Latest
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O&M
More Strategies for Inspecting HRSGs in Two-Shift and Low-Load Service
This supplement to “Strategies for Inspecting HRSGs in Two-Shift and Low- Load Service” in the August issue includes additional discussion of the heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) Inspectors Toolkit and HRSG Inspection Guide sections of the main article plus additional photos of damage caused by rapid startups and two-shifting of units over time. More Tools […]
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Legal & Regulatory
Germany Reforms Renewable Energy Laws
A significant reform of Germany’s aggressive renewable energy laws passed its final hurdle on July 11, setting the country on a more market-based path toward future growth. The bill was developed and approved by Chancellor Angela Merkel’s coalition government of Social Democrats and Christian Democrats. Because they are the two largest parties, the legislation was […]
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O&M
Rapid Cycling: The Human Factor
A combination of falling natural gas prices, greater integration of renewable generation, and advancing technology has meant changing roles for many plants, particularly gas turbine combined cycle plants. (See “Managing the Changing Profile of a Combined Cycle Plant” in the June 2014 issue.) The added wear and tear on plant equipment, and the changing maintenance […]
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O&M
Intelligent Monitoring of Distribution and Emergency Power Systems Improves Availability
Problematic power plant systems diminish availability and directly affect plant productivity and efficiency. In order to maintain availability, electrical testing and maintenance services are imperative. Two
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Business
POWER Digest (August 2014)
S. Korea Extends Renewables Target Deadline. South Korea’s government on June 9 said it would push back the target for mandatory use of renewable energy by two years to ease requirements for the
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Legal & Regulatory
France to Slash Reliance on Nuclear in New Draft Policy
France will cap its nuclear power capacity at the current 63.2 GW, forcing closures if new reactors come online, and instead boost renewable generation if a bill unveiled by its energy ministry in mid-June
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Nuclear
First Power for Argentina’s Atucha 2 Nuclear Reactor
Argentina’s 692-MW Atucha 2 nuclear reactor achieved criticality in early June, marking a major milestone for the country’s third reactor, development of which began nearly four decades ago. A pressurized
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Renewables
Chile Axes 2.8-GW Hydro Project Permits
As the latest development in a contentious eight-year-long legal battle, Chile’s highest administrative authority in early June revoked environmental permits for five massive dams proposed in the country’s
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Renewables
A Spanish Island’s 100% Wind-and-Water Power Solution
El Hierro, the smallest island on Spain’s Canary archipelago, in June became what developers say is the first energy-isolated territory to power itself solely with renewables. The project, which was