Biomass
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Engineering
Advancements in Steam Turbine Efficiency for Modern Power Generation: Reducing Costs and Emissions
Steam turbine technology is not stagnant. Advanced designs are incorporating innovations in blade design, advanced materials, precision manufacturing, and high-energy steam cycles, delivering significant
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Sustainability
How Biogas Is Solving Data Centers’ Clean Energy Challenge
Biogas doesn’t just offer a backup plan for tech companies seeking more power; it provides a blueprint for sustainability. By transforming landfill, agricultural, and wastewater emissions into usable power, biogas solves two problems at once: it reduces fugitive methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas (GHG), and generates renewable electricity. This is energy that’s good for […]
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Hydrogen
U.S. Hydrogen Production Group Leads Major Japanese Project
The Yamanashi Prefectural Government in Japan and Washington, D.C.-headquartered SGH2 Energy have formalized an agreement to promote green hydrogen-related initiatives in the Fuji Five Lakes region. The area near Mount Fuji is a world-renowned tourist destination celebrated for its natural beauty. The companies on Feb. 13 said the collaboration “marks a pivotal step in the […]
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O&M
Turbine MRO Best Practices: Expert Guide to Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul
Effective maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) practices are vital for reliable turbine operation. Innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence and 3D scanning are transforming MRO processes
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O&M
How to Prevent Oxygen Pitting in Boilers: A Safer Alternative to Hydrazine
Experienced boiler operators know that oxygen can cause localized, severe corrosion in steam boiler systems through a process called oxygen pitting. This occurs when dissolved oxygen in the water comes into
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O&M
Minimize Risks with Robotic Generator Inspections and Comprehensive Testing
Historically, generator inspections require rotor removal (Figure 3). There’s a significant level of risk during this process due to possible generator damage during the disassembly, and it also requires
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Biomass
Marnie Surfaceblow: It’s Ghostbusting Time … Again
Everything happens for a reason, and fantastic events often have mundane causes. Two women silently waited in their rental car next to a guard hut, sheltered under spreading banana tree leaves. Sunlight
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Connected Plant
Unseen Heroes: Cutting-Edge Sensors Combatting Air Pollution
There is an urgent need for accurate and efficient emissions monitoring technologies to ensure air pollution is adequately controlled. Infrared spectroscopy and precision infrared filters play a critical role
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Sustainability
Michigan Coal Plant Eyes BECCS Retrofit: Could Become First U.S. Facility with ‘Carbon-Negative’ Power
CMS Energy’s subsidiary NorthStar Clean Energy has given Babcock & Wilcox (B&W) the green light to start initial work on converting a 73-MW coal-fired power plant in Michigan into a bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) facility that could send “carbon-negative” power to the grid. B&W on June 3 said the limited notice to […]
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Interview
The POWER Interview: The IRA’s Impact on Tax Credits, Tax Equity, and Renewable Energy
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) represents the largest incentive effort for clean energy in U.S. history. Its impact touches multiple sectors, including solar, wind, hydrogen, energy storage, and more. The IRA includes more than 70 investment, production, and excise credits designed to facilitate the transition to cleaner energy production. The legislation promotes advanced manufacturing, and […]
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Sustainability
UK’s Drax Eyes U.S. for Bioenergy CCS Expansion Drive
The 2.6-GW Drax Power Station in northeastern England—once Western Europe’s largest coal-fired power plant—is poised to pioneer bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS), a negative emissions
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O&M
Preparing Steam and Water Analysis Equipment for Summer Heat
While the effects of extreme summer weather are one thing, even regular summer weather can wreak havoc on steam and water analysis systems (SWAS) without adequate preparation. Summer sunshine and increased temperatures can bring higher heat loads and increased cycling rates that put even more stress on steam and water sampling and related equipment, greatly […]
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O&M
A Proactive Approach to Treating Varnish Can Prevent Significant Downtime at Plants
Varnish is one of the most widespread issues in power plants. It’s the hard, oil-insoluble organic residue that cannot be easily removed from mechanical components. It typically occurs in turbines or compressors due to extreme temperatures, disrupting plant operations and causing downtime, which ultimately leads to revenue losses. When varnish forms on a critical piece […]
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Coal
China Increasing Coal Use to Produce Ethanol
State-run media in China reported that a facility there has begun testing production of ethanol through the use of coal, rather than using crops such as corn or sugar cane to make the fuel. The plant in southeastern China, with an annual production capacity of 600,000 metric tons, is said to be the world’s largest […]
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O&M
Optimizing Turbine Repair Resources
Steam turbines are used in many applications on various scales to drive equipment such as pumps, compressors, and generators. Routine maintenance, as laid out by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) is
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O&M
A Boiler for Any Occasion
