In This Issue
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Top PlantConsistent Excellence Makes Byron Nuclear Plant Special
A focus on continuous improvement has helped the nuclear power industry shine in recent years. The U.S.'s fleet of nuclear reactors has achieved average capacity factors of more than 92% over the past five
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Top PlantDarlington’s First Refurbishment: A Model for Nuclear Construction
The successful refurbishment of Unit 2 at the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station marked a pivotal milestone for Ontario Power Generation’s 10-year, C$12.8 billion overhaul of the plant’s four CANDU
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Energy StorageAnalysts: Storage a Matter of Dollars and Sense
More developers are adding energy storage to their power generation plans as they recognize how the technology improves a project’s economics. Solar and wind power project developers are recognizing the
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PowerHow the Clean Energy Transition Is Intensifying the Energy-Water Nexus
Decarbonization is posing a fundamental dilemma that could have widespread serious implications for the power sector: the clean energy transition, if not properly managed, could increase water stress, or be
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Climate changeFollow the Money—Considering Climate in Energy Investment
Arguments continue about the impacts of climate change, but there’s little debate when it comes to where banks and other investors are putting their money. Shareholders and institutional investors are
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PowerAustralia Launches Gas Strategy to Revitalize Power Sector
In a bid to spur economic activity and thwart a COVID-19–related downturn, Australia’s government in September set out a strategy to reset domestic power and gas priorities to tamp down power prices and
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NewsTesla, Mining Companies Look for Advancements in Lithium Technology
Advancements in battery technology are critical to continuing growth in the energy storage market, and energy industry analysts say those advancements also are needed to move e-mobility forward and combat
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T&DUnderstanding California’s Rolling Blackout Problem
In mid-August, the western U.S. experienced some of the most extreme heat it has encountered in recorded history. Temperatures in some locations were up to 20F above normal. During the hot spell, California
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FuelJERA Planning to Shift Coal Power Fleet to 100% Ammonia
Japanese firm JERA, a joint venture between TEPCO and Chubu Electric, on Oct. 13 issued a roadmap to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2050. The move is notable for the company whose business includes a sizable
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O&MNETL: Meeting the Needs of the Nation’s Fossil Power Plant Fleet
Through programs such as Transformative Power Generation, High-Performance Materials, and Advanced Coal Processing, the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) is conducting research and development
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O&MHow to Examine Generators with Visual Inspection Robots
Inspecting generators has always been a time-consuming and expensive job, yet one that needs to be done at regular intervals. An impressive new visual inspection robot can save owners many days of unnecessary
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O&MSafer and More Efficient Gas Turbine Coupling Maintenance
In the past, routine maintenance on the General Electric (GE) 7FA-class gas turbine coupling was time-consuming, costly, and presented unnecessary safety risks for service technicians and plant maintenance
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HydroUnderstanding Open-Channel Flow Equations for Hydro Applications
Chezy and Manning developed equations that are used to determine the average volumetric flowrate in open channels. This article explains a laboratory method that was developed and tested to further identify
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NewsPOWER Digest [November 2020]
UK Expands Offshore Wind Targets, Sets 1 GW Target for Floating Wind. The UK on Oct. 6 raised its target for offshore wind power capacity by 2030 from 30 GW to 40 GW. To help the nation meet its commitments
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O&MAdvantages of AI-Powered Asset Management for Utilities
Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning have become major factors in nearly every industry, and have increasingly become more popular among utilities. Automated technology is being used to inspect
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O&MFinding a Security Solution for a Control Room
Control rooms are the nerve center of any power plant. Two recent control room upgrades at U.S. facilities highlight the logistical challenges and solutions to issues that come with improving an important
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Legal & RegulatoryIn Search of Middle Ground Between State Public Policy and Federal Regulation
The tension between state and federal lawmakers is ages old, with a history marked by periods of outright assault or relative peace. On Dec. 19, 2019, the quiet in the energy sector was broken by an order from
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O&MEquipment Showcase—November 2020
Pumps and pumping systems have multiple applications in power plants, and the valves and fittings involved with these pumps are key to their efficient and ongoing use. Pumps used in power generation facilities
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CommentarySmart Energy Communities Can Make Our Grid More Human-Centric
For nearly a century, the grid has been one, solid, hulking, inflexible machine. Now, with the rise of technologies like microgrids, distributed renewables, battery storage, and vehicle-to-grid applications, we can reimagine the grids that enclose our communities to be like those fictional spaceships.