News

  • What Keeps Energy Leaders Up at Night? It’s More About Climate Change Than You May Think

    This year, it seems hardly a week has gone by without a new report making us even more nervous about climate change. It’s as if the editorial theme for 2019 was: “It’s worse than you thought.” Maybe

  • Public vs. Private: What’s Best for Power Customers?

    There are generally three types of electric power utility ownership structures: public power utilities, rural electric cooperatives, and investor-owned utilities (IOUs). The American Public Power Association

  • POWER Digest—September 2019

    Kenya Launches Africa’s Largest Wind Farm. Kenya in July began operating the 310-MW Lake Turkana Wind Power (LTWP) facility, which the government said is Africa’s largest wind power farm. The LTWP project

  • Nigeria Enlists Siemens to Help Shore Up Power Grid

    Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has an ambitious plan to rebuild the country’s power grid, as his government tries to jump-start the slow pace of growth in Africa’s largest economy. Buhari and Siemens

  • Turkey Banking on Geothermal Projects to Boost Domestic Generation

    Geothermal power generation continues to increase in Turkey, as the country works toward a goal of at least 2 GW of installed capacity by the end of 2019, a rise of almost 50% since the end of 2018. Geothermal

  • Heavy Hauling: Moving 300-Ton Gas Engines from Europe to Michigan

    Two new power plants in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (U.P.) came online earlier this year, supplying power for customers of Upper Michigan Energy Resources Corp. (UMERC), a subsidiary of WEC Energy Group. WEC

  • Developing an ‘Insurance Policy’ to Ensure Stability for Renewables-heavy Grids

    Many countries are integrating renewable energy sources to their power grids. While this is a much-needed transition toward cleaner energy, grid operators and utility providers must be prepared to address

  • Solar Plant Aims to be ‘Benchmark of Excellence’

    The Veltoor facility in India has been honored for its cutting-edge technology, which helps maximize its energy production. The project also is notable for the developer’s commitment to communities near the

  • Shock Pulse Generators Help Clean Supercritical Power Plant Boilers

    Economic power plant operation includes keeping maintenance costs under control, and operating the plant efficiently. Boiler surfaces need to be kept as clean as possible to increase heat transfer and decrease

  • Five Inspections Made Easier with Drone Technology

    Today, drones equipped with sensors and cameras are proving their worth in gathering real-time footage that can be stored for later analysis. Uncrewed aerial systems can detect failing structures and equipment

  • Successful Dam Stabilization Project Improves Safety and Reliability

    Hydropower is the oldest renewable energy source, but aging dams require periodic maintenance. A stabilization project that added high-capacity post-tensioned anchors and new concrete enhanced the Bagnell Dam

  • The Theory and Application of Acoustic Cleaners

    Sonic sootblowers and acoustic cleaners were once thought to be a last-chance alternative to difficult ash build-up problems. However, the technology has proven to be effective over years of service in

  • PV Peaker Plant a Model for Solar-Plus-Storage Projects

    Pairing solar energy resources with batteries is a winning solution. It allows utilities to store excess power when the sun is shining but demand is low, and use it when the sun sets but demand is high. One

  • Combustion Optimization to Improve Heat Rate and Lower NOx

    Power plant operators are always looking for ways to boost performance. A combustion optimizer designed to improve efficiency and lower emissions could help. It supports more flexible operation of boilers by

  • Solar Baseload in the Kalahari: Kathu Solar Park

    A greenfield concentrated solar power (CSP) project with novel parabolic trough technology and a molten storage system has revitalized a remote region. But the project is also laudable for its social

  • Changing Power Market Conditions Warrant Smart Boiler Services

    There have been a lot of changes in how power plants do business. As financial pressure mounts and lean-staffing strategies are implemented, finding time to do all the work that needs to be done can be a

  • BLM Backs 200-MW Solar Project in Northern Nevada

    The U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) on Aug. 28 announced its Sierra Front Field Office in the Carson City District in Nevada approved the use of BLM land that will serve the proposed Dodge Flat Solar Energy Center (DFSEC), a 200-MW alternating current photovoltaic (PV) solar energy project near Wadsworth, Nevada, in Washoe County, […]

  • Consecutive Agreement for Long Term Service Agreements in Morocco IHI Group Continues to Expand Life Cycle Business for Power Plant

    IHI Corporation (IHI), in cooperation with Steinmüller Engineering GmbH (SE), a wholly-owned subsidiary of IHI having a profound technical knowledge of boilers for thermal power generation, has concluded a Long Term Service Agreement (LTSA) for a period of 6 years with Safi Energy Company (SafiEC)(*1), a power generation company in the Kingdom of Morocco (Morocco). […]

  • Argan, Inc.’s Wholly Owned Subsidiary Gemma Power Systems Receives Notice to Proceed on 1.8 Gigawatt Power Project

