Power
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Energy Storage
BESS Projects Boost Clean Energy in Europe
Portugal has a goal to produce at least 80% of its electricity from renewable energy resources by 2050. Several companies are investing in the country’s power infrastructure, including Powin, an
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Power
AI Is Not Only a Thing of the Future, It’s Also a Thing of the Present
Artificial intelligence (AI)-based platforms have taken the world by storm. Perhaps the best known of these is ChatGPT. OpenAI, the company that developed the innovative chatbot, released the tool widely to
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Nuclear
Long-Awaited Milestone: Fuel Loading Begins at India’s Prototype Fast Nuclear Reactor
India in March began fuel loading at a 500-MWe/1,250-MWth prototype fast-breeder reactor (PFBR) located at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, marking a crucial phase for the second stage of the country’s ambitious
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Connected Plant
Modern Control Systems Provide Insights for Power Sector
As power generation embraces digitization, and looks for more reliability and flexibility, the need for advanced instrumentation and control systems grows. Power plant operators know the importance of
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Hybrid Power
POWER Digest [April 2024]
GA Drilling, ZeroGeo Energy Collaborate on Deep Geothermal Power Project. Geothermal drilling technology company GA Drilling and ZeroGeo Energy GmbH in February announced the companies have a memorandum of
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Legal & Regulatory
Distributed Power, EAAS—New Ways to Join the Clean Energy Transition
The first image that likely comes to mind when the average energy consumer thinks about renewable energy is some kind of vast (utility-scale) solar or wind farm, or a massive battery project, usually pictured
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Engineering
How to Get the Most Out of EPC Contracts
Engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contracts are agreements in which a contractor is given major project responsibilities under a single contract established with an owner or developer. A
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Commentary
Balancing Essential Utility Infrastructure Investment with Customer Affordability
Electric utilities are entering an era of growing investment opportunities following a decade of low load growth. However, there is increasing evidence that regulators are growing more concerned about the
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Connected Plant
AI-Powered Computer Vision Is Transforming Utility Inspection and Maintenance
Employing artificial intelligence (AI) in the power industry may seem like a futuristic concept, but the truth is that it’s available in several innovative applications today. Power companies that tap into
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News
Digital Solutions Provide Great Benefits for Cooperative Utilities
Although cooperatives may not have the financial resources of large investor-owned utilities, valuable digital solutions are still within their grasp. Because they have fewer resources to employ, co-ops may
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Energy Storage
Battery Energy Storage Systems: Solutions for Shorter and Longer Durations
As renewable energy capacity increases on power grids, battery energy storage systems become more and more important. While lead battery technology is not new, it is evolving. Advanced lead batteries offer a
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O&M
Critical Importance of Annual Turbine Oil Analysis
Turbines are by far the single most-costly piece of equipment for many energy businesses, which highlights the importance of lubrication for these assets. Although turbine oil could last for more than a
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Electrification
Expanding Access and Growing DER Networks for a Smarter Future Grid
The framework for a better power grid should include distributed energy resources as a key part of the transition. When you think of the energy system of the future, what do you imagine? Ideally, you’d
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Electrification
Leveraging the ‘Electrification of Everything’ to Reduce Carbon Emissions
This commentary from Siemens USA notes how the push for electrification promotes cleaner energy, sustainability, and efficiency. The “electrification of everything” is underway to not only decarbonize, but
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Coal
Germany Shutters Seven More Coal-Fired Power Units
Two German energy companies said they shut down seven coal-fired power plants over the Easter holiday weekend, taking more than 3,000 MW of generation capacity offline for decommissioning. The German government, which already has called for an end to coal-fired power generation in that country, had allowed the units to continue operating through the winter […]
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Wind
Chinese Companies Continue to Dominate Global Wind Turbine Market
Chinese wind turbine makers continue to pace the global market, taking four of the top five spots in a ranking of the world’s top manufacturers of both onshore and offshore wind power equipment. Research from BloombergNEF (BNEF) published March 27 showed global wind power generation capacity additions hit a record 118 GW in 2023. BNEF’s […]
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Interview
Landrieu: Politics Not Aligned with Energy Reality
A significant disconnect between political rhetoric and the practical realities of energy production is posing an insidious hurdle for the future of power, former Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-Louisiana) has warned. Speaking candidly to POWER during CERAweek by S&P Global in Houston on March 21, the influential three-term Democrat (1997–2015) who chaired the U.S. Senate Energy […]
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Commentary
Three Steps to Modernize America’s Electric Grid and Unlock the Green Energy Economy
