Aaron Larson
Articles By

Aaron Larson

Aaron Larson is the Executive Editor of POWER, where he has covered the global power generation industry since joining the editorial team in 2013. He oversees editorial operations and budget, and serves as content director for the Experience POWER Conference, where he frequently moderates sessions.

Aaron is the host of The POWER Podcast, with more than 200 episodes featuring in-depth conversations with energy industry leaders, technologists, and policymakers. His work has earned regional and national editorial awards from the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE) and the Specialized Information Publishers Association (SIPA), including recognition for best interview, best editorial, and best podcast.

Before entering trade journalism, Aaron spent 13 years in the U.S. Navy nuclear power program, rising to the rank of Chief Petty Officer. He has also worked at commercial nuclear, biomass, and coal-fired power plants in operations, maintenance, safety, financial, and management roles. He holds a Chief A Engineer boiler operator license in Minnesota, a bachelor's degree in nuclear engineering technology, and a master's degree with a specialization in finance.

  • Vaisala Accelerates Growth with Opening a New Office in Mexico

    New office expansion enables Vaisala to accelerate growth in industrial and environmental measurements businesses, professional services and customer support. The new office will cater for all Vaisala’s customers in the Latin America region. Vaisala, the leading provider of environmental and industrial measurement solutions, launched a new office in Mexico. With the office opening, Vaisala is […]

  • GSE Systems’ Latest Simulation Platform Selected by a Major Client as Fleet Solution for Nuclear Operator Training Simulators

    SYKESVILLE, Md.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–GSE Systems, Inc. (GSE or the Company) (NYSE American: GVP), the world leader in real-time high-fidelity simulation systems and training/consulting solutions to the power and process industries, today announced that its latest simulation platform, OpenSim™ 7.0, is being implemented as a fleet solution across all nuclear plant sites for an existing client operating […]

  • Exelon’s Digital Transformation [PODCAST]

    GE and Exelon announced a multi-year agreement to deploy GE’s portfolio of Predix software solutions across the energy company’s six electric utilities to further enhance reliability and efficient service to its more than 10 million customers. Exelon’s six utilities will use these advanced analytics to further strengthen transmission and delivery systems. POWER Executive Editor Aaron […]

  • Vibration Institute Along With Acoustical Society of America Work Diligently to form American National Standards Institute Standard for Shaft Alignment

    Oakbrook, IL – The Vibration Institute (VI) has worked with the Acoustical Society of America for over 40 years to develop standards on machine vibration measurement, monitoring, and analysis and certification of vibration analysts. During the last 4 years, the (VI) has sponsored an effort in conjunction with the Acoustical Society of America (ASA) to […]

  • Tablet Reviews: The Surface 2 and Amazon’s Kindle Get Top Honors

    SYRACUSE, N.Y., Nov. 21, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — Do you want the best tablet on the market? If money is no object, go for the Microsoft Surface Book 2. That is the recommendation of David Milman, president of RESCUECOM, whose computer repair company headquartered in upstate New York repairs tens of thousands of computers annually. Why? […]

  • GE, in Consortium with NGSL, Completes Milestone Project to Help Modernize Indian Coal-Fired Power Plant Fleet to Meet Country’s Efficiency and Emissions Goals

    GE’s Advanced Steam Path (ASP) Solution Restored Original Output of BHEL Steam Turbine, Improved Its Heat Rate by Approximately 14.5 Percent and Extended Unit Life up to 25 Years  First-of-Its-Kind Shaftline Retrofit in India on BHEL 200-Megawatt Class Fleet Modernizations at Gujarat State Electricity Corporation Limited’s (GSECL’s) Ukai Power Station Increased Overall Power Plant Efficiency […]

  • American Hydro expands its business to Central America

    Wärtsilä Corporation, Press release, 21 November 2017 at 10 am EET American Hydro, a Wärtsilä company, will enhance the efficiency and performance of the Mollejon hydroelectric generating plant, located in Belize, Central America. The company was awarded a contract in September 2017 by Belize Electric Company Limited (BECOL) to upgrade the plant with high quality […]

  • Doosan Škoda Power has put into operation a back-pressure bleeding turbine for PKN Orlen S.A.-Plock

    Pilsen / Plock (21. 11. 2017) – A new 70 MW turbine from Pilsen’s manufacturer Doosan Škoda Power provides steam and electricity for one of the largest petrochemical plants in Europe. It was delivered to Poland’s petrochemical giant PKN Orlen on the contractually agreed date of 9. 11. 2017. The back-pressure bleeding steam turbine in […]

