YX Energi: going unmanned in Denmark

YX Energi is to convert all of its remaining manned service stations into unmanned Uno-X branded sites. The company is also launching its own branded Visa card, which will be accepted in the newly independent shops next to the service station. These developments will see YX Energi cater for its two core service station customer groups: large businesses, and private customers and small businesses.

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Young families not on utilities' radars, but there's good reason to look more closely

Young families are a lucrative segment for utility providers to tap into. Energy companies should target new parents, or parents to be, in the same way that banks target teenagers and students. Datamonitor's Daniel Legg explains that by designing a product especially for young families, utilities can increase loyalty and, hopefully, gain a customer for 20 years or more...

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Yorkshire Electricity: attracting interest

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Yingli Solar: partnership with US charity should provide inspiration for UK renewables sector

Global solar energy giant Yingli Solar recently awarded US non-profit solar installer GRID Alternatives the biggest donation it has ever received, in a deal that makes the Chinese solar company GRID's official supplier. The partnership will provide solar energy for low-income families, and sets forth a blueprint that could help shape the UK's own energy and social ambitions.

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Yello's organic growing pains

It may have taken six years, but Yello has just crept back into the black and recorded a small profit for Q2 2004. The energy retailer took on the German market with a striking price message and managed to acquire 1 million customers in six years. However, they came at a high price and as Datamonitor's Daniel Legg explains, there are better ways to make money in energy retail...

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Yello Strom: from red to black by 2005

The newly installed CEO of EnBW, Utz Claasen, has warned that Yello Strom, its residential subsidiary, must reach profitability by 2005. While its current losses and faltering acquisition strategy make the goal look unreasonable, upcoming market changes could leave Yello in a strong position.

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World Bank: limit on coal funding is a step in the right direction

By restricting funding for coal power stations to all but the poorest countries, the World Bank is taking a step in the right direction towards a greener world. While this move has faced criticism, reducing extreme poverty has to take preference over low carbon energy. Ultimately, the World Bank has to find a way to help poorer countries use funding to develop cleaner alternatives.

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Winter gas & power will still prove costly for UK business

Falling wholesale energy prices have had significant column inches recently, with UK regulator Ofgem threatening to "go after" domestic retailers caught with profit-laden "jam on their fingers." While households may enjoy a welcome fall in energy bills in the New Year, British industry faces the more immediate prospect of another winter of discontent in the volatile spot and near curve markets.

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Winning acceptance for dynamic pricing: what utilities must do to succeed

The benefits created by smart metering are considerable, particularly dynamic pricing. Yet the most important element of smart metering - the customer - is little understood and is at risk of being overlooked. Utilities must soon introduce smart metering and the notion of variable pricing to their domestic clients.

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Wingas: plans to expand UK gas market share could be too limited

After acquiring 100% of its joint venture business from Norwegian company Norsk Hydro, Wingas UK has announced that it is seeking to significantly increase its share of the high end of the UK gas market. Although the recent market opening makes this a prudent time to become more aggressive, Wingas's designs on the UK market and its plans to sell higher volumes may be too narrow in scope.

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