News

  • The Case for Lightweight Flame-Resistant Clothing

    About six years ago, I was excited and eager to have regular opportunities to get out from behind my computer-aided design (CAD) workstation and visit our utility’s substations, transmission line right of ways (ROWs), and telecom sites throughout our service area in Texas. Most of us engineers and technicians looked forward to these inspections as […]

  • Hitachi Energy wins major contract for the first-of-its-kind sub-sea power transmission network in the MENA region advancing a sustainable energy future for Abu Dhabi

    HVDC Light® will connect low-carbon power from the mainland grid to ADNOC’s production operations as a strategic project to enable a sustainable, flexible and secure power supply.  Zurich | 22 December, 2021 – Hitachi Energy today announced it has won a major order from Samsung C&T Corporation, one of the world’s largest engineering and construction […]

  • U.S. Department of Energy awards INNIO Waukesha $2.2 million for emissions reduction technology demonstration project

    Funding is part of Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy program seeking cleaner technology solutions for oil, gas, and coal sectors INNIO Waukesha one of 12 companies nationwide to receive award for innovative emissions reduction technology demonstration INNIO Waukesha’s emissions reduction technology demonstration to support U.S. Methane Emissions Reduction Action Plan announced at COP26 Waukesha, Wisconsin, USA […]

  • Robots and Modular Designs Lead to Faster and Safer Solar Farm Construction and Maintenance

    Earlier this month, AES Corp. unveiled Atlas, a first-of-its-kind solar installation robot. The cutting-edge, artificial intelligence–enabled technology behind Atlas is a major advancement for the industry, making it faster, more efficient, and safer to construct new solar facilities, the company said. The innovative robot was designed by AES through a multi-year process and built in […]

  • GE Digital Will Acquire Opus One Solutions to Advance the Energy Transition

    Combined technology portfolio to enable broad, rapid adoption of renewables and Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) at all points on the grid Creates interoperable portfolio that will help utilities forecast, manage, optimize, and trade renewables coming onto the electric grid Merges a century of continuous GE innovation with a talented team of Opus One engineers and […]

  • How Microreactors Could Change the Nuclear Power Industry (and the World)

    What is a microreactor and why would you want one? The definition could be debated, but nuclear reactors in the 1 MW to 20 MW range generally fit the bill, and there are countless possible applications for the technology. “This could be used for disaster relief. This could be used for mines, remote communities—on a […]

  • Geothermal industry mission: unity, cooperation, and a strong, clear message

    With the increasing demand for renewable energy, interest in geothermal is on the rise. The industry must be prepared to take advantage of coming opportunities: we need unity, cooperation, and a strong, clear message. The keys to geothermal success were debated at an Industry Roundtable discussion held at WGC Congress 2020+1 in Reykjavik. The event […]

  • Framatome marks the start of operations of the first EPR nuclear reactor in Europe, Olkiluoto 3 operated by TVO

    December 21, 2021 – Framatome marks the first criticality and the start of power tests of the Olkiluoto 3 (OL3) EPR, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. Following the authorization granted by the Finnish safety authority (STUK), the nuclear reaction in the OL3 EPR reactor has been initiated for the first time today, marking […]

  • Grand Coulee Dam overhaul project ensures another 30 years of clean, renewable hydropower in the Pacific Northwest

    GRAND COULEE, Wash. – Today, the Bureau of Reclamation and the Bonneville Power Administration announced the completion of the major overhaul of hydroelectric power generating units 22, 23 and 24 inside the Nathaniel “Nat” Washington Power Plant at Grand Coulee Dam. Located on the Columbia River about 90 miles west of Spokane, Wash., the Grand […]

  • Mitsubishi Power Ships Natural Gas-fired GTCC Power Generation System to the UAE

    Fujairah F3 power project will be the largest natural gas fired GTCC facility in the UAE First project in the Middle East utilizing Advanced M701JAC model turbines The 2,400MW power plant, the largest in the UAE is scheduled to begin full commercial operation in 2023 TOKYO, Dec 16, 2021 – (JCN Newswire) – Mitsubishi Power, […]

