Latest
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O&M
Manpower Report: Power Industry Faces Talent Shortage
A report released on May 5 by staffing firm Manpower suggests that utilities are under a “double squeeze”—a shortage of skilled workers at both the entry and senior level—caused by an aging workforce, advances in technology, and a breakdown in the educational system. In its report, “Strategies to Fuel the Energy Workforce,” Manpower noted that […]
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Partner Content
The Pluses and Minuses of Data Diodes
Over the past few years data diodes have received a lot of attention due to their ability to assist plants in defending against cyber security threats. A traditional diode allows current to flow in only one direction in an electrical circuit. Similarly a data diode ensures unidirectional communication from high to low security areas of a -
Legal & Regulatory
Obama to Nominate LaFleur as FERC Commissioner
On May 1, President Obama announced his intention to nominate Cheryl A. LaFleur for a second term as commissioner at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). LaFleur was first nominated to serve as a member of FERC in 2010. She became the acting chairman in November 2013 following Jon Wellinghoff’s resignation. Her term is slated […]
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Legal & Regulatory
Coal and Nuclear Nearly Invisible at Platts Global Power Markets
Gas, wind, and solar are it for any new generation in North America for the next five to 10 years (with a few one-offs), speakers at this year’s Platts Global Power Markets conference agreed. The annual event for those involved in power project development, financing, and litigation was held in Las Vegas Apr. 7 to […]
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Energy Storage
Energy Storage Technologies Primer
Though often lumped together under the term “energy storage,” the field is in fact a wide range of technologies ranging from well established to speculative, each with different functions, advantages, and drawbacks. The discussion below focuses on existing grid-scale (greater than 1 MW rated power) projects and is generally ordered by level of deployment. Pumped […]
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Energy Storage
The Year Energy Storage Hit Its Stride
After operating on the sidelines for years, the energy storage sector is finally poised to begin making its mark, driven by greater policy support and technological advances that have begun making new solutions economic. “Just-in-time” delivery has become an ideal for many industries looking to optimize their efficiency and responsiveness. For the power sector, though, […]
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Nuclear
India’s Nuclear Liability Law: Breakthrough for Russia, Stalemate Endures for U.S.
India and Russia on Apr. 1 said they had devised a significant deal that will allow the first import of nuclear reactors in India, despite India’s 2010-passed nuclear liability law that allows nuclear power
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Renewables
Are Large Dams Unviable?
After a lull that spanned nearly two decades, a hoard of new massive hydropower projects are being developed around the world. Some, like the 11.2-GW Belo Monte dam in Brazil, the 4.5-GW Diamer-Bhasha project
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Legal & Regulatory
POWER Digest (May 2014)
Netherlands to Ban Financing of Coal Plants Abroad. The Netherlands on Mar. 24 joined an initiative of the U.S., the UK, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden to reach a global climate change agreement
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Fuel Cells
59-MW Fuel Cell Park Opening Heralds Robust Global Technology Future
The 59-MW Gyeonggi Green Energy fuel cell park (Figure 3) in South Korea’s Hwasung City—one of the world’s largest fuel cell facilities—began operation in February. The five-acre facility built by