POWER Magazine

The post FirstEnergy Federally Charged in Ohio Nuclear Bailout Scheme appeared first on POWER Magazine. Facing a federal charge for honest services wire fraud in a corruption case related to the billion-dollar nuclear plant bailout in Ohio, FirstEnergy Corp. has agreed to abide by the terms of a three-year deferred prosecution settlement to get the charge dismissed. In court filings on July 22, the Akron, Ohio-based public utility holding company […]The post FirstEnergy Federally Charged in Ohio Nuclear Bailout Scheme appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post American Clean Power and Energy Storage Associations Pursuing a Merger appeared first on POWER Magazine. The American Clean Power Association (ACP)—a 2021-launched pan-renewables trade group—may be poised to merge with the U.S. Energy Storage Association (ESA) starting on Jan. 1, 2022. The groups’ intent to pursue a merger, announced on July 22, still requires ESA’s member approval. If successful, it would combine the two trade association’s staff programs and members, […]The post American Clean Power and Energy Storage Associations Pursuing a Merger appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Progress on Kairos Power’s Advanced Nuclear Reactor Demonstration Project appeared first on POWER Magazine. Leaders in Tennessee and officials from Kairos Power announced last week that a privately funded project to establish a low-power demonstration reactor at the East Tennessee Technology Park in Oak Ridge is moving forward. Alameda, California-based Kairos Power plans to invest $100 million and create 55 jobs to deploy its demonstration reactor, called Hermes. The […]The post Progress on Kairos Power’s Advanced Nuclear Reactor Demonstration Project appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Years in the Making, GE’s Recent GT26 Gas Turbine Upgrade Exceeds Expectations appeared first on POWER Magazine. GE recently announced the completion of the first implementation of its GT26 High-Efficiency (HE) upgrade for the GT26 gas turbine fleet. The work was done at Uniper’s Enfield Power Station (Figure 1) in north London. The upgrade was installed to improve the performance and extend the maintenance interval of the combined cycle plant, according to […]The post Years in the Making, GE’s Recent GT26 Gas Turbine Upgrade Exceeds Expectations appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Emergency Valve Repair Helps Power Plant Meet Operational Commitments appeared first on POWER Magazine. The Niagara Falls garbage burning plant recycles waste and transforms it into usable electricity and steam energy for multiple industrial hosts nearby. That energy is generated at the plant through nine boilers and two steam turbines. Steam conditioning valves are utilized at the plant for turbine bypass and to supplement the turbine output if customer […]The post Emergency Valve Repair Helps Power Plant Meet Operational Commitments appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post New GE Digital Tool Part of Grid Management Advancements appeared first on POWER Magazine. Energy companies continue to work on providing solutions to optimize the power grid, part of their efforts to support the integration of renewables and help ensure the reliable delivery of electricity. Such systems are part of the digital transformation of power generation, bringing increased flexibility to the power supply, supporting faster power restoration after outages, […]The post New GE Digital Tool Part of Grid Management Advancements appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post German Flood Damage at Power Plant, Energy Facilities Extensive appeared first on POWER Magazine. Numerous energy facilities were afflicted by the major flooding event that inundated parts of Europe last week, and at least one major power generator has said the damage will likely mount into a “mid-double-digit million euro sum.” The flooding, which was caused by a cold, low-pressure area dubbed “Bernd,” crawled slowly across the continent over two […]The post German Flood Damage at Power Plant, Energy Facilities Extensive appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post TransAlta Completes Second Coal-to-Gas Conversion appeared first on POWER Magazine. A Canada-based energy company has completed the second of three planned coal-to-gas conversions at its thermal power plants in Alberta. TransAlta Corp. on July 19 said the conversion of the 395-MW Unit 2 at the Keephills plant near Wabamun, about 45 miles west of Edmonton, continues the company’s transition away from coal-fired power generation. TransAlta […]The post TransAlta Completes Second Coal-to-Gas Conversion appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Career Tips for Women in Power appeared first on POWER Magazine. The energy industry is booming, and it’s likely to stay that way as it evolves over the coming decades. This is good news for women, who make up a small percentage of workers in the sector: That means there’s plenty of room for growth. As of 2019, women filled just 6% of executive seats on […]The post Career Tips for Women in Power appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Arizona Solar Project to Supply Microsoft Now Online appeared first on POWER Magazine. A solar energy project that will provide power for Microsoft has begun commercial operation in Arizona, with the project developer announcing term financing has been completed. Longroad Energy, a Boston-based renewable energy developer that also has