Technology

Each year, the Connected Plant Conference, presented by POWER and Chemical Engineering, recognizes people who are in the front line of implementing digital technologies in the power and chemical process industries. This year, we congratulate the following winners of the “Game Changer” awards, who will be honored at the Connected Plant Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, […]

The science of renewable energy is remarkable—the ability to harness nature to magically power our modern world is a seductive vision. And yet, the actual business of renewable energy is late to establish itself as a viable competitor to the petrochemical industry. The problem is rooted in cost parity and the challenges of production, storage, […]

There’s widespread debate over whether nuclear power should be a player in the path toward addressing climate change. Industry analysts say nuclear is key to zero-emission power generation; even some environmentalists agree, though others point to the issue of disposal of nuclear waste, and concerns about the safety of reactors. Those concerns have led some […]

A new report from a global research, data, and analytics firm says the total market for energy storage will reach $546 billion in annual revenue over the next 15 years, led by the continued electrification of the transportation sector. Lux Research, a Boston, Massachusetts-headquartered group, in its “Global Energy Storage Market 2019” report, estimates the […]

Pilsen\Bratislava (2/25/2020) – Doosan Škoda Power, a Pilsen-based manufacturer and supplier of steam turbines and components for power-generating operations, has won a contract to modernize two turbine sets with a total capacity of 440 MW at Unit 1 of the Mochovce nuclear power plant (NPP), owned and operated by Slovenské elektrárne, a.s. Combined, the two […]

The rise of distributed, or decentralized, power generation has been supported by district energy, the generation from facilities and associated distribution networks supplying steam or hot water, chilled water, and electricity for heating and cooling to millions of square feet of building space across the U.S. and around the globe. District energy is among several […]

Experts to Showcase OPTIMASS 6400 at Booth #108  Beverly, MA:  KROHNE, Inc. announces that it will showcase its OPTIMASS 6400 twin bent tube Coriolis mass flowmeter at the fourth annual Connected Plant Conference, booth #108, from February 25-27, 2020 at the Westin Peachtree Plaza in Atlanta, GA. The OPTIMASS 6400 is ideal for standard liquid […]

NISKAYUNA, N.Y., Feb. 19, 2020 – GE Research, the central technology development arm for GE, has been awarded access to the world’s #1-ranked supercomputer to discover new ways to optimize the efficiency of jet engines and power generation equipment.  The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) selected the GE project among 47 winners in the 15th year of its Innovative […]

Researchers at a few prominent universities have published findings on recent power-related projects. At Cranfield University in the UK, hydrogen production technology is advancing with an eye on cost and carbon reductions; researchers at the University of Michigan released best practices for extending lithium-ion battery life; and a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) study found […]

In an exclusive interview, executives from Silicon Valley–based Oklo, a company Idaho National Laboratory (INL) chose this week to demonstrate the first-of-its-kind use of recycled high-assay, low-enriched uranium (HALEU) fuel in its full-size Aurora micro-reactor, told POWER that the project could have broad implications for the future of nuclear power. Marking a significant boost for […]

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is set to begin commercial operation of the Middle East’s first nuclear power plant, after the country’s regulatory agency on Feb. 17 gave its approval for the start-up of the first reactor at the Barakah site. The plant can now begin loading fuel, and Unit 1 is expected to come […]

Oklo, developer of a 1.5-MW passive compact fast reactor, will be the first to receive high-assay, low-enriched uranium (HALEU) nuclear fuel from Idaho National Laboratory (INL) to aid a first-of-its-kind demonstration of its Aurora microreactor, which could begin in 2024. Marking a significant boost for advanced nuclear innovation, which industry experts are banking on to […]

Responding to a request from a Democrat-led U.S. House committee, the federal International Trade Commission (ITC) is investigating how New England’s increasing renewable targets are economically affecting the region, and what role renewable imports play in meeting those commitments. The ITC, an independent, nonpartisan and quasi-judicial federal agency that also provides fact-finding as it relates […]

DustBuster™ SCR catalyst has proven performance in over 11,000 MW of coal-fired power units since 2016 CHARLOTTE, N.C.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–In making the announcement, Mike Mattes, President & CEO of CORMETECH said, “Demand continues to be strong as utilities worldwide recognize the benefits of DustBuster™ and are looking to improve their coal-fired generation SCR performance and meet […]

An energy and finance research group on Feb. 18 said Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy’s (SGRE’s) offshore wind installations make it far and away the market leader in that category, while Danish wind turbine manufacturer Vestas continues to lead the onshore and overall wind turbine market. The report published Tuesday from BloombergNEF (BNEF) said Vestas took […]

