Workforce

  • ProEnergy Sponsors Emergency Blood Drive

    SEDALIA, MO (April 3, 2020) – National blood supplies are at an all-time low across the United States. While the American Red Cross sponsored blood drives continue to be cancelled amid the coronavirus outbreak, ProEnergy answered the call by making the decision to step up and sponsor an employee blood drive to combat the emergency need. A March 17, […]

  • NERC: Power Industry ‘Well-Prepared’ for COVID-19, Aggressively Confronting Pandemic Threats

    Industry responses to a Level 2 alert on contingency planning issued by the North American Electric Reliability Corp. (NERC) early last month suggest the “vast majority” of registered participants in the North American bulk power system are well prepared for the COVID-19 crisis.  NERC, the interconnected bulk power system’s Electric Reliability Organization (ERO), has underscored […]

  • ELECTRIC POWER Conference Postponed

    The world has become a very different place over the past few months with the outbreak of a new coronavirus—COVID-19. The virus has forced travel bans and literal lockdowns in several countries. The NCAA and

  • New Lockout-Tagout Program Improves Safety

    As one of the U.S.’s premier energy companies, Southern Company is committed to providing a safe work environment for employees. It regularly implements best-in-class safety procedures to ensure compliance

  • Linemen Safety Best Practices and Apparel Selection

    When a storm hits or the worst of weather conditions blow through, you’re there. The community of linemen is like no other because when the power goes out, you get to work. How do linemen remain prepared to

  • How One Fabrication Shop in Alabama Is Powering Through the Pandemic

    Drive one hour south of Birmingham and you will find the not-so-small town of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, county population of more than 207,000. Known as the home of the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa is rich in history, arts, young professionals, rooted families, and famous Southern hospitality. At the heart of this college town is a culture […]

  • COVID-19 Threatens Outages Scheduled at 97% of U.S. Nuclear Sites in 2020

    Challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. nuclear industry has asked the Trump administration to ensure nuclear workers, suppliers, and vendors will have access to nuclear plants and personal protective equipment (PPE) during the 2020 spring and fall refueling outage seasons and beyond. All but two of the nation’s nuclear sites had scheduled planned outages  […]

  • B&W Subsidiary Wins Power Plant Installation Project

    Activities are second phase of a multi-year plant maintenance project. B&W previously contracted to supply boiler equipment and other plant components. AKRON, Ohio–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE: BW) (B&W) announced today that its subsidiary, Babcock & Wilcox Construction Co., LLC (BWCC), has been awarded a project valued at more than $65 million to […]

  • Geothermal Resources Council Announces Scholarships – Total of $14,000 in educational awards to be given to eight students in the global geothermal energy community

    The Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) is pleased to announce the availability of the 2020 GRC Scholarship Awards. DAVIS, Calif., March 4, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — To qualify for any of these awards a student must be a GRC member (student memberships are only $20 per year). Selection of recipients will be based upon a variety of factors, […]

  • The POWER Interview: MHPS Expands Digital Purview with New Division

    Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems (MHPS) is betting heavily on digitalization’s potential to reshape the power sector. Earlier this year, the power equipment and technology firm established a new division, Intelligent Solutions, to develop and deploy solutions that create “sustainable, profitable growth for internal and external customers by optimizing their operation and maintenance systems. “With operational […]

  • New Technology Improves Refractory Maintenance and Shutdown Planning

    Power plants require regular maintenance outages to stay in top condition, but shutdown periods can be stressful. New tools are available that can save time, reduce labor costs, and improve safety. The

  • How to Clean Natural Gas Piping with Gas Blows

    Prior to placing newly installed natural gas piping and valves in service, systems must be properly cleaned to remove potentially damaging foreign material that is inherently left behind during construction

  • Safety Innovation Creates New Opportunities for Energy Companies

    Innovation in worker safety may not be a top priority for some companies, given all the other business concerns managers must focus on, but a culture of listening to workers and identifying ongoing

  • Digital Transformation: Lessons from a Leader

    Is your company’s information technology (IT) department your friend or your enemy? Does it work with you to identify, evaluate, and select the best new digital technology to make your job easier and your

  • A New Frontier for Nuclear Fuels

    Though much attention has been focused on the exciting realm of nuclear reactor technology innovation, major efforts to improve nuclear fuels—and boost power generation safety and economics—are underway

  • Winning Operations, Maintenance, Environmental, Safety, and Technical Solutions

    The Combustion Turbine Operations Technical Forum (CTOTF) recently announced the winners of the 2nd annual CTOTF/POWER Innovation Excellence awards, which recognize outstanding performance in various

  • Why Do People Choose Careers in Engineering?

