Power

  • Unit 3 at Vogtle Nuclear Plant Reaches 100% Power Output

    Georgia Power officials said Unit 3 at Plant Vogtle has reached 100% power output, as the first reactor in a two-unit expansion at the site in Waynesboro, Georgia, nears commercial operation. The utility on May 29 said Unit 3 reached its expected output of about 1,100 MW for the first time, as the reactor continues […]

  • The POWER Interview: Using AI to Optimize the Power Grid

    There is a continued push in the power generation sector to make the industry more efficient through the use of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and data science. Several companies are working to provide products and services for utilities and other power producers, focused on generation, transmission and distribution, and the way utilities interact with […]

  • Don’t Neglect Round-Trip Efficiency and Cost of Charging When Considering Levelized Cost of Storage

    The world is moving toward renewable sources for electricity generation in an attempt to reduce fossil-fuel reliance. But wind and solar can’t provide a consistent flow of power 24/7, and grid operators have realized that new electricity generation needs to be paired with storage to manage periods with no sun or wind. The decreasing cost […]

  • Hydro, Gas Projects Aim to Bolster Cameroon’s Electricity Supply

    A new hydroelectric dam in Cameroon is expected to begin producing power by the end of this year, with commercial operation beginning in 2024, according to an official with the African Development Bank (AfDB). Rokhaya Diop Diallo, who leads the project for AfDB, recently said work on the Nachtigal hydropower station is more than 80% […]

  • “We Are an Advocate for Your Equipment”

    Sponsored by:
    HRST, Inc.

    The HRST field services team has extensive experience supervising welding, field repair, fabrication, and erection of HRSGs. Acting as advocates for your equipment, they manage the project from start to finish, allowing you to focus on other needs and projects. HRST partners with select pre-qualified subcontractors to offer full turnkey project services, taking a project […]

  • Growth Slows, but U.S. Renewable Energy Installs at Third-Highest Level in 2022

    The American Clean Power Association (ACP) in a new report said installations of energy storage, along with wind and solar power capacity, were at the third-highest level on record in 2022, with more than 25 GW of new clean power installed cross the U.S. But challenges to clean energy deployment remain. The group’s “Clean Power […]

  • Saudi Arabia Group Supports Renewables, Hydrogen Projects in Uzbekistan

    A Saudi Arabian energy group has signed agreements with officials from Uzbekistan to help the latter country increase its use of renewable energy resources and develop production of green hydrogen. ACWA Power, which develops power generation and other industrial projects, and Uzkimyosanoat (UKS), the national holding company for chemicals in Uzbekistan, announced the deals during […]

  • Maryland Microgrid Will Produce Hydrogen for County’s Transit Fleet

    A microgrid project in Maryland could become a model for how integrated off-grid systems generate power for commercial and industrial installations, along with producing hydrogen to fuel transportation vehicles. AlphaStruxure, a joint venture of Schneider Electric and Carlyle, on May 18 announced development of project that will feature bus charging and on-site green hydrogen production. […]

  • How Off-Grid Solar-Powered Electrification Can Drive More Revenue for Agriculture

    As the U.S. pushes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030, reaching that goal will require effort from all industry sectors. While transportation, electricity production, industrial manufacturing, and heating and cooling generate the majority of U.S. emissions, addressing the 11% contributed by agriculture is also critical to mitigating climate change impacts. COMMENTARY One […]

  • 500-MW Hydrogen Power Plant Planned in Arkansas

    An Arkansas city known for its use of renewable energy announced plans to break ground this year on a power plant that would be part of the state’s first so-called “hydrogen hub.” Officials in Clarksville on May 12 signed an agreement with Syntex Industries, part of SyntexNRG, to design and build the Syntex Hydrogen Power […]

  • Emerging Opportunities for Nuclear in the Energy Transition

    Nuclear has re-invented itself as a compelling pathway to achieving net-zero. It is said that everything is cyclical—where there are periods of expansions and contractions. Could this be true of nuclear energy? Can the benefits outweigh the fears and flip the switch from decommissioning to accelerated growth? In the late 1960s, federal nuclear energy programs […]

  • Investment, Innovation, Job Creation—Why Solar’s U.S. Growth Drivers Will Suffer if Tariff Moratorium Isn’t Restored

    Solar power is having a moment. While rooftop solar technologies have been around for decades, consumer demand, urgent climate change concerns, and competitive price points have coalesced, creating historical interest in solar power, including 700,000 homeowners installing solar panels in 2022 alone. COMMENTARY The industry is expected to grow by up to 30% this year, […]

  • Carbon Capture Key to EPA’s New Power Plant Emissions Rule

    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has unveiled new greenhouse gas (GHG) standards for the nation’s power plants, moving to require both existing and new facilities to capture emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) for the first time. The rule announced May 11, if implemented, would mean coal- and natural gas-fired power plants would have to […]

