POWER Magazine

In January, the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) launched its new Building a Better Grid initiative. The DoE’s stated intention for the program is to create a more robust transmission system that will restore the nation’s electrical grid through expanded access and greater resilience. The initiative emphasizes supporting generation and distribution of clean energy, and […]The post Three Cybersecurity Steps Integral to Building a Better Grid appeared first on POWER Magazine.

New York officials announced a milestone for the state’s solar power sector, with Gov. Kathy Hochul saying more than 1 GW of community solar generation capacity has been installed across the region. Hochul also said New York has the nation’s largest pipeline of community solar under construction, with more than 700 projects in the queue […]The post New York Tops 1 GW of Community Solar Installations appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Investor-owned electric companies are thoroughly reviewing the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC’s) broad new proposed rule that requires registrants to disclose climate-related risks and governance, and plan to remain engaged with the regulatory agency as the rulemaking continues. The proposed rule, which the SEC approved 3–1 on March 21, has drawn intense interest from the […]The post SEC’s Landmark Climate Disclosure Rule Weighing on Power Sector appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) approved a petition filed by Atlantic City Electric Co. (ACE) that modifies power purchase agreements (PPAs) and power sales agreements (PSAs) between ACE and Chambers Cogeneration Ltd. and Logan Generating Co., the last two coal-fired electricity generation units in New Jersey. Under the agreements, coal-fired generation will […]The post New Jersey’s Last Two Coal Power Plants to Close within Months appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Construction of a power plant in Turkey that will demonstrate a stand-alone “triple hybrid” system featuring renewable power sources, a reciprocating engine generator, and a battery has been completed. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group subsidiary Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Engine & Turbocharger, Ltd. (MHIET) and Calik Enerji Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S., a subsidiary of Turkish energy […]The post Smart, Hybrid, Distributed: MHI Completes EBLOX Demonstration Plant in Turkey appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Following part one in this two-part series about operational excellence (OpEx) in the power industry, Hexagon discusses the value of setting milestones to help reach OpEx goals. In addition, the significance of embracing cultural change, leadership’s crucial role in change management, and how to develop change champions in power organizations is examined, along with technology […]The post Illuminating Your Path to Operational Excellence, Part 2 appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Greenhouse gases (GHG) are a global issue. As the planet warms, we need to find any way we can to lower carbon footprints. For the future, there are many projects working to find zero-carbon solutions using new energies, but, while we wait for these developments and the necessary infrastructure to support this energy transition, we […]The post Protecting Land-Based Diesel Assets from Risks Associated with Biofuels appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Hydrogen is widely seen as a vital component in efforts to decarbonize the world’s power supply. One example of this is a strategy being piloted by at least a couple of major gas turbine manufacturers, which involves storing “green hydrogen” produced through electrolysis using excess wind or solar power when renewable energy supplies exceed grid […]The post How Ammonia Could Help the World Transition to Clean Energy appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Vestas occupies the top spot when it comes to market share among global wind turbine manufacturers, according to a new analysis, but the Danish business is not immune to the challenges facing several of the leading companies in the wind power sector. Supply chain issues are buffeting wind energy, as they have other industries. Though […]The post Vestas Cutting Jobs Despite Leading Wind Installations appeared first on POWER Magazine.

A 7.3-magnitude earthquake caused some deficiencies at two of the three nuclear power plants (NPPs) located in relatively close proximity to the fault, but it did not cause any safety concerns, according to Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA). The quake struck about 60 kilometers off the coast of Japan on March 16 at 2:36 p.m. […]The post Fukushima Touched by Another Earthquake, Some Deficiencies Reported at Nuclear Plants appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Ukraine’s nuclear regulator informed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on March 16 that eight of the country’s 15 nuclear reactors were in operation despite the ongoing Russian invasion. Of the four sites with operational units, two of six at Zaporizhzhya, three of four at Rivne, one of two at Khmelnytskyy, and two of three […]The post Eight of 15 Ukrainian Reactors Remain in Operation After Three Weeks of War appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced this week that it would provide up to $48 million for a new Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) program that could substantially reduce the disposal impact of used nuclear fuel (UNF). The program, dubbed CURIE (Converting UNF Radioisotopes Into Energy), is intended to support “a comprehensive national strategy […]The post DOE Funds New Program to Recycle Used Nuclear Fuel, GE Conducting Innovative Related Research appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Operational excellence (OpEx) is a holistic approach to business change that requires small, ongoing modifications capable of producing significant effects. Within power operations, this approach can be used to improve crucial day-to-day procedures, such as shift handover, and address deviations from the norm, for example, market conditions. It is important to acknowledge that OpEx is […]The post Illuminating Your Path to Operational Excellence, Part 1 appeared first on POWER Magazine.

We live in a constantly evolving energy landscape. With increased emphasis on future sustainability and environmental awareness, many consumers are becoming more cognizant of their energy usage, and many utilities are perusing renewable energy initiatives themselves. With change on both sides, the relationship between utility companies and their customers is becoming more and more of […]The post How Unitil Is Building a Customer Experience That Meets Evolving Energy Needs appeared first on POWER Magazine.

An Ohio-based utility said it plans to deactivate or sell the remaining coal-fired units at two of its power plants in 2023, five years earlier than previously expected. Akron-based Energy Harbor made the announcement March 14. The company in a news release said it wants to be a carbon-free power generator by the end of […]The post Ohio Utility Says Two Coal Plants Could Close Next Year appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The leader of General Electric’s (GE’s) global energy business said the company expects its power and renewable energy units should be profitable in 2023, and experience even more success in 2024, after it weathers market headwinds that present challenges this year. Scott Strazik, speaking at the company’s March 10 investor day event, said GE is […]The post GE Exec Expects Rebound for Renewables appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and ensuing sanctions may have a limited immediate impact on the U.S. nuclear industry, despite its reliance on uranium imports. Potential implications over the longer term, however, require urgent action, officials from the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) said. NEI CEO and President Maria Korsnick told reporters at the ongoing CERAWeek by […]The post Pressure on U.S. Nuclear Power Could Mount if Sanctions Imposed on Russian Uranium appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Tuesday, March 8, was International Women’s Day, a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The idea of an International Women’s Day (IWD) was first proposed in 1910 by Clara Zetkin, leader of the Women’s Office for the Social Democratic Party in Germany, during a conference in Copenhagen, Denmark. The […]The post Women Are an Important Piece of UAE Nuclear Power Program appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Texas-based CPS Energy, the largest municipally owned electric and natural gas company in the U.S., has entered into a 15-year commercial agreement to explore installing up to 15 MW of geomechanical pumped storage (GPS). The agreement will kick off with a pioneering 1-MW project that will pump water into drilled wells and store it under […]The post CPS Energy Exploring Novel Geomechanical Pumped Storage Technology appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The war in Ukraine is having a global impact on energy prices, not only driving the cost of oil higher, but also sending coal prices to record levels as demand for the fuel grows during a period of diminished supply. The Newcastle (Australia) futures price of thermal coal for power generation hit $435/ton on March […]The post Coal Use Rises, Prices Soar as War Impacts Energy Markets appeared first on POWER Magazine.

I’ve come to depend on the navigation system in my car. It predicts traffic jams, gives me the fastest route, informs me of store hours, and even tells me where to get a burger. To give me this experience, the navigation system draws on multiple data sources, puts it into context, and presents it through […]The post How Data—with Context—Will Drive a More Secure Energy Future appeared first on POWER Magazine.

A new 2-GW natural gas-fired power plant in China, being built to support the coming retirement of a large regional coal-fired complex, will feature three GE 9HA.01 gas turbines. GE Gas Power and Harbin Electric on March 7 announced that Chinese state-owned power utility Shenzhen Energy Group Corporation Co. has ordered the equipment for its Guangming […]The post GE Turbines Will Power New 2-GW Gas-Fired Plant in China appeared first on POWER Magazine.

CEOs of energy companies with projects in Russia are facing career-defining leadership moments. What do you do when your corporate investments nearly overnight become politically, economically and socially untenable to your key stakeholders? Within days of Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, BP’s Chief Executive Bernard Looney was quick out of the gate to tell the world […]The post Leading an Energy Company in the Aftermath of Russia’s Attack on Ukraine appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Eighteen bipartisan U.S. Senators are backing a bill that would direct the president to declare a national emergency and prohibit imports of Russian energy commodities, including crude oil, petroleum products, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and coal. While the measure does not include Russian uranium, a senior Department of Energy official said addressing U.S. reliance on […]The post Ban on Russian Energy Imports Gains Bipartisan, Bicameral Steam in Congress appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The venerable business of commodity trading, already in the news for the supply chain impacts of COVID, has moved to center stage with the war in Ukraine. Impacts of Russia’s invasion could ripple to manufacturing of all kinds, especially the clean energy transition we need to meet climate goals. COMMENTARY Within the first week of […]The post Minerals Crucial to Clean Energy Transition Among Ripple Effects of War in Ukraine appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported on March 4 that Russian forces had taken control of the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) site, but that the reactors continued to be operated by the plant’s regular staff and there had been no release of radioactive material. “What we are telling you is confirmed information that […]The post Ukraine’s Largest Nuclear Power Plant Taken by Russian Forces appeared first on POWER Magazine.

In its most recent update on the status of Ukrainian nuclear power plants (NPPs), issued to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on March 2, the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine (SNRIU) said it maintained communications with the country’s NPPs and that all units “continued to operate as before.” Of Ukraine’s 15 reactors, more […]The post Conflict in Ukraine Threatens Nuclear Power Plants and Radioactive Waste Disposal Facilities; Operations Continue appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in a dramatic reversal on Feb. 24 threw out a key environmental review that staff applied to subsequent license renewal (SLR) approvals for units at Turkey Point and Peach Bottom nuclear plants in 2019 and 2020, deeming their applications “incomplete.” In a series of orders, the federal regulatory agency’s three […]The post NRC Dramatically Reconsiders SLR Approvals, Sets New Conditions for Nuclear Life Extensions appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Equipment suppliers and construction partners have been chosen for the $1.2 billion Gemini solar-plus-storage installation in Nevada, which when complete will be among the largest solar projects in the U.S. Oakland, California-based Primergy Solar, part of Australia-based Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners and Gemini’s developer, owner, and operator, on March 3 said it has chosen Kiewit Power […]The post Kiewit Chosen as EPC Lead on Massive Nevada Solar Project appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Xcel Energy is exploring a role as operator of the 462-MWe Carbon-Free Power Project (CFPP), potentially becoming a key member of the first-of-its-kind small modular reactor (SMR) power plant that is under development at an Idaho National Laboratory (INL) site in Idaho Falls. The development is another sizable step for the six-module NuScale Power VOYGR project. […]The post Xcel Energy Considering Nuclear Operator Role at Idaho NuScale SMR Plant appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Gas power technology developers are exploring new roles and applications to ensure gas power will remain relevant as power markets embrace decarbonization. At the end of 2020, about 1,600 GW of gas turbinesThe post New Realms for Gas Power Technology appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The benefits of repowering—cost savings from upgraded performance, and utilizing existing infrastructure—make it an important part of the energy landscape. Repowering is occurring in both thermal andThe post Repowering Provides New Purpose for Existing Plants appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Last month, POWER published an article written by Senior Associate Editor Darrell Proctor that detailed the challenges power companies have been facing when trying to attract high-quality recruits in the increasingly competitive labor market for engineers and other workers with technical backgrounds (see “Groups Grapple with Labor Logistics as Energy Evolves” in the February 2022 […]The post Power Industry People: Finding Top Talent in the Military appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Mexico wants to secure a greater supply of natural gas, including from the U.S., as the country continues to build more gas-fired power plants. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) said U.SThe post U.S. Natural Gas Key to Mexico’s Power Buildout appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Sweden’s government in late January gave radioactive waste management company Svensk Kärnbränslehantering AB (SKB) the green light to proceed with a deep geological repository (DGR) for spent nuclear fuel (SNF) at a site near Vattenfall’s 3.2-GW Forsmark nuclear power plant. The milestone, which wraps up a planning process that has taken more than 40 years, makes Sweden only the second country, after Finland, to take active steps on building a permanent SNF repository.The post Sweden’s Government Approves Construction of Spent Nuclear Fuel Repository appeared first on POWER Magazine.

A government agency that supports research into Brazil’s energy sector has forecast a significant jump in demand for electricity within the country over the next several years. Empresa de PesquisaThe post Brazil Looks at Nuclear Power as Demand for Electricity Grows appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Holtec is decommissioning the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station. The company has a fairly aggressive schedule that could see site restoration work completed in 2027. This article provides a current-day statusThe post Accelerated Decommissioning of Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station: A Progress Report appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The PJM Interconnection's Minimum Offer Price Rule (MOPR) was introduced in 2006 as a floor to bar new generators from artificially depressing capacity auction clearing prices through below-cost bids. The post Market Transitions: The MOPR Merry-Go-Round appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The U.S. Supreme Court is hearing arguments on a landmark case that could determine whether the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has the authority to broadly interpret the Clean Air Act (CAA) to establish carbon emission standards for coal, oil, and gas-fired power plants. Arguments in West Virginia v. Environmental Protection Agency (No. 20-1530) presented to […]The post SCOTUS Hears Arguments on EPA’s Purview Over Power Plant GHG Emissions appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The mining of cryptocurrency, or bitcoin, is an energy-intensive process, and entrepreneurs are looking at several technologies—including innovative geothermal energy techniques—to power their operations. Among the latest is a service from a California-based renewable energy group, RenewaBit, which has joined with CeraPhi Energy, a Houston, Texas-based company, to produce geothermal energy with integrated crypto mining […]The post Well-Constructed Solution: Geothermal to Power Bitcoin Mining appeared first on POWER Magazine.

A wind farm comprised of four projects in central New Mexico, serving areas of that state and California, is now online and takes the title of the largest wind power installation in the U.S. Pattern Energy Group, among the world’s largest privately-owned developers and operators of wind, solar, transmission, and energy storage projects, on Feb. […]The post Largest U.S. Wind Project Online in New Mexico appeared first on POWER Magazine.

A California developer of concentrated solar power (CSP) systems has announced an innovation that it says combines the company’s technologies to turn existing oil wells into energy storage sites that can provide clean energy. Hyperlight Energy on Feb. 24 said it was launching Tectonic Sun, an electricity generation technology that when paired with the company’s […]The post Solar Developer Has Plan to Turn Oil Wells Into Energy Storage appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The U.S. power network received attention for tragic reasons in 2021. From February 10 through 20, Texas suffered a severe power crisis due to a confluence of catastrophic winter storms. Failures occurred across all types of electricity generation facilities—natural gas, coal, and nuclear plants shut down, and wind turbines froze. Problems cascaded, as the compressors […]The post The Economics of Reliability: U.S. Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Many experts believe hydrogen holds great promise as a clean energy resource that can help nations achieve carbon-free goals. Green hydrogen, which is made from water through electrolysis powered by renewable energy, could be used to decarbonize a wide range of hard-to-abate industries, including petrochemical, cement, and steel, which often require high temperatures and combustion […]The post Decarbonizing the World: Hydrogen Technology Is the Next Big Thing appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Poland’s pursuit of offshore wind took a step forward with the announcement that Siemens Gamesa will supply turbines for two new installations in the Baltic Sea. The MFW Baltyk II and MFW Baltyk III projects, being developed by Equinor and Polenergia, will use SG 14-236 DD offshore wind turbines, as part of two “Preferred Supplier […]The post Siemens Gamesa Will Supply Turbines for Polish Offshore Wind Farms appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The energy transition will bring with it a new generation of cybersecurity challenges for the power sector. While information-sharing has been valuable, strategies to address issues related to vendor security, cyber talent, and lagging investment will also be critical, a former utility supply chain executive who led the development of an industry-wide cybersecurity risk exchange […]The post The ‘Weakest Link’ in Supply Chain Security appeared first on POWER Magazine.

A Colorado company that serves rural communities with solar power-based microgrids announced an investment that would provide more than 100 installations across two states in India. Husk Power Systems on Feb. 17 said it had closed $4.2 million in debt financing from the India Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) to build as many as 140 […]The post India Investing Millions for Microgrids appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Ethiopia began delivering power from a 375-MW turbine at its flagship 5.15-GW Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on Feb. 20, marking a significant milestone for the project that could become Africa’s largest hydropower producer. Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed inaugurated the project in a celebration broadcast widely in the East African nation on Sunday. Officials […]The post Ethiopia Produces First Power at GERD Mega-Dam appeared first on POWER Magazine.

SoCalGas, North America’s largest gas distribution utility, has unveiled the Angeles Link, a proposed green hydrogen energy infrastructure system for Southern California that it says could be the largest of its kind in the nation. The Angeles Link proposes to utilize between 25 GW and 35 GW of curtailed or new solar, wind, or battery […]The post Large-Scale Green Hydrogen Infrastructure System Unveiled for California appeared first on POWER Magazine.

Duke Energy, the nation’s largest power producer, will dramatically slash coal generation’s share from the current 22% of total generation to 5% by 2030 and achieve a full phaseout of unabated coal by 2035. The company instead expects to deploy more than $130 billion over the next decade—$63 billion of which it will spend over […]The post Duke Energy Eyeing Coal Phaseout by 2035 appeared first on POWER Magazine.