Technology
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Commentary
Streamlining Clean Energy Approvals and Organic Waste Legislation for a Sustainable Future
In the face of escalating climate concerns, the U.S. is grappling with the dual challenges of advancing clean energy initiatives and establishing effective organic waste management strategies. A year since Congress injected substantial investments into the clean energy transition, progress has been made, but hurdles persist. Private sector interest in clean energy initiatives has surged, […]
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Trends
Seven European Countries Set Ambitious But ‘Necessary’ Target to Decarbonize Power System by 2035
The seven European countries that make up the Pentalateral Energy Forum—Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Switzerland—will strive for the decarbonization of their interconnected electricity system by 2035. The countries, which form the Pentalateral Energy Forum—a 2005-convened voluntary framework for regional energy cooperation—in a joint statement on Dec. 18 formally concluded, “timely decarbonization […]
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IIOT Power
A Coal Refuse Power Plant Is Pioneering an AI-Driven Overhaul
An iconic coal refuse power plant in West Virginia that burns gob—basically dirt—and pond fines as part of a complex environmental solution to address coal waste is stepping up efforts to improve its efficiency, reliability, and cost reductions by embracing cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI). American Bituminous Power’s (AMBIT’s) 80-MW Grant Town Power Project—West Virginia’s only […]
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Commentary
The Demand Charge Dilemma at EV Charging Stations
With the transition to electric vehicles, utilities are becoming the new “gasoline wholesalers” as they provide critical fuel for transportation. Understanding their complex energy rate structures could make or break your EV charging business. Demand charges, in particular, can be toxic to your bottom line. There’s an ongoing industry-wide debate about how utilities should handle […]
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Interview
The POWER Interview: Innovation, Data-Driven Solar Solutions Key to Grid Stability
Growth in the solar power sector is being driven not only by ever-larger utility-scale farms, but also by growth in distributed generation. This smaller-scale use of solar energy is being supported as more homeowners and commercial and industrial (C&I) businesses install solar panels on rooftops, carports, parking garages and more. Distributed solar power generation is […]
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Sustainability
Energy Efficiency Is Demand-Side Solution Needed to Protect the Grid and Save Businesses Money
There’s growing global recognition that a net-zero world is inevitable, with ever-increasing investments in clean technologies and strong consumer support for sustainably-minded companies. As the transition to a carbon-free future accelerates, potential costs are being scrutinized, particularly as it relates to transforming the U.S. power grid, which remains a chief source of pollution and is […]
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Commentary
Why Utilities Must Create A Stronger Digital Architecture to Manage the Future Power Grid Amid Climate Challenges
This year, many of us watched with audible gasps as high temperatures shattered records and extreme weather destroyed homes and displaced people across the globe. These uncontrolled events have undoubtedly strained our old, antiquated electric grids, causing outages and downtime. The Biden administration has stepped up with $167 Million in energy grid resilience funding to assist in modernizing these […]
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Nuclear
Nuclear’s Glimmer Ushers in Spate of Lifetime Extensions
Despite its ongoing war with Russia, Ukraine in early November gave state nuclear operator Energoatom the green light to operate Unit 1 of the South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plant for 10 more years. The approval
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Electrification
How Power Companies Can Ride the EV Wave for New Revenue
Have you noticed more electric vehicles (EVs) driving around your neighborhood? According to Kelley Blue Book’s “Electric Vehicle Sales Report Q3 2023,” EV sales volume in the U.S. set a new record in
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Coal
What’s New in Coal Power Innovation?
Despite a dismal outlook for coal, countries with substantial coal fleets are intensifying efforts to develop new technologies and operational capabilities to improve coal power’s environmental impact
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Full Coverage
The Importance of Accurate Weather Prediction for Power Operations
Power companies need precise weather forecasts for a variety of reasons. Several companies specialize in providing the type of weather information utilities need to accurately predict resource availability and
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Connected Plant
The Benefits of Remote Monitoring for Transformers and Other Electrical Equipment
Obtaining real-time operating data on power plant and substation equipment has never been easier. The sensors, transmitters, and systems needed to monitor important parameters are readily available and highly
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Hybrid Power
New Zealand Utility Eyes Cloud Computing to Support Renewables, EVs
A New Zealand utility is piloting two software solutions to gauge their efficacy at handling grid constraints. Raglan is a beachside community of just under 4,000 people, about a two-hour drive from Auckland
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Power
Why Utilities Need to Supercharge Their Approach to Cybersecurity
People know a storm can disrupt the electrical grid and cause a wave of complications across the region or country very quickly. But now, for those charged with grid reliability and keeping the lights on
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Geothermal
Innovative Enhanced Geothermal System Begins Operations in Nevada
A pioneering 3.5-MW enhanced geothermal system (EGS) in northern Nevada that demonstrated the ability to drill, complete, and operate horizontal wells is now operational. Project Red, co-developed by Fervo Energy and Google under a partnership forged in 2021 under the “world’s first corporate agreement to develop an enhanced geothermal power project,” is supplying power to […]
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Hydrogen
MHI, Mitsubishi Power Report Breakthroughs for Hydrogen Combustion, Ammonia Burners
Mitsubishi Power has successfully demonstrated partial load and full load combustion of a fuel blend with 30% hydrogen (by volume) in a grid-connected J-series Air-Cooled (JAC) gas turbine. The achievement closely follows the completion of a combustion test on an ammonia single-fuel burner for coal firing by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), Mitsubishi Power’s parent company. […]
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Connected Plant
Converged Field Area Networks: Modernizing the Grid for a Sustainable Future
We’ve come a long way since the first waterwheel in 200 BC. Renewable energy sources now make up about 30% of the world’s generated power and are set to more than double as governments and utilities aim to meet their net-zero emission targets by 2050. That’s a tall order, especially for utilities with an aging […]
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Nuclear
Westinghouse Secures First Customer for eVinci Nuclear Microreactor
Westinghouse’s first customer for its eVinci microreactor—a flagship 5-MWe/13-MWth “nuclear battery”—is poised to be the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC), Canada’s second-largest research and technology organization. SRC—a Saskatchewan government Treasury Board Crown Corporation that serves as a commercial laboratory to provide research and development (R&D) for Saskatchewan industries—on Nov. 27 said it plans to pilot an […]
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Nuclear
INL Achieves Fabrication of Commercial-Grade Specialized Nuclear Fuel Pellets
Idaho National Laboratory (INL) has fabricated roughly two dozen commercial-grade fuel pellets of high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) uranium dioxide (UO2), the Department of Energy (DOE) revealed on Nov. 20. The milestone demonstrates the national laboratory’s “unique ability” to provide customized nuclear fuel for industry and government partners, the DOE said. INL said researchers at the […]
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Electrification
Transformative, Next-Gen Grid Control Technologies Get $42M in Federal Funding
The Department of Energy (DOE) has initiated a new “enabling” pathway to achieve and sustain a dramatic transformation of the nation’s evolving grid—through its power electronics fabric, with the realization of advanced semiconductor materials, devices, and power module technologies. The agency on Nov. 21 unveiled the agency’s first awards—$42 million for 15 projects across 11 […]
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Commentary
The Electrification of Vehicles in America Is Occurring Rapidly in Bus Fleets
The effort to electrify vehicles is a growing trend sweeping through America. The task is expensive enough to keep it from ever being quick. Still, funding is available from numerous sources and the commitment to accomplish what would once have seemed impossible is obvious. One of the largest vehicle fleets in the country is the […]
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Nuclear
America’s Most Powerful Nuclear Reactor Makes a Landmark Revival
Entergy’s Grand Gulf 1—the largest single-unit nuclear power plant in the U.S.—has thrived for four decades by cultivating a culture of continuous improvement, achieving record-breaking performance
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History
National Grid’s Evolution: Branching Out from Deep Roots
Rooted in the birth of the UK’s energy industry, National Grid’s operations have traversed critical periods of the energy industry’s tumultuous history. While it is today one of the world’s largest
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Full Coverage
Flow Battery Market Poised for Growth as Energy Storage Needs Expand
When it comes to energy storage, most people are quite familiar with lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. They are, of course, commonly used to power cell phones, electric vehicles (EVs), power tools, and many
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O&M
Understanding Selective Catalytic Reduction Systems and SCR Design Considerations
Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) is an important emissions control technology utilized at many coal, biomass, waste-to-energy, and gas-fired power plants. Many items must be considered when designing SCR
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Hydro
Twin-Row Hydropower Unit Begins Operation in China
The Lijiaxia Hydropower Station No. 5, one of the world’s biggest hydropower plants in a dual-row turbine layout, completed its 72-hour trial run and became officially operational on Oct. 10. Completion of
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Wind
UAE Launches 104-MW Wind Project Despite Low Winds
A landmark utility-scale wind project is now operational in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), despite previous concerns that large-scale wind energy is not viable owing to the region’s low wind speeds. Abu
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Power
POWER Digest [November 2023]
Canada Commits CA$3B to Complete Romania’s CANDU Nuclear Construction. Canada will loan CA$3 billion in available export financing to Nuclearelectrica S.A. (SNN), Romania’s state-owned operator of the
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O&M
How Asset Management Promotes Workplace Safety and Compliance
In the ever-evolving landscape of workplace safety and compliance, effective asset management has emerged as a powerful ally for managers and operators. This strategic approach not only ensures adherence to health and safety regulations but also fosters streamlined operations and cost savings. In a world where doing more with fewer resources is becoming the norm, […]
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O&M
The Value of NDT in Power Generation Asset Management
Nondestructive testing (NDT) blends quality assurance and materials science. It is used to inspect and evaluate materials, components, and assemblies without destroying their serviceability. In the power