Renewables

  • Automated Tools Improve Hydroblasting Productivity and Safety

    Just a decade ago, a hydroblasting contractor was considered cutting-edge if he owned a spinning nozzle for his shotgun and a 2-D tank cleaning tool. Now, the next evolution in hydroblasting technologies is

  • Electric Co-op Shines a Light on Rack Selection

    Clay Electric Cooperative was determined to dramatically improve its logistics, reliability, and productivity, even before the Florida member-owned utility set out to build a new warehouse to consolidate

  • Williamson College of the Trades Energy Island: Time-Honored Innovation

    Williamson College of the Trades’ Power Plant Technology program provides hands-on training for learners within its student-run power plant—known as the “Energy Island.” Through the program, students

  • Reliability, Resiliency Key to Caribbean Rebuild

    As another hurricane season approaches, the lessons learned by energy companies that have repaired power infrastructure in Haiti, Puerto Rico, and other areas provide a path forward for reducing the impact of

  • Quick Starts, High Efficiency, Grid Balance — Engines on an Up Cycle

    The growth of renewable energy, and with it the need for reliable backup generation, along with the increase in combined heat and power applications, is contributing to a rise in the use of reciprocating

  • NextEra Energy and JinkoSolar announce deal for millions of solar panels; JinkoSolar to begin manufacturing solar panels in Florida

    JUNO BEACH, Fla. and SHANGHAI (March 30, 2018) — Two global solar energy leaders, U.S.-based NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE) and China-based JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd. (NYSE: JKS), today announced one of the largest solar panel supply deals in history. NextEra Energy announced that it is the counterparty to a major supply agreement that was […]

  • Duke Energy using North Carolina-based renewable natural gas in first-of-its-kind project

    Innovative effort producing pipeline-quality biogas from North Carolina hog farms OptimaBio’s project in Duplin County to spur more renewable energy CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A Duke Energy power plant is using renewable natural gas from North Carolina-based hog farms to produce electricity – the first application of the technology from in-state farms. “This is a major […]

  • New onshore wind projects in Germany: Siemens Gamesa announces five orders including 20 turbines

    Ten SG 2.1-114 turbines ordered for project in Brandenburg Ten turbines to be installed in eastern and northern Germany 20 years of service ordered for the entire new fleet of 52.3 megawatts New orders for Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (SGRE) from Germany: The company will equip a total of five wind farms with its onshore […]

  • NRG Sheds Generation Emphasis, Puts More Focus on Retail

    To remain competitive in power markets increasingly characterized by disruptions, NRG Energy plans to accelerate its transition from a pure independent power producer (IPP) model to a more simplified customer-driven integrated power model that favors its retail businesses. In a number of presentations showcased on March 27 as part of NRG’s 2018 Analyst Day, company […]

  • KYOCERA TCL Solar Begins Operation of 13.7-MW Floating Solar Power Plant in Japan

    TOKYO (March 27, 2018) — Kyocera President Hideo Tanimoto and Tokyo Century Corporation President & CEO Shunichi Asada announced today that Kyocera TCL Solar LLC has started operation of Japan’s largest 13.7-megawatt floating solar plant this month. Located on the Yamakura Dam reservoir in Ichihara, Chiba Prefecture, the Company held a completion ceremony on March 20 […]

  • Total a Founding Partner of Cathay Smart Energy Fund, Will Invest in New Energy Sector in China

    PARIS (March 27, 2018) — Total Energy Ventures (TEV), Hubei High Technology Investment Guiding Fund Management Co., Ltd. (Hubei High Tech), and Cathay Capital have signed a Heads of Agreement to launch the Cathay Smart Energy Fund, an investment fund dedicated to energy sector in China. The fund will focus its investments on emerging technologies […]

  • CAISO Backs PG&E Clean Energy Plan for Oakland

    The California Independent System Operator (CAISO) has approved a request from Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) to provide a mixture of energy storage, energy efficiency, and system-wide upgrades to ensure reliable electricity in the Oakland, California, area, after the retirement of an aging Dynegy jet fuel-powered plant. PG&E received CAISO approval for its Oakland […]

  • Resource Diversification a Key for TVA [PODCAST]

    Joe Grimes, executive vice president of generation with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), gave the keynote presentation during the ELECTRIC POWER Conference and Exhibition, which was held March 19–22 in Nashville, Tennessee. His presentation focused on steps TVA is taking to diversify its generation portfolio in order to reduce risks and keep costs as low […]

  • Waste-To-Energy Power Plant To Be Constructed In Tema

    Armech Africa Limited, a subsidiary of the Armech Group, is to construct a $300 million waste-to-energy (W2E) power plant in Tema to generate 60 MW of clean energy. Armech Africa Limited, a designer and manufacturer of modern industrial processes, has therefore signed a Public Private Partnership Agreement with the Electricity Company of Ghana to that […]

  • Duke Energy Eyes More Coal Closures as Part of Decarbonization Drive

    Giant U.S. energy holding company Duke Energy in a new report outlined for shareholders how it will achieve a goal updated last year to reduce its 2030 carbon dioxide emissions 40% compared to 2005 and achieve a “science-based 2-degree target.” The company’s 2017 Climate Report to Shareholders made public on March 22 unveils a strategy […]

  • Pattern Energy Completes First Wind Power Facility in Japan

    SAN FRANCISCO, California (March 22, 2018) – Pattern Energy Group Inc.  today announced the completion of its 33-MW Ohorayama Wind power facility, which is located in Japan’s Kochi Prefecture. “Ohorayama Wind is our first wind project in Japan to complete construction and it was on schedule and under budget. Ohorayama will be followed by the Tsugaru […]

