-
Renewables
Growth in Renewables Matching U.S. Nuclear Generation
A business group geared toward sustainable energy says renewable sources of energy for the first time are generating nearly as much power as the entire fleet of U.S. nuclear reactors. The Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE), along with Bloomberg New Energy Finance, on February 15 released the sixth edition of its Sustainable Energy in […]
-
Press Releases
MHPS Announces First Brazilian Win for JAC Gas Turbine
LAKE MARY, Florida (February 14, 2018) — Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems (MHPS) celebrated its first win in Brazil for the technical selection of its M501 JAC Gas Turbine for the Vale Azul II Project. The plant, which will have a contracted output of 466MW in combined cycle, was selected in the A-6 Brazilian Electricity Auction […]
-
Press Releases
DiSTI Delivers Siemens Energy’s First 3D Virtual Maintenance Trainer
Siemens Energy Implements 3D Virtual Maintenance Trainers for Large-Scale Gas Turbine Power Plant Technology Orlando, FL (February 14, 2018) – The DiSTI Corporation, the world’s leading provider of 3D virtual training solutions, announces delivery of its first 3D Virtual Maintenance Training (VMT) solution for Siemens Energy, Inc. that was developed using DiSTI’s VE Studio Development […]
-
Press Releases
FreeVolt Announces Innovation in Solar Modules
PALM DESERT, California (February 13, 2018) — The biggest ongoing challenges for manufacturers of photovoltaic (PV) modules are the loss of efficiency, limited vitality, and a drop in the conversion from kilowatt peak (kWp) to actual kilowatt hours (kWh). Photovoltaic Graphene Matrix Technology or “PV Graf” shatters the mold of traditional BUS BAR PV technology […]
-
Press Releases
GE Hitachi, Holtec Announce Cooperation to Accelerate Commercialization of SMR-160 Small Modular Reactor
February 14, 2018—GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH), Global Nuclear Fuel (GNF), Holtec International and SMR Inventec, LLC (SMR, LLC), today announced a collaboration to advance the SMR‐160, a single loop, 160 MWe pressurized light water reactor based on existing light water technologies. In a Memorandum of Understanding, the companies have agreed to enter into a […]
-
Press Releases
Greensmith Energy Storage Technology Selected to Deliver Reliable Solar Power in Massachusetts
HELSINKI, Finland (February 13, 2018) — Greensmith Energy, a part of the Wärtsilä technology group, was selected by Origis Energy USA to provide advanced energy storage integrated with solar photovoltaic (PV) in Sterling, Massachusetts. The resultant hybrid system will allow the PV installation to better handle peak loads and provide secure, reliable electricity supply to the […]
-
Legal & Regulatory
Trump Budget Backs Nuclear, Coal; Cuts Funding for Renewables
The Trump administration’s fiscal year 2019 budget request released February 12 asks for more money to support fossil fuel-based power systems, but seeks funding below current levels for other energy initiatives, including renewable energy and energy efficiency. The energy funding is part of a $4.4 trillion budget that features large increases in military spending, along […]
-
Legal & Regulatory
Nuclear Power, Carbon Capture Winners in New Budget Deal
The budget bill passed by Congress and signed by President Trump in the early hours of February 9 extends a host of tax credits for energy technologies, including provisions to help the Vogtle nuclear expansion in Georgia as well as U.S. carbon-capture projects. The legislation also provides support for renewable energy, including for small wind […]
-
Press Releases
Electric Cooperatives File for Approval of Community Solar Pilot Programs
GLEN ALLEN, Virginia (February 7, 2018) — Four of Old Dominion Electric Cooperative’s (ODEC) member-owners filed applications with the State Corporation Commission (SCC) on January 30, 2018, to implement community solar pilot programs. A&N, Mecklenburg, Northern Neck, and Rappahannock Electric Cooperatives will establish three-year pilot programs to provide community solar subscriptions to their member-consumers, pending SCC […]
-
Legal & Regulatory
Regulators Back Settlement for Costs of Failed Kemper IGCC Project
Shareholders of Mississippi Power will have to absorb the majority of outstanding costs resulting from the scuttled Kemper County coal gasification project, as the state’s Public Service Commission (PSC) on February 6 approved a settlement for the remaining liabilities associated with the much-touted “clean coal” plant. Mississippi Power in a statement said it “is pleased […]
-
Legal & Regulatory
Virginia Considers New Utility Regulatory Rules
Virginia lawmakers are weighing legislation that would give the state more control over utilities, with some of the measures developed in concert with power companies. State legislators are discussing the proposals, some of which are designed to lift a freeze on utility rates, which could bring refunds for ratepayers—although others warn it could cause rates […]
-
Press Releases
ACWA Power Wins First Utility-Scale Renewable Energy Project in Saudi Arabia
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (February 6, 2018) – ACWA Power, the Saudi, global leader in developing, constructing and operating power generation and desalination water plants in 11 countries, has won the Skaka IPP PV solar project, the first utility-scale renewable energy plant at the oil capital, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This plant is the first […]
-
Press Releases
Greensmith Energy’s Texas Waves Energy Storage Project Now Operational
Greensmith Energy, a part of the technology group Wärtsilä, has successfully completed two grid-scale energy storage systems in partnership with E.ON Climate & Renewables in Texas. The system already responded to the recent cold snap in Texas, delivering short-term energy to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). The two 9.9-megawatt, short-duration Texas Waves storage […]
-
Legal & Regulatory
Pipeline Project Prompts Plan for Nigeria Power Plants
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corp. (NNPC) in December 2017 announced a plan to build three natural gas-fired power plants in the country, thanks to a $2.8 billion pipeline project that would bring natural gas from the southern part of the African nation to its northern region. The plants, sited in Abuja, Kaduna, and Kano, would […]
-
Renewables
