This section features background information and resources relevant to the current research theme. It includes resources produced by WDR and external sources and is organised by regions and topics. An archive of resources recommended in previous research cycles is also available along with news from the WDR/Intelecon Regulatory News Service.
Body of Knowledge on Utility Regulation Print E-mail
Written by Amy Mahan   
Wednesday, 03 January 2007
A self-learning and comprehensive reference resource, the Body of Knowledge on Utility Regulation (BoK), has been developed by the University of Florida's Public Utility Research Center (PURC) and offers a range of resources and a very excellent user interface for moving through the different levels of information.

In addition to an Overview and Introduction, the Body of Knowledge is organised around eight modules:

  • General Concepts
  • Market Structure
  • Financial Analysis
  • Incentive Regulation
  • Tariff Design
  • Quality, Social and Environmental
  • Information Issues
  • Regulatory Processes.

Each module contains a narrative of the key thematic issues; an annotated reading list of more than 300 references; and short quizzes for users to test themselves on the content of each module.

The Body of Knowlege also includes an extensive glossary of terms which can be accessed via hyperlinked items in the text, or via an alphabetical interface to the list.

The user interface for this resource is simple and well-designed. Users can jump to different modules from a interactive compass graphic, can access the modules via a more traditional menu, or may simply download the text (in pieces or in its entirety). 

This is a living resource and users can join a mailing list to receive notices of when the website has been updated with new resources.

 

Body of Knowledge on Utility Regulation 

Developed by the Public Utility Research Center (PURC) at the University of Florida, in collaboration with the University of Toulouse, the Pontificia Universidad Catolica, the World Bank and a panel of international experts.

Funding for this project came from Public Private Infrastructure Advisory Facility (PPIAF).