offices in California and Maine, on July 20 said the 200-MW Sun Streams 2 array—one of four Maricopa County-based […]The post Arizona Solar Project to Supply Microsoft Now Online appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post El Dabaa First of ‘Several’ Nuclear Reactors for Egypt appeared first on POWER Magazine. Construction of Egypt’s first nuclear power plant is moving forward, and a government official said the country plans to build “several” more reactors “in various regions” to help support economic development and increasing demand for power. Hesham Hegazy, who leads the nuclear fuel sector for Egypt’s Nuclear Power Plants Authority (NPPA), made the comments during […]The post El Dabaa First of ‘Several’ Nuclear Reactors for Egypt appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post UK’s First Gas-Fired Allam Cycle Power Plant Taking Shape appeared first on POWER Magazine. The inventor of the Allam-Fetvedt Cycle, a novel power cycle that uses supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2), is collaborating with a subsidiary of Singapore-based Sembcorp Industries to potentially develop the UK’s first 300-MW natural gas–fired NET Power station at an existing site at Teesside, northeastern England. Zero Degrees Whitetail Development Ltd. (ZDW), a subsidiary of North Carolina-based […]The post UK’s First Gas-Fired Allam Cycle Power Plant Taking Shape appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post ERCOT, Caught in Political Crossfire, Releases Reliability ‘Roadmap’ appeared first on POWER Magazine. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) has unveiled a roadmap outlining crucial improvements designed to enhance grid reliability, taking into account recent legislation, regulatory mandates, and a recent push by the state’s governor for market incentives that will help the grid bulk up on “adequate and reliable” resources, like natural gas, coal, and nuclear […]The post ERCOT, Caught in Political Crossfire, Releases Reliability ‘Roadmap’ appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Workers on ‘War Footing’ to Get India Coal Plant Operating appeared first on POWER Magazine. One of the largest coal-fired power plants in India—beset by technical issues that have knocked it offline and contributed to a power crisis in the Punjab region—is set to resume operations by the end of July, according to the utility subsidiary of the India-based mining company that leads the project. Talwandi Sabo Power Ltd. (TSPL), […]The post Workers on ‘War Footing’ to Get India Coal Plant Operating appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Bechtel, GE Will Lead 3.2-GW Gas Power Project appeared first on POWER Magazine. Vietnam’s first privately-owned power plant has moved a step closer to fruition, as Delta Offshore Energy chose Bechtel to provide front-end engineering design (FEED) services for a proposed 3,200-MW combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) facility. The power station, sited in Bac Lieu province in the Mekong Delta about 155 miles south of Ho Chi Minh […]The post Bechtel, GE Will Lead 3.2-GW Gas Power Project appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Developer Abandons Virginia Gas-Fired Power Project appeared first on POWER Magazine. A Michigan-based energy company that planned to build a 1.1-GW gas-fired power plant in Virginia has pulled the plug on the project. NOVI Energy on July 9 said it would abandon development of the C4GT plant in Charles City County, which is southeast of Richmond. The project, one of two gas-fired plants planned for the […]The post Developer Abandons Virginia Gas-Fired Power Project appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post California Braces for New Reliability Crisis as Wildfire Threatens Crucial Intertie appeared first on POWER Magazine. The rapidly spreading Bootleg Fire tripped off transmission lines that transport power from the Pacific Northwest to California and other states over the weekend, prompting the California Independent System Operator (ISO) to issue another Flex Alert—the sixth such conservation notification this summer. According to the state’s Incident Information System, the intense fire in Southern-Central Oregon […]The post California Braces for New Reliability Crisis as Wildfire Threatens Crucial Intertie appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Reliability-Wary California Will Procure More Energy Resources to Get It Through Summer appeared first on POWER Magazine. Stricken by repeated extreme heat events, the prospect of a worsening drought, incremental resource delays, and the “unforeseen” loss of 300 MW in thermal resources, California has set out to secure additional energy resources to ensure reliability this summer. Responding to a June 29 letter from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and the California […]The post Reliability-Wary California Will Procure More Energy Resources to Get It Through Summer appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Enabling IIoT Connectivity for Virtual Power Plants appeared first on POWER Magazine. Declarations of climate emergencies in many countries around the world have created awareness for the need to switch to clean energy sources, which in turn has prompted the power industry and governments to take action or set definite goals. Many governments around the world now provide incentives to individuals, industries, and communities who are interested […]The post Enabling IIoT Connectivity for Virtual Power Plants appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post DOE Providing $27 Million for Wave Energy Research Projects appeared first on POWER Magazine. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced it will provide as much as $27 million in federal funding for research and development projects designed to advance the efficient conversion of wave-based energy into electricity, with a goal to make the technology commercially viable. The DOE on July 7 said the money supports the Biden […]The post DOE Providing $27 Million for Wave Energy Research Projects appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post AES Accelerates 1 GW of Coal Plant Retirements in Chile appeared first on POWER Magazine. AES Corp. will retire four coal-fired power plants—a total 1,097 MW—in Chile “as soon as” January 2025 if supported by grid requirements under an agreement the Virginia-headquartered company signed with the Chilean government on July 6. The coal closures, which are outlined in what AES described as a “voluntary” retirement plan, represent the “single largest […]The post AES Accelerates 1 GW of Coal Plant Retirements in Chile appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Taiwan Shuts Another Reactor as Part of Nuclear-Free Goal appeared first on POWER Magazine. Taiwan’s move to end the country’s use of nuclear power continues, with Unit 1 of the Kuosheng Nuclear Power Plant being shut down. The reactor was taken offline at the end of June, six months ahead of its scheduled Dec. 27 retirement, with officials saying spent fuel-storage capacity constraints meant the unit could not be […]The post Taiwan Shuts Another Reactor as Part of Nuclear-Free Goal appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Shell Starts Up 10-MW REFHYNE Hydrogen Electrolyzer, Eyes Expansion to 100 MW appeared first on POWER Magazine. Shell Energy has started up a 10-MW polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolyzer facility—one of the largest of its kind in the world—to produce green hydrogen at its Energy and Chemicals Park Rheinland refinery in Wesseling, Germany, and it says plans are underway to expand the plant’s capacity to 100 MW. The startup of the electrolyzer […]The post Shell Starts Up 10-MW REFHYNE Hydrogen Electrolyzer, Eyes Expansion to 100 MW appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Technology Triumph: Track 4A Is POWER’s Plant of the Year appeared first on POWER Magazine. Winning POWER's highest honor is Track 4A, Southern Power Generation's 1.4-GW natural gas–fired power plant in southern Malaysia that is equipped with the first commercial GE 9HA.02 gas turbines—one ofThe post Technology Triumph: Track 4A Is POWER’s Plant of the Year appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post ‘Smart Microgrid Community’ Takes Shape in Canada appeared first on POWER Magazine. Many areas across the globe are looking at providing non-traditional power to residential neighborhoods, part of a push to make a community’s electricity supply more reliable and resilient. A development in Canada is one model of what is known as a “smart microgrid community.” Elexicon Energy, the fourth largest municipally-owned electricity distributor in Ontario, along […]The post ‘Smart Microgrid Community’ Takes Shape in Canada appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Hitachi ABB Power Grids Will Change Name to ‘Hitachi Energy’ to Mark Business Evolution appeared first on POWER Magazine. Hitachi ABB Power Grids, the behemoth joint venture firm officially launched last year when Japanese technology conglomerate Hitachi acquired a majority share in Swiss conglomerate ABB’s Power Grids business, will be known as “Hitachi Energy” starting in October 2021. The name change reflects the firm’s business evolution amid a rapidly evolving energy landscape, the company […]The post Hitachi ABB Power Grids Will Change Name to ‘Hitachi Energy’ to Mark Business Evolution appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Solar Power Helps Stabilize Electricity Prices in Brazil appeared first on POWER Magazine. Brazil is blessed with a wealth of natural resources. It gets almost two-thirds of its electricity from hydropower facilities, and it also has enormous potential for wind, solar, and natural gas-fired power. Yet, the country is saddled with higher than average electricity prices compared to most developed nations. A study conducted by McKinsey & Company […]The post Solar Power Helps Stabilize Electricity Prices in Brazil appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Coal-to-Gas Transition a Winning Strategy in Tianjin, China appeared first on POWER Magazine. Reducing fine particulate emissions was a driving factor in the shift from coal to gas at the Junliangcheng power plant in Tianjin, China. Among the other benefits is a reduction in carbon dioxide emissionsThe post Coal-to-Gas Transition a Winning Strategy in Tianjin, China appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Eco-Friendly Ultrasonic Treatment System Controls Algae in Power Plant Settling Pond appeared first on POWER Magazine. Water treatment professionals often turn to chemicals to control algae in power plant settling ponds. While this can be effective, environmentally friendly ultrasonic technology may do a better job at aThe post Eco-Friendly Ultrasonic Treatment System Controls Algae in Power Plant Settling Pond appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Road to Success Paved with Innovative Projects appeared first on POWER Magazine. Wärtsilä Energy, known for its experience in energy storage, and Pivot Power—working on ambitious decarbonization projects—have teamed on a multi-application way to serve the future of transportation inThe post Road to Success Paved with Innovative Projects appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Traveling the Electrification Highway appeared first on POWER Magazine. A company that has served U.S. motorists and the trucking industry for decades has updated its business model to support electric vehicle charging—and generate electricity for several of its locations. PowerThe post Traveling the Electrification Highway appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post A Virtual Solution to a Real Energy Problem appeared first on POWER Magazine. The need for demand response programs, particularly those that help stabilize the grid, is evident as electricity customers seek a more reliable power supply. Enter virtual power plants (VPPs), a way forThe post A Virtual Solution to a Real Energy Problem appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Money Makes the Power and Energy Sectors Go ‘Round appeared first on POWER Magazine. If you’ve seen the musical “Cabaret,” you know that “money makes the world go ‘round” in a variety of ways. While it may not indeed make the power and energy sectors “go ‘round,” money doesThe post Money Makes the Power and Energy Sectors Go ‘Round appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post The Vast Potential of Energy Storage for Nuclear appeared first on POWER Magazine. In a September 2020 report from the Clean Energy Ministerial’s Nuclear Innovation: Clean Energy Future (NICE Future) initiative, experts envisioned an interesting array of nuclear energy prospects that couldThe post The Vast Potential of Energy Storage for Nuclear appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post India Pursues Ambitious Solar Goals Despite Pandemic’s Impact appeared first on POWER Magazine. India has one of the world’s most aggressive solar development targets. The country’s leaders have said they want to install 450 GW of renewable power generation capacity by 2030, a figure that wouldThe post India Pursues Ambitious Solar Goals Despite Pandemic’s Impact appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Illinois University Seeking NRC License to Build Nuclear Microreactor appeared first on POWER Magazine. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) has formally kicked off a pioneering project to partly re-power its 85-MW Abbott cogeneration plant with an Ultra Safe Nuclear Corp. (USNC) Micro Modular Reactor (MMR) Energy System. UIUC on June 28 said it submitted a letter of intent to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to build […]The post Illinois University Seeking NRC License to Build Nuclear Microreactor appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post New Jersey Awards 2.7 GW of Offshore Wind Projects appeared first on POWER Magazine. New Jersey utility regulators have issued what officials are calling the largest combined award of offshore U.S. wind generation capacity to date. The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) on June 30 awarded a total of 2.658 GW of offshore wind capacity to two groups, bringing New Jersey’s total planned capacity to more than […]The post New Jersey Awards 2.7 GW of Offshore Wind Projects appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Rolling Blackouts Triggered as Historic Heatwave Grips Pacific Northwest appeared first on POWER Magazine. Utilities across the Pacific Northwest are bracing for exceptional stress on the grid as record-breaking temperatures continue to fester across the region, and at least one utility—Avista Corp.—this week began rolling outages as a measure to alleviate strain on the electric system. Despite pleas to customers to reduce their power consumption, Avista, which supplies power […]The post Rolling Blackouts Triggered as Historic Heatwave Grips Pacific Northwest appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Long-Duration Energy Storage: A Strategy for Retiring Coal Plants? appeared first on POWER Magazine. As the U.S. moves toward cleaner energy sources, and utilities work toward carbon reduction mandates, coal plants are closing at rapid rates across the country. Approximately 79,000 Americans were employed in coal-fired electricity generation in 2019, 13,000 fewer than in 2016; and in the last year alone, 7,700 coal-fired generation jobs were lost nationwide. The […]The post Long-Duration Energy Storage: A Strategy for Retiring Coal Plants? appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Zero-Trust Gateways: A New Strategy for Protecting Critical Infrastructure appeared first on POWER Magazine. In early May 2021, a Russian cyber-criminal group hit Colonial Pipeline, the largest U.S. oil and natural gas pipeline system, with a devastating ransomware attack. The exploit maliciously encrypts computer files, making them inaccessible unless the victim pays a ransom. To contain the threat, Colonial was forced to temporarily shut down portions of its operations […]The post Zero-Trust Gateways: A New Strategy for Protecting Critical Infrastructure appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Power Industry Automated Scraper Strainers Filter Full Spectrum of Debris Sizes appeared first on POWER Magazine. Unlike backwash systems, scraper strainers reliably resist clogging and fouling when faced with micron-sized particles, oversized solids, and high solids concentration. The