POWER Magazine

Regulators in the UK have given the go-ahead for renewable energy developer Ørsted to build a utility-scale battery energy storage project to serve the Hornsea 3 offshore wind farm. The South Norfolk Council—the planning authority for the region—on Jan. 11 unanimously approved the storage facility, which will feature lithium-ion battery technology and be built on […]The post Ørsted Plans Battery Storage to Support Hornsea 3 Offshore Wind Farm appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has approved retirement of the Cumberland coal-fired power plant, with officials on Jan. 10 saying the utility will replace one of the plant’s two units with a 1,450-MW natural gas-fired combined cycle facility at the site. The TVA has held public meetings over the past few years amid much discussion […]The post TVA Will Build Gas-Fired Plant to Replace Coal-Fired Units appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The Australian affiliate of energy giant Shell said it has acquired the development rights for a major battery energy storage project in that country. The new facility is at a site that formerly housed eight coal-fired generation units. Shell Energy Australia on Jan. 10 said it will build, own, and operate the planned 500-MW/1,000-MWh Wallerawang […]The post Major Energy Storage Project Sited at Former Australian Coal-Fired Plant appeared first on POWER Magazine.

A 128-MW solar energy project that will serve customers of a regional electric power cooperative is under construction in South Dakota, with the facility expected to enter commercial operation later this year. National Grid Renewables on Jan. 10 said work has begun on the company’s Wild Springs Solar Project in Pennington County. The array will […]The post Construction Underway on South Dakota’s Largest Solar Project appeared first on POWER Magazine.

From the Apollo space missions to the Zeppelin airships, human ingenuity has long dreamed up ways to make the power of hydrogen fly. Now, as the world powers up to reach climate goals in the midst of an energy crisis, the universe’s most abundant element is once again taking up airtime as debate continues over […]The post Green Hydrogen: Businesses Should Know the Potential, and the Risks appeared first on POWER Magazine.

More projects to increase the supply of renewable natural gas (RNG) have been announced in Florida and South Dakota, as investments continue in technologies to produce a low-carbon fuel that could replace diesel and other fossil fuels. OPAL Fuels, headquartered in White Plains, New York, on Jan. 5 announced it has completed the ramp-up period […]The post Renewable Natural Gas Projects Announced for South Dakota, Florida appeared first on POWER Magazine.

A subsidiary of the China State Shipbuilding Corp. (CSSC) has unveiled components for what would be the world’s largest and most-powerful wind turbine, an 18-MW product that tops the recent launching of a 16-MW turbine developed by other Chinese companies. CSSC Haizhuang unveiled the new turbine in a ceremony at the Dongying City industrial park […]The post New 18-MW Model Takes Over as World’s Largest Offshore Wind Turbine appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Several executives in the power generation space weighed in for POWER’s recent report on supply chain issues in the sector. Sourcing of equipment also was a hot topic in POWER’s 2023 forecast for the industry. It’s no surprise. The power sector is not exempt from the problems that have impacted business and industry worldwide, from […]The post The POWER Interview: Sphera Exec Talks Supply Chain Solutions appeared first on POWER Magazine.

NuScale Power has submitted a standard design approval (SDA) application to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) based on its six-module VOYGR-6 configuration, which will use uprated 250-MWth (77-MWe) modules. The step is crucial for the proposed construction of the 462-MWe Carbon Free Power Plant at an Idaho National Laboratory (INL) site. NuScale’s SDA application submitted […]The post NuScale Submits Standard Design Approval Application to NRC for Uprated SMR Design appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Southern Company’s Board of Directors announced on Jan. 5 that Chris Womack, who has served as president of its largest subsidiary, Georgia Power, since 2020, and as Georgia Power’s chairman, president, and CEO since 2021, has been appointed CEO of Southern Company effective immediately following the conclusion of the company’s 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. […]The post Womack Named CEO of Southern Company, Other Leadership Changes Announced appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The Inflation Reduction Act will spur growth in clean energy and upgrades to grid infrastructure, but workforce shortages and supply chain constraints are likely to challenge power companies for at least theThe post Grid Infrastructure and Renewable Energy Projects Thrive, Workforce and Supply Chain Issues Continue in 2023 appeared first on POWER Magazine.

While 2021 provided its own share of extraordinary energy debacles, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in early 2022 cascaded into full-blown energy turmoil. This year will begin with the world “in the midst ofThe post 10 Near-Term Global Power Sector Trends appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The pandemic exposed issues with the global supply chain that provides resources for power generation. The pressure of having enough equipment to meet industry needs has spurred an emphasis on domesticThe post Power Sector Seeks Solutions for Supply Chain Issues appeared first on POWER Magazine.