  • Framatome, US Department of Energy secure $150 million cooperative agreement to advance accident tolerant fuel

    December 16, 2021 – Framatome and the U.S. Department of Energy secure a new 4-year cooperative agreement valued at more than $150 million to continue the development of its PROtect enhanced accident tolerant fuel (EATF) technology. These technologies increase the safety performance of commercial nuclear reactors while providing operators more flexibility during normal operating conditions. […]

  • Westinghouse Successfully Dismantles Reactor Vessels in Slovakia

    Cranberry Township, PA (Dec. 16, 2021) – Westinghouse Electric Company announced it has recently completed dismantling the first of two reactor vessels at Bohunice V1 Nuclear Power Plant in Slovakia. The annular water tanks that ensured bio-shield protection of the two reactor pressure vessels have also been dismantled. “As the leader in specialized nuclear decommissioning, […]

  • DOE Begins Fleshing Out Availability of Advanced Nuclear Reactor Fuel  

    The Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a request for information (RFI) on a planned temporary federal program to ensure enough high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) will be available to jumpstart deployment of a new fleet of advanced nuclear reactors.  Comments received over the next month in response to the DOE’s Dec. 14–issued RFI will inform […]

  • How Machine Learning Improves Visibility into Nuclear Power Plant Waste and Contamination Levels

    Nuclear power remains one of the cleanest forms of energy available to us. Unfortunately, current challenges in measuring nuclear power plant waste and contamination levels make it difficult to manage. The inability to effectively measure these levels makes it difficult to validate nuclear power, and in some cases, is even causing some political tensions. Machine […]

  • Key Trends Point to Strong Growth for Brazil’s Renewable Energy Landscape in 2022 and Beyond

    2021 was a boom year for solar as a record number of new projects were registered with ANEEL, Brazil’s electricity industry regulator. Now, new distributed generation legislation is in the offing, and, when ratified, it will introduce gradual charges for use of transmission networks through distribution system use tariffs (TUSD). The legislation proposes a 10-year […]

  • Ameren to Close 1.2-GW Coal Power Plant by March 2024, 15 Years Early

    In a Dec. 14 filing with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, Ameren Missouri announced its intent to retire two 600-MW units at the Rush Island Energy Center 15 years earlier than previously planned due to “changed circumstances since the Remedy Ruling.” The court’s remedy ruling, delivered on Sept. 30, 2019, […]

  • Honeywell, UT-Austin Join on New Carbon Capture Technology

    A leading company in the design of technology for a variety of industries is part of an effort to advance carbon capture from power plants, along with providing a solution to emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) from industrial facilities. Honeywell, the Charlotte, N.C.-based conglomerate known for products from residential thermostats to advanced aerospace applications, on […]

  • More than 32 GW of New Gas-Fired Power Plants in U.S. Pipeline

    Recent reports from groups analyzing U.S. power generation note how states near the nation’s largest shale plays are expected to bring significant new natural gas-fired generation online over the next few years, despite concerns about recent market volatility that sent gas prices to their highest levels in more than a decade. With a long-term outlook […]

  • ISO-NE Warns Fuel Supply Issues May Threaten Winter Power System Reliability

    New England faces a precarious fuel supply risk that could necessitate emergency actions if a severe prolonged cold snap hits the region this winter, ISO New England (ISO-NE) has warned.  The regional grid operator expects power demand will peak at 19,710 MW during average winter weather conditions of 10F, but if temperatures plunge below 5F, […]

  • Overcoming the Top Three Hurdles to Eliminate Flaring

    Despite exacting a heavy environmental and financial toll, routine flaring remains a persistent practice in the oil and gas sector. This gas could be captured and used for productive purposes, but a lot of it simply isn’t. While flaring levels are down 5% from 2019, this is still a huge amount—142 billion m3/yr in fact. […]