  • Patent Filings Provide Clues to Future of EV Batteries

    We are in the preliminary stages of an historic transition from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to battery electric vehicles (BEVs). The transition will be expensive and difficult in many ways. Innovation should ease this transition. Recently filed patent applications may provide clues about the direction of BEV innovation. COMMENTARY Most U.S. patent applications are […]

  • New York Group Acquiring More Than 2.1 GW of Texas Gas-Fired Capacity

    New York-based energy investment firm LS Power on May 8 said it has reached an agreement with Brazos Electric Power Cooperative to acquire 2,145 MW of natural gas-fired power generation in the ERCOT North region of Texas. The deal comes six months after a federal bankruptcy court judge approved Brazos’ reorganization plan, which includes a […]

  • Group: More Than 51 GW of U.S. Offshore Wind in Pipeline

    A coalition of companies working in the U.S. clean energy sector has released its latest report on the nation’s offshore wind market, noting projects totaling more than 51 GW of capacity are in a growing pipeline of expected installations. The Washington, D.C.-based American Clean Power Association (ACP) on May 4 said it is tracking projects […]

  • Technology Is Critical for Hedging and Trading in Energy Markets

    The world is currently going through a major shift toward clean energy, triggered by concerns over climate change, depleting resources, and energy security. The energy transition is a massive undertaking, requiring significant investment and a long-term vision. However, as with any transition, there are challenges and uncertainties, and this is where hedging and trading come […]

  • The POWER Interview: A Snapshot of the Energy Storage Market

    Energy storage continues on an upward growth trajectory, with new projects seemingly being announced every day. POWER looked at advancements in battery energy storage technology, and trends in the sector, in the March 2023 issue. A number of experts within the energy storage industry provided their views on the issues impacting storage. Among those experts […]

  • Fusion Energy Reaches Prime Time

    Over the last three years, electricity generation from fusion has moved from the realm of science fiction to the brink of serious development. A lot has happened, but challenges remain before fusion arrives on

  • Europe Ramps Renewables, Looks for New Gas to Reduce Reliance on Russia

    European countries have moved quickly to adopt new energy sources after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Governments have reduced imports of Russian-produced energy, with demand for natural gas

  • Searching for Advanced Nuclear Power Technology? Look to Idaho

    It might surprise many people to learn that nearly every operating reactor in the world has technological roots in Idaho. The fact is, the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), which was known as the National

  • Effects of Evolving NatCat Risks on Reliability and Insurability of Renewable Assets

    News on extreme weather events in the U.S. report an increase in both frequency and size over the last couple of years, including thunderstorms, tornadoes, convective storms, flash floods, hurricanes, and winter storms. This has a massive impact on a renewable energy asset’s reliability and insurability; there have even been cases where lenders won’t approve […]

  • Overcoming Green Hydrogen’s Major Operational Cost: Electricity

    There are many ways to create hydrogen from renewable energy resources. The challenge is to reduce the cost of such fuel production, in order to position green hydrogen as a viable option to support

  • Hydrogen Horizon: The Need for Responsible Production as Demand Rises

    As we witness global energy demands becoming progressively complex and decentralized, decarbonization stands as one of the biggest challenges of the current generation. Addressing the issues surrounding the

  • Understanding Ultrasonic Examination in the Power Industry

    Nondestructive testing (NDT) refers to the inspection of materials to ensure their integrity and serviceability without damaging the components in the process. There are various NDT methods used by inspectors

  • Keeping Substations Shielded: Maintaining Proper Protection from Lightning

    Electrical substations utilize direct lightning stroke shielding to help ensure proper operation, and to prevent costly damages and extended outages. While modern substation designs and equipment make them

  • Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative: An Unconstitutional Interstate Compact?

    One of the primary objectives of the powerful anti-fossil fuel lobby over the past two decades has been a federally mandated limit on carbon emissions. But the Supreme Court’s recent decision in West

  • Inventory Management Systems: How Automation Can Save Time and Reduce Costs for Power Companies

    Inventory management can provide significant operational benefits for power companies. From forecasting, fueled by real-time data, to automated replenishment and supply chain continuity, digital solutions are

  • Turbine Bypass Valve Challenges

    Turbine bypass valves are one of the most difficult applications in a power plant. Keeping these valves operating efficiently and avoiding unexpected failures is critical for plant operation. When engineers

  • Arctic Circle Offshore Wind Farm Will Power Oil Exploration Platform

    Development of the first floating offshore wind farm in the Arctic Circle is moving forward, with three Norwegian companies releasing a project plan for the installation. The GoliatVIND project is envisioned as a 75-MW array installed in deep water northwest of Hammerfest, Norway, in the Barents Sea. The installation would be linked into the Goliat […]