GAS POWER Direct

Understanding the true rate of methane leakage in natural gas production and consumption is a key milestone in managing this bridge fuel. But despite recent reports, there’s still a ways to go before we have a full picture of what’s going on.

The growing momentum toward exports of liquefied natural gas is creating a stir in Washington. A fair review of the issues suggests this is one dispute the power industry can afford to stay out of.

The shift toward greater reliance on natural gas for power generation is not just a story of greater efficiency and lower emissions. There are also lurking risks to reliability unless the natural gas and electricity industries can plan carefully for the future.

Duke Energy’s once coal-heavy fleet is making a big transition to gas. Two new advanced combined cycle plants, and a third set to start up later this year, are a key part of the North Carolina–based firm’s drive to modernize its portfolio.

>Gas-fired power has a growing and well-established niche in providing load-following for wind farms. But two recent reports suggest the demand on these plants may be greater than anticipated, as long-term output from wind may be falling short of original projections.

>Finding ways to deliver the gas for the next generation of gas-fired power plants is perhaps the biggest challenge facing the power sector in the coming decade.

Why do some HRSG economizers and feedwater preheaters seem to suffer tube failures more frequently than others? If frequent failure is your problem, the cause may not necessarily be your heat exchanger’s design or how often you cycle your plant. Don’t forget to carefully check your feedwater controls—they may be cycling more than your HRSG.

Not everyone is thrilled to have a power plant go up in their neighborhood, but residents of a Michigan town in need of jobs and investment are celebrating theirs.

Increased cycling is now a fact of life for many combined cycle power plants, even those once used for baseload. The shift in regime can have many associated costs, not all of which are obvious.

Shale gas production continues to surge as demand for cheap gas grows. But will state and federal regulation and a wave of local bans choke off the boom?

The shale gas boom is expected to add considerably to the world’s energy mix in coming decades. But this energy-intensive industry is also going to need its own power. How much? Try at least 100 GW worldwide.

The fourth quarter of 2012 saw continued growth in gas power development, with at least 8 GW of new projects announced for the U.S. alone.

Sooner or later, every plant owner will face a natural disaster. Careful planning, preparation, and teamwork are key to getting through in one piece.

Despite the promise of renewable energy for the future, natural gas is certain to remain the cheapest, most efficient generation resource for the next few decades.

With gas supplies looking strong and a variety of factors exerting negative pressure on other generation resources, 2013 looks to be a solid year for gas-fired power.

Long the redheaded stepchild of North American power generation, combined heat and power (CHP) may finally be poised for a big leap forward.

Already in the midst of a drive to cut its greenhouse gas emissions, the University of British Columbia didn’t just look to clean energy for its new combined heat and power system. Instead, it decided to combine research with cutting-edge green power.

Though subsidies and incentives for wind and other renewables have grabbed the headlines, federal and state initiatives are quietly building some momentum behind combined heat and power.

Following up on its series of conferences on gas-electric coordination this past summer, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission appears ready to find some real solutions in 2013.

Despite controversies over macro energy policies, it looks to be a sure bet that the need for job creation will foster continued state and federal support for shale gas development.