  • Utility Managers Build Business Case for Digital Technologies

    The rise of digital technologies for power plants has moved in fits and starts over the past several years, with some generators quickly embracing digitization of their assets while others are looking to justify potential investments. Suppliers of digital technologies have widely marketed the benefits, but many generators are looking to current end users for […]

  • Wärtsilä Delivers World’s Largest Solar Hybrid Power Plant

    HELSINKI, Finland (March 20, 2018) — The technology group Wärtsilä today announced that it has delivered the world’s largest solar hybrid power plant. Wärtsilä will provide a reliable and sustainable supply of round-the-clock energy which is essential in operating the off-grid gold mine and demonstrate the enormous potential of integrating renewables as the baseload electricity. Wärtsilä […]

  • Regulators, Lawmakers Spar Over Arizona Renewable Mandates

    State regulators in Arizona want the state’s investor-owned utilities to source more of their electricity from renewable sources, and develop more energy storage options, rather than rely on new natural gas-fired generation in the future. State senators, however, voted March 14 to give utilities a way to get around any voter-supported mandates for renewables. The […]

  • Siemens Gamesa Will Supply 104 MW for Five Onshore Projects

    March 15, 2018 — Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (SGRE) has secured orders for the supply of 39 onshore wind turbines in France, with aggregate capacity of 104 MW, at five wind farms being developed in the regions of Hauts de France, Grand Est, Burgundy and in Western France. Siemens Gamesa has been selected to supply, […]

  • Increase of Electricity in Pakistan: First Unit of Tarbela IV Hydro Plant Connects to Grid

    Voith delivers complete electromechanical equipment for hydropower plant extension project Voith’s asset management solution OnCare AM in use for the first time at a hydropower plant Expansion of hydropower potential to increase Pakistan’s independence from fuel imports Islamabad (March 14, 2018) — In the presence of numerous guests from the areas of politics, industry, and […]

  • Wärtsilä’s Smart Power Generation Gaining Market Share in Global Energy Transition

    HELSINKI, Finland (March 8, 2018) — The technology group Wärtsilä has been the pioneer to promote flexibility in energy systems to enable greater use of solar and wind power. The company’s Smart Power Generation solution was launched ten years ago in recognition of growing environmental awareness within the industry, and in anticipation of increasing adoption of […]

  • Germany’s New Coalition Government Agrees to Phase Out Coal, but Will Miss 2020 Emissions Targets

    Germany’s Social Democratic Party (SPD) members agreed to join their longtime rival and governing partner, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), and reluctantly entered into a third grand coalition government on March 4. While this ended months of anxious handwringing following September’s national elections, the entire process was mired in frustration as the prospect of yet […]

  • ABB Microgrid Technology Will Integrate Wind Power in Remote Parts of Alaska

    ZURICH, Switzerland (March 7, 2018) – Deering and Buckland are two small villages in northwestern Alaska, with populations of 200 and 400 mostly indigenous Inupiaq people. For these residents, who rely heavily on fishing and hunting for their subsistence, life above the Arctic Circle is tough. Winter lasts for nine months with temperatures dipping to […]

  • Texas Utility Ready to Ramp Up Renewables

    The CEO of Texas-based CPS Energy said March 6 that the utility wants to generate at least 50% of its power from renewable sources by 2040, part of a plan that includes the addition of 550 MW of battery storage, as it looks to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. But the city-owned San Antonio […]

  • More Coal and Nuclear Can Replace Retired Generation, State Supreme Court Rules

    The Supreme Court for the state of New Mexico affirmed a final order by state regulators to allow Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) to replace lost generation from two shuttered units at its 1,800-MW coal-fired San Juan Regional Generation Station with coal and nuclear resources. The case stems from a petition filed by […]

  • MEM Delivers Development Expertise for 240 MW of Wind and Solar Projects in Southeast Asia

    SINGAPORE (March 6, 2018) — Modern Energy Management (MEM), a specialist in sourcing, developing, building and operating renewable energy projects in the emerging markets has announced it has been appointed to provide development support at two project sites, totalling 290 MW, in the Philippines and Thailand respectively.  MEM will act as technical and commercial advisor […]

  • Vaisala Bolsters its Global Remote Sensing Support Network

    Measurement expert signs a string of regional partnerships and launches new online data platform to facilitate global adoption of the Triton Wind Profiler Vaisala, a global leader in environmental and industrial measurement, has signed a succession of new regional partnerships in response to rising global demand for its advanced wind measurement system, the Triton Wind […]

  • Leeward Renewable Energy Partners with Siemens Gamesa on Repowering of Mendota Hills Wind Farm

    DALLAS (March 6, 2018) — Leeward Renewable Energy, LLC today announced that work will soon commence to repower the company’s 15-year-old Mendota Hills Wind Farm (“Mendota”) in Lee County, Illinois. Leeward selected Siemens Gamesa to supply 29 of its SG 2.6-126 wind turbines, which will replace the existing 63 units of legacy Gamesa turbines. Total […]

  • FPL Will Build New Gas Plant, Adds More Solar

    Florida regulators on March 1 approved Florida Power & Light’s (FPL’s) plan to build a new $888 million natural gas-fired power plant, replacing an existing gas- and oil-fueled plant on the same site in Dania Beach that is being retired this year. The utility on Thursday also announced the opening of four new solar power […]