America faces many energy-related challenges going forward, but none is more important than the need to modernize the U.S. electric grid—but right now the permitting process for building out and strengthening America’s power grid is not set up for success. Talk to just about anyone in the energy sector and you’ll hear about projects that […]
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O&M
Coastal Utilities Warned of ‘Potentially Explosive’ 2024 Hurricane Season
AccuWeather’s team of expert meteorologists is warning people and businesses to start preparing for a frenzy of tropical activity that could have major impacts on the U.S. this hurricane season. “The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is forecast to feature well above the historical average number of tropical storms, hurricanes, major hurricanes, and direct U.S. impacts,” […]
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Energy Security
CPS Energy to Acquire Talen’s 1.7-GW Gas Power Fleet in Texas for $785M
CPS Energy will acquire Talen Energy’s 1.7-GW portfolio—comprising three natural gas–fired power plants—in the Texas market for $785 million. The nation’s largest municipally owned power entity on March 27 said it reached an agreement with competitive generator Talen Energy for the acquisition. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2024, “subject […]
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Nuclear
Palisades Nuclear Plant on Path to Recommissioning by 2025
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Loan Programs Office (LPO) announced a conditional commitment of up to $1.52 billion for a loan guarantee to Holtec Palisades LLC to finance the restoration and resumption of service of the Palisades Power Plant, an 800-MW nuclear generating station in Covert Township, Michigan (Figure 1). The project aims to bring […]
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Electrification
Charging Corridors, Stations Will Support Heavy-Duty EV Trucks
The push for electrification of the transportation sector is being supported by companies making significant investments in charging infrastructure. These groups are taking innovative approaches, including utilizing solar power, to providing the electricity necessary for a network of charging stations. Greenlane on March 27 announced a major project that features a 280-mile charging corridor that […]
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Interview
The POWER Interview: Remote Monitoring Key For Asset Management
Developments in communication technology, including software applications and new control hardware, are providing utilities the ability to monitor assets, analyze alarms, and control their power generation facilities remotely. Companies are using new technology to address power plant operations, support maintenance tasks, and ensure proper compliance reporting and incident response. Remote monitoring was part of POWER’s […]
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Nuclear
UK Companies See Major Opportunity in Nuclear Supply Chain
The UK government has ambitions for 24 GW of nuclear energy by 2050 to help in providing energy security for the UK and for meeting its net-zero goals. Among groups helping to revive and expand the UK’s nuclear industry is the University of Sheffield Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (Nuclear AMRC), part of the High […]
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Wind
New Wind Farm Part of Vietnam’s Energy Transition
Vietnam’s renewable energy goals are taking a step forward with the installation of a wind farm that will feature the largest onshore wind turbine installed in the country to date. China’s Shanghai Electric in February announced its subsidiary, Electric Wind Power, will supply its advanced wind turbines to joint venture partners Hai Anh Wind Power […]
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Energy Storage
Advancing Lithium-Ion Battery Technology: The Role of Silane in Silicon-Based Anode Materials
In the midst of the energy transformation taking place around the world, lithium-ion batteries stand as pivotal components for both electric vehicles (EVs) and energy storage systems, demanding momentum in technology advancements to encourage greater adoption. As the race for affordable next-generation batteries intensifies, a seemingly unassuming yet significant component takes center stage: silane. POWER […]
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O&M
Combining the Digital and the Personal in CCPP Maintenance
In the era of cloud computing, the immense potential of planned predictive maintenance (PPM) cannot be denied. Access to a broad range of application programming interfaces could revolutionise critical component servicing, if not transform it entirely. Yet, while the possibility of entirely automating this process is clearly appealing, the use of machine learning and analytics […]
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Nuclear
Bill Gates’ TerraPower Ready to Build New U.S. Nuclear Power Plant
A group established by Microsoft founder Bill Gates is preparing to begin construction of a new generation of nuclear power plants in June, according to the company’s chief executive. Chris Levesque, CEO of TerraPower, on March 18 said the company is ready to move forward with work on its Natrium reactor at the site of […]
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Safety
Key Considerations for a Successful PPE Program
Electricity is an indispensable commodity in our modern society. It powers industries, businesses, and homes. With a flick of a switch, customers expect electricity to come through. To achieve this, numerous workers put themselves on the line and are exposed to hazards every day. In a study conducted by the Electrical Safety Foundation from 2011–2022, […]
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O&M
AI Spare Parts Search for Maximized Maintenance Efficiency
Maintenance plays a critical role in the energy/utility sector, ensuring the continuous and reliable operation of infrastructure such as power plants, transmission lines, and distribution networks. Regular maintenance activities help prevent equipment failures, minimize downtime, and ensure the safety of workers and the public. In an industry where uninterrupted service is essential for economic and […]