power generation industry often prefilters raw water from rivers, lakes, gulfs, and coastlines to remove organic, aquatic, and other solids for use as cooling water. Typically, with once-through systems, water circulates through pipes, […]The post Power Industry Automated Scraper Strainers Filter Full Spectrum of Debris Sizes appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post New Gas-Fired Units Would Replace Coal at Indiana Plant appeared first on POWER Magazine. CenterPoint Energy could begin construction of two new natural gas-fired units to serve electricity customers in Indiana as soon as next year, if state regulators approve the utility’s plan that includes the closure of two units of a coal-fired power plant at a site along the Ohio River. CenterPoint’s $323-million proposal to the Indiana Utility […]The post New Gas-Fired Units Would Replace Coal at Indiana Plant appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Xcel Scrapping Plan to Build New 800-MW Gas-Fired Plant appeared first on POWER Magazine. Xcel Energy is pivoting from its plan to build a new 800-MW natural gas-fired power plant at the site of its Sherco coal-fired facility in Becker, Minnesota. Instead, Xcel plans to build two smaller gas-fired “peaker” plants, one in Minnesota and one in North Dakota, as part of a new initiative for the utility’s power […]The post Xcel Scrapping Plan to Build New 800-MW Gas-Fired Plant appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Consumers Energy to Quit Coal by 2025, Speeding Closure of Five Units appeared first on POWER Magazine. Michigan’s largest energy provider Consumers Energy will stop using coal as a fuel source for power generation within the next four years—15 years earlier than previously planned. In an updated integrated resource plan (IRP) filed with the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) on June 23, the CMS Energy subsidiary said the effort would lead Michigan’s […]The post Consumers Energy to Quit Coal by 2025, Speeding Closure of Five Units appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post A Game-Changing Vision for Geothermal Energy appeared first on POWER Magazine. According to a report released in 2019 by the U.S. Department of Energy, geothermal electricity generation could increase more than 26-fold by 2050—reaching 60 GW of installed capacity. That may seem like a pipe dream to some power observers, but if new well-drilling techniques allow enhanced geothermal systems to become economical, the reality could be […]The post A Game-Changing Vision for Geothermal Energy appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post GE Hitachi: Nuclear Costs, Innovation Must Be a Pivotal Focus for Carbon-Free Future appeared first on POWER Magazine. Nuclear energy’s future as a critical pillar in a decarbonized world will depend on its adaptability to rapid change, but the sector must focus on costs, certainty of outcome, reliability, and experience to cement its role beyond the transition, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH) President and CEO Jay Wileman told POWER in an exclusive interview. […]The post GE Hitachi: Nuclear Costs, Innovation Must Be a Pivotal Focus for Carbon-Free Future appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post CCUS: Big Opportunity and Hard Questions appeared first on POWER Magazine. For the world to avoid a climate catastrophe, carbon capture is likely a necessity, not an option. To meet the Paris Agreement’s objectives—keep warming below 2C and preferably near 1.5C—net zero carbon emissions must be achieved circa 2050, and some carbon dioxide will have to be extracted from the atmosphere. Deployment of carbon capture, utilization, […]The post CCUS: Big Opportunity and Hard Questions appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post How to Prevent Bacterial Growth in Dry and Wet Cooling Systems appeared first on POWER Magazine. Accumulation of debris in water systems can cause dangerous bacterial growth and performance loss—this is how to reduce the risk. In cooling systems, airborne debris, such as dust and leaves, or water depositions, such as scales or inorganic/organic particles, can accumulate on the surfaces of cooling tower fills or the fin coils of air blast […]The post How to Prevent Bacterial Growth in Dry and Wet Cooling Systems appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Despite South Carolina IRP Rejection, Duke Energy Seeks 80-Year Operation for Oconee Nuclear Units appeared first on POWER Magazine. Duke Energy has kicked off an effort to renew the operating licenses of all its 11 nuclear reactors for 20 more years, starting with Oconee Nuclear Station, its largest nuclear plant. The utility on June 21 filed an application with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for a subsequent license renewal (SLR) for the three-unit 2.5-GW […]The post Despite South Carolina IRP Rejection, Duke Energy Seeks 80-Year Operation for Oconee Nuclear Units appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post West Coast Offshore Wind Closer to Becoming a Reality appeared first on POWER Magazine. In late May, the U.S. Department of the Interior, in conjunction with the Department of the Navy and the State of California, announced plans to offer leases to develop offshore wind projects for the north-central coast of California. The lease sale is scheduled to occur in 2022 and would be the first such West Coast […]The post West Coast Offshore Wind Closer to Becoming a Reality appeared first on POWER Magazine.