Technology

  • A List of DOE-Funded Large Coal Demonstrations

    Below is a list from the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) of all its large-scale coal demonstration projects, starting with the most recent, with a link to each respective project landing page.  In a report prepared for the Senate Energy and Natural Resources that was released on October 1, 2018, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) says […]

  • DOE Sank Billions of Fossil Energy R&D Dollars in CCS Projects. Most Failed.

    Nearly half of the $2.66 billion spent by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) since 2010 to develop advanced fossil energy technologies was dedicated to nine carbon capture and storage (CCS) demonstration projects—but only three were active at the end of 2017, and only one was at a power plant. In a report prepared for […]

  • Babcock Power Environmental Inc. Secures Major Agreement with BHEL

    Babcock Power Environmental Inc., a Babcock Power Inc. company, signs Technology Collaboration Agreement with India’s major power generator, BHEL. Chennai, Tamilnadu, India – Babcock Power Environmental Inc. (BPE) announced today that they have entered into a Technology Collaboration Agreement with Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), India’s leading power producer whose equipment account for over 60% […]

  • NRC Grants Key Approvals for S. Korea’s APR1400 Nuclear Reactor, Despite Widespread Construction Delays

    The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has issued key safety and design approvals for the Advanced Power Reactor 1400 (APR1400), a South Korean third-generation nuclear reactor design.  The U.S. regulatory body on September 28 issued a final safety evaluation report and a standard design approval (SDA) for the APR1400, which is designed by South Korean state-owned […]

  • Siemens to Acquire Massachusetts-based Electric Infrastructure Manufacturer Russelectric

    ATLANTA, Georgia (October 3, 2018) — Siemens, a global innovator in low and medium voltage technologies, has announced plans to acquire Massachusetts-based Russelectric, a leading U.S. manufacturer of power control systems including paralleling switchgear and automatic transfer switches. The acquisition will bring together the companies’ complementary advanced electrical power portfolios and service organizations to help […]

  • Siemens strengthens digital twin efforts with U.S. grid protection software acquisition

    ATLANTA, Georgia (Oct. 3, 2018) — Siemens is acquiring the specialized software company Electrocon International Inc. (EII) to uniquely enhance simulations of power grids and strengthen the company’s electrical digital twin efforts. EII, based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, develops and markets CAPE (Computer-Aided Protection Engineering) software which focuses on the protection of electricity systems and […]

  • EPA Advances Proposed Changes to Mercury Rule

    The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) confirmed it has submitted proposed changes to the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) to the White House for review, despite urging by the industry to let the rule stand. EPA spokesperson John Konkus told POWERon October 2 that the agency does not intend to withdraw the existing MATS. It […]

  • BrandSafway introduces BrandTech™ Precision Welding

    New drawn arc welding technology increases productivity and quality Kennesaw, Georgia, USA, Oct. 03, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Industrial Specialists, a BrandSafway company and a member of the American Welding Society, is introducing BrandTech™ Precision Welding, a modular-welding system with built-in technology, which allows for one or two welding guns to be used at the […]

  • Mixed reality remote worker platform launches with potential to transform industry

    FREDERICTON (N.B.) – Starting today, users can experience Kognitiv Spark’s powerful industrial worker support tool for free by downloading the trial in the Microsoft app store. Their platform, called RemoteSpark, leverages mixed reality technology and interactive 3D intelligence to deliver significant productivity gains for industrial clients. The platform is currently designed for the Microsoft HoloLens […]

  • GE Power Wins Order to Develop HA-Powered Plant in Bangladesh

    DHAKA, Bangladesh (October 1, 2018) — In its continued efforts to provide the most advanced energy solutions to Bangladesh, GE Power (NYSE: GE) today announced that it has been selected by Unique Group, to develop the 600 megawatt (MW) natural gas based combined cycle power plant at Meghnaghat, near Dhaka, Bangladesh. Unique Meghnaghat Power Limited […]