  • The Benefits of Explosion-Protected Cameras in High-Risk Environments

    Many critical infrastructure sites contain areas that are classified as hazardous due to a high risk of explosion. What makes most of these locations dangerous is the presence of flammable materials such as liquids, gases, vapors, and dust. In these areas, the use of network cameras can significantly improve the overall health and safety posture […]

  • The Benefits of Synthetic Greases: Improved Efficiency, Reduced Maintenance

    The optimal grease to use in power plant equipment is rarely contemplated by people other than truly dedicated operations and maintenance managers, and the workers on their teams who feel the pain when a piece of equipment breaks down due to inadequate lubrication. Yet, for those individuals, the choice of which grease to use in […]

  • GE Digital Announces UK ‘Smart Substation’ Project

    GE Digital has announced a partnership with UK Power Networks (UKPN) for the launch of a smart substation project designed to support renewable energy power generation across the United Kingdom. The agreement announced Dec. 9 involves the installation of powerful computers in a series of substations. The project, known as Constellation, will leverage advances in […]

  • GE-Powered Port of Sergipe I Complex Delivers Uninterrupted Electricity since July to Support Renewables in Brazil

    Flexible and efficient natural gas fired plant enables Brazil to increase its energy security while continuing to expand its development of renewable energy resources, including solar, wind in addition to compensating the seasonal reduction of hydro power The 1.5-Gigawatt CELSE – Centrais Elétricas de Sergipe S.A’s Port of Sergipe I Complex is currently the largest […]

  • Emerson to Modernize Georgia Power Plant for Reliable, Affordable Energy

    Digital transformation improves plant availability and enhances MEAG Power’s diverse generation fleet PITTSBURGH (Dec. 8, 2021) — The Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia (MEAG Power) has selected Emerson (NYSE:EMR), a global software, technology and engineering leader, to modernize and optimize operations at its Wansley Unit 9 combined cycle power plant. MEAG Power’s investment is critical […]

  • EIA: U.S. Coal Stockpiles Lowest Since 1978

    The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) recently said it expected coal-fired power generation in 2021 to be 22% higher than in 2020, producing the first year-over-year increase in U.S. electricity generation from coal since 2014. That higher generation, though, has reduced inventories of coal at the nation’s power plants, with EIA on Dec. 7 reporting […]

  • The Infrastructure Law Can Help America Catch China in the Clean Energy Race

    President Biden’s signature infrastructure law aims to, among other objectives, propel America forward in transitioning to a clean energy economy. If its proposals are executed properly, I’m confident that it will succeed in that goal. The new law will help the U.S. catch up to countries like China, who have been beating America in the race […]

  • Tapping the Power of Wind: The Opportunity of Offshore Wind Farms in Ireland

    A modern-day gold rush has emerged off the Irish coast that is unlike other resource grabs in Earth’s history—for petroleum, minerals, coal, metals, etc.—because this particular resource is limitless. Harvesting wind energy is in its early days on this breeze-abundant island that boasts 900 miles of coastline and a sea area seven times larger than […]

  • The Finnish Climate Fund invests in hydrogen turbine manufacturer Aurelia Turbines

    The Finnish Climate Fund has granted a capital loan of €5 million to Aurelia Turbines. Aurelia Turbines produces the most efficient small gas turbines in the world. The turbines have been designed to use hydrogen, biogas and synthetic gas, as well as other renewable and non-standard fuels. According to Matti Malkamäki, CEO of Aurelia Turbines, […]

  • Mitsubishi Power Upgrades Gas Turbines at Senoko Energy to Reduce 15,000 Tons of Carbon Emissions Annually

    – Upgrade works for M701F gas turbine help enhance thermal efficiency with heat rate improvement – Close collaboration with Senoko Energy and other contractors enabled the project to be completed on schedule despite challenges due to COVID-19 TOKYO, Dec 2, 2021 – (JCN Newswire) – Mitsubishi Power, a power solutions brand of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) has completed […]