O&M

  • A Modern Gas Power Plant Thrives on Ancient Wisdom

    Built and developed in accordance with the principles of vaastu shastra, this 1.5-GW “mega” gas power plant in India imbues positivity and proactivity into all aspects of plant operation. It has resulted

  • What Is Meant by Power Factor?

    Low power factor reduces an electrical system’s distribution capacity by increasing current flow. Therefore, having a low power factor is inefficient and expensive. But what is power factor and what affects

  • Minimizing Fire and Explosion Hazards in Dusty Systems

    Understanding the properties of bulk materials and how they interact with environmental factors is vital to safe operations, but having an honest conversation about the hazards, so risks can be properly

  • Coal-to-Gas Power Shift Driven by Economics

    The Tennessee Valley Authority’s third coal plant conversion to gas combined cycle generation, at the venerable Allen plant near Memphis, Tennessee, created the most-efficient combined cycle plant in its

  • Equipment Showcase: Corrosion Prevention and Water Treatment

    Corrosion products can form quickly in power plant systems if water, air, and metal are allowed to occupy the same space. Localized corrosion can take any of several distinct forms, such as stress corrosion

  • Duke Hit Hard by Exorbitant O&M Costs at Edwardsport IGCC Facility

    Duke Energy will swallow $30 million in runaway costs associated with operating its five-year-old 618-MW integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) facility in Edwardsport, Indiana, if a settlement the company reached with Indiana consumer groups last week is approved. Duke declared Edwardsport Generating Station “in service” in June 2013, despite a series of hiccups that delayed […]

  • Garlock Launches ABRA-SHIELD™, an Expansion Joint Material Designed for Abrasion Protection

    PALMYRA, N.Y., Sept. 26, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Garlock – a leading manufacturer of high-performance fluid sealing products – has launched ABRA-SHIELD™, a proprietary expansion joint liner material designed for abrasion resistance and sustainability in demanding high temperature operating conditions. As the newest addition to Garlock’s family of abrasion resistant expansion joint materials, ABRA-SHIELD™ will join […]

  • Increasing Sustainability in the Power Industry Through Proactive Maintenance

    According to a recent maintenance study published by Plant Engineering, more than 50% of respondents said their plants are still heavily relying on reactive maintenance. However, organizations and industries (including the power industry) have slowly started to move toward a more proactive maintenance approach because of the numerous benefits its implementation provides. This article addresses […]

  • Conco Systems Pty Ltd. Completes Monumental Stanwell Power Retubing

    HEATHERBRAE, NSW, Australia, Sept. 24, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Conco Systems Pty Ltd. has completed the four-year, four-unit Stanwell Power Station Midlife Condenser Re-tube. The massive condenser re-tubing project began in Stanwell’s Unit 1 in 2015, and continued for a total of four years, with an additional unit being re-tubed during scheduled outages each year. The […]

  • The Original Rapid Dry-Out Product

    Plastic Refractories: Tried-and-True Materials That Meet Quick-Turn Demands NORTHBROOK, IL, SEPTEMBER 19, 2018 — Increased production pressures have sparked a rise in inquiries regarding rapid dry-out materials. Often times, the inquirer wants to use a rapid-fire material to reduce the down-time of their furnace equipment. The faster a furnace can be brought back online, the faster […]

  • In an Industry First, Xcel Energy Flies a Drone BVLOS

    Xcel Energy on September 12 launched a drone to inspect electric power lines near Fort St. Vrain Generating Station in Platteville, Colorado—marking the first flight by a U.S. utility beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) during ongoing inspections. Xcel on Wednesday launched a 35-pound drone that is equipped with two cameras, as local, state, and federal […]

  • AIM-68 Industrial Tablet with Application-Oriented Peripherals

    Advantech-DLoG, a leading industrial and rugged computer provider, is pleased to announce its AIM-68 10″ industrial-grade tablet with compact and lightweight design, as well as multiple I/O ports (PresseBox) (Germering, 05.09.18) Powered by an Intel® Atom™ x7-Z8750 processor with support for dual OS, AIM-68 is aimed at diverse applications in various vertical markets. AIM-68 also […]

  • Explosion isolation flap valves provide reliable low-cost explosion protection

    New explosion isolation flap valves from IEP Technologies, part of the HOERBIGER Group, are a reliable and cost effective way to mitigate the risk of dust explosions propagating to upstream equipment. IEP Technologies announces the introduction of the IFV and IFV-M Isolation Flap Valves. These self-actuating devices are cost effective, easy to install, and reliable. […]

  • New OPTALIGN touch to become the game changer in laser alignment

    PRUFTECHNIK single-laser technology – the key for easy and high accuracy measurement Ismaning, September 2018 – The world market leader of laser alignment instruments PRUFTECHNIK proudly announces the launch of the new OPTALIGN touch system. The OPTALIGN touch by PRUFTECHNIK is the equipment of choice for simple, fast and precise daily alignment jobs – a tool […]

