Workforce
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News
GE Will Close Georgia Plant; 200 Jobs at Stake
GE Renewable Energy has confirmed the company will close its GE Grid Solutions manufacturing plant in Waynesboro, Georgia, with the 200 workers at the facility offered the chance to relocate to a similar site in Charleroi, Pennsylvania, or apply for other jobs within the company. The plant is expected to close by year-end 2020. The […]
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Nuclear
EDF and Bilfinger close in on Project Agreement for Hinkley Point C
EDF previously selected Bilfinger as preferred bidder to deliver NSSS and fabrication of BOP Bilfinger continues with preparation work based on existing framework contract French energy company EDF (Électricité de France) has re-affirmed to Bilfinger its aspiration to award NSSS (Nuclear Steam Supply System) and the fabrication elements of BOP (Balance of Plant) contracts to […]
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News
The POWER Interview: Eaton Targets Skilled Labor Shortage With Hands-on Training
POWER in 2018 reported on the lasting impact that a dip in training programs has had on the utility workforce. In the 1980s, there were fewer training programs and the impact is still being felt today. There are fewer utility workers able to move into middle- and upper-management positions, contributing to a workforce gap as […]
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IIOT
EAM Solutions Stretch Capabilities of Lean Plant Maintenance Teams
Of the many challenges power and industrial plant maintenance teams face, stretching the capabilities of their ultra-lean staff is one of the most critical. Assets can range from industrial generators, to
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Nuclear
Extended Power Uprate Is a Winning Strategy for Nuclear Plant
The Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant completed an extended power uprate (EPU) that increased the total capacity of the facility’s three units by about 465 MW. The addition is an important part of the Tennessee
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Business
AEIC Elects Officers and Board of Directors for 2020
Birmingham, Alabama: Terence R. Donnelly, President and Chief Operating Officer for Commonwealth Edison Company, an Exelon company, was elected President of AEIC during the Association of Edison Illuminating Companies (AEIC) 2019 Annual Meeting. Also elected to serve as officers of AEIC at the Association’s 135th Annual Meeting were Jim Greer, Executive Vice President and Chief […]
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Safety
Lakeland Industries to Unveil New Line of FR/AR Apparel in Layering System for Electrical Utility Linemen
Lakeland Industries’ new mid-weight and high visibility moisture management line of FR/AR apparel enhance the company’s current product layering system specifically designed for electrical utility linemen. The products feature exceptional moisture-management, performance, and comfort, and will be unveiled at the International Lineman’s Rodeo and Expo on October 16, 2019. Ronkonkoma, NY– October 15, 2019 – Lakeland […]
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News
Protecting DEF from Extreme Cold Is Important
According to the Farmer’s Almanac, the winter of 2019–2020 will be filled with bitterly cold weather in the eastern parts of the Rockies and east to the Appalachians. The Northeast should also experience very cold temperatures. For municipalities, public utilities, landscapers, and others that are involved in outdoor work and snow removal, there is always […]
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Coal
Coal Users’ Group Updates Name and Mission to Address Current Industry Challenges
The PRB Coal Users’ Group is changing its name to the American Coal Users’ Group. The Board of Directors recognizes that times are changing for the coal industry, and the organization needs to change as well to be more inclusive with its membership, and spread the lessons beyond sub-bituminous coal users. HOUSTON (PRWEB) OCTOBER 01, […]
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Instrumentation & Controls
How Remote Operation Centers Can Help Companies Transition
The energy industry is currently moving from a traditional, highly regulated production model dominated by electricity utilities to a decentralized, deregulated model featuring a higher proportion of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power. With subsidies in decline, renewables are reaching grid parity—with costs equal to or less than traditional sources. Not surprisingly, […]
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T&D
Hurricane Dorian Provides Real-Life Test of Upgraded Storm Systems
As Hurricane Dorian made its slow progression up Florida’s east coast in September, the state’s 21.3 million residents waited in anticipation for what the Category 5 storm would bring. While, thankfully, most of Florida was left relatively unscathed except for minor damage due to storm surge and dangerous winds, Jacksonville-based JEA was prepared for the […]
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Coal
Removing Asbestos and Regulated Materials Key to Power Plant Decommissioning
Retiring and decommissioning coal power plants is becoming a more-frequent occurrence around the world. The job comes with many challenges, but projects in the U.S. and UK have proven that remediation and
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Wind
Northeastern’s Wind Technology Program Receives Donated Nacelle from NextEra Energy Resources
STERLING, COLO. – Sept. 30, 2019 – NextEra Energy Resources is donating a fully-functional decommissioned wind turbine nacelle to Northeastern Junior College’s Wind Technology program as a learning tool for one of the nation’s top wind technology education programs. A nacelle is the protective shell that houses all of the turbine machinery atop a wind […]
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Safety
Test Your Knowledge: Arm Yourself—A Bulwark FR Quiz
Most injuries caused during an arc flash result from wearing flammable clothes. That’s why having the proper flame-resistant (FR) clothing is so important. The following quiz will test your knowledge of FR clothing and some of the rules governing its use. Create your own user feedback survey To take more quizzes, go to the Test Your […]
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O&M
Keeping Track of O&M Costs and Processes in the Field