It’s no secret that the U.S. power grid needs some work. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), nearly 70% of the nation’s grid is more than 25 years old. The DOE says the U.S. needs to expandThe post Enhancing and Hardening the U.S. Power Grid appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Nuclear energy—not just nuclear power—is seeing a burst of innovation unlike anything seen since the 1950s. While the strong momentum for the dispatchable zero-carbon energy source is promising, prominent pitfalls threaten necessary progress.The post Being Pro-Nuclear Won’t Be Enough—Here’s Why appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The recent United Nations (UN) COP27 climate conference in Egypt was host to several announcements of large-scale renewable energy projects, including one of the world’s largest wind farms, along with anThe post Egypt Uses COP27 to Announce Large-Scale Renewable, Hydrogen Projects appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Large global corporate groups continue to buy stakes in major renewable energy projects and sign power purchase agreements (PPAs) designed to provide long-term electricity for their operations. SomeThe post Global Market for PPAs Supports Renewable Energy Projects appeared first on POWER Magazine.

In this fresh series, POWER’s editors choose a multifaceted topic that may have myriad applications or implications, and ask an array of key industry stakeholders for their perspectives. This month’sThe post Experts Explain: Digital Twins appeared first on POWER Magazine.

A massive, multibillion-dollar renewable and fossil-fuel energy project is underway in China. The installation, being built by China Three Gorges (CTG), includes wind, solar, energy storage and coal-fired power generation. Ground was broken for the first pilot of the Kubuqi Base project in Dalate Banner, Ordos, Inner Mongolia on Dec. 28, 2022, according to Chinese […]The post China Breaks Ground on Massive 16-GW Solar, Wind, Coal Project appeared first on POWER Magazine.

In January 2022, the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Nuclear Energy (NE) published a list of five nuclear energy stories to watch in 2022. Here’s an update on the items the NE felt were important for industry insiders to keep an eye on. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law The DOE noted in the January […]The post Updates on Five Big Nuclear Energy Developments POWER Was Watching in 2022 appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Ireland’s Simply Blue Energy and Swedish wind developer Eolus Vina AB have been granted a research permit for a major offshore floating wind project sited near Finland in the Bothnian Sea. The location is in the northernmost arm of the Baltic Sea. The Dec. 30 announcement came the same day that Eolus said it was […]The post Permits Issued for Major Finnish Offshore Wind Projects appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The Biden administration has rolled out in a final what it says is a “durable” definition of “waters of the U.S.” (WOTUS), potentially capping a legal and political battle that has raged for nearly two decades. The final rule issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of the Army on […]The post Biden Administration Rolls Out ‘Durable’ WOTUS Definition in Final Rule appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Issues with the global supply chain have impacted the power generation sector, in much the same way those problems have affected other industries. Sourcing of materials, including spare parts for boilers and turbines, solar panels and other solar-related equipment, and items needed for wind power and other renewable energy sources, has delayed projects worldwide. The […]The post The POWER Interview: 3D Printing as a Supply Chain Solution appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Assessments are underway to pin down factors that prompted emergencies, tight grid conditions, and even load-shedding by major entities as Winter Storm Elliot bore down on the North American bulk power system (BPS) this past week. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the North American Electric Reliability Corp. (NERC), and regional entities affiliated with […]The post Bulk Power System Deficiencies During Winter Storm Elliot Prompt Inquiries appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Almost all distribution transformers produced or imported into the U.S. could require amorphous steel cores starting in 2027 under new energy efficiency standards proposed by the Department of Energy (DOE). The measure, unveiled as industry grapples with a crippling shortage of distribution transformers, will serve a longer-term role in boosting grid resiliency as a “strategic […]The post DOE Proposes New Distribution Transformer Standards as Crippling Shortages Persist appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Major wind turbine manufacturer Vestas has announced several deals as the company ends 2022, including what the Danish company calls the largest wind project in Latin America, along with a U.S. onshore wind repowering project. The announcements come as the wind power industry continues to be challenged by several factors, including equipment supply chain problems […]The post Vestas’ Year-End Deals Include Wind Projects in U.S., Brazil, Ireland appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Every month, POWER magazine publishes several articles in its Global Monitor section covering topics important to the electric power generation industry. The articles typically feature interesting updates on progress made at notable projects around the world, big policy changes, or promising research and development (R&D) news. Short notes about major contracts are also touched on […]The post The 12 Most-Read POWER Global Monitor Articles of 2022 appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Battery power has never been in greater demand, and a wide range of new applications that require such power are emerging daily. That increased demand is accompanied by the need for more production, which in turn requires the highest degrees of contemporary quality control. Accurate measurement is the key to enabling these new production facilities […]The post Accurate Measurement Is Key to New Power Generation appeared first on POWER Magazine.

