Management
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Commentary
How PG&E Almost Became the Nation’s Largest Cooperative
The history of electric cooperatives is one of individuals striving to improve their local communities. Perhaps the most inspiring electric cooperative formation was initiated by Peggi Timm. Timm, whose accomplishments would fill a library, helped to create one of Oregon’s largest cooperatives, called Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative (OTEC). In 1987, OTEC’s service territory was controlled […]
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Management
The Art of Self-Assessment: Why Your Organization Is Not Improving
It’s not uncommon for organizations to go through performance cycles from good to bad, and hopefully, back to good before repeating the process. However, a well-conceived and consistently applied
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Commentary
Generating Employee Buy-In to Embrace Energy Innovation
The White House’s billion-dollar investment in transitioning to and expanding clean power grids is the latest reminder of the critical window for energy companies to capitalize on the opportunities to make
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Full Coverage
Olkiluoto Unit 3 Provides Carbon-Free Nuclear Power and Energy Security for Finland
As a first-of-a-kind project, Olkiluoto Unit 3 took more time to build than was originally expected, but the end result has proven worth the wait. Calling it the “largest single climate action” in
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O&M
How Asset Management Promotes Workplace Safety and Compliance
In the ever-evolving landscape of workplace safety and compliance, effective asset management has emerged as a powerful ally for managers and operators. This strategic approach not only ensures adherence to health and safety regulations but also fosters streamlined operations and cost savings. In a world where doing more with fewer resources is becoming the norm, […]
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Commentary
AI Revolution Could Drive Clean Energy Future
Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming a ubiquitous part of our lives, impacting much of what we do at work and home. AI’s growth trajectory is expected to skyrocket, with new potentials identified to help address and solve today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities. AI advances have been remarkable, but so far relatively little attention has been […]
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Engineering
Marnie Surfaceblow: Haunted Hydroelectric Horrors (Fiction)
Providing employees with a safe and healthy workplace is paramount. Never dismiss persistent workplace environmental complaints, no matter how “crazy” they may seem. A lone SUV motored through wooded hills
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O&M
Navigating Remote Partnerships for Power Generation Success
Power generation represents a varied and evolving landscape, both globally and within the U.S., with numerous technology types contributing to the energy mix. From traditional simple cycle gas and turbine peaking plants to modern photovoltaic (PV) solar, battery energy storage systems (BESS), wind, hydro and distributed generation facilities, the energy sector continues to experience dynamic […]
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Nuclear
Planning Is Key to Successful Nuclear Refueling Outages
U.S. nuclear power plants typically refuel every 18 to 24 months. Refueling outages normally occur in the spring and fall of the year when demand for electricity is at its lowest. The Energy Information
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O&M
How Do Power Companies Safeguard Against Winter Weather Challenges?
In February 2021, more than 4 million people lost power for days on end throughout Texas. The now-infamous outage resulted from extreme winter weather the state’s power grid wasn’t prepared to handle. This incident is spurring power companies nationwide to get proactive about preparing for increasingly severe winters. What steps are they taking to safeguard […]
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History
How the ‘Great Resignation’ and Disengagement Are Affecting the Power Industry
The “Great Resignation” is a term used to describe a widespread trend that took shape over the past few years of employees voluntarily changing jobs in large numbers. The phenomenon gained traction during
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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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Nuclear
Dominion Energy’s Reverse Osmosis Concentrate Recovery System Wins POWER’s Water Award
Sustainability and corporate responsibility are hugely important to power companies and their stakeholders today. When employees take these initiatives to heart and implement innovative ideas, goals can be met
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Safety
Strategies for Operating Safely within Power Construction Zones
Temporary work zones are often required when constructing or rehabilitating power generation facilities and infrastructure. Safety is the essential factor in any industrial setting, and this is especially true when it comes to activities that disrupt normal operations. The introduction of vehicles, equipment, materials, and personnel to any environment can necessitate new strategies for keeping […]
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Coal
A Long Time Coming: Rawhide Unit 1 Is Coal Users’ Group Plant of the Year
After years of upgrade and retrofit projects, and a keen focus on safety and continuous improvement, the Coal Users’ Group board of directors selected Platte River Power Authority’s Rawhide Unit 1 as the
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Energy Security
Rethinking Energy Reliability with Modern Power Systems
