O&M

Utilities have a two-fold relationship with energy efficiency. On one side, public and private utilities gain from finding efficiencies in energy usage to reduce costs in their own operations—just like many other businesses. The U.S. Department of Energy’s 2002 Motor Market Assessment established that pumping systems offer the greatest optimization potential of all types of […]

ITH Bolting Technology combines digital bolting tool procedures, advanced fastener design, and installation know-how to reduce maintenance costs significantly — proven for onshore and offshore wind-turbine installation projects. Meschede, Germany ITH Bolting Technology is a leading global system supplier in bolting technology providing bolting tools, engineering, fasteners and service. Under their brand, IHF Fastener Systems, […]

Kenosha, Wis., March 9, 2021 – The new 40″ Three-Drawer Workstation Cart from Snap-on Industrial provides convenient mobility, a durable design, and generous storage of tools and equipment for any shop or hangar. The 40” Three-Drawer Workstation Cart (KRSC4130) comes with three 35” wide drawers of varying depths for more storage capacity. The oversized bottom […]

SNOQUALMIE, Wash. (March 9, 2021)—Zetec Inc., a global leader in nondestructive testing (NDT) technology, today introduced the ElbowFlex™ scanner for quick, manual ultrasonic inspections of pipe elbows in oil and gas, petrochemical, power generation, manufacturing and other industrial applications. ElbowFlex is the perfect tool for measuring wall thickness and detecting flow accelerated corrosion on elbows […]

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in January that the number of wage and salary workers belonging to unions decreased to 14.3 million in 2020, down 321,000 (2.2%) from 2019. That was the bad news

Maintaining and operating a coal-fired generating station requires the utmost attention to detail to stay competitive. Focusing on the fundamentals of combustion allows engineers to improve reliability

There is a trend churning in the wind power industry; it involves upgrading wind turbines with newer, more powerful generation systems. Thanks to higher-capacity turbines and more efficient components

Energy storage is becoming increasingly important in solar installations, and many renewable energy projects, including wind farms and others, are incorporating storage into their design. Figuring out the

Experience gained by a project team during a steam blowing operation for a combined cycle power project in Indonesia is described in this article. A specific challenge faced by the commissioning team is

While not a new occurrence, in recent years wildfires have wreaked havoc across the western U.S. We have also seen Mother Nature batter coastlines and landscapes around the globe, and the ever-mounting pace of

Engine-based power plants have proven to be dependable complements for intermittent renewables, but they are also capable of providing steady baseload electricity. With the right technical support, including

Austin, TX, February 8, 2021 – CTOTF, the Combustion Turbine Operations Technical Forum, has opened registration for its April 12-15, 2021 Virtual Spring Conference.  The conference, entering its 46th year in the power industry, promotes education and user-to-user communication in technical skills needed to operate Combustion Turbine (CT) power plants worldwide. Unlike other User Group […]

A centrifugal pump that performs well under steady-state conditions may be found to cavitate when transitioning between operating modes. Resolving a transient cavitation problem can seem daunting because many

Wood-burning facilities have seen a spike in refractory problems due to operating units at higher temperatures and at increased capacities than in the past. Refractory professionals offer three recommendations

One of the keys to boiler efficiency in thermal power plants is ensuring fouling and clinkers formed on superheater bundles are routinely removed. A mobile shockwave cleaning method offers one innovative

Flame-resistant (FR) garments are an important safety item for workers in the power industry. However, protection varies based on the arc rating of the clothing. Wearers must understand how the FR clothing

An Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) revolution is happening across essential power systems, and it’s helping make the challenges of maintenance walk-throughs a problem of the past. With more data and

Oil and lubricants play a critical role in the operation of natural gas and biogas power generation engines, for example, in combined cycle (CC) and combined heat and power (CHP) plants. The oil condition gives valuable insight in the running status of the engine and many critical failures can be flagged. Benefits of Real-time Monitoring […]

The impact of COVID-19 has placed a sharp focus on the importance of not only keeping key personnel safe but also how to better manage risk with fewer resources on site. One unexpected result is the acceleration of interest in digitisation initiatives. Ten years of digital innovation has brought new ways of modelling and managing […]

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. (January 26, 2021) – Enerpac announces a simpler, more controlled solution to inspect engine turbine blades. As a commonly tested, approved and specified tool by both commercial and military engine OEMs, the Sweeney Digital Turning Tool (DTT) automates the rotation of turbine engines during borescope inspections. Now, aircraft engine MROs need only […]

In 2017 the Association of Edison Illuminating Companies (AEIC) launched the AEIC Achievement Awards Program to recognize teams and/or individuals from member companies, or AEIC committees and subcommittees who have made significant contributions to advancing operations in the electric utility industry.  In 2019, four awards were presented to four-member companies, and in 2020 four-member companies were […]

Biodegradable 650 AML Extends Equipment Life by Significantly Reducing Wear at High Loads Groveland, Massachusetts  Chesterton is pleased to announce a one-for-all 650 Advanced Machinery Lubricant (AML) for chain, pneumatics and other machinery assemblies in industrial, and food and beverage markets. It is formulated with a unique food grade plant-derived ester blend, making it a […]

DARMSTADT, Germany (Jan. 22, 2021) – Brüel & Kjær Vibro (B&K Vibro), one of the leading worldwide independent suppliers of condition monitoring solutions for rotating machinery, has launched VIBROSTORE 100, a palm sized device that provides vibration level and bearing wear monitoring for balance-of-plant machines at the push of a button. The lightweight device can […]

Contract signed for digital solutions, including OnCare.Asset and OnCall.Video, as well as spare parts and training, in order to assist Ethiopian Electric Power to increase the availability further. Last year, comprehensive service and maintenance contracts for the Gilgel Gibe II hydropower plant were signed at the “G20 Investment Summit.” The hydropower plant makes a major […]

The case for advanced analytics and remote diagnostics During the last 25 years significant advancements have been made in remote monitoring capabilities for power plants. A number of operations and maintenance (O&M) functions can routinely be managed remotely, and it is also becoming more common for peaking and renewable energy plants to be remotely operated […]

BREA, CA – Curtiss-Wright’s Nuclear Division announced today the launch of their In-Processing and Access Authorization (IPAA) Mobile App for iPad OS. The app is designed to streamline the plant check-in process during outage season in a safe and socially distanced manner. Built on Curtiss-Wright’s In-Processing and Access Authorization (IPAA) Suite, which consists of the […]

GOLDEN, Colorado (Jan. 19, 2021) — ArcVera Renewables, a leading international provider of consulting and technical services for wind, solar, and storage projects, is now one of the first companies based in the United States approved by the International Electrotechnical Commission – Renewable Energy (IECRE) to operate as a Renewable Energy Testing Laboratory. IECRE is the […]