POWERnews
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O&M
AI-Driven Predictive Maintenance: The Future of Reliability in Power Plants
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the energy sector, helping power plant operators optimize efficiency, reduce emissions, and prevent costly equipment failures. By analyzing vast amounts of real-time data, AI models can identify anomalies in equipment behavior, optimize fuel consumption, and enhance overall plant performance. According to industry estimates, AI-driven analytics can reduce maintenance costs by […]
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Trends
EIA’s Perspective on Price Volatility Needs Context
In January, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) said U.S. wholesale electricity prices were less volatile in 2024 than they have been over the last few years. But that’s just one, limited perspective on the data. If we consider the macrotrends at play, it’s clear that U.S. markets won’t return any time soon—if ever—to the […]
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Gas
Nation’s Largest Gas-Fired Plant Planned at Former Pennsylvania Coal Plant Site
Officials in Pennsylvania have announced the redevelopment of a former coal-fired power plant site into a $10-billion-plus data center campus that will be powered by natural gas, in what they call the largest capital investment project in that state’s history. Homer City Redevelopment (HCR) and Kiewit Power Constructors on April 2 said the former Homer […]
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Coal
Finland Ending Use of Coal as Last Utility-Scale Plant Shuts Down
The last operating large coal-fired power plant in Finland has shut down, with the facility’s operator saying it now will use electricity, waste heat, and heat pumps—along with burning biomass—to provide power and heat to its customers. The Salmisaari plant, with a generation capacity of 175 MW of electricity along with its production of heat, […]
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Power
Europe Risks Grid Crisis Without Immediate Action on Dispatchable Power, Group Warns
Europe’s ambitious push toward carbon neutrality is rapidly replacing fossil fuel–fired power generation with variable renewable resources (VRE), but this shift is exposing the region to a growing risk of
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Sustainability
POWER Digest [April 2025]
U.S. Withdraws from Global Clean Energy Partnership. The U.S. has withdrawn from the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), a 2021-launched financing cooperation mechanism, that seeks to help a selection
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Legal & Regulatory
SEC Ends Defense of Climate Disclosure Rules, Citing Cost and Intrusiveness
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced on March 27 that it will no longer defend its controversial rules requiring companies to disclose climate-related risks, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and governance practices. The decision, approved in a 3-2 vote along party lines, marks a significant shift in the agency’s approach to climate-related financial disclosures. […]
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Coal
South Africa Grants Emissions Exemptions to Coal-Fired Plants in Effort to Avoid Blackouts
South African officials will allow some of the country’s coal-fired power plants to operate without the need to adhere to regulations on carbon and other emissions. The move comes as South Africa continues to struggle with producing enough electricity to power the country’s growing economy. South Africa, which relies on coal for more than 80% […]
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Renewables
Vestas Will Supply Turbines for Major German Offshore Wind Project
Vestas said the company has secured a firm order for 68 of its model V236-15.0 MW wind turbines for Vattenfall’s Nordlicht 1 offshore wind project. The agreement announced March 31 is for the supply, installation, and commissioning of the turbines. The scope of the contract includes a comprehensive five-year service and warranty agreement followed by […]
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Commentary
Nuclear-Powered Data Centers—What U.S. Developers Need to Know
Recognizing their desirable attributes and long-term potential to meet data center demands for power, several technology companies have announced their intention to team up with nuclear developers. At the same time, three companies with shuttered nuclear plants have notified the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission of their plans to restart those facilities, which were closed for economic reasons.