POWER Magazine

Hybrid generation and storage is key to rapid low-carbon transition. COMMENTARY When asked why he robbed banks, the infamous Willie Sutton is said to have replied, “Because that’s where the […]The post Because That’s Where the Carbon Is! appeared first on POWER Magazine.

COMMENTARY In the 1950s, a geologist named Marion King Hubbert caused quite a stir when he predicted that the U.S. would reach peak oil production in less than 20 years. […]The post The Lithium Shortage Is Real—but There Is Room for Optimism appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Though discussions of fugitive emissions are not new in power and processing facilities, they remain a focal point of most plants’ operational plans because they can harm profitability if they […]The post How Low-E Valves Can Reduce Costly Fugitive Emissions appeared first on POWER Magazine.

COMMENTARY The American grid is reaching a tipping point. With electric vehicles (EVs) making up 5% of all new vehicle sales last year, there is an urgent need to prepare […]The post A Tipping Point for America’s Grid appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Perhaps the most devastating thing that could happen in any developed country would be widespread catastrophic damage to its electric power grid. Nearly everything in an industrialized nation relies on […]The post How an EMP or GMD Could Destroy the Power Grid and Create Chaos appeared first on POWER Magazine.

General Electric (GE) said it will supply its H-Class turbine technology for the expansion of a natural gas-fired power plant in Brazil, part of that country’s strategy to add baseload […]The post GE H-Class Turbines Powering Two New Gas Plants in Brazil appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Each year, pursuant to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC or Commission) Revised Policy Statement on Enforcement, FERC’s Office of Enforcement (OE) publishes “annual statistical reports” summarizing its enforcement activities […]The post More Than Statistics: Maximizing Value From FERC OE’s Annual Report on Enforcement appeared first on POWER Magazine.

A joint venture (JV) created to develop large-scale offshore wind projects said it plans to use what at present would be the world’s largest wind turbines at two projects located […]The post Developer Plans Two Offshore Wind Projects Using 18-MW Turbines appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Considering the unfathomable costs of unabated climate change, it stands to reason that even the most elementary investment thesis for the energy transition merits sincere consideration. And with the enormous sums of public and […]The post Financing the Energy Transition: Forging Ahead in the Wake of Silicon Valley Bank appeared first on POWER Magazine.

A judge in Montana has canceled the air quality permit for a natural gas-fired power plant under construction in the state, citing concerns about emissions of greenhouse gases from the […]The post Montana Judge Cancels Air Permit for Gas-Fired Power Plant appeared first on POWER Magazine.

A proposed rule unveiled by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on April 5 could considerably tighten the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) for power plants, with specific repercussions for […]The post EPA Moves to Significantly Tighten Mercury and Air Toxics Standards appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The Western Energy Imbalance Market (WEIM), a real-time energy market operated by the California Independent System Operator (CAISO), has gained three new participants, including its first generation-only entity. CAISO on […]The post Western Energy Imbalance Market Gains Three Participants, Including First Generation-Only Entity appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The nuclear power industry is banking on development of small modular reactor (SMR) technology to support global growth. Canada is at the forefront of the SMR market, with at least […]The post The POWER Interview: How a Canadian Small Reactor Will Support Industrial Decarbonization appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The spectrum of geothermal technologies is quickly evolving. This supplement to POWER’s April 2023 feature, “Startups Are Shaking Up Geothermal Power’s Potential,” briefly explains the differences between some engineered geothermal systems. […]The post EGS, AGS, and Supercritical Geothermal Systems: What’s the Difference? appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Georgia Power has announced another milestone for the two-unit reactor expansion at the Plant Vogtle nuclear power site, as Unit 3 on April 1 successfully generated electricity for the first […]The post Vogtle Unit 3 Generates Electricity, Connects to Power Grid appeared first on POWER Magazine.

India’s government is pushing for construction of more nuclear power plants as the country looks to increase its supply of cleaner energy. Officials have made some ambitious pronouncements, calling for asThe post India Eyes Major Expansion of Nuclear Power appeared first on POWER Magazine.

