Technology

  • GE and Construtora Quebec Partner to Build Power Plant in Brazil

    GUANAMBI, BAHIA STATE, Brazil (Sept. 3, 2018) – GE Power (NYSE: GE) was chosen by EPC Construtora Quebec, a Brazilian engineering company, to provide its 4.4-megawatt (MW) and 2.2-MW LV5 1,500-volt inverters and skids for the 14-MW Verde Vale III project in Guanambi, Brazil. This project is owned by Vientos Solutions, an owner and operator […]

  • THE BIG PICTURE: Trump’s Regulatory Targets

    President Trump campaigned on a promise to reduce regulation and control regulatory costs. One of his first actions after taking office was to issue an executive order calling for the elimination of two existing regulations for every one new regulation issued. Toward that end, the Trump administration has acted or sought to reverse more than […]

  • 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 […]

  • Let the Sun Shine In: Where Is Solar Power Headed?

    The Solar Energy Industries Association, the national trade association for the U.S. solar industry, reports that solar power has grown in the U.S. at a compounded annual rate of 59% since the solar investment

  • Australia Braces for Power System Transformation, Disruptions

    The inaugural integrated system plan (ISP) released by Australia’s Energy Market Operator (AEMO) in mid-July warns that the country is in the midst of a “transformative and unprecedented” rate of change

  • Award-Winning Pumped-Storage Hydro Facility a Modern Marvel

    The Frades II pumped-storage hydro project in Portugal took advantage of existing dams to incorporate a scheme that includes the largest variable-speed reversible units installed in Europe. The facility

  • 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

  • MeyGen Array Sets Global Records for Harnessing Tidal Power

    Though tidal energy is still considered by many to be in its nascent stages, power generated from turbines harnessing fast tidal flows in the same way wind turbines catch the wind has entered the commercial

  • Renewed Vision Shines Light on Dormant Nuclear Site

    The framework of a cooling tower. Weathered concrete walls, with empty holes as windows. The remains of what might have been provide the backdrop for what is—a solar farm that’s boosting economic

  • It’s Time for a Macro-Grid Overlay in the U.S.

    The U.S. power system is separated into three major components—the Western Interconnection, the Eastern Interconnection, and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas. The three operate almost independently

  • Power Industry Should Wholeheartedly Support Electric Vehicles

    Electric vehicles (EVs) have the potential to realign the transportation sector and present an opportunity for the power industry to transform and reinvent itself in fundamental ways. But whether this

  • 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

  • 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

  • China Puts Online Pioneering Large-Scale CSP Project

    China completed its first large commercial-scale parabolic-trough concentrated solar power (CSP) plant at the end of June. The 50-MW Delingha project built by CGN New Energy, a subsidiary of China General

  • A Wind Experiment: The Hornsdale Wind Farm

    Along with producing power from 99 turbines, the 309-MW Hornsdale Wind Farm in South Australia has helped trial new technologies that could ramp up power system security and reliability. At first glance, the

  • Tesla Virtual Power Plant Takes Shape in Australia

    Tesla in July released more details of its virtual power plant (VPP) project in South Australia (SA), outlining the initiative as well as its resources and the benefits it will bring to the region. The company

  • Cerro Pabellón: Taking Geothermal Power to New Heights

    South America’s first and only geothermal power plant, the 48-MW Cerro Pabellón project, sits at an elevation of 4,500 meters above sea level in Chile’s harsh and remote Atacama Desert. Building and

  • 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 […]

  • Siemens has commissioned HVDC back-to-back link between India and Bangladesh

    Two back-to-back links with a transmission capacity of 500 MW each ensure a reliable electricity supply of Bangladesh’s population and growing economy HVDC Classic technology helps stabilize the connected systems in the event of grid disturbances The high capacity power link helps to avoid transmission bottlenecks In June 2018, Siemens has fully commissioned the second […]

  • Why Open Source Works for the Renewable Energy Sector

    According to the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, renewable energy is the fastest-growing energy source globally where 24% of the energy generated in 2015 came from renewable sources such as biomass, geothermal, solar, hydro, wind, and biofuels. This is expected to increase to 31% by 2040 and will heavily depend on a number of […]

  • Short-Term Financing for Microgrid Communication Systems Will Payoff Long-Term

    Energy companies are currently taking a hard look at distributed energy and microgrid technologies. That’s a good thing. Microgrids also need advanced communications networks to operate at optimum efficiency. That’s a fact. Microgrids offer incredible potential benefits, including the ability to disconnect from the traditional power grid and deliver electricity during blackouts, natural disasters and […]

  • Siemens and Bentley Systems strengthen their strategic alliance and joint investment initiatives

    Munich / Boston, 2018-Aug-27 Successful strategic alliance with Bentley Systems, which started in 2016, to be further expanded Joint investment initiative extended by an additional €50 million, totaling €100 million Ambition to further accelerate joint business In the companies’ latest Alliance Board meeting, Bentley Systems and Siemens decided to further strengthen their strategic alliance. The […]

  • GE Power Launches New Innovations at CIGRE 2018 Including Revolutionary HVDC Control System

    Product launches emphasize commitment to deliver innovative, software-enabled solutions to help customers navigate the shifting energy landscape Exciting product innovations to help customers meet evolving challenges include eLuminaTM HVDC Control System, 72.5kV compact Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS), new “Digital Twin” for Power Transformers, Intelligent Digital Substations, Asset Lifecycle Management Services and advanced Energy Management System (EMS) […]

  • Storage Bringing Change to Energy Markets

    Energy industry experts speaking at the MEGA Symposium in Baltimore, Maryland, on August 21 agreed that storage is becoming more important to the overall mix of U.S. power sources. They also said utility-scale storage solutions remain “years away,” even as technology advancements in battery systems occur more rapidly. Panelists at the session entitled “The Transformation […]

  • 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. […]

  • World’s First AP1000 Nuclear Reactor Reaches Full Power

    The world’s first AP1000 nuclear reactor—Sanmen 1 in China’s Zhejiang province—commenced 100%  power operation for the first time on August 11, China National Nuclear Corp. (CNNC) said. Sanmen 1 was connected to the grid on June 30. Earlier this year, China also put online Unit 5 of the Yangjiang Nuclear Plant on May 23, and Taishan 1, an EPR, on […]

  • 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® […]

  • High-voltage specialist Smith Brothers secures contract with CHP giant

    High-voltage power contractor Smith Brothers has secured an Independent Connection Provider (ICP) contract with sustainable energy specialist P3P Partners, marking the electrical engineering firm’s first foray into the fast-growing combined heat and power (CHP) market. A leading provider of CHP services, P3P develops energy-efficient centres across the UK and has previously delivered state-of-the-art solutions to […]