maintenance
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O&M
Major Retrofit Restores Early 1900s Hydropower Dam
A hydroelectric facility that first came online in 1903 stands as a testament to early 20th-century hydroelectric engineering. Although much of its original structure and machinery remains in service today, a recent breaker upgrade illustrates how thoughtful modernization and modern equipment built “like it used to be” can sustain aging infrastructure.
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Commentary
Energy Sector Teaching AI How to Grow Up
When artificial intelligence (AI) manages a power grid, it cannot operate as a black box. A wrong decision will not just frustrate users, it will trigger a blackout. This critical nature of AI deployments in energy is forcing AI to mature faster in energy than in any other sector. When algorithmic decisions affect high-stakes systems […]
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Gas
Fuel Gas Compression for Gas-Fired Power Generation: Comparing API 619, API 618, and API 617 Technologies
Selecting the best fuel gas compressor technology is critical for plant performance and economics. This comprehensive comparison examines three compressor types to help power plant designers choose the optimal
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Renewables
How Centralized Data Platforms Are Reshaping Solar Portfolio Management
When you’re managing 400-plus solar sites scattered across multiple states, a single transformer failure can cost thousands of dollars per day in lost revenue.
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O&M
Solving Combustion Damper Seizing Issues in Power Generation
With artificial intelligence (AI) causing a surge in electricity demand across the world, power capacity and availability are more vital than ever. The race is on to build more generation assets. In the
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Nuclear
Why Nuclear Maintenance Equipment Requires a Single-Source Solution
There is no room for missteps, miscommunication, or misunderstandings when it comes to nuclear maintenance. It demands precision, speed, and accountability. The tools and systems used during outages must function flawlessly, because when they don’t, the cost is more than money—it’s exposure, downtime, and slipping maintenance schedules. Some nuclear plants use a segmented model for […]
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O&M
How an Advanced Air Gap Measurement Tool Streamlines Hydroelectric Generator Maintenance
An air gap is the distance between the rotor and stator of a large-scale hydroelectric generator. This gap is a very small distance in relation to the size of the rotor. Its measurement to tight tolerances is critical to prevent damage to and maintain efficiency of the generator. Static measurement of the air gap (Figure […]
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O&M
The Role of Lubricants in Wind Turbine Gearbox Applications
As the renewable energy sector continues to grow, so does the complexity of technology and equipment such as wind turbines, solar arrays, and transmission infrastructure. Gear oils and lubricants are crucial for the reliable operation of gearboxes, enabling wind turbines to run smoothly and efficiently.
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O&M
Outage and Grid Alerts Catalyst for Replacing Obsolete Valves, Actuators
When an electric utility with a power plant in the southwestern U.S. prepared for a planned, major outage on its two Siemens 501D turbines, the plant’s manager requested a repair quote for two directional control valves and two gas valves attached to each turbine. “We had a problem with one of our controllers that lead […]
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Energy Storage
Using Battery Aging Data to Prepare BESS for Wholesale Energy Markets
Participation in wholesale energy markets offers a critical source of revenue for battery energy storage systems (BESS). Across transmission organizations in the U.S., storage operators can deploy their units to participate in various wholesale markets.
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