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Energy Storage
Peak Shaving in Energy Storage: Balancing Demand, Savings, and Sustainability
Energy consumption is continually escalating at a remarkable rate, with current statistics showcasing the gravity of the situation. Global energy demand has risen by approximately 50% over the past two decades, and projections indicate that this upward trajectory will persist. Additionally, concerns about climate change have reached a peak, solidifying the need for immediate and […]
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Legal & Regulatory
New Labor Regulations Could Have Implications for Renewables Developers
Developers of renewable energy projects generally haven’t concerned themselves with the Davis-Bacon Act, the Great Depression-era federal law that mandates the paying of prevailing wages to laborers on public works projects. However, if the Department of Labor (DOL) gets its way, that might soon change. On August 23, 2023, DOL published new Davis-Bacon and Related Acts regulations that contain […]
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Wind
Elevating Wind Energy: ‘Intelligent Inspection’ Transforms Turbine Operations
A successful clean energy transition depends on maximizing output and minimizing the costs of renewable investments.In particular, wind turbines are highly effective assets but require frequent detailed inspections and maintenance to ensure they are fully operational and maximize their energy production. This can be ‘easier said than done’ for many wind turbine owners and operations […]
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Commentary
Cyberattack Vulnerabilities of Modern Power Systems
Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) is crucial to contemporary power systems and is widely used in industry and defense. SCADA are computer-based systems that are used to centrally control, monitor, and analyze activities in industries and power systems. This entails real-time communication over a communication network between a central entity and the local controllers […]
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T&D
How the Energy Transition Is Impacting the Transformers Market
Power grids around the world require upgrades to accommodate growth and incorporate new clean energy resources. Transformers are a necessary component in the modernization. Estimates suggest hundreds of
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Energy Storage
Major Austrian Utility Optimizing Energy Storage with Battery Analytics Software
Many utilities are recognizing that battery energy storage is a critical part of the transition to cleaner forms of power generation. This is especially true in Europe, where many countries have adopted
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O&M
Ester Transformer Fluids Bring Innovation to Clean Energy Systems
Clean, green, renewable energy deployments continue to grow each year. A recent statement from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) noted, “By the end of 2022, global renewable generation
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Trends
Lessening the Impacts of Extreme Weather—How Utilities Should Be Preparing
Climate change is a threat multiplier. Clean-up costs are ballooning and natural disasters are growing more expensive. In 2022 alone there were 18 natural disasters that caused more than $1 billion in damage, up from only three events in 1980. These are taking a bigger bite out of the energy sector’s operating costs and profits, […]
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Hydrogen
Moving Toward a Hydrogen Economy in the U.S. and Beyond
While using low-carbon hydrogen is not a viable economic option in most markets today, the wheels are set in motion for hydrogen to support the decarbonization of the world’s energy supply. It is a journey
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Connected Plant
Self-Tuning AI Strengthens Plant and Grid Reliability on Islands
Energy transition is progressively being adopted globally, pushing combined cycle gas turbines (CCGTs) to embrace flexible operation also on islands. CCGTs are, or will be, ramping loads up and down to accommodate intermittent renewable power inputs into the grid. These maneuvers compromise operational stability and jeopardize plant availability. Plant trips on small to mid-size islands […]
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Hydrogen
A Field Guide to Clean Hydrogen
Hydrogen is a key ingredient in any country’s future energy plans. In the U.S. the hydrogen sector is on the launch pad, ready for liftoff. However, its trajectory hinges on a critical question: what criteria will be used to define “clean hydrogen”? “Clean” is not synonymous with “green” when talking about hydrogen, although the terms […]
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Commentary
For EV Adoption, How Important Are Proposed EPA Vehicle Emissions Regulations?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in April of this year announced proposed regulations to tighten restrictions on tailpipe emissions for light and medium-duty vehicles and greenhouse gas emissions from heavy-duty vehicles beginning with the 2027 model year. In order to meet the new requirements, the proposed regulations could effectively require automakers to produce zero-emission […]
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Commentary
FERC’s Queue Reform an Improvement, but Devil Is in the Details
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on July 28 issued a landmark order that reforms the generator interconnection process. The order is in response to a clear need for nationwide improvements due to a rapidly changing resource mix, market forces, and emerging technologies for power generation. Order No. 2023, Improvements to Generator Interconnection Procedures and Agreements, […]
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Gas
Could SCR Catalyst Technology Adoption Be a Roadmap for Power Plants Seeking Economical and Efficient CO2 Point-Source Solutions?