A project led by two major European gas transmission system operators (TSOs) has successfully tested blending rates of up to 25% hydrogen on a Titan 130 SoLoNOx Solar Turbines gas turbine, which serves as aThe post Successful Test of Hydrogen in Gas Turbine Driving a Natural Gas Compressor in Germany appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The term “nuclear renaissance” was very popular in the early 2000s. Nuclear power plant operators had substantially improved existing plant performance, and many new plants were being considered around theThe post The Future Looks Bright for Nuclear Power—Dare We Use the ‘R’ Word Again? appeared first on POWER Magazine.

A seismic shift is ongoing in the energy space, as transportation, industry, and other sectors turn toward electricity and away from fossil fuels to supply their power. The push for decarbonization of theThe post Driving on Electric Avenue—Innovation Pushes Energy Transformation appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Driven by ripe market conditions, technology startups are injecting investment and innovation into geothermal power to unlock novel applications that could substantially scale up the niche renewable powerThe post Startups Are Shaking Up Geothermal Power’s Prospects appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Natural gas–fired power generation has seen its ups and downs over the past couple of decades. In some cases, highly efficient combined cycle units were taken offline because they just weren’t needed. ButThe post Gas Power Outlook: Gas Turbines Will Play a Vital Role in Decarbonization appeared first on POWER Magazine.

NTPC, India’s largest energy conglomerate and its largest coal generator, in March commissioned the country’s first supercritical coal-fired plant equipped with an air-cooled condenser (ACC). The effortThe post India Commissions First Supercritical Coal Plant Equipped with Air-Cooled Condenser appeared first on POWER Magazine.

New Natural Gas–Fired Plant Approved for Philippines. San Miguel Consolidated Power Corp. (SMCPC), a wholly owned subsidiary of SMC Global Power Holdings Corp., said it received environmental approval toThe post POWER Digest [April 2023] appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Hitachi Energy has been chosen by TenneT, a transmission system provider for Germany and the Netherlands, to supply several onshore and offshore high-voltage direct current (HVDC) converter stations and associated infrastructure for European power grids. Hitachi officials on March 30 said the agreement, which includes Petrofac—an international service provider to the energy industry—is worth about […]The post Hitachi Energy Part of $14 Billion European Infrastructure Deal appeared first on POWER Magazine.

U.S. utility Entergy and global power giant RWE are partnering to jointly assess the best means to develop an offshore wind market in the Gulf of Mexico. The two companies on March 30 unveiled a memorandum of understanding (MoU) under which they will analyze the Gulf of Mexico offshore wind market and define an optimal […]The post Entergy, RWE Partner to Assess Offshore Wind Prospects in Gulf of Mexico appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The U.S. Gulf Coast offers some of the greatest potential for renewable energy development in the country. According to a National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) study, Florida, Texas, and Louisiana rank second, third, and fourth, respectively, in net technical energy resource potential for offshore wind. The large energy resource in these three southern states is […]The post Offshore Wind and Green Hydrogen Offer Great Opportunities for Gulf Coast States appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The first Hualong One unit, a 1,180-MWe nuclear reactor designed by China General Nuclear (CGN), is now operational at the company’s Guangxi Fangchenggang Nuclear Power Station in western China’s Guangxi Autonomous Region. Fangchenggang Nuclear Power Plant is 39% owned by Guangxi Investment Group and 61% by CGN. The plant plans to house six 1,000-MWe reactors, […]The post China Begins Operation of First CGN Hualong One Nuclear Reactor appeared first on POWER Magazine.

