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.

  • Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners Engages E.ON for Texas site

    AUSTIN, Texas, April 10, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) has hired E.ON Energy Services (EES) to provide an array of services for its 196.7 MW Bearkat I wind farm in Glasscock County, Texas.  The facility is currently under construction and E.ON Energy Services will provide onsite construction management and project management services for […]

  • Commodity Price Volatility Is Prime Concern Among Global Energy Leaders

    An April 6–issued report released by the World Energy Council suggests that the single biggest worry among global energy leaders is commodity price volatility. Prices appear to be a big concern because of the “Grand Energy Transition” toward de-carbonization. Leaders in resource-holding countries, such as Saudi Arabia, are anxious about long-term economic models, if prices […]

  • COAL POWER Direct—Apr. 5, 2017

    Coal Power Direct   Current Issue | Find a Job | Post a Job Enhanced Boiler Defense Strategies for an Aging Coal Fleet Cyclic operating conditions can be problematic for many coal-fired power plants that were designed to run as baseload units. Implementing a combustion and boiler performance management program can help ensure&hellips; Read More […]

  • High-Performance Oil Reduces Varnish and Saves Money for Gas Turbine Power Plant

    Varnish buildup in oil systems and components can degrade performance and cause erratic valve operation. Some experts have conducted research and formulated new lubricants that could help solve those problems. One such oil proved highly successful during a five-year run at a gas turbine power plant. By eliminating the need for oil changes and valve […]

  • First Time in China: GE’s 9FA Advanced Gas Path Technology to Boost Efficiency at Shanghai Caojing’s Power Station

    GE’s Advanced Gas Path Technology Will Help Increase Output by Approximately 25 Megawatts, Boost Efficiency and Reduce Emissions at the Plant Station Serves as Model for Utilities in China Seeking to Make Their Plants More Efficient and Reliable SHANGHAI—March 28, 2017—GE’s Power Services (NYSE: GE) signed a milestone agreement to provide Advanced Gas Path (AGP) […]

  • Wärtsilä to supply, operate and maintain five multi-fuel power plants in Indonesia

    A consortium between the technology group Wärtsilä and an Indonesian construction company, PT PP (Persero) Tbk, has been contracted to supply five power plants, totalling 255 MW, to PT PLN, the Indonesian state utility. The consortium will be responsible for the complete engineering, procurement & construction (EPC) of the projects, and will also operate and […]

  • Al Bly, founder and former CEO of U.S. Water, announces his retirement from the water treatment industry

    St. Michael, MN (March 27, 2017) – Al Bly today announced his retirement from the water treatment industry after 31 years. In a letter to current U.S. Water CEO LaMarr Barnes, Al expressed his gratitude to those that were part of his journey with U.S. Water. “I would like to thank U.S. Water employees, customers, […]

  • Platform Collapse Kills Nine at Chinese Power Plant

    Nine workers were killed and two others were injured when a platform collapsed at a power plant under construction in Guangdong Province, China. The accident happened at about 8 a.m. local time on March 25 at the No. 7 Thermal Power Plant located in the provincial capital Guangzhou, according to Xinhua (the official news agency […]

  • GE to Bring World’s Most Advanced Gas Turbine Technology to CPV Fairview Energy Center in Pennsylvania

    Co-developers CPV, GE Energy Financial Services, and OGUSA arranged $700 million of senior debt financing for project Expected to be one of most efficient combined-cycle plants in PA with 1,050 MW added to grid SCHENECTADY, N.Y.—March 27, 2017—GE (NYSE: GE) today announced an order from Competitive Power Ventures (CPV) Fairview Energy Center for two 7HA […]

  • New ASTM International Guide Supports Safety in Nuclear Power Plants

    W. CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa., March 27, 2017—A new ASTM International guide responds to a decades-long need to enhance safety surrounding protective coating systems at nuclear power plants. The new standard (soon to be published as D8104, Guide for Determining Coating Qualification Test Data Applicability) was developed by ASTM International’s committee on protective coating and lining work […]

  • Brand Energy & Infrastructure Services and Safway Group Announce Post Close CEO for Combined Company

    Safway Group President and CEO Bill Hayes, Proven Access and Industrial Services Executive, to Become Chief Executive of Combined Business Global Headquarters to be Atlanta, GA with Significant Ongoing Presence in Waukesha, WI KENNESAW, GA and WAUKESHA, WI  – March 27, 2017 – Brand Energy & Infrastructure Services (“Brand”) and Safway Group (“Safway”), which announced […]

  • Siemens and Sumitomo Electric win order for HVDC link and agree on cooperation

    Leading experts in latest HVDC converter and cable technology join forces India’s first HVDC link featuring state-of-the-art VSC technology Transmission link to support Government’s Vision of 24×7 power for all A consortium between Siemens and Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd. has been awarded an HVDC order from Indian transmission operator Power Grid Corporation of India (POWERGRID) […]

  • Schletter Group: new greenhouse mounting system makes its début in China

    Shanghai, China, 27 March 2017. The Schletter Group has installed its newly developed mounting solution for greenhouse solar PV systems for the first time in China. A 20 MWp large-scale photovoltaic system was installed for the “Jiangs-North Greenhouse Project” in a vegetable cultivation plant in the province of Sihong for the project developers, Nanjing QDC. […]

  • First Solar to Deliver 48.5MW Manildra Solar Farm in Australia

    Company’s installed capacity to surpass 400MW in Australia SYDNEY–(BUSINESS WIRE)–First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR) today announced that financial close has been reached for the Manildra Solar Farm in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. First Solar will leverage its expertise in utility-scale solar development to deliver the 48.5 megawatt (MW)AC project, which will utilize approximately 466,000 First […]

  • Sulzer and ABB announce UK service agreement for large motors and generators

    Sulzer has been chosen to provide the UK market with maintenance and repair services for ABB medium and high voltage motors and generators. The agreement provides ABB customers with direct access to the specialist skills and extensive facilities of Sulzer’s service centers in Birmingham and Falkirk. As ABB’s first Loyalty Partner to provide workshop and […]

  • One of the World’s Largest Geothermal Power Plants Commences Commercial Operation

    First Unit of the Sarulla Geothermal Power Plant Starts to Provide Indonesia with 110 MW of Clean, Renewable Energy. Plant combines Toshiba’s flash and Ormat’s binary technologies to maximize efficiency Jakarta, Mar. 22, 2017 — Toshiba Corporation (TOKYO: 6502) and Ormat Technologies Inc. (NYSE: ORA) today announced that the first unit of the Sarulla geothermal […]

  • Beijing’s Last Coal Power Plant Ceases Operation, Air Pollution Still a Concern

    Beijing, China—a city known for its dreadful air pollution—no longer has any large coal-fired power plants adding to the problem. The Huaneng Beijing Thermal Power Plant’s final unit suspended operations on March 18, marking the end of coal-fueled generation in the city. Beijing’s power is now being supplied by what Xinhua (the Chinese government’s official […]

  • Clyde Bergemann Equips New Build Power Plant Turów (Poland) with Boiler Cleaning Equipment

    Wesel, March 2017 Together with three consortium partners, Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems Europe (MHPSE) is setting up a highly efficient lignite fired 450 MW power plant in Turów, Poland. MHPSE awarded German Clyde Bergemann GmbH with the supply of the boiler cleaning and efficiency systems. Turów is now the second new construction project in Poland […]

  • NRC Accepts NuScale Small Modular Reactor Design Certification Application

    The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has accepted NuScale Power’s small modular reactor (SMR) design certification application and will provide a design review schedule soon. The NRC’s acceptance marks a major milestone for the first SMR design to ever attempt obtaining U.S. certification. NuScale, in which Fluor Corp. is a majority investor, submitted its application on […]

  • BGE Crews and Contractors Aiding in Power Restoration Efforts for Delmarva Power Customers

    Following BGE’s completion of clean-up from winter storm Stella in Maryland, the company sent a contingent of electric crews to North East, Md, and to New Castle, Del., this morning to aid BGE’s Exelon sister utility Delmarva Power.  80 employees and contractors departed to help restore electric service to customers still impacted by winter storm […]

  • Schneider Electric Enables Predictive Maintenance at Israel Electric Corporation to Boost Reliability