As the quest to develop a net-zero carbon emissions electricity grid marches on, global entities like the International Energy Agency (IEA) increasingly point to a big role for carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS). The IEA goes so far as to say reaching net-zero will be nearly impossible without CCUS. Proposed governmental greenhouse gas emissions […]
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Wind
How Wind Turbine Pitch-Control and Sealing Systems Work
With over 350,000 wind turbines currently in use globally, wind continues to be one of the fastest growing forms of renewable energy. In 2021, 93.6 GW of new installations brought global cumulative wind power capacity to 837 GW, showing year-over-year growth of 12%. The Global Wind Report 2022 notes that 557 GW of new capacity […]
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Legal & Regulatory
Empty Space—Navigating the Void of Pore Space Regulation in Texas
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has spurred investment in carbon capture and sequestration (CCS), a key tool for decarbonization, by significantly increasing the tax credit for permanently sequestering carbon dioxide. However, many states lack comprehensive laws necessary for CCS projects to attract investment. That includes Texas, a global energy capital that boasts high storage potential. Regulatory […]
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O&M
Using ASME PTC 6 Testing to Improve Steam Turbine Performance
When a power plant experiences issues with performance, the obvious indicators are usually a loss in load capacity or an increase in fuel consumption. However, other issues exist that can be costly, such as
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Legal & Regulatory
Bonus Tax Credits Supercharging Domestic Clean Energy Manufacturing
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) recognizes the importance of boosting domestic U.S. manufacturing of clean energy equipment and provides a 10% bonus for the production tax credit and investment tax credit
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Waste to Energy
Integrating Flammable Gas Pressurization System with Online Ash Cleaning Device Improves Energy Efficiency
A stationary shockwave ash cleaning device combined with a pneumatic booster system is a solution to the hourly cleaning of accumulated ash in boiler tube bundles. The automated ash cleaning process stably
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Hybrid Power
Propane Is a Sustainable Choice for Growing Microgrid Need
Construction professionals can rely on propane for lower emissions and enhanced resiliency. Commercial buildings are experiencing more and more unplanned power outages and it’s causing incredible strain on
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O&M
Spider Power for Turbomachinery Operators
Slowly, a blue spider crawls across its spider web. When it reaches the center, it stretches, solidifying the self-woven structures. We are in the middle of a video scene. Only when the camera opens up and moves away from the scenery does it become clear. This is not a real spider, but a model from […]
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O&M
Hot Weather: How to Maintain Power Plant Readiness and Reliable Operation
Extreme temperature and weather events have become more prevalent in the past decade. In fact, July 2023 is shaping up to be “the hottest single month on Earth on record, and possibly in more than 100,000 years,” according to an article published by The Washington Post. The article, published on July 20, says, “Every day […]
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Connected Plant
How Utilities Can Achieve Automated, Condition-Based Grid Maintenance to Boost Safety and Grid Reliability
Site safety, equipment reliability, and a balanced budget from smooth operations are the cornerstones of a successful power grid. Today’s utility companies face immense challenges with current equipment monitoring practices, such as failures from aging electrical equipment, the need to extend the life of critical assets, and carrying out ongoing lifecycle management that is essential […]
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Solar
Analysis of Performance Degradation of PV Modules
Solar energy is a clean and environmentally friendly source of energy. It can also help in reducing the global carbon footprint and mitigating the impacts of climate change. Due to the positive aspects of solar energy, its demand is growing exponentially. Photovoltaic (PV) modules are undoubtedly the most significant component of a solar power system. […]
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Solar
The Power of Solar Panel Recycling
Solar power is the most efficient, renewable, and cost-effective source of electricity available today. The industry has consistently and rapidly grown over the past decade, and solar adoption is projected to accelerate over the next 10 years, increasing from 150 GWp installed in 2021, to 650 GWp installed per year in 2030. COMMENTARY Solar also […]
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Renewables
Emerging Risks in Renewable Energy: A Brief Overview of Solar, Wind, BESS, and Hydro Trends in Latin America
Renewable energy technologies, including solar, wind, hydro, and battery energy storage systems (BESS), are at the forefront of the global energy transition. The U.S. and Latin America (LATAM) are witnessing significant advancements in these technologies, driven by geopolitical and economic trends. The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects a growth of electricity demand from 1,295 TWh […]
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O&M
Electric Utility Protocols Can Mitigate Impacts from Wildfires
As the frequency and intensity of wildfires continue to increase across the U.S., electric utilities face unprecedented challenges in maintaining a reliable power supply and keeping communities safe. In
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Wind
Ways to Address the Wind Power Technology Talent Gap
In the face of climate change and clean energy mandates, the demand for affordable, resilient and renewable wind energy is set to accelerate. While it took the global wind energy sector 40 years to reach one terawatt (TW) in installed capacity, expected by the end of this year, it will take just eight years to […]
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Commentary
Three Solutions to Fire Safety Challenges: Lessons from the Energy Storage Industry
The world’s energy landscape is evolving rapidly, driven by the increasing demand for resilient, cost-effective, and net-zero sources of energy. Policymakers and regulators now can’t ignore the fundamental role that the energy storage industry is playing in the clean energy transition—stabilizing the grid as more renewable energy assets come online. This recognition is creating huge […]
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Electrification
Not Your Mother’s Microgrid
Utilities around the world will embark over the next decade on grid modernization at a monumental scale. With grid resilience and reliability top of mind combined with ambitious decarbonization goals, smart