  • ELECTRIC POWER Conference Announces TVA as Host Utility

    20th annual conference and exhibition convenes in Nashville from March 19 – 22, 2018 HOUSTON, TX, November 15, 2017 – The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is serving as the host utility for 20th annual ELECTRIC POWER Conference & Exhibition, which convenes at the Gaylord Opryland Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn., from March 19-22. The ELECTRIC […]

  • GAS POWER Direct—Nov. 15, 2017

    November 15, 2017 Siemens Launches 44-MW Aeroderivative Gas Turbine Model for Fast Power Demand Surge Siemens in November introduced the SGT-A45 TR, a mobile 44-MW aeroderivative gas turbine designed for the world’s booming fast power market. While the product’s launch is pivotal for the giant… Read More IEA Paints Picture of World Dominated by Renewables […]

  • Simple-cycle efficiency raised to entirely new level with the Wärtsilä 31SG engine

    The technology group Wärtsilä has introduced a gas fuelled version of the successful Wärtsilä 31 engine, the Wärtsilä 31SG. This follows very positive acceptance of the diesel version in marine sector applications. The Wärtsilä 31 has been recognised by Guinness World Records as the world’s most efficient 4-stroke diesel engine. The Wärtsilä 31SG is sharpening […]

  • Caterpillar Introduces Third G3500 H-Series Product Featuring Industry’s Lowest Operating Costs

    PEORIA, IL – Caterpillar Inc. today announced the latest addition to its new series of Cat® generator sets designed to deliver the lowest owning and operating costs in the market. The G3512H is the third of the H-Series product line now available for operation on natural gas fuel. This generator set is currently offered at […]

  • GE’s Hardware and Digital Upgrades Help Increase Efficiency and Output at Azito Power Plant in the Ivory Coast

    Project at Azito Power Plant in Abidjan Marks GE’s First GT13E2 MXL2 Gas Turbine Upgrade in Sub-Saharan Africa Plant’s Output Will Increase by up to 30 Megawatts, Helping the Country to Meet Its Electricity Needs Upgrade Includes GE’s Predix*-Based Operations Optimization Solution to Improve Overall Plant Performance ABIDJAN, IVORY COAST—November 15, 2017—To improve performance and […]

  • COAL POWER Direct—Nov. 8, 2017

    November 8, 2017 Improve Power Plant Efficiency Using Design Documents and Five Basic Parameters Power plants are designed to operate at their highest efficiency. Once a plant goes into operation, however, real life takes over and sometimes design outcomes are not regularly realized. Improving plant Read More India Launches Probe of Power Plant Blast; Death […]

  • Siemens to deliver key components for combined cycle power plant in the United States

    Two H-class gas turbines and long-term service for the Hickory Run Energy Center Capacity to power approximately 1,000,000 homes in Pennsylvania Siemens Financial Services to invest equity Tyr Energy, Inc. has chosen Siemens as the technology partner for the Hickory Run Energy Center – a new 1,000 megawatt natural gas-fired combined cycle power plant (CCPP) […]

  • Accessing New Markets via Acquisition

    In June this year, Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction (DHIC) completed the acquisition of U.S. company ACT Independent Turbo Services, Inc. ACT, now operating under the new name of Doosan Turbomachinery Services, was founded in 1996, and its head office is in Houston, Texas, USA. The company presents itself on the market as one of […]

  • GAS POWER Direct—Oct. 18, 2017

    October 18, 2017 NRG Stops Plan for California Gas Plant NRG Energy has stopped development of a proposed natural gas plant in Oxnard, California, after two state regulators earlier this month recommended the California Energy Commission (CEC) reject the project.… Read More Gas and Electric: How Disparate Industries Are Working Together Electric generation and natural […]

  • Droneweek [PODCAST]

    [Ed. note: This post was first published on October 5, 2017, and was updated on October 17, 2017, with embedded video from the DRONEWEEK television show.] DRONEWEEK is a television program that will air on the Viceland network beginning Monday, October 9, 2017, and continuing each night throughout the week. Each episode will feature footage […]

  • Next generation of Weir control valve designs optimize performance at competitive value

    Elland, UK – Weir Valves & Controls UK, part of global engineering firm Weir Group, has enhanced the Blakeborough® cage guided control valve range with the release of the BV590i (Globe) and BV591i (Angle) series. The new designs of cage-guided valves represent a step-change in flow control technology; offering customers process critical control valves at […]

