In This Issue
-
HistoryThe Rise of Natural Gas Generation in Europe
Spurred by the shale gas revolution, natural gas’s stunning rise to dominate the U.S. power profile has been echoed by a number of countries, particularly in the Middle East. In Europe, where domestic natural gas production is actually in decline—and consensus is that shale gas won’t likely play a major role on the continent—natural gas […]
-
InfographicsTHE BIG PICTURE: A Power Sector Carbon Decline
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests that if states fully implement the Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) rule—which it proposed in August 2018 to replace the 2015 Clean Power Plan—by 2025, U.S. power sector carbon dioxide emissions could be about 34% below 2005 levels. At the end of 2016, they had fallen 24%, and by the end […]
-
CommentaryIf You’re Not Leading the Pack the View’s Always the Same
We’ve all heard that phrase about leading or following. In today’s energy world, and more so in tomorrow’s, this saying takes on a new meaning that can be summed up in two words: distributed generation
-
RenewablesPOWER Digest [October 2018]
Gasification Plant Under Construction in Saudi Arabia. A Pennsylvania company has partnered with two Saudi Arabian energy firms on construction of a gasification-to-power plant project in Saudi Arabia. The
-
O&MBest Practices for Welding Critical Power Plant Systems
Innovative welding techniques can produce consistently better-quality joints. Special alloys, appropriate pre- and post-weld heat treatment, and proper weld procedures can all help prevent catastrophic failure
-
O&MA Modern Gas Power Plant Thrives on Ancient Wisdom
Built and developed in accordance with the principles of vaastu shastra, this 1.5-GW “mega” gas power plant in India imbues positivity and proactivity into all aspects of plant operation. It has resulted
-
GasAnother World Record for Combined Cycle Efficiency
The Nishi Nagoya power plant in Japan is more than just the showcase of a successful fuel-conversion project. It’s the holder of a world record, thanks to a GE Power gas turbine that again has set the global
-
IIOT PowerAdvanced Digital Technology Offers Utilities Profound Changes
Advanced digital technologies, including robotics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, are transforming the way electric power companies do business, in ways that benefit the companies and their
-
FuelU.S. Biomass Power, Dampened by Market Forces, Fights to Stay Ablaze
Though experts say biomass should continue to play a key role in the U.S. renewable power portfolio for its baseload properties, contributions to forest management, and other reasons, a swathe of uneconomic
-
RenewablesIndia’s Coal Glut Leaves Producers Teetering on Bankruptcy
At the end of July, India’s Central Electricity Authority (CEA) noted in its annual load generation balance report (LGBR) for the year 2018–2019 that the country will likely have a peak surplus of 2.5% and
-
O&MHow Does the Western Energy Imbalance Market Work?
The California Independent System Operator’s Energy Imbalance Market (EIM) is a real-time energy market, the first of its kind in the western U.S. EIM’s advanced market systems automatically find low-cost
-
O&MWhat Is Meant by Power Factor?
Low power factor reduces an electrical system’s distribution capacity by increasing current flow. Therefore, having a low power factor is inefficient and expensive. But what is power factor and what affects
-
Legal & RegulatoryCan Coal and Nuclear Power Plants Be Saved?
It’s no secret that U.S. nuclear and coal-fired power plants are struggling to remain viable in competitive markets. Many plants have been retired for economic reasons long before the facilities reached the
-
O&MMinimizing Fire and Explosion Hazards in Dusty Systems
Understanding the properties of bulk materials and how they interact with environmental factors is vital to safe operations, but having an honest conversation about the hazards, so risks can be properly
-
O&MThe Gamble to Produce Power from a ‘Killer’ Lake
KivuWatt, a 26.2-MW power plant in Kibuye, Rwanda, was conceived to help reduce risk of an overpressure gas outburst at Lake Kivu. The first-of-its-kind integrated methane gas extraction and production
-
GeneralCoal-to-Gas Power Shift Driven by Economics
The Tennessee Valley Authority’s third coal plant conversion to gas combined cycle generation, at the venerable Allen plant near Memphis, Tennessee, created the most-efficient combined cycle plant in its
-
O&MAftermarket Parts Substitutions Can Shut Down a Power Plant
Every power generation facility is unique, as are the functions and maintenance requirements for their equipment. Keeping equipment in working order and avoiding downtime is critical. Plants will sometimes use
-
O&MEquipment Showcase: Corrosion Prevention and Water Treatment
Corrosion products can form quickly in power plant systems if water, air, and metal are allowed to occupy the same space. Localized corrosion can take any of several distinct forms, such as stress corrosion
-
GasTransparency Instrumental in Successful Power Plant Project
Public perceptions can make or break a project. One municipal utility found that out firsthand. When resistance grew strong against a new power plant it needed, the company rebooted and engaged with local
-
GasCombined Cycle Plant Showcases ‘Cool’ Innovation to Help Meet Turkey’s Power Demand
Advanced cooling system technology is among the features of a gas-fired plant representing Saudi Arabia’s first foray into the Turkish power market. Turkey is a country in the midst of political and social
-
CommentaryCourt Upholds Water Intake Rule, Offering Some Certainty for Power Plants
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in July issued a long-awaited decision in the case Cooling Water Intake Structure Coalition v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), upholding the EPA’s
-
RenewablesWind and Solar Powering Greek Island
The Greek island of Tilos may provide the model for a renaissance of renewable energy across the European Union (EU). Technicians this summer have tested a system that will allow the island to produce and run
-
O&MJobsite Safety Check: Mitigating Risk and Improving Safety at Power Plants
Safety should be the top priority on any job site and goes hand in hand with operational excellence. Risk mitigation and safety are exceptionally important for power plants due to the nature of the industry
-
O&MIntense Summer Heatwaves Rattle World’s Power Plants
Scorching temperatures during the summer of 2018 forced a swathe of power plants across the world to reduce power or shut down temporarily, owing to warmer-than-usual temperatures of cooling water and other
-
RenewablesDam Collapse May Slow, but Not Stop, Laotian Hydropower Projects
The Laotian government in August said the approval process for new hydroelectric dams in the country should be suspended as it continued to review construction practices. The move came after more than three
-
IIOT PowerUsing Predictive Analytics to Keep Up with Energy Demand
Silicon Valley Power implemented a system using machine-learning technology to monitor critical power plant components. The solution has proven to reduce downtime and save money. Furthermore, its wireless