California utility Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) said it plans to invest $18 billion toward its wildfire prevention program through 2025 after sustaining major financial losses from fire-related claims over the past few years. PG&E filed for bankruptcy in 2019, and has paid billions of dollars in settlement awards tied to criminal and civil liabilities […]The post PG&E Investing $18 Billion Toward Wildfire Mitigation appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Growth in the energy storage market, including the transportation sector, has spurred a ramp-up in global battery manufacturing and investment in new technologies. Passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in the U.S. has brought a flurry of announcements from foreign companies eager to build manufacturing plants in America. FREYR, a Norway-based company, late last […]The post The POWER Interview: FREYR Leads Wave of New Battery Manufacturing appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Wind turbines must move farther offshore to gain greater efficiency. But the challenges associated with doing so are significant. At the Dutch village of Den Oever, just north of Amsterdam, the A7 motorway extends onto the Afsluitdijk, a 32-kilometer dike that separates IJsselmeer Lake and the North Sea. Near the midway point, approaching the village […]The post The Tremendous Potential—and Challenge—of Offshore Wind Energy appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), Ontario Power Generation (OPG), and Synthos Green Energy (SGE) will collaborate to shape a standard design for GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy’s (GEH’s) BWRX-300 small modular reactor (SMR) to speed up the technology’s regulatory acceptance and spur future deployments. The three companies, which have separately begun a regulatory process for potential BWRX-300 […]The post TVA, OPG, Synthos Team to Shape Standard Design for BWRX-300 Nuclear Reactors appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Last Energy, a U.S.-based micro modular nuclear technology firm and project developer, has secured power purchase agreements (PPAs) for 34 PWR-20 small modular reactor (SMR) units with four industrial partners in the UK and Poland. The deals, which represent a combined $18.9 in power sales, mark “the largest pipeline of new nuclear power plants under […]The post Last Energy Secures PPAs for 34 SMR Nuclear Power Plants in Poland and the UK appeared first on POWER Magazine.

When you study the history of hydropower, you expect to learn about people like British-American engineer James Francis, who developed the first modern hydro turbine in 1849. A testament to his genius is that the Francis turbine continues to be the most widely used water turbine in the world today. Or you assume American inventor […]The post Henry Ford, J.P. Morgan, and FDR: Big Players in U.S. Hydropower History appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Japan’s largest power generation group is moving into renewable energy in a big way, agreeing to a deal to buy Belgium’s biggest player in offshore wind. JERA, a joint venture between Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO) and Chubu Electric Power, on March 22 said it has a definitive agreement with Belgium’s Virya Energy to […]The post Japan’s JERA Buying Offshore Wind Developer in $1.7 Billion Deal appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The first of two 300-MW units being built as part of the expansion of a coal-fired generating station in Zimbabwe has come online. The Zimbabwe Power Co. (ZPC) said the unit began sending electricity to the national grid late on March 20. ZPC in a statement said, “Power will be progressively fed into the grid […]The post New Coal-Fired Unit Operating at Zimbabwe’s Largest Thermal Power Plant appeared first on POWER Magazine.

An Italy-based renewable energy group said it will develop three floating offshore wind projects over the next several years that will provide about 2 GW of power generation capacity to the country. GreenIT, a joint venture between Plenitude and CDP Equity, part of CDP Group, on March 22 announced an agreement for design and construction […]The post Group Outlines Plan for Three Italian Offshore Wind Projects appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Georgia Power announced that hot functional testing for Unit 4 at the Vogtle nuclear power plant has begun, as the utility moves closer to bringing both reactors of the two-unit expansion at the facility online. Hot functional testing marks the last series of major tests for Unit 4 prior to the initial loading of fuel […]The post Hot Functional Testing Begins on Unit 4 at Vogtle Nuclear Plant appeared first on POWER Magazine.

A new 840-MW natural gas-fired power plant in Greece will use equipment from General Electric (GE), with GE also providing services for the facility that is expected to come online in 2026. GE on March 20 announced the plant in Alexandroupolis will feature a 9HA.02 gas turbine, an STF-D650 steam turbine, and a W88 generator. […]The post GE Will Supply Turbine and More for New Gas-Fired Plant in Greece appeared first on POWER Magazine.