  • How Power Sector Deregulation Is Affecting Mexico [PODCAST]

    Mexico’s energy reform began in 2013. It has opened up key parts of the country’s electricity sector to new market participants, foreign investors, and innovative technology. Prior to the reform, Mexico operated under a traditional, vertically integrated model with the state-owned Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) responsible for all power supply functions from generation to distribution. […]

  • COAL POWER Direct—Oct. 11, 2017

    October 11, 2017 EPA Head Pruitt Ready to Repeal Clean Power Plan Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) chief Scott Pruitt on October 9 said he will sign a proposed rule Tuesday to repeal the Clean Power Plan (CPP), a signature initiative of former… Read More The U.S.’s War on Coal Is Purported to Be Over—What About […]

  • KROHNE Announces OPTISONIC 7300 Ultrasonic Biogas Flowmeter

    Specially designed to offer direct measurement of dry and wet biogas with variable composition Peabody, MA: KROHNE, Inc. now offers the OPTISONIC 7300 Biogas ultrasonic flowmeter, which has been specially designed to measure dry and wet biogas with variable composition. The flowmeter provides additional functions like calculation of standard volume, methane content measurement, and diagnostics […]

  • The U.S.’s War on Coal Is Purported to Be Over—What About the Rest of the World?

    The Trump administration unabashedly supports coal, and regulations designed to phase out its use in U.S. power production are being reviewed. But while other nations continue to rely on coal for much of their power, they also are increasing their use of natural gas and renewables, including heavyweight coal users such as China and India. […]

  • Vibration Monitoring Best Practices [PODCAST]

    Most large power plants have continuous vibration monitoring systems installed on turbine generators and other critical equipment. The systems have evolved greatly since the 1970s. In this episode of The POWER Podcast, Steve Sabin, SETPOINT product manager for Brüel & Kjær Vibro, offers some tips to get the most out of these systems. He talks […]

  • Can Angela Merkel, the So-Called “Climate Chancellor,” Hold Germany to Its Greenhouse Targets?

    On Sunday, September 24, Germany finalized voting in its 2017 federal elections. Citizens were able to vote by mail ahead of Sunday’s election or they could chose to efficiently breeze through a voting center, make a physical “X” next to, first, the local direct candidate of their choice. And then make a second mark next […]

  • Four Tips for Protecting Power within One of the World’s Most Critical Industries

    New report highlights criticality of utilities. As more and more industries increasingly rely on information technology (IT), the ability to ensure IT systems stay up and running is more critical than ever. But which industries absolutely, positively must stay up and running? Which industries are most critical? That’s the question answered by a team of […]

  • UK Supreme Court Rules on Robin Rigg Wind Farm Case [PODCAST]

    The UK Supreme Court ruled unanimously in favor of E.ON in a long-running dispute over foundation problems identified at the 174-MW Robin Rigg offshore wind farm located between Scotland and England. The judges said Danish contractor MT Højgaard must bear the approximate €26 million cost of remedying failed grouted connections between monopiles and transition pieces […]

  • Siemens and PAS announce global strategic partnership to provide essential industrial control system cybersecurity

    Siemens, a global engineering and technology leader, and PAS Global, the leading provider of industrial control system (ICS) cybersecurity solutions, announced an agreement to provide fleet-wide, real time monitoring for control systems. By leveraging the unique capabilities of both companies, this partnership will provide customers with: (1) deep analytics required to identify and inventory proprietary assets; and (2) visibility […]

  • ENGIE Acquires Six Northeast Energy Services Companies from Talen

    September 15, 2016 – ENGIE North America today announced that it has acquired six mechanical services companies from the Talen Energy Group. The companies, B-G Mechanical Contractors, B-G Mechanical Services, Elmsford Sheet Metal Works, Inc., Fred Williams, Inc., H.T. Lyons, and TryState Mechanical are based in Pennsylvania, New York, and New England and together employ […]

  • ENEC CEO Highlights Priorities of UAE Peaceful Nuclear Energy Program at WNA Symposium in London

    ENEC Executives amongst 600 nuclear energy professionals participating in World Nuclear Association (WNA) Symposium, London, UK. ENEC CEO, Eng. Mohamed Al Hammadi, updates industry leaders on evolution of ENEC and the UAE Peaceful Nuclear Energy Program Abu Dhabi, UAE – 14 September 2017: A senior delegation from the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC), led by […]