    Do you want to solve important problems, contribute to society, and help people? Well, then, you may want to become an engineer. At least that’s why some successful engineers have said they entered and persist in the occupation, according to a recent study published by DiscoverE, an engineering outreach organization based in Alexandria, Virginia. The […]

  • After Long History, Paradise Coal Plant Ceases Operation

    The generator breaker for Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA’s) Paradise Unit 3 was opened on Feb. 1, removing the coal-fired power plant from service for the final time after 50 years of operation. Notably, TVA retiree Jim Chappell performed the task. Chappell was the electrical control wing operator who originally placed Unit 3 in service. The […]

  • Increasing Automation for Fossil Energy Plants

    An Electric Power Research Institute study has developed a systematic process for introducing sequence automation to fossil power plants. Researchers are now exploring its implementation in case studies. As

  • Hype and Hope: Artificial Intelligence’s Role in the Power Sector

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is a term power professionals are seeing increasingly to describe sophisticated digital technologies. Could it be the breakthrough that is so highly hyped? There is no argument

  • Endesa to Close Two Giant Spanish Coal Plants

    Endesa on Dec. 27 formally moved to shutter two massive coal-fired power plants—the 1.4-GW As Pontes plant in A Coruña, Galicia, which is the biggest coal-fired power plant in Spain, and the 1.16-GW

  • How Utilities Can Manage Supplier Risk [PODCAST]

    Power companies are turning to external suppliers and contractors now more than ever. Utilities are getting help with tasks ranging from the relatively simple, such as vegetation management and the handling of customer calls, to the complex, including turbine repair and large infrastructure projects. Although the benefits of utilizing contractors are often obvious, the dangers, […]

  • New York Is Fertile Ground for Clean Energy

    When many people are asked which state is leading the U.S. toward a renewable energy future, California is the first that comes to mind. And while California is worthy of such distinction, it’s not the only state with a progressive clean-energy agenda. New York should also be part of the conversation. On Jan. 8, New […]

  • Successfully empowering professionals with sought-after welding qualifications through Work-Based Learning (WBL) opportunities

    The WoW project has proven the concept effectiveness and developed a practical guide to assist other training centers on their initiatives to better leverage Vocational Education and Training (VET) for businesses Porto Salvo, 20 December 2019 – As materials and technologies quickly evolve, welders are required to step up their skillset, as they must perform […]

  • RED WING TRADESWOMAN BOOT: DESIGNED BY WOMEN FOR WOMEN

    Tradeswoman offers women in the trades enhanced comfort and fit RED WING, Minn. (Dec. 19, 2019) — Red Wing Shoe Company has unveiled the Tradeswoman (models 2328, 2329, 2345, 2346), a new work boot designed for women in the trades, available now. Designed for women in construction, light manufacturing and warehouse or distribution industries, Tradeswoman work […]

  • Recruiting the New Power Workforce [PODCAST]

    It’s a time of great transition in the power industry. Not only are generation resources changing, but so are the work skills needed to operate and maintain those resources. Meanwhile, a large number of workers are reaching retirement age, leaving open positions that had long been filled by highly experienced staff. And the talent pool […]

  • Veteran Material Handling Specialists Expand Benetech, Inc.’s Capabilities

    Benetech, Inc. has announced the addition of two highly seasoned material handling experts who will further enhance the company’s service and solutions for bulk material handlers. AURORA, Ill., Dec. 10, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Benetech, Inc. has announced the addition of two highly seasoned material handling experts who will further enhance the company’s service and solutions […]

  • Redevelopment Project Converts Site from Coal to Renewables

    The former Brayton Point coal plant’s transformation into an East Coast logistics and manufacturing center, renewable energy hub, and international seaport is a symbolic milestone representing the first of

  • Culture Is Key to Optimizing Plant Efficiency

    The power industry faces many challenges, which require a dedicated workforce to overcome. How can a company get everyone pulling in the same direction? It starts with a strong culture. The electric utility

  • Red Wing’s LoggerMax Collection Adds Five New Styles with Enhanced Features

    The LoggerMax offers comfort, protection and stability for long hours on the toughest terrain RED WING, Minn. (Nov. 21, 2019) — Red Wing Shoe Company, a leader in safety footwear, has expanded its LoggerMax Collection with five new models – 217, 219, 2216, 2217 and 2219, all of which were designed, developed and assembled in […]