    Ensures “Life is On” across Israel with early warning notification of equipment problems to reduce unscheduled downtime Monitoring and Diagnostics Services Center offers best practice advice and start up services for ease of rollout LAKE FOREST, Calif., March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — Schneider Electric, the global specialist in energy management and automation, today announced the […]

  • Wärtsilä to supply 38 MW power plant to Saudi Arabia

    The technology group Wärtsilä will supply a 38 MW power plant to a Saudi Arabian customer. The turn-key engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) order includes four Wärtsilä 32TS engines. The order is booked in the first quarter of 2017. The Wärtsilä 32TS engine, a two-stage turbocharged version of the Wärtsilä 32 series, is optimised for extreme […]

  • General Atomics Featured in Senate Hearing on Advanced Reactor Research and Future of Nuclear Regulatory Commission

    Advanced Reactors Must Address Cost, Safety, Waste & Proliferation Challenges WASHINGTON, March 8, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Today, Dr. Christina Back, Vice President of Nuclear Technologies and Materials for General Atomics and leader of the organization responsible for the Energy Multiplier Module (EM2), an advanced reactor concept, testified before the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works […]

  • COAL POWER Direct—Mar. 8, 2017

    Coal Power Direct   Current Issue | Find a Job | Post a Job Trump Orders WOTUS Rule Rewrite An executive order signed by President Donald Trump on February 27 authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to rewrite a contentious rule asserting federal authority over small bodies of water. The Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) […]

  • mPrest and New York Power Authority (NYPA) Announce First-of-its-Kind Software System to Ensure Reliability of Statewide Critical Power Infrastructure

    WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–mPrest, a leading-edge provider of mission-critical monitoring, control and analytics software for utilities, and the New York Power Authority (NYPA), New York state’s largest public power organization, announced today the decision to deploy operationally a groundbreaking predictive health analytics application which enhances operational reliability and cost-effectiveness of NYPA’s critical assets network. mPrest’s […]

  • FCI Releases Updated Tech Sheet #108: Condensate Line Sizing for Gravity Returns from Steam Traps and Heat Recovery

    The Fluid Controls Institute (FCI) recently released Tech Sheet #108: Condensate Line Sizing for Gravity Returns from Steam Traps and Heat Recovery which is available as a free download from the FCI Web Site. Improperly sized condensate return lines can lead to steam system issues, including piping noise, waterhammer, and erosion, as well as erratic […]

  • GE Launches Global Powering Efficiency Center of Excellence, Offering Solutions to Help Reduce Coal Plant Emissions by up to 11 Percent

    GE’s Powering Efficiency COE Combines the Expertise of Power Services, Steam Power Systems, Power Digital Solutions, the Global Research Center and Global Growth Organization Project in India Highlights GE’s Global Powering Efficiency COE Mission to Boost Efficiency and Reduce Emissions of Existing Coal-Fired Power Plants BADEN, SWITZERLAND—March 6, 2017—GE (NYSE: GE) today announced its new […]

  • SCE Seeks New Distributed Energy Resources in the Goleta Area

    Request for Offers issued for resources to bolster local grid resiliency. ROSEMEAD, Calif., March 6, 2017 — Southern California Edison has launched a Request for Offers (RFO) to acquire new distributed energy resources to bolster grid resiliency in the Santa Barbara-Goleta area. The RFO is seeking a range of new distributed energy resources including: energy […]

  • Nordex strengthens its position in Ireland

    Nordex turbines of more than 500 MW operating in the Republic of Ireland Hamburg, 6 March 2017. The Nordex Group has passed a new milestone in the Republic of Ireland: with the commissioning of Energia Renewables’ 95 megawatt (MW) “Meenadreen” wind farm in Donegal the manufacturer passed the 500 MW mark for turbines in operation. […]

  • Moving towards the up-and-coming Indonesian market is the right choice for Doosan Škoda Power

    (Pilsen, Czech Republic, 6th March 2017) – The company has been awarded yet another contract to supply a steam turbine in this area. The contract is for the expansion of Block 2 at the Grati power plant (East Java), converting its gas cycle into a combined cycle. The steam turbine for this project is a […]