As the energy transition to inverter-based resources continues, reliability risk increases and requires additional investment to mitigate threats. But what measures should be put in place, what are the
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Commentary
How Utilities Can Power Up the Customer Experience
In today’s rapidly changing world, utility providers play an increasingly important role in ensuring that people have access to the vital resources they need to power their homes, businesses, and communities. From electricity and gas to water and internet services, these providers are responsible for delivering critical resources that are essential to our daily lives. […]
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Sustainability
Why Energy Efficiency Should Be a Priority for Every Manufacturer
Manufacturing is among the most energy-intensive industries in the U.S., making sustainability efforts all the more important, and potentially impactful. Businesses looking to run and maintain their facilities more sustainably have a few options, some of which offer an almost immediate impact. Manufacturers should consider the path toward sustainability as a series of steps, focusing […]
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Connected Plant
Inventory Management Systems: How Automation Can Save Time and Reduce Costs for Power Companies
Inventory management can provide significant operational benefits for power companies. From forecasting, fueled by real-time data, to automated replenishment and supply chain continuity, digital solutions are
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Gas
Optimizing Combined Cycle Power Plant Operations
Cogentrix Energy and Siemens Energy have partnered to optimize 8000H-class gas turbine reliability and outage planning. Under Cogentrix’s management, the Patriot site successfully upgraded one of its
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Renewables
Working with EPC Contractors: Guidance for Utilities Embarking on Solar Development
Engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractors deliver many benefits to power projects. Besides the experience they bring that can help keep schedules on track, they often have longstanding
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Power
Customer Engagement and Infrastructure Projects: The Missing Link
For water and energy providers, consistent customer engagement has become a critical aspect of daily operations and overall success. Why? Modern convenience and technology have dramatically altered the expectations of today’s consumers. The silent energy provider is an antiquated concept, and modern customers expect more from their utility companies. They demand the same speed and […]
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O&M
The Challenges and Opportunities Facing Power Companies Today
The power system is changing and electricity suppliers need to adapt or get left behind. Experts weigh in on what leaders should be focusing on and how these items will affect utilities in the future. The
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Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity: Power Industry–Led Vendor Software Assurance Inventory Launched
Several major power companies have launched a software assurance database that will serve as a software bill of materials (SBOM) repository for the power industry. Part of a long-sought solution to address a critical supply chain cybersecurity risk, the collaborative effort announced on Feb. 8 seeks to help vendors identify and remediate vulnerabilities in software […]
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Management
FPL CEO Retiring Amid Probe Into Utility’s Political Actions
The president and CEO of Florida Power & Light (FPL) announced he will step down from his role as leader of the utility. Eric Silagy, who became FPL’s president in 2011 and was named CEO in 2014, on Jan. 25 said he will move into a transitional role with the utility next month. Silagy, 57, […]
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Management
Womack Named CEO of Southern Company, Other Leadership Changes Announced
Southern Company’s Board of Directors announced on Jan. 5 that Chris Womack, who has served as president of its largest subsidiary, Georgia Power, since 2020, and as Georgia Power’s chairman, president, and CEO since 2021, has been appointed CEO of Southern Company effective immediately following the conclusion of the company’s 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. […]
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IIOT Power
Experts Explain: Digital Twins
In this fresh series, POWER’s editors choose a multifaceted topic that may have myriad applications or implications, and ask an array of key industry stakeholders for their perspectives. This month’s
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Renewables
Risk Mitigation: An Essential Prerequisite for Inflation Reduction Act Funding
The groundbreaking Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) will put hundreds of billions of dollars toward renewables. As the most comprehensive energy policy in recent years, the IRA is already having a profound impact
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Research and Development
Enterprise Asset Management: Empowering Stronger Vision for Net-Zero Reality
Managers are constantly battling to improve efficiency and become more sustainable. Having effective asset management tools can help decision-makers visualize what’s working well and what isn’t, so fixes
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Power
Increasing Energy Security: Optimizing Today’s Energy Operations and Investing in Renewables for the Future
Countries’ timelines to becoming energy secure and reaching net-zero targets have shortened. Major contributing factors include COVID-19’s impact on supply chains and the war in Ukraine. Alongside this are external influences such as COP27, or the landmark U.S. Climate Bill, which will direct almost $370 billion toward rapidly scaling renewable energy production and reducing emissions. Already, intergovernmental […]