Existing electric power retail market is far from the target model, supply companies are quite unstable to demand swings. The article analyses the effect of power consumption slashing and following payment failures for supply company activities. The author is suggesting a model of power supply company activities different from the existing one.

Large investment projects require raising high volumes of financial resources on the long term. There is a task now set to raise private capital into the power field more actively and to develop state-private partnership. The article analyses modern types of financing: ВОО (Build - Own - Operate) and ВООТ (Build - Own - Operate - Transfer) that allow to accumulate required financial resources, reduce investment risks and combine interests of different parts participating in a project.

Maintaining and improving reliable, efficient grids is vital for a modern society. The European transmission and distribution networks are ageing and they are faced with different challenges that may push them to evolve following different trends and conflicting drivers. The present paper aims therefore at assessing the current situation and at evaluating the possible future evolution of the electricity grids in Europe. It analyses technological state of the art and the expected deployment of advanced technology in transmission and distribution. The study highlights the main barriers hindering the development of the present grids and the design of future electricity networks and tries to identify a possible way forward. The paper also focuses on possible synergies with other sectors. Many actions still need to be taken, both at European and national level, to develop the future electricity networks.

As the January 2009 Ukraine-Russia gas dispute showed, gas disruption is not always accompanied by an increase in gas prices. In this case equilibrium models based on changes in prices do not offer a basis for the assessment of costs related to disruption. The main objective of this article is to estimate and compare macroeconomic costs of gas disruption as approximation of GDP not generated due to disruption in a transparent and consistent way. The estimation of the cost of past or potential future disruptions could be used as benchmark for necessary new infrastructure investments.

The article analyses the results of electric power industry reformation. At most, two key tasks are not completed: creating a competitive market of electric power prices of which are not controlled by the state, but formed on the basis of demand and supply of its participants; and raising private investments to renew generating powers. The reform only laid legal, economic, technological and infrastructural basis for creating efficient, reliable and compatible industry, it is needed to develop competitive relationships, perfect rate regulation and provide equality of all industry participants.

Transition to innovative economy requires creating a number of new characteristics: presence of economic strategy involving infrastructure creation and reorganization; relevant aim multitude; taking legal and economical action in implementing new resource-saving and ecological technologies. Main problems requiring active solution for innovative economy formation are explained.

The article analyses qualitative changes in personnel training system in the field of crisis and insolvency management. Special emphasis is made on problems of higher professional education as a result of its reformation. The authors assess the existing system of insolvency officer training and show its impact on providing the efficiency of Russian insolvency institution. They develop suggestions on organizing the system of training and qualification upgrade for personnel in the field of crisis and insolvency management.