A wide range of industries fall under the umbrella of critical infrastructure, and they are all—as the name implies—critical. From energy production and water treatment to transportation and data storage, everything within critical infrastructure serves an essential purpose when it comes to the continued functioning of the nation. Unfortunately, that makes critical infrastructure sites a […]The post Covering More with Less: Securing Renewable Energy Sources appeared first on POWER Magazine.

An agency associated with the World Bank will finance installation of solar and hydropower systems, and support related transmission and distribution infrastructure, to provide more electricity to areas of West Africa. The World Bank Group’s International Development Association (IDA) is investing $311 million into the Regional Emergency Solar Power Intervention Project (RESPITE), an initiative designed […]The post World Bank Group Financing West Africa Power Project appeared first on POWER Magazine.

An Arctic blast felt by a large portion of North America is causing reliability turmoil within some segments in its bulk power system, forcing reliability coordinators to declare emergencies, issue conservation warnings, or shed load. TVA, Grappling With Demand Surge, Resorted to Load Shed Temperatures averaging the single digits across the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) […]The post Arctic Blast Roiling Reliability in TVA, MISO, SPP, PJM appeared first on POWER Magazine.

A battery manufacturing company with plenty of high-profile financial backing said it has picked a site for its first factory that will build “iron-air” batteries. Form Energy touts its technology as a breakthrough for long-duration storage of solar and wind power. Form, which counts Microsoft founder Bill Gates, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, and British tycoon Richard […]The post Billionaire-backed ‘Iron-Air’ Battery Maker Picks WV Site for First Factory appeared first on POWER Magazine.

NET Power will combine with Rice Acquisition Corp. II (RAC II), a decarbonization solutions special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), in a new business direction designed to accelerate the deployment of NET Power’s much-watched novel natural gas–fired power plant technology. When the business combination transaction closes as expected in the second quarter of 2023, the new company, […]The post NET Power Consolidates Business to Gear Up for Allam Cycle Power Plant Deployment appeared first on POWER Magazine.

As the world looks toward innovative technology to help reduce the carbon footprint, scarcity of resources has become a significant challenge. With no single technology being enough to accommodate the green transition, we’re seeing massive investments in both fuel cell- and battery-related technologies. Some large-scale investments include new battery technologies for electric vehicles (EVs), wind […]The post Fuel Cells vs. Batteries: What’s the Difference? appeared first on POWER Magazine.

GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH) has submitted a Generic Design Assessment (GDA) entry application for its BWRX-300 small modular reactor (SMR) to UK authorities, kicking off a key regulatory process that could give the advanced nuclear technology a competitive edge as the country races to potentially triple its nuclear capacity to up to 24 GW by […]The post GE Hitachi Formally Enters BWRX-300 SMR in UK Race for New Nuclear appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Vattenfall, the Sweden-based multinational power company, will build and operate Finland’s first gigascale offshore wind farm as part of a joint venture with Finnish state-owned seabed and forest management group Metsähallitus. The project announced Dec. 20 is the 1.3-GW Korsnäs plant in the Bay of Bothnia, which sits between Sweden and Finland in the Baltic […]The post Vattenfall Will Build 1.3-GW Offshore Wind Farm Near Finland appeared first on POWER Magazine.

A new report from industry group SolarPower Europe shows that solar installations in the European Union increased by almost 50% year-over-year in 2022, to a record 41.4 GW of generation capacity. “The numbers are clear. Solar is offering a lifeline amid energy and climate crises,” said Walburga Hemetsberger, CEO of SolarPower Europe. “No other energy […]The post New Report Shows EU Solar Installations Rise Nearly 50% appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The announcement that scientists at a California laboratory achieved a net energy gain from a fusion reaction sparked plenty of debate about what it means for the power generation industry. The breakthrough at the world’s largest nuclear-fusion site—the National Ignition Facility (NIF) at the Lawrence Livermore lab—which occurred on Dec. 5 and was publicly announced […]The post Fusion Breakthrough Brings Cheers, Though Challenges Remain appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Major French utility Electricite de France SA (EDF) said it will again extend maintenance outages at some of its nuclear reactors by several months, meaning France will continue to import power and putting more strain on the country’s supply of electricity. EDF has returned some nuclear units to service in the past several weeks, but […]The post Energy Crisis Deepens as Nuclear Reactors Remain Offline in France appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Hitachi Energy will spearhead the modernization of a key high-voltage direct current (HVDC) system in Canada to support the transmission of 1,500 MW of renewable power between Quebec and New York state’s electrical networks. Hydro-Québec, Canada’s largest power utility, on Dec. 15, picked the global technology firm to supply a “back-to-back” converter station at Châteauguay, […]The post Hitachi Energy Will Modernize HVDC System, Boost Delivery of Canadian Hydropower to U.S. appeared first on POWER Magazine.

