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Renewables
Himalayan Run-of-River Project Depends on New Component Types
The Himalayan Mountains tower over some of the most rugged terrain and harshest climate conditions on the planet. Melting snows from Mount Everest, K2, and hundreds of other snow-capped peaks carve out more
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Commentary
What to Watch for in EPA Carbon Regulations for Existing Plants
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is expected to propose first-of-a-kind greenhouse gas (GHG) emission limits for existing power plants by June 2014. The EPA will do so under a rarely used
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Water
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Are Not Our Only Problem
Marilu Hastings With all the recent scientific studies, media coverage, and policy decisions about reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, one might think that the emissions issue is the only challenge that
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Commentary
Disruptions vs. Status Quo
There’s been a lot of talk in the past couple of years about “disruption” to the long-established status quo in the electric utility and power generation sector. But I would argue that both terms in this
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Energy Storage
Balancing Renewables with Li-ion Energy Storage
The inherently unpredictable and variable nature of wind power can present significant integration challenges when increasing the penetration of wind turbines within already highly stressed medium-voltage (MV)
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O&M
Critical Path: Getting Your Outage Ducks in a Row
It’s no secret that equipment requires maintenance. Just as your personal vehicle needs an oil change periodically, a power plant needs to shut down regularly for a tune-up to take care of all those little
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Coal
Fuel-Flexible CFBs Add Flexibility to Resource Plans
The downward trend in solid fuel quality has negatively affected many power generators that rely on imported fuels. For others, this represents a market opportunity. A quick survey of recent installations found that fuel-flexible circulating fluidized bed (CFB) boilers addressed owners’ fuel source concerns by efficiently burning low-quality, high-moisture coals, even when mixed with biomass and […]
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Renewables
Despite Challenges, India Banks on Renewable Energy
Energy-starved India has been diversifying increasingly into renewable energy (RE), becoming in the process one of the world’s most vibrant markets for this sector. This bodes well for a country that has
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Distributed Energy
David Crane and the Coming Electric Utility Apocalypse
Several years ago, Jean and Bob Galey of Catoctin Creek Farm in rural western Maryland installed solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on the south-facing roof of one of their outbuildings. Since then, they’ve
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Renewables
UK Struggles to Attract Low-Carbon Investment
After years of dithering on energy policy, the UK government has nearly finalized its plans for electricity market reform. Guaranteed prices for low-carbon power, plus a carbon floor price to discourage the
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Test Coal
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Business
Women in Power Generation Content Archive
Career Advice from Women in Power Generation Many thanks to Colleen Campbell of Oakton Energy, who organized and chaired a lively discussion at the 2014 Women in Power Generation panel at ELECTRIC POWER. The April 2 event in New Orleans drew yet another record crowd—just one indication that women in the power industry are thirsty […]
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CiP 4/8/14
Careers in POWER Featured Article: How U.S. Power Generators Are Preparing for 2014 Careers in POWER Featured Article: Auto Draft … READ MORE » FRESH JOBS IN POWER GENERATION Maintenance/Reliability Engineer- The Dow Chemical CompanyPlaquemine, Louisiana Power Electrical Engineer – Princeton UniversityPrinceton, New Jersey Electric Service and Redevelopment Specialist– SRP St. Johns, Arizona…… READ MORE » […] -
Supply Chains
3D-Printed Turbine Replacement Parts Could Cut Repair Times by 90%
3D metal printing is still an experimental process in nearly all industries, used primarily for prototypes and test products. But if Siemens and GE have their way, it will soon become a standard means of
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O&M
3D Visualization Could Benefit Plant Inspection Programs
Taking a cue from the petrochemical sector, power plants may be on the cusp of applying high-fidelity 3D models of the as-built plant environment to streamline flow-accelerated corrosion (FAC) and other
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T&D
Federal Cybersecurity Framework Calls for Increased Vigilance
The energy industry, already familiar with the latest iteration of the North American Electric Reliability Corp. (NERC) Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) reliability standards, should take note: Meeting
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Coal
Drones Promise Faster, Easier Inspection of Boilers, Stacks, Towers, and More
Mention the word “drone,” and most people will have a mental picture of what a drone is and does. They likely will think first of military drones carrying missiles and other weapons that could malfunction
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Coal
How Competitive Are You?
I spent the week before this issue went to press at IHS Energy’s CERAWeek in Houston, listening and talking to many of the attendees representing 55 countries during the annual event that examines strategic
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Renewables
Energy Systems Integration: Innovative Solutions for an Integrated World
Dr. Bryan Hannegan The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is spearheading innovation in Energy Systems Integration (ESI) research. ESI is a comprehensive
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Nuclear
Momentum for Turkey’s Nuclear Ambitions
After decades of planning, Turkey may finally see the first four reactors at the Akkuyu nuclear plant completed by 2023. The country has had plans to establish nuclear power generation since 1970, but several
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General
POWER Digest
Second Nuclear Unit in Northeast China Begins Operation. The second nuclear unit at the Hongyanhe plant (Hongyanhe-2) in northeast China’s Liaoning Province entered commercial operation on Feb. 25
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Renewables
Japan’s Energy Policy Still Murky Three Years After Fukushima
The administration of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in late February announced details of its first draft energy policy since the Fukushima crisis three years ago, and it suggests that nuclear power
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Nuclear
EPRI and Luminant Collaborate to Create Common Understanding of Cybersecurity Requirements
Nuclear utilities are facing stringent cybersecurity requirements for plant digital assets that fulfill safety-related, important-to-safety, security, and emergency preparedness functions or that are
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Gas
About That Gas-Fired Power Boom…
If you were thinking the shale gas boom had permanently changed the natural gas business in the U.S., gas market fundamentals have some news for you. Natural gas prices have traditionally risen during the
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Nuclear
Worldwide Nuclear Commerce: Good News and Bad News
It’s a hoary setup for a joke, but it’s no joke in talking about nuclear power. When it comes to worldwide prospects for nuclear expansion, there is good news and there is bad news. The bad news is found
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Coal
Advanced Cooling and Water Treatment Technology Concepts for Power Plants
Technology development to reduce freshwater withdrawals and consumption for all types of thermoelectric power plants is emerging as a top research and development (R&D) priority. Thermoelectric plants in
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Renewables
Australia’s Carbon Policy Predicament
On the energy front, Australia seemingly has it all. It is endowed with significant reserves of coal, natural gas, uranium, and thorium—as well as resources that excel by world standards for wind, solar
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Instrumentation & Controls
What You Need to Know Before Replacing Your Control System
Power plants were among the leaders in implementing distributed control systems (DCSs), starting in the 1980s with systems based on mini-computers and continuing through the turn of the century. Although many
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O&M
Safety Is Not an Accident
Many generation companies have made safety a cultural norm, often beginning internal meetings with a safety note and requiring monthly safety training sessions. Zero lost time accidents during the two- or
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CiP 4/1/14
Careers in POWER Featured Article: How U.S. Power Generators Are Preparing for 2014 Careers in POWER Featured Article: CiP 3/25/14 … READ MORE » FRESH JOBS IN POWER GENERATION Sales Engineer- The Babcock & Wilcox CompanyHouston and Dallas, Texas Reliability Engineer – The Dow Chemical CompanyLouisville, Kentucky CNC Machine Center Operators– D C…… READ MORE » […]