Citibank: Utilities are dinosaurs waiting to die  Today's
electric power utilities could lose half their addressable
market to energy efficiency, solar and storage, and other
distributed generation, according to "Energy Darwinism -- the
evolution of the energy industry," a new report (PDF) from the
investment banking arm of Citibank.  "Consumers face
economically viable choices and alternatives in the coming years
which were not foreseen five years ago," the analysts write.
According to REneweconomy, the price fall of solar panels has
exceeded all expectations, resulting in cost parity being
achieved in certain areas much more quickly.  "The key point
about the future is that these fast 'learning rates' are likely
to continue, meaning that the technology just keeps getting
cheaper. At the same time, the alternatives of conventional
fossil fuels are likely to gradually become more expensive."
"This is not a 'tomorrow' story," the report says. "We are
already seeing utilities altering investment plans, even i