General Electric (GE), which has restructured its operations in recent years and in July announced its energy and other businesses would have new brand names, on Dec. 15 said its energy group would be headquartered in Massachusetts. GE Vernova, the company’s portfolio of energy divisions, will have its main office in Cambridge, just a few […]The post GE’s New Energy Business Announces HQ Site appeared first on POWER Magazine.

EY earlier this month released the findings from its Energy Consumer Survey 2022. The report is “focused on how energy impacts the lifestyles and wallets of consumers,” according to the company. EY is the trade name for Ernst & Young, the multinational professional services group headquartered in London, UK. The report is based on a […]The post The POWER Interview: What Energy Consumers Want from Utilities appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Countries’ timelines to becoming energy secure and reaching net-zero targets have shortened. Major contributing factors include COVID-19’s impact on supply chains and the war in Ukraine. Alongside this are external influences such as COP27, or the landmark U.S. Climate Bill, which will direct almost $370 billion toward rapidly scaling renewable energy production and reducing emissions. Already, intergovernmental […]The post Increasing Energy Security: Optimizing Today’s Energy Operations and Investing in Renewables for the Future appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The first nuclear fusion reaction to result in a net energy gain has been successfully completed by scientists at a laboratory in California, a milestone in the decades-long pursuit of a way to produce unlimited energy with no carbon emissions or nuclear waste. U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm made the official announcement Dec. 13 during […]The post DOE Confirms Fusion Energy Milestone at California Lab appeared first on POWER Magazine.

As a result of legislative actions across the U.S., acquiring permits for greenfield natural gas-powered plants has increasingly become a challenge. In New York, for example, state officials denied permits for two proposed natural gas-powered plants because they were seen as hurdles to achieving greenhouse gas emissions goals. In 2020, the New Mexico Public Regulation […]The post Caution! When Retrofitting Older Turbines, Upgrade Gas Control Valves appeared first on POWER Magazine.

A Maryland-based power generation development group said its new 1.8-GW combined-cycle natural gas-fired power plant in West Virginia will include carbon capture technology, as the company continues to expand its decarbonization platform. Competitive Power Ventures (CPV) on Dec. 12 said the new CPV Shay Energy Center will be located in Doddridge County, West Virginia. CPV […]The post New CPV Gas-Fired Power Plant Will Include Carbon Capture appeared first on POWER Magazine.

U.S. scientists reportedly have carried out the first nuclear fusion experiment to achieve a net energy gain. The Department of Energy (DOE) is expected to announce the breakthrough on Dec. 13, according to news reports late Sunday. The nuclear power industry has pursued fusion technology for decades, with a renewed emphasis for those efforts in […]The post U.S. Officials Set to Announce Fusion Energy Breakthrough appeared first on POWER Magazine.

More companies are providing software and automation technology to the power generation sector, particularly as newer forms of electricity production increase their market share. Emerson is among those groups, with its technology providing a single, integrated, secure platform that is independent of plant type or the equipment originally installed at a generation facility. James Fraser, […]The post The POWER Interview: Emerson Exec Talks Hybrid Facilities appeared first on POWER Magazine.

In 2023, U.S. utilities have a multipronged ambition to realize: how to provide customers with reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy, and safe water. However, increased pressure around decarbonization and the adoption of cleaner energy sources, electrification, and related infrastructure needs, and customer-driven disruption will make this energy trilemma even more difficult to balance. Management at […]The post Four Forces Shaping U.S. Utilities in 2023 appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Many experts believe small modular reactors (SMRs), which are generally classified as nuclear power reactors with an electrical output of 300 MW or less, offer great promise for supplying the world with carbon-free energy. Several SMR designs are under development by companies around the world including NuScale Power, GE-Hitachi, Terrestrial Energy, TerraPower, Toshiba, X-energy, and […]The post Small Modular Reactors Aren’t Difficult Nuclear Waste Generators appeared first on POWER Magazine.