  • Small-Scale LNG Paper Wins Award at Power-Gen Asia

    MAN Energy Solutions has won the prestigious ‘Best Paper Award’ at the Power-Gen Asia trade show that took place from September 18th to 20th, 2018 in Jakarta, Indonesia. The ‘Small-Scale LNG – Powering the Future of Asia’s Island Communities’ paper was presented by Carsten Dommermuth, Senior Manager, International Business Development, MAN Energy Solutions. Dommermuth said: […]

  • The Rise of Natural Gas Generation in Europe

    Spurred by the shale gas revolution, natural gas’s stunning rise to dominate the U.S. power profile has been echoed by a number of countries, particularly in the Middle East. In Europe, where domestic natural gas production is actually in decline—and consensus is that shale gas won’t likely play a major role on the continent—natural gas […]

  • Using Predictive Analytics to Keep Up with Energy Demand

    Silicon Valley Power implemented a system using machine-learning technology to monitor critical power plant components. The solution has proven to reduce downtime and save money. Furthermore, its wireless

  • Best Practices for Welding Critical Power Plant Systems

    Innovative welding techniques can produce consistently better-quality joints. Special alloys, appropriate pre- and post-weld heat treatment, and proper weld procedures can all help prevent catastrophic failure

  • Another World Record for Combined Cycle Efficiency

    The Nishi Nagoya power plant in Japan is more than just the showcase of a successful fuel-conversion project. It’s the holder of a world record, thanks to a GE Power gas turbine that again has set the global

  • U.S. Biomass Power, Dampened by Market Forces, Fights to Stay Ablaze

    Though experts say biomass should continue to play a key role in the U.S. renewable power portfolio for its baseload properties, contributions to forest management, and other reasons, a swathe of uneconomic

  • The Gamble to Produce Power from a ‘Killer’ Lake

    KivuWatt, a 26.2-MW power plant in Kibuye, Rwanda, was conceived to help reduce risk of an overpressure gas outburst at Lake Kivu. The first-of-its-kind integrated methane gas extraction and production

  • Transparency Instrumental in Successful Power Plant Project

    Public perceptions can make or break a project. One municipal utility found that out firsthand. When resistance grew strong against a new power plant it needed, the company rebooted and engaged with local

  • 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

  • Advanced Digital Technology Offers Utilities Profound Changes

    Advanced digital technologies, including robotics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, are transforming the way electric power companies do business, in ways that benefit the companies and their

  • India’s Coal Glut Leaves Producers Teetering on Bankruptcy

    At the end of July, India’s Central Electricity Authority (CEA) noted in its annual load generation balance report (LGBR) for the year 2018–2019 that the country will likely have a peak surplus of 2.5% and

  • 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

  • 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

  • Intense Summer Heatwaves Rattle World’s Power Plants

    Scorching temperatures during the summer of 2018 forced a swathe of power plants across the world to reduce power or shut down temporarily, owing to warmer-than-usual temperatures of cooling water and other

  • 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 […]

  • Global Wind Summit Showcases the Increasing Power of the Segment

    More than 35,000 visitors from 100 nations were expected to attend the vast Global Wind Summit, which began Tuesday, September 25, in Hamburg, Germany’s Exposition Center. The expo is one of the world’s largest wind energy events. Held every two years and organized by WindEurope, the Global Wind Energy Association, and VDMA Power Systems, it […]

  • 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 […]

  • [VIDEO] Vogtle’s Soaring Costs 

    The project to expand the two-unit Plant Vogtle in Georgia with two new AP1000 reactors has suffered debilitating delays and mounting costs.

  • How the Vogtle Nuclear Expansion’s Costs Escalated

    The project to expand the two-unit Plant Vogtle nuclear power station in Georgia with two new AP1000 reactors has suffered debilitating delays and mounting costs. The project is owned by four partners: Southern Co. subsidiary Georgia Power (45.7%), Oglethorpe Power Corp. (OPC, 30%), Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia (MEAG Power, 22.7%), and Dalton Utilities (1.6%). Units […]