POWER
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Coal
THE BIG PICTURE: EPA Regulatory Roundup
Over its 50-year history, several rules issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have reshaped the power sector. But for at least a few modern rules, the road has been full of turns. Notes: CAA = Clean Air Act; BSER = best system of emission reduction; CO2 = carbon dioxide; GHG = greenhouse gases; […]
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Fuel
The Bittersweet Power of Hybrids
A quest for reliability and flexibility is driving significant interest in hybrid and co-located resources, but their widespread integration could hinge on how they are defined and valued in wholesale
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Solar
New Technology Keeps Solar on Track
Researchers continue to work on improvements in solar power, developing better cells, using new materials in panels, and focusing on improving efficiency while lowering cost. The solar power industry hit
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Environmental
A Half Century of Environmental Progress
In the late 1960s, the U.S. was facing an environmental crisis. Air pollution was a serious problem in cities across the country, industrial activities and the widespread use of hazardous pesticides were
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News
Five Emerging Risks That Could Hamper Energy Transitions
At the virtual 2nd Global Ministerial Conference on System Integration of Renewables on Oct. 27, several high-ranking policymakers pointed to a number of localized challenges affecting their countries’
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News
India Expects to Double Power Consumption
Global energy demand has waned in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. The lingering impacts of COVID-19 are expected to continue into 2021, but energy industry experts predict the world’s need for
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Fuel
South Korea Joins Japan and China with Carbon-Neutral Pledge
South Korea, Japan, and China, countries that rely heavily on coal power generation to fuel their economies, separately announced ambitious goals to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within the
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News
POWER Digest [December 2020]
Norwegian Group Buying Vietnam Wind Farm. Norway’s SN Power AS in November agreed to purchase 100% of the shares in the 39.4-MW Dam Nai Wind Power project in Vietnam from Mekong Wind Pte. Ltd., a group owned
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News
Projected Development of Renewables in Cuba
As part of Cuba’s National Economic and Social Development Plan for 2030, the country aspires to increase the share of renewable energy on its electric grid to 24%. To accomplish this objective, the
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T&D
Useful Specifications and Guides for Underground Cable and Vaults
Underground electrical cable systems are used by power companies around the world. Two recently updated specifications and guides provide system designers and engineers with important information to ensure a
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News
Leveraging the Latest Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage Technologies to Transform Emissions into Profit
There is significant governmental support for the development of carbon capture, utilization, and storage technologies. Understanding options and taking advantage of opportunities could help maintain a
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O&M
Getting Ahead of Costly Heat Exchanger Failures in the Power Generation Industry
Heat exchangers are important in all thermal power plants and in many other applications. If not properly operated and maintained, a variety of failures can occur, resulting in downtime, reduced efficiency
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COVID-19
Employee Location Monitoring in a Post-Pandemic World
The COVID-19 pandemic has unearthed a number of challenges for power plant managers. However, technology exists to keep workers safe. Through the use of Location Anchors and WirelessHART infrastructure
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Connected Plant
Cybersecurity in and for Large Energy Transmission Projects
Even before the Stuxnet malware program made international headlines in 2010, cybersecurity was an important issue for utility companies. In the aftermath of one of the largest attacks on supervisory control
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Commentary
Global Rush Toward Renewables Faces Challenges
Harold E. “Ed” Patricoff and Ana Sarmento The global trend toward renewable energy is undeniable and commendable. In 2018, 10Power announced that it would work to create commercial-scale solar and energy
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O&M
Maintenance Planning and Execution Standards and Best Practices
The equipment and facilities supporting today’s critical infrastructure are vital to modern society. This article provides testing and maintenance tips to ensure systems are kept in top condition. Power
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Commentary
Breaking Barriers: Inspiring Women in Engineering Jobs
Engineering empowers society in so many unprecedented ways, and with innovation at its core, the profession recognizes reaching its full potential requires the inclusivity of all segments of society. Two years
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O&M
Fostering Successful Development, Deployment of Battery Energy Storage Systems
The use of batteries for electricity storage has been a reality for more than 200 years. Recent technological developments and incentives for non-fossil fuel energy systems have resulted in the application of
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News
Equipment Showcase [December 2020]
POWER features a different power-related equipment category in selected issues throughout the year. This month’s showcase includes a variety of items used in the power generation industry, from pumps and
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Top Plant
Consistent 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 Plant
Darlington’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 Storage
Analysts: 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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Power
How 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 change
Follow 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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Power
Australia 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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News
Tesla, 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&D
Understanding 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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Fuel
JERA 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&M
NETL: 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&M
How 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