El Salvador is taking steps to add nuclear power to the country’s energy mix, as the nation of about 6.5 million people looks to diversify its electric power generation fleet. In support of that effort, the government of El Salvador and the Thorium Energy Alliance, a Harvard, Illinois–based non-profit advocacy group that endorses thorium-fueled reactors, […]The post El Salvador Sets Sights on Joining the ‘Nuclear Power Club’ appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Sampling is a technique in which samples are drawn at random (without any favor or bias). For this, suitable measures or procedures may be laid down and adopted according to the nature and configuration of parts under inspection for ensuring complete randomness in sample selection. The term sample implies a subset chosen from the population. […]The post Sampling Procedures for Inspection and Sampling Plans for Lot Inspection Using ISO 2859 appeared first on POWER Magazine.

For water and energy providers, consistent customer engagement has become a critical aspect of daily operations and overall success. Why? Modern convenience and technology have dramatically altered the expectations of today’s consumers. The silent energy provider is an antiquated concept, and modern customers expect more from their utility companies. They demand the same speed and […]The post Customer Engagement and Infrastructure Projects: The Missing Link appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The global market for energy storage is experiencing rapid growth, in part because the technology is being included in decarbonization and sustainability programs. It also is being used to support the grid integration of more renewable energy resources, and has been touted as an important piece of electricity transmission and distribution system upgrades. Enertis Applus+, […]The post The POWER Interview: Challenges for the Energy Storage Market appeared first on POWER Magazine.

GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy’s (GEH’s) BWRX-300 design has cleared the first two phases of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission’s (CNSC) Vendor Design Review (VDR) process, marking a first for a small modular reactor (SMR). The Canadian nuclear regulator’s VDR process is an optional pre-licensing mechanism that allows CNSC staff to give applicants feedback early in the […]The post BWRX-300 Becomes First SMR to Clear Two Phases of Canadian Nuclear Design Review appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Microgrids are localized power grids that can be disconnected from the traditional grid to operate autonomously. Because they are able to operate while the main grid is down, microgrids can strengthen resilience and help prevent grid disturbances. They also function as a reliable resource for faster system response and recovery. Microgrids enable the integration of […]The post Microgrids Provide Reliable Power During Emergencies and Help Decarbonize the Grid appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Nevada utility NV Energy is ready to add two natural gas-fired units to the existing Silverhawk Generating Station as part of the group’s plan to increase the state’s energy supply during the hottest months of the year. The $353 million project, the first phase of an $827 million plan the utility filed with state regulators […]The post NV Energy Adding Two Gas-Fired Units Near Las Vegas appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on March 15 issued the final “Good Neighbor Plan,” its latest iteration of the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) that could require coal, oil, or gas steam power plants in 22 states to reduce their nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions levels by 50% by 2027 compared to the 2021 ozone season. […]The post EPA Projects Final ‘Good Neighbor Plan’ Will Result in 14 GW of Coal Retirements appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The Enel Group and nuclear technology company newcleo signed an agreement under which they will work together on Generation-IV (Gen-IV) nuclear technology projects. Under the deal, Enel will collaborate with newcleo by providing “specialized expertise” through the sharing of “a number of the company’s qualified personnel.” newcleo, for its part, will secure an option for […]The post Enel and Newcleo Agree to Partner on New Gen-IV Small Modular Reactors appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The global competition to build ever-larger offshore wind turbines continues to ramp up, with General Electric (GE) announcing the company’s renewable energy arm is developing a 17- to 18-MW model that could rival those currently being launched by Chinese groups. “Now we are getting a very positive reception from the market with our 17-MW to […]The post GE Developing 18-MW Offshore Wind Turbine appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The solar power industry seems to be caught in the crosshairs of competing legislative agendas. The U.S. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) created incentives to increase solar capacity via tax credits, but the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) limits the effectiveness of those credits by restricting the importation of any goods that were mined, produced, […]The post Solar Energy Caught in Crosshairs of New Legislation appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Ukrainian energy company DTEK Group said it has finished construction of the first 114 MW of a planned 500-MW wind farm in the country, as DTEK continues to work on energy projects despite the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. The company on March 10 said it is seeking international help to complete the Tyligulska wind […]The post Ukraine Group Completes First Phase of Wind Farm Despite Ongoing War appeared first on POWER Magazine.