  • Select Boiler Chemistry in the Design Phase of Project Life

    On many combined cycle projects, the major decisions about boiler chemistry are left until after the plant has been designed, equipment is procured, and construction is well underway. However, the best time to make these chemistry decisions is in the design phase of the project. That enables the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor to […]

  • Increase Condenser Efficiency with Latest-Generation Vacuum Pumps

    State-owned Korea Midland Power Co. (KOMIPO) operates the Shin Boryeong Thermal Power Plant (TPP), a two-unit, 2,000-MW ultrasupercritical bituminous-coal-fired power plant. Shin Boryeong TPP is an extension

  • A Reimagined Power Future Enabled by Digital Technologies

    The power industry is changing and leading companies are turning to digital technologies to revolutionize their operations. Monitoring and diagnostics centers are leveraging vast amounts of data from around

  • The Technology Behind One of the World’s Longest Pipe Conveyors

    Long-distance conveyors are a reliable and energy-efficient method of bulk material transport. Pipe conveyors—fully enclosed material handling systems—offer additional environmental protection and more

  • Digital Tools Help Increase Output, Reduce Costs at Palo Verde

    Palo Verde is the largest nuclear-generating site in the U.S. It has three of the five largest nuclear units in the country, with each pressurized water reactor licensed at almost 4,000 MWth. Like many plants

  • Equipment Showcase: Pumps

    Pumps and pumping systems have multiple applications in power plants and can be located in several locations throughout a facility. These pumps are generally centrifugal and positive displacement pumps

  • Voith received first order for two VECO-Drives from Guangzhou China Resources Thermal Power Co., Ltd. in China

    Two VECO-Drives will replace the existing boiler water feed pumps speed control in the NanSha thermal power plant Significant improvement of overall efficiency and reduction of energy consumption as well as greenhouse gas emissions Guangzhou, China. On August 27, 2018, Voith and Guangzhou China Resources Thermal Power Co., Ltd. signed an order for two VECO-Drive […]

  • Wärtsilä to help ensure reliable power supply in challenging Hawaii conditions through Smart Technologies

    Clean, secure, and uninterrupted power is at the core of Hawaiian Electric’s 50-megawatt Schofield Generating Station. Wärtsilä has signed a Maintenance and Operational advisory agreement for the power plant, located on the island of Oahu, 40 kilometres from Honolulu. The agreement will help the utility to maximize the availability and efficiency of the power plant. […]

  • MHPS Enhances Capabilities, Invests in Manufacturing Facilities, and Takes the Lead in Gas Turbine Market

    It’s no secret that the gas turbine market in the Americas has been tough in recent years. Across the industry, there have been reports of shrinking orders, forcing drastic measures to cut costs, including restructuring of businesses and cutting large numbers of jobs. The story from Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems has been markedly different. In […]

  • Siemens to boost power output and efficiency at Al-Sadder power plant in Iraq

    Siemens’ digital services to maximize power plant’s performance Assets will generate more power and supply electricity to an additional 100,000 homes Project supports Iraq’s goal of meeting electricity demand In line with Iraq’s goal to improve the efficiency and availability of the country’s power plants, Siemens will provide inspection and upgrade services for two power […]

  • Emerson Introduces New Motor Starter With Component-Level Protection for Improved Cost Performance

    PlexPower™ designs are faster to install and easier to maintain and operate than traditional cast motor starters resulting in a 73% lower total cost of ownership ROSEMONT, ILL, AUGUST 9, 2018 — Emerson today introduced a cost-effective, easy-to-install and simple-to-operate alternative to traditional cast and bolted motor starters in the form of its new Appleton® […]

  • Test Your Knowledge: Scaffold Safety

    It is safe to say that every power plant in the world uses scaffolding in some way, shape, or form. It is a critical component for many maintenance activities where permanently installed access is not possible or practical. Therefore, the dangers associated with scaffolding should not be overlooked by the industry. Often, plant maintenance personnel […]

  • Small Modular Reactors: ‘Sealing’ the Deal

    Small modular reactors (SMRs), defined by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as a reactor less than 300 MW, are fast emerging as a promising option for nuclear energy. They offer flexible power

  • Clinging to Power: Why Extending Transformer Life Is Key

    Through much of the developed world, we have come to rely on a steady flow of electricity just as we have a steady flow of air. Power outages are still disruptive, but they are few in number, and we have

  • Dry Fork: A Model of Modern U.S. Coal Power

    Dry Fork Station began commercial operation as a swath of older, less-efficient U.S. coal plants contemplated retirement amid a flood of environmental rules. Designed with foresight, this quintessential modern

  • Siemens builds turnkey combined cycle power plant in Herne

    Heat and power for the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region Fuel efficiency exceeding 85 percent Long-term service agreement Siemens and STEAG GuD Herne GmbH signed an agreement today on the turnkey construction of a combined cycle power plant with district heat extraction. They also entered into a long-term service agreement. The Herne 6 plant will have an […]