Boilers obviously play an important role in the power generation industry, providing the mechanism to convert heat produced by burning fuel into steam that can be used to drive a turbine to generate electricity. But many other industries also use boilers to produce steam for a variety of purposes. Boilers are commonly used for space […]
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Sustainability
Shining Light on Life Cycle Analysis for Renewable Energy Systems
Life cycle analysis or assessments (LCAs) are a quintessential tool for power and utility industry professionals and tradespeople. They determine the environmental and financial value of new technologies. Consumer products get the most attention, but LCAs for renewable energy systems (Figure 1) should be discussed more. It is time to synthesize known information to create […]
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O&M
Understanding Selective Catalytic Reduction Systems and SCR Design Considerations
Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) is an important emissions control technology utilized at many coal, biomass, waste-to-energy, and gas-fired power plants. Many items must be considered when designing SCR
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O&M
Cold Weather: How to Maintain Power Plant Readiness and Reliable Operation
Extreme temperature and weather events have become more prevalent in the past decade. The December 2022 Christmas freeze in the southeast U.S. saw many areas experiencing single-digit temperatures. The February 2021 Texas freeze saw temperatures in Dallas reach as low as –2F. Meanwhile, the January–February 2019 Midwest Arctic Polar Vortex saw temperatures plunge as low […]
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Fiction
Marnie Surfaceblow: Bowing Under Pressure
Just because something hasn’t failed doesn’t mean it won’t—especially when an “old dog” of a plant is taught new tricks. Two women wearing personal protective equipment waited impatiently in the
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News and Notes
HALEU Fuel, Grid, and WTE Cooling System Projects Featured in Power News and Notes (Aug. 30, 2023)
A number of companies with ties to the power industry revealed new projects and other interesting developments this week. The following are some the more noteworthy announcements that POWER has been monitoring. BWXT to Manufacture HALEU Feedstock for Advanced Reactors BWX Technologies Inc. announced on Aug. 30 that it had entered into a contract to […]
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News and Notes
Busy Week: News and Notes from the Power Industry (July 27, 2023)
A number of companies in the power industry revealed new projects and other interesting developments this week. The following are some the more noteworthy announcements that POWER has been monitoring. BWXT to Provide Nuclear Reactor Engine and Fuel for DARPA Space Project BWX Technologies Inc. (BWXT) announced on July 26 that its reactor and fuel […]
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Press Releases
POWER and Enverus Partner on New Power Industry Data and Insights Tool
Power industry professionals searching for valuable data and insights on U.S. power plants will find a wealth of information in the POWER Plant ID (Intelligence Database) research tool. Data available includes plant locations, capacities, generation types, ownership breakdown, production history, emissions data, and more. HOUSTON/AUSTIN, Texas (July 18, 2023) — POWER, the leading power […]
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Interview
The POWER Interview: Harnessing the Energy Potential of American Agriculture
Much of the innovation in the power generation and energy sectors revolves around efficiency, with companies working to ensure a reliable and resilient supply of electricity while also reducing emissions. Those efficiency measures also include technologies to enhance sustainability, including recycling, cleaner fuels, and providing alternative modes of electric power. Companies such as Clean Energy […]
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O&M
Developing Coatings for Use in Harsh Biomass Combustion Environments
Corrosion is a constant battle for infrastructure of all kinds—the natural response of materials like metals to their environment, causing damage to everything from turbines to oil pipelines and vehicles. The costs are vast. A National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE) IMPACT study published in 2013 claims that corrosion causes damage valued at $2.5 trillion […]
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T&D
Maine Lawmakers Back Transmission Project for Renewable Energy
A project to build more than 100 miles of transmission lines, along with multiple substations, to enable the use of more renewable energy in Maine has received support from state lawmakers. LS Power Grid Maine, a subsidiary of New York-headquartered LS Power, on June 26 said the Aroostook Renewable Gateway effort has received the first […]
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Press Releases
Clean Energy Technologies, Inc. Affiliate Secures Prime Project Site Through Agreement with Northeastern Vermont Development Association
COSTA MESA, CA., May 31, 2023 — Clean Energy Technologies, Inc. is pleased to announce a significant development in its renewable energy sector. Vermont Renewable Gas, LLC, an affiliated limited liability company of CETY, has entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement (P&S) with Northeastern Vermont Development Association to purchase 8 acres in the Saint […]
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Fiction
Marnie Surfaceblow: Even Minor Alarms Can Lead to Major Safety Improvements
When investigating any potential problem, keep your eyes and your mind open to other possible dangers. “I am starting to wonder if you accepted this assignment because of … that,” stated Maya Sharma
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Power
Marnie Surfaceblow: When Theory Becomes Practice, Rely on Practical Experience as a Foundation
As new energy technologies are employed to solve today’s renewable energy challenges, think flexibly while relying upon established safety measures. “Is this your first time in the Philippines, ma’am?”
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Biomass
Researchers Exploring Ways to Expand Use of Biomass
A resurgence in the use of biomass to produce energy is underway, in part as a way for countries to continue the transition away from fossil fuels for electricity production. Groups are working on ways to burn