Cost. The dirtiest word in clean energy—especially with operations and maintenance (O&M) costs set to rise globally to $17 billion in 2020 in the wind industry. Part of saving on O&M costs means taking a look at the inefficient processes that skilled workers are doing as part of O&M procedures to optimize their time. A […]
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Business
The X Factor in the Power Market’s New Math
How power companies are using experience management, or XM, to reshape customer relationships and reveal new revenue opportunities Here was a company with one of the largest investor-owned electric systems in the U.S.—the owner of close to a dozen electricity distribution entities—and a strong desire to pursue new opportunities outside its traditional regulated business. Those […]
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Instrumentation & Controls
How to Ensure Plant Reliability and Regulatory Compliance
Lock in safe, reliable operations by opening the door to third-party expertise There’s still a big takeaway from a 2008 Florida blackout, and it’s not the size of the fine that followed. Although it was the largest penalty levied under the new reliability standards at that time, here’s the bigger elephant in the room: Florida […]
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Hydro
Successful Dam Stabilization Project Improves Safety and Reliability
Hydropower is the oldest renewable energy source, but aging dams require periodic maintenance. A stabilization project that added high-capacity post-tensioned anchors and new concrete enhanced the Bagnell Dam
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O&M
Hope for the Blue Sky, Plan for the Storm
Organizations operating within a mission-critical environment must adopt appropriate technology to mitigate potentially life-threatening problems. As we acknowledge National Preparedness Month this September, we need to remember what is important to electric power customers. They expect to be kept safe, to be heard, and to receive realistic estimated restoration times—especially when a power line is […]
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Nuclear
Southern Nuclear Adds New Power Plant Simulators
GSE Systems said it has delivered and commissioned three additional full-scope simulators for Southern Nuclear’s new Operations Training Centers. The simulators are for the Alvin W. Vogtle Electric Generating Plant, Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear Plant, and the Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant. Simulators provide efficient hands-on learning for power plant operators. While power plants of […]
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O&M
How to Make Shutdown, Turnaround, and Outage Events Successful
Shutdown, turnaround, and outage events are extremely complex, with multiple stakeholders all focused on minimizing the time assets are offline, delivering their scope on budget, and ensuring zero safety
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Business
How to Position Your Power Company for the Future
Faced with the challenge of making the right moves to accommodate a swiftly changing energy ecosystem, one question draws into sharp focus for generators and the entire power and utilities industry: What will their role become in the years ahead, considering evolving portfolio mixes and changing industry dynamics? Leaders know there’s a very real possibility […]
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Gas
Egypt Megaproject: An Expedited Power Transformation
Winning POWER’s highest honor is a set of three gas-fired power plants and related infrastructure—the Egypt Megaproject—which was the single biggest order ever in Siemens’ long history. Completed in a
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Workforce
How Energy Companies Can Attract (and Keep) the Best Tech Professionals
The digital revolution is transforming the way that many sectors work and the energy industry is on its way to becoming one of the biggest benefactors of this change. Although there’s no doubt it’s yet to be exploited to its full potential, new innovations and improved processes will see a far greater take-up as organizations […]
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News
In a Surprise Announcement, Colstrip Units 1 and 2 to Close by Year-End
Talen Montana—part-owner and operator of the Colstrip Steam Electric Station—announced that Units 1 and 2 at the coal-fired power plant will be retired by year-end, well ahead of a previously announced July 2022 closure date. “The decision to retire Colstrip Units 1 and 2 comes after extensive review and exhaustive efforts over the last few […]
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Press Releases
Charah Solutions Receives Construction Safety Award from Coalition for Construction Safety
LOUISVILLE, KY (June 3, 2019) – Charah® Solutions, Inc. (NYSE: CHRA) (the “Company”), a leading provider of environmental and maintenance services to the power generation industry, announced today that it was recognized by the Coalition for Construction Safety (CCS) during their 26th Anniversary and Awards Celebration on April 25, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Charah Solutions […]
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Safety
The Future Direction of Respiratory Protection
An estimated 5 million U.S. workers wear respirators. Employers are required to provide National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)-certified respirators using a written respiratory protection program enforced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Design and manufacturing focus on fit, comfort, and ease of use across product lines incorporating advanced technologies, such […]
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Workforce
How to Hire the Best Talent
It’s no secret that the power industry workforce is aging and managers are struggling to find qualified candidates interested in filling open positions. In my April column, I referenced a
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Connected Plant
IIoT and the Future of Hydropower
Hydropower has evolved through multiple industrial revolutions. Today, the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and Industry 4.0 offer solutions to take the industry to a whole new level. Rules-based analysis
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Legal & Regulatory
A Renewed Congressional Focus on Investigating the Energy Industry
Legislative scrutiny of the energy industry have picked up of late. Here are practical steps from law firm K&L Gates that your company could take to prepare for congressional investigations.