Distributed Energy Resources Bring Benefits, Challenges and New Opportunities
Distributed energy resources have changed the power generation sector, disrupting traditional markets and distribution models. Those working in the field tell POWER that research and development will continue
-
Renewables
Voith Completes Modernization of Scottish Hydro Station
Voith in December announced it has completed the modernization of the Mucomir hydropower station in Scotland, and the 20-MW facility is again producing electricity for the Scottish grid. Voith was responsible
-
Legal & Regulatory
POWER Digest [February 2018]
Polish Energy Company Puts Large Coal-Fired Unit Online. Enea , the Polish state-owned energy company, in December inaugurated what it calls the largest coal-fired power generation unit in Europe. The company
-
Renewables
Report: Trump Wants Deep Cuts in Clean Energy Programs
Documents obtained by The Washington Post show the Trump administration is prepared to ask Congress to cut the Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) renewable energy and energy efficiency programs by as much as 72% in fiscal year 2019. The newspaper in a January 31 report says Congress likely would not support many of the cuts, but […]
-
O&M
More Utility Workers in Puerto Rico as Power Restoration Continues
U.S. utilities continue to send workers to Puerto Rico to help restore that country’s electricity and rebuild its power infrastructure, a task that continues more than four months after back-to-back hurricanes left nearly all of the island in the dark. The Puerto Rican government this week said 83% of the island’s generation capacity has been […]
-
Press Releases
Voith Turbo Supplies 100th BHS Turbo Gearbox to Siemens
Voith and Siemens have collaborated closely in the area of distributed power generation since 2009. Voith BHS turbo gear units are renowned for their precision and reliability. The Siemens gas turbine will contribute significantly to securing a stable power supply in Bolivia as of mid-2018. SONTHOFEN, Germany / FINSPANG, Sweden (January 25, 2018) — The […]
-
Press Releases
Lightbridge, Framatome Launch Enfission to Commercialize Innovative Nuclear Fuel
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (January 25, 2018) — Lightbridge Corporation and Framatome finalized and launched Enfission, a 50-50 joint venture company to develop, license and sell nuclear fuel assemblies based on Lightbridge-designed metallic fuel technology and other advanced nuclear fuel intellectual property. Lightbridge is a U.S. nuclear fuel development company and Framatome is a leader in designing, […]
-
Legal & Regulatory
SCANA Sale in Doubt as Questions Swirl
Several possible suitors for SCANA Corp. emerged last fall when it became evident the South Carolina utility needed a lifeline, after SCANA subsidiary South Carolina Electric and Gas Co. (SCE&G) and state-owned Santee Cooper pulled the plug on the V.C. Summer nuclear project (Figure 1). Now the question is whether those who lost out to […]
-
Legal & Regulatory
South Korea Will Fight Solar Tariffs; Others Will Wait
The global solar industry on January 23 reacted to President Trump’s announcement on Monday that the U.S. will enact a 30% tariff this year on imports of solar cells and modules, a levy that could begin as soon as next month. Some groups said they will take a “wait and see” approach to the charge, […]
-
Press Releases
Voith Upgrades Swedish Hydropower Plants
FAGERSTA/SOLLETEA, Sweden (January 23, 2018) — There are a large number of hydropower plants in Europe and North America that are more than 100 years old. Voith installed new technology in two of these plants in Sweden, Semla and Graninge, making them not only much more efficient but also more environmentally compatible. As a result […]
-
Legal & Regulatory
Trump Slaps 30% Tariff on Solar Imports
The Trump administration on January 22 said it would impose a 30% tariff on imports of solar modules and solar cells, in a high-profile trade case in which two struggling solar companies—Suniva and SolarWorld Americas—had asked for a levy on imports of closer to 50%. The decision comes after the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) […]
-
Press Releases
Framatome Acquiring Instrumentation and Control Nuclear Business of Schneider Electric
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (January 18, 2018) — Framatome today announced an agreement with Schneider Electric to acquire Schneider’s nuclear automation business. The two companies recently signed an asset purchase agreement that outlines the terms of the sale, which is expected to close before the end of the first quarter of 2018. The acquisition expands Framatome’s […]
-
Press Releases
Siemens Gamesa Awarded Two Wind Turbine Projects Totaling 330 MW in U.S.
The company will supply 47 units of G132-3.465 MW wind turbines to Sammons Renewable Energy for the Midway wind project and an additional 48 units of the same turbine type to an undisclosed customer for another project. In total, Siemens Gamesa will provide 95 units of its G132-3.465 MW wind turbines. First orders for G132-3.465 […]
-
Press Releases
Building Energy Enters Latin America With First Investment in Chile
SANTIAGO, CHILE (January 18, 2018) — Building Energy SpA, a multinational company operating as a global integrated IPP in the Renewable Energy Industry, announces the constitution of Building Energy Andes SpA, a Joint Venture with Scotta Group aimed to the development, construction and operation of renewable energy assets in Chile. Scotta Group is an Italian […]
-
Press Releases
Custom Industrial Computing Leader Introduces Products to Support Energy Industry
FoxGuard Solutions and Security Matters partner to provide a new cyber secure industrial computing solution to the energy industry. CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. (January 18, 2018) — FoxGuard Solutions, Inc. announced the release of GRID-FS1, a new fanless rugged industrial computer for substation application. Designed to meet IEC 61850-3 and certified for IEEE 1613, the GRID-FS1 is […]
-
Press Releases
Wärtsilä, Schneider Electric Join to Create New Backup Power Solution
Wärtsilä and Schneider Electric have signed a global cooperation agreement to bring together their individual products and services, along with those of third parties, for the purpose of cooperating on data center projects. The deal focuses on hyperscale data center projects with at least a 10-MW electrical load. The objective of the cooperation is to […]