUCTS IN THE TRANSPORTATION AND POWER GENERATION SECTORS

Identified potential markets for natural gas, impediments to market development, and strategic options for the membership to pursue. The key sectors under consideration were conventional and alternative transportation systems and power generation. Formulated and conducted the research approach to identify the underlying causal factors and decision parameters shaping the outlook for future natural gas demand including a profile of key stakeholders, legislative trends, and structural analysis of the energy industries. In addition to secondary research, conducted interviews with senior executives in the transportation and power generation sectors. 

MARKET ASSESSMENT FOR NEW ENERGY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

FINANCIAL ASSESSMENT OF ENERGY SERVICES BUSINESSES

Developed economic models of various types of energy services companies to illustrate their effectiveness in furthering the goals of market penetration of energy efficiency. 

MARKET ASSESSMENT OF UTILITY STRANDED INVESTMENT COSTS

Developed a methodology and financial model to determine the future value of stranded electric costs in the California energy market and used the model to predict the value of purchasing electric utility customers contracts from respective California utilities. The model was used to calculate different players views of the forward price curve and thus the value of stranded costs and then determine the value that different players would place on the buyout. Devised and implemented a strategy to auction these buyout rights among energy marketers eager to add new retail customers. 

ASSESSMENT OF TECHNOLOGY FOR BUILDING CUSTOMER SATISFACTION AND REDUCING COSTS OF CUSTOMER DELIVERY

Identified technology options to facilitate Hydro Quebec's goals of increasing customer satisfaction while lowering the cost of meeting peak demand. 

MARKET ASSESSMENT FOR NEW TELECOMMUNICATIONS PRODUCTS

Assisted AT&T in the advancement of its strategy to develop telecommunications offerings for the utility industry. Conducted a Delphi survey and identified a broad range of opportunities for AT&T to pursue. Developed approach and methodology, prepared interview guide, interviewed key utility players, and synthesized results to formulate recommendations.