    ROCKVILLE, Md.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Argan, Inc. (NYSE: AGX) (“Argan” or the “Company”) announced today that its wholly owned subsidiary, Gemma Power Systems (“Gemma”), received Notice to Proceed with engineering, procurement and construction activities under a contract for a 1,875 MW natural gas-fired power plant in Guernsey County, Ohio. Construction of this state-of-the-art combined cycle facility is scheduled […]

  • Exelon Is Exploring Nuclear Power Plant Hydrogen Production

    A first-of-its-kind project spearheaded by Exelon, the nation’s largest nuclear power generator, and Norwegian firm Nel Hydrogen could demonstrate an integrated hydrogen production, storage, and utilization facility at an existing nuclear plant site. If the project comes to fruition, it could shed light on a new and potentially lucrative revenue stream for existing nuclear power […]

  • Large Public Power Systems Are Evolving [PODCAST]

    The power grid is changing across the U.S. More distributed energy resources are being added every day. That brings challenges for power utilities, but also opportunities. John Di Stasio, president of the Large Public Power Council (LPPC), which represents 27 of the largest locally governed and operated not-for-profit electric systems in the U.S., was a […]

  • Pipeline Deal Means More U.S. Natural Gas for Mexico Power Plants

    Mexico is preparing to import more U.S. natural gas to supply the country’s gas-fired power plants and industrial facilities after the Mexican government reached a deal that will allow several stalled pipeline projects to be completed. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez-Obrador on Aug. 27 said his administration’s deal with Canadian pipeline operator TC Energy; IEnova, […]

  • Germany Announces $44.4 Billion Plan to Lessen Impact of Coal Plant Closures

    German officials on Aug. 28 approved a plan to spend as much as €40 billion ($44.4 billion) over the next 20 years on projects designed to lessen the impact of the country’s complete move away from coal-fired power generation. Peter Altmaier, the country’s economy minister, said the money will become available after lawmakers pass legislation […]

  • FERC, NERC Want to Disclose Names, Penalties for Cybersecurity Reliability Violations

    The names of bulk power system entities that violate federal critical infrastructure cybersecurity reliability standards—along with identification of standards violated and penalties assessed—may soon be routinely disclosed under changes proposed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the North American Reliability Corp. (NERC).  The proposed changes, which FERC and NERC outlined in an Aug. […]

  • Rolls-Royce Civil Nuclear Has Partnered with AMS Corporation

    Knoxville, Tennessee — Analysis and Measurement Services Corporation (AMS), a leading nuclear technology consulting firm headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, has partnered with Rolls-Royce nuclear division to provide advanced nuclear Instrumentation and Control (I&C) system testing services to the global nuclear energy market. Rolls-Royce designs, manufactures, and ensures the long-term support of safety I&C solutions for […]

  • Arizona Public Service scales investment in IIoT based PdM with Petasense

    APS scales from pilot to full deployment at three power plants, wirelessly monitoring all rotating assets. SAN JOSE, Calif., August 27, 2019 — Arizona Public Service (APS) announced that they have significantly scaled their investment in wireless PdM (predictive maintenance) with Petasense, a Silicon Valley based venture-backed leader in Industrial IoT. Petasense provides the ARO […]

  • Landis+Gyr and Utilidata Join Forces to Transform Grid Operations

    ATLANTA and PROVIDENCE, R.I., Aug. 27, 2019 – Landis+Gyr (Swiss: LAND.SW), the global leader in integrated energy management solutions for the utility sector, is joining forces with Utilidata, the industry leader in energy optimization software from the substation to the grid edge, to provide groundbreaking grid management through the deployment of edge applications on Landis+Gyr […]

  • Hope for the Blue Sky, Plan for the Storm

    Organizations operating within a mission-critical environment must adopt appropriate technology to mitigate potentially life-threatening problems. As we acknowledge National Preparedness Month this September, we need to remember what is important to electric power customers. They expect to be kept safe, to be heard, and to receive realistic estimated restoration times—especially when a power line is […]

  • Volvo Penta Powers Life’s Most Important Moments in Video Debut

    “Made to Move You” Campaign Puts Spotlight on Personal Stories Volvo Penta of the Americas has unveiled a new video campaign for its industrial engine product line. With the theme of “Made to Move You,” the video showcases how an often behind-the-scenes power solution can make a positive impact on the lives of everyday people. […]

  • GE Completes Gas Turbine Upgrade Ahead of Schedule at Tanzania’s Songas Ubungo Power Plant

    BADEN, SWITZERLAND—August 27, 2019—This week, the SSA Gas Power systems & Power services team announced they have successfully completed upgrades to the entire GE fleet of three LM6000PA and one LM6000PC gas turbines at the Songas Ubungo Power Plant in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The Ubungo power plant provides more than 20% of the grid connected power in […]