NEW ORLEANS, LA. (Feb. 18, 2020) – Bernhard and ProStar Energy Solutions (ProStar) announced todayan agreement with HealthTrust to offer Energy-as-a-Service solutions to member hospitals and health systems nationwide. The agreement offers HealthTrust members a comprehensive choice of services including engineering design, construction, operations & maintenance and financing that are designed to reduce energyconsumption. “The […]

PARIS – 18 February – GE Power (NYSE: GE) has recently successfully delivered the variable speed drive system (VSDS) and an e-house to the petrochemical plant by Shell Nederland Chemie B.V. GE’s VSDS, encompassing the high-speed induction motor and the variable speed drive, can reach steadily over approximately 90 percent energy efficiency for the compressor […]

Through Solys, its internal manufacturing and global logistics platform, Veolia Water Technologies (Veolia) is pleased to announce the launch of SIRION™ Advanced. A compact, plug-and-play system which integrates AQUAVISTA™ digital services, SIRION™ Advanced is dedicated to high-quality industrial process water production. Manufacturing sectors and the power industry require high-purity water and energy-efficient process water production […]

This robust ultrasonic gas flowmeter has integrated pressure and temperature sensors to provide a wide array of highly accurate measured and calculated values. February 13, 2020 – Endress+Hauser launches the Proline Prosonic Flow G 300/500 flowmeter. The Prosonic Flow G can be supplied with either of two different transmitters: as a compact version (Proline 300), […]

Global marketplace for new, used and overhauled Voith Turbo equipment Providing an informative product overview including availability Expansion of the Voith service portfolio HEIDENHEIM, Germany. The new global online platform Turbo Marketplace offers the ability to sell or buy unused, used and overhauled Voith Turbo equipment. Safety stocks, changing conditions and cancelled projects lead to […]

13 February 2020:  Bladon Micro Turbine (“Bladon”), the pioneer in the design, development, engineering and manufacture of micro turbine gensets (“MTGs”), has signed a three-year distribution partnership contract with Alkan CIT (“Alkan”) worth over US$36 million. Under the terms of the agreement, Bladon will provide its microturbine powered generators to Alkan for use at telecom […]

Wärtsilä Corporation (February 13, 2020) — The technology group Wärtsilä has been awarded to supply a 78 MW engine power plant on a fast-track basis in order to support the growth of an industrial complex in Bangladesh. The order was placed in November by Jamuna Power, a part of the Jamuna Group, one of Bangladesh’s […]

Given current trends, the U.S. gas turbine industry is set to play a critically important role in power generation, aircraft propulsion, and the oil and gas industry “for decades to come,” but it could benefit from prioritized research and development (R&D) and technological leadership, a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and […]

Yucca Mountain, the 1987 Congressionally appointed deep geologic repository for spent nuclear fuel (SNF), may be officially dead; transmission assets held by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and three Power Marketing Administrations (PMAs) will be put up for sale; and hundreds of millions of dollars in unobligated balances for flagship programs like the Advanced Research […]

Digitization in the power generation sector continues to expand. Its goal in simple terms—providing easy access to data for power plant operators and engineers, enabling the use of advanced analytics to improve equipment performance and efficiency—has resulted in reduced operating costs for utilities, and also has enhanced plant safety. POWER’s upcoming Connected Plant Conference, set […]

The past week saw interesting developments worldwide for nuclear new builds, small modular reactors (SMRs), and advanced nuclear fuel. Highlighted here: A third U.S. utility will use Framatome’s ATRIUM 11 fuel design; Barakah 1 in the United Arab Emirates is on the cusp of startup; South Africa’s Eskom said it wants to dispose of PBMR […]

Energy Storage startup SPARKZ Inc. has exclusively licensed five technologies from the Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) designed to eliminate cobalt in lithium-ion batteries. The development portends a significant new direction for battery storage technology, which has been hindered by costs and availability of the rare metal. ORNL, which announced the […]

A primitive but unique ransomware variant that emerged in mid-December can forcibly stop a number of processes, including multiple items related to industrial control system (ICS) operations, industrial cybersecurity firm Dragos warned in a detailed report on Feb. 3. The ransomware known as “EKANS” (or “Snake,” which is “EKANS” spelled backwards) is “relatively straightforward” as […]

Streaming OSIsoft PI System data into Hexagon PPM’s HxGN SDx® simplifies path to more comprehensive digital twins 04 February 2020 HUNTSVILLE, Ala., and SAN LEANDRO, Calif. – Hexagon’s PPM division, the leading global provider of engineering software for the design, construction and operation of plants, ships and offshore facilities, announces the availability of HxGN SDx® […]

Proficy Operations Hub helps customers to simplify plant operations and digitize processes with an industrial-grade solution that aggregates data from multiple sources SAN RAMON, Calif. – February 4, 2020 – GE Digital today unveiled Proficy Operations Hub 1.5 to provide users with a centralized environment that enables greater operational efficiency and collaboration within industrial organizations. […]