Utilities - Publications - Faculty & Research

Working Paper

Electrification to Grow Manufacturing? Evidence from Mini-Grids in Nepal

By: Robyn C. Meeks, Hope F. Thompson and Zhenxuan Wang

Firms in developing countries often identify electricity as a major constraint to operations. Decentralized renewable energy sources could help alleviate these constraints. We investigate whether electrification in Nepal -- via microhydro plants and their mini-grids --... View Details

Keywords: Developing Countries and Economies; Renewable Energy; Infrastructure; Economic Growth; Employment; Utilities Industry; Utilities Industry

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2025
Working Paper

When Where Watt: Harnessing the Value of Time and Location for Renewable Electricity Generation

By: Vishrut Rana, Christian Kaps and Serguei Netessine

Problem definition: Investments in renewable energy have surged worldwide in recent years, with over $2 trillion spent globally on clean energy. This surge was driven by growing policy support, concerns about energy security, and, most importantly, the cost... View Details

Keywords: Wind Power; Electricity Distribution; Renewable Energy; Profit; Investment Return; Factories, Labs, and Plants; Geographic Location; Revenue; Energy Industry; Utilities Industry

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SSRN

December 2010
Supplement

Urban Water Partners (A) Spreadsheet Solutions (CW)

By: Karthik Ramanna and George Serafeim

Teaching Note for Spreadsheet (111701). View Details

Keywords: Performance Evaluation; Accrual Accounting; Financial Statements; Utilities Industry; Utilities Industry; Dar es Salaam

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December 1993 (Revised April 1995)
Case

Hydro-Quebec: Developing Grande Baleine

By: Richard H.K. Vietor

Keywords: Utilities Industry; Utilities Industry; Canada

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September 2022 (Revised February 2023)
Case

EnergyNow: Powering a New Market

By: Alexander MacKay and James Barnett

In August 2022, EnergyNow co-founder and CEO Stuart MacWilliam (MBA 2015) considers the company strategy for building solar panels to provide power in South Africa’s recently deregulated energy market. View Details

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February 2015 (Revised March 2016)
Case

China Shenhua Energy Company

By: Forest L. Reinhardt, G. A. Donovan and Keith Chi-ho Wong

A leading Chinese energy firm, active in coal mining and electric power generation, analyzes coal-to-liquids technology in light of energy security and environmental concerns. View Details

Keywords: Environment; China; CO2; Coal Mining; Electricity; Sustainability; Energy; Strategy; Business and Government Relations; Energy Generation; Energy Sources; Environmental Sustainability; Utilities Industry; Utilities Industry; China; Asia

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01 Sep 2015
News

An Unconventional Suggestion

© Alexandra Hootnick/zumapress.com The United States needs to find a “rational middle” ground on the topic of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, says Professor Michael Porter. In a report released this summer, America’s Unconventional Energy Opportunity, Porter and his... View Details

Keywords: April White; Utilities; Utilities

01 Jun 2001
News

But It's All Right Now (In Fact, It's a Gas)

In 1978, a liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving terminal in Boston Harbor was unceremoniously shut down because of contract disputes with its Algerian suppliers. In 1987, the terminal’s owner, Cabot Corp., tapped Gordon Shearer (MBA ’78), “a determined geophysicist... View Details

Keywords: Utilities; Utilities

Web

Sean Meng | MBA

problems rooted in cognition (2) optimize learning in natural and artificial intelligences. As part of a collective generation of thinkers and builders, I would like to be at the forefront of our generation’s push to utilize science for... View Details

01 Dec 2001
News

BOOK: Creating Value through Corporate Restructuring

must be carefully utilized in light of its far-reaching implications for a company's many stakeholders. "Once considered a rare event, restructuring has become an important part of everyday business practice," Gilson asserts in Creating... View Details

Keywords: Margie Kelley

01 Aug 2002
News

Seventy Years Out: Class of 1932 Celebrates Reunions

observed. One of the “lucky ones,” Brink worked for the telephone company before he set up his own one-man shop — Utilities Audit Bureau — as a consultant on telephone services and systems. “In 49 years,” Brink proudly declared, “I never... View Details

Portrait Project

Patrick Chun

grandfather found peace through his ability to powerfully utilize his blessings to impact others. And his secret to happiness was enabling those whom he loved. His vision of enabling others is consistent — ranging from his leadership... View Details

22 Feb 2022
News

Savings and Loam

interest rates and all the transactional features of a checking account, in addition to a compelling impact story. “The opportunity for you is to put your money where it’s being utilized in a really productive way from an ecological,... View Details

Keywords: Jen McFarland Flint; Funds, Trusts, and Other Financial Vehicles; Finance

March 2008
Article

Market Reactions to Export Subsidies

By: M. A. Desai and James R. Hines Jr.

This paper analyzes the economic impact of export subsidies by investigating stock price reactions to a critical event in 1997. On November 18, 1997, the European Union announced its intention to file a complaint before the World Trade Organization (WTO), arguing that... View Details

Keywords: Economic Systems; Trade; Development Economics; Financial Markets; Profit; Taxation; Volume; Value Creation; Market Design; Business Subsidiaries; Utilities Industry; Utilities Industry; Europe; North and Central America

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04 Sep 2019
News

A Climate Change Optimist

says. Green America’s sustainable supply chain networks provide peer learning, support, and connections to innovations. “I love the market-solution focus of what we do,” says Gravitz, noting that, in recent big utility buys, solar and... View Details

Keywords: Julia Hanna; photo by Seth Lowe

01 Jun 2002
News

Ads Improve Consumer Decisions

in fact we believe consumers are generally ill-informed about products, there's a utility cost to the individual of not receiving ads,” says Anand. “Imagine a world where there's no advertising — essentially we'd be making some very... View Details

Keywords: Laura Singleton (MBA 1988)

02 Apr 2024
Blog Post

IFC India: A Circular Journey Through JSW Cement - From Steel Slag to Stronger Shores

about the superior strength and environmental benefits of the product, which paid off. Slag-blended cement is now in coastal regions where its enhanced durability against saltwater erosion shines. JSW also recognizes the need for flexibility. Not all applications can... View Details

September 1981 (Revised November 1983)
Case

El Paso - PNW Merger (A)

By: Richard H.K. Vietor

Keywords: Mergers and Acquisitions; Utilities Industry; Utilities Industry

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August 2010 (Revised December 2010)
Supplement

Urban Water Partners (A) (CW)

By: Karthik Ramanna and George Serafeim

The case explores a new venture to bring clean water to Tanzanians who otherwise cannot access or afford it. Management has enough money to get their company through August 2010, but needs more capital. An HBS alum is interested in investing in the company;... View Details

Keywords: Human Needs; Accrual Accounting; Financial Statements; Utilities Industry; Utilities Industry; Dar es Salaam

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