POWER
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Nuclear
THE BIG PICTURE (Infographic): U.S. Nuclear Lifetimes
The U.S. has 96 licensed-to-operate nuclear power reactors and two reactors under construction. But the average age of the nation’s 96 licensed nuclear units is about 39 years old. That has been of some concern to the nuclear industry, which has provided roughly a fifth of the nation’s power since the 1990s. About 88 of […]
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News
Battery Storage: Perils and Promise
Lithium-ion battery technology promises the first realistic approach to fully integrating intermittent solar and wind into the U.S. power system. Despite its recent growth and great potential, the battery
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Hydro
Hydropower: Meeting Growing Needs with Improved Reliability and Efficiency
Hydropower delivers a range of benefits to society and the environment. However, there are two major challenges that face hydroelectric power plant operators—efficient use of water and high availability. To
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O&M
Power Plant Cycles with Multiple Direct Contact Heaters
The regenerative feedwater cycle of modern fossil and nuclear power plants normally includes four or five low-pressure, closed (tube surface-type) feedwater heaters (CFWHs). However, maximum efficiency can be
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Safety
Linemen Safety Best Practices and Apparel Selection
When a storm hits or the worst of weather conditions blow through, you’re there. The community of linemen is like no other because when the power goes out, you get to work. How do linemen remain prepared to
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O&M
ELECTRIC POWER Conference Postponed
The world has become a very different place over the past few months with the outbreak of a new coronavirus—COVID-19. The virus has forced travel bans and literal lockdowns in several countries. The NCAA and
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Fuel
Conveyor Energy Storage: A Battery and Pumped Hydro Alternative
A new conveyor-based system offers an alternative energy storage technology. The heart of the system is a reversible conveyor belt that converts between electrical energy and gravitational potential energy by
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Ocean/Marine
Subsea Kite Technology Makes a Big Splash for Marine Power
At first view, marine energy developer Minesto’s novel underwater “kite” technology may be easily dismissed as a fanciful concept, one of dozens introduced over the last decade to reap the immense ocean
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Instrumentation & Controls
Instrumentation Fittings for Power Plants
A lot must be reviewed prior to selecting the right fitting for power plant instrumentation applications. Among the choices are whether to use single- or double-ferrule designs; heat codes, lubrication, and
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News
Shift to Gas, Financing Issues Could Delay Polish Power Plant Project
Officials in Poland have said changing the fuel source of a planned 1-GW power plant in Ostroleka, known as Ostroleka C, from coal to natural gas could delay the project, which already faces several financial
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O&M
Understanding Diesel Fuel Storage Requirements
Liquid fuel storage requirements are based on fuel type, usage, and whether the fuel is “combustible” or “flammable” as assessed by the fuel flash point. This article presents information on applicable
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News
New Wind Farm Brings More Power to Senegal
Senegal is among the African nations trying to increase access to electricity for its population. U.S. officials estimate about 35% of the country’s 16 million people do not have access to power. The
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News
Show Preview – Electric Power
POWER magazine was scheduled to host the 22nd annual ELECTRIC POWER Conference & Exhibition April 14–17, 2020, at the Colorado Convention Center (Figure 1) in Denver, Colorado. However, out of concern
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News
POWER Digest [April 2020]
Group Readies Hydrogen Production Plant in Japan. A consortium including Toshiba, Tohoku Electric Power, and Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) in March said it has
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News
Why We Need More Public Investment in Energy Storage Technology
When three scientists won the Nobel Peace Prize last year for their work on lithium-ion batteries, The New York Times was one of many outlets that drew the connection between improved energy storage and the
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Safety
New Lockout-Tagout Program Improves Safety
As one of the U.S.’s premier energy companies, Southern Company is committed to providing a safe work environment for employees. It regularly implements best-in-class safety procedures to ensure compliance
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News
EPRI Training Courses Support Nuclear Plant Operations
The Turkey Point nuclear generating facility in Florida in December 2019 became the first U.S. nuclear plant to receive authorization from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to extend its operating life from 60
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Hydro
Water-Lubricated Bearings Offer Benefits for Hydropower Plants
Significant operating and economic benefits can be realized by replacing a poorly functioning or damaged oil-lubricated turbine guide bearing with a water-lubricated design (Figure 4), as part of a
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Commentary
PURPA Modernization Promises Sweeping Changes for Utilities
More than 40 years ago, small power production facilities were germinated, fertilized, and have continued to blossom under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA), a federal law passed in 1978 as a
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News
Electrification: Too Much of a Good Thing?
Electrification has been a much-touted driver for the global energy transition toward decarbonization. But though an all-electric future could have vast implications for the power and gas sectors, achieving it
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Nuclear
The Quest for Next-Generation Nuclear Fuels
In Part 1 of this series, published in the March 2020 issue, POWER explored how existing reactors may leverage advances in nuclear fuel to boost power generation safety and economics. This installment surveys
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Plant Design
Gravity Base Ballast Provides Tidal Turbines with a Sturdy Grip
Offshore wind turbines deliver a strong promise in today’s tough times of climate changes’ debate. The rapid development of the sector favors the need for new gravity concepts. Besides design, ballast is a critical element responsible for the turbine’s stabilization and therefore its success. Its quality, density, and weight, defined by the material choice and […]
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Technology
Digital Transformation: Lessons from a Leader
Is your company’s information technology (IT) department your friend or your enemy? Does it work with you to identify, evaluate, and select the best new digital technology to make your job easier and your
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Water
Types of Filtration Systems Used for Wastewater Applications
The liquid filtration process is an important step in various applications that reuse water within systems. This article provides details on the types of filtration systems available and the benefits of each
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News
Economics Hamper Power Improvements in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico has been battered by natural disasters in recent years, with hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, and a series of earthquakes in late December 2019 and early January 2020, causing widespread damage
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News
ELECTRIC POWER Conference Set for Denver
POWER magazine will host its 22nd annual ELECTRIC POWER Conference & Exhibition April 14–17, 2020, at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Colorado. ELECTRIC POWER is the premier conference and
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Solar
Novel Stellio Heliostat Solar Project Goes Online in China
One of the world’s first molten salt tower concentrated solar power (CSP) projects that uses a “Stellio” heliostat was grid-connected at the end of December in China’s Xinjiang province near the
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News
Safety Innovation Creates New Opportunities for Energy Companies
Innovation in worker safety may not be a top priority for some companies, given all the other business concerns managers must focus on, but a culture of listening to workers and identifying ongoing
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News
Albania Seeks Investment to Support Existing Hydropower
Albania, a country of about 2.9 million people, is a net importer of electricity, and power supply security is a major challenge for the country, which is situated north of Greece and borders the Adriatic and
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News
POWER Digest [March 2020]
Siemens Buys Out Iberdrola, Readying to Spin Off Gas and Power and SGRE Businesses. Siemens AG will acquire Spanish renewables giant Iberdrola SA’s full 8.1% stake in Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (SGRE)