POWER Magazine

The post Five Ways Utilities Can Leverage Data to Build a Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive Workforce appeared first on POWER Magazine. Utilities represent one of the least diverse industries in the U.S. today, being 85% white and 80% male, according to a 2020 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey. The clarion call from policymakers, shareholders, and communities for significant social change has driven many U.S. utilities to create diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) goals in response. […]The post Five Ways Utilities Can Leverage Data to Build a Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive Workforce appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Critical Juncture: Collaboration Fast-Tracks New Madrid Power Station Plant Upgrade appeared first on POWER Magazine. The New Madrid Power Plant is an important facility in the Associated Electric Cooperative’s portfolio of assets and is fundamentally important to the company’s mission to provide affordable and reliable power to member systems. The plant and grounds cover about 3,900 acres on the Mississippi River, where approximately 175 people are employed. Originally built in […]The post Critical Juncture: Collaboration Fast-Tracks New Madrid Power Station Plant Upgrade appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Germany Shifts Net-Zero Target to 2045, Sets Tougher Limits for Energy Industry appeared first on POWER Magazine. Germany has moved its climate neutrality target up from 2050 to 2045 and adopted new interim binding targets that will require greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions of 65% by 2030 and 88% by 2040, compared to 1990 levels. After 2050, notably, the country—which is Europe’s biggest economy—envisions it will achieve negative GHG emissions. Germany’s federal […]The post Germany Shifts Net-Zero Target to 2045, Sets Tougher Limits for Energy Industry appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Carbon Capture Eyed for New Scottish Gas-Fired Plant appeared first on POWER Magazine. Two major European energy companies said they will jointly develop a new natural gas-fired power plant that features carbon capture technology. The 900-MW Peterhead CCS Power Station would be built as part of Scotland’s Net Zero Infrastructure program. SSE, a British utility, and Norwegian energy firm Equinor announced the new plant on May 11. The […]The post Carbon Capture Eyed for New Scottish Gas-Fired Plant appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Offshore Milestone as Feds Back Vineyard Wind Project appeared first on POWER Magazine. The first large-scale offshore wind farm in the U.S. has received the go-ahead from the federal government, with industry insiders saying the milestone decision is likely to spur more rapid development of the nation’s offshore wind projects. The Vineyard Wind installation, an 800-MW project that will use GE’s Haliade-X turbines, on May 11 received the […]The post Offshore Milestone as Feds Back Vineyard Wind Project appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Colonial Pipeline Ransomware Attack Rattles Power Industry, Renews Vulnerability Concerns appeared first on POWER Magazine. The post Colonial Pipeline Ransomware Attack Rattles Power Industry, Renews Vulnerability Concerns appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post ERCOT Program Cut Natural Gas Supply During Winter Storm appeared first on POWER Magazine. A program designed to save power during periods of high electricity demand actually cut off some of Texas’ natural gas supply to customers during the severe winter storm that caused massive blackouts across the state in February. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), which operates the power grid for much of the state, has […]The post ERCOT Program Cut Natural Gas Supply During Winter Storm appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post TVA, Kairos Partner to Deploy Molten Salt Nuclear Reactor Demonstration appeared first on POWER Magazine. In a notable, dedicated effort by a major U.S. utility to boost the development of an advanced reactor technology, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and Kairos Power, developer of a novel fluoride salt-cooled, high-temperature nuclear reactor, on May 6 said they will team to demonstrate Kairos’ Hermes test reactor at the East Tennessee Technology Park […]The post TVA, Kairos Partner to Deploy Molten Salt Nuclear Reactor Demonstration appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Surry Nuclear Plant Gets 20-Year Extension as Indian Point Goes Dark appeared first on POWER Magazine. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has approved 20-year subsequent renewed licenses (SRLs) for Dominion Energy Virginia’s Surry Power Station Units 1 and 2 near Newport News, Virginia, making them only the fifth and sixth reactors in the U.S. cleared to operate for 60 to 80 years. But the number of operating U.S. nuclear reactors fell […]The post Surry Nuclear Plant Gets 20-Year Extension as Indian Point Goes Dark appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post How Artificial Intelligence Is Improving the Energy Efficiency of Buildings appeared first on POWER Magazine. A lot of energy is consumed by buildings. In fact, the Alliance to Save Energy, a nonprofit energy efficiency advocacy group, says buildings account for about 40% of all U.S. energy consumption and a similar proportion of greenhouse gas emissions. Some estimates suggest about 45% of the energy used in commercial buildings is consumed by […]The post How Artificial Intelligence Is Improving the Energy Efficiency of Buildings appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post TVA, Eyeing Coal Phaseout by 2035, Will Rely on Nuclear appeared first on POWER Magazine. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) expects to phase out its coal generation by 2035, but achieving net-zero carbon emissions without raising power prices or adversely affecting reliability will require substantial investments in energy storage and carbon capture and sequestration (CCS). TVA also will need to extend the lifetime of its nuclear power, and adopt the […]The post TVA, Eyeing Coal Phaseout by 2035, Will Rely on Nuclear appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post The POWER Interview: Argonne Lab Advancing Nuclear Energy appeared first on POWER Magazine. Argonne National Laboratory is at the forefront of research into the design of portable nuclear reactors, working to make the technology viable for use at places such as military bases and remote communities. Micro-reactor concepts are being developed that could fit power generation into a small area, such as in the back of a truck, […]The post The POWER Interview: Argonne Lab Advancing Nuclear Energy appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post ERCOT Unveils Plan for Invoicing Default Uplift Charges appeared first on POWER Magazine. ERCOT market participants are grappling with the resulting financial fallout from winter storm Uri, which devastated Texas in February. Many are now familiar with actions the Texas Public Utility Commission (PUCT) took during the weather event, moves made with the intent to bring and maintain as much generation online as possible. Most notable, the commission […]The post ERCOT Unveils Plan for Invoicing Default Uplift Charges appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Rediscovering Fire: Advancements in Gas Turbine Combustion appeared first on POWER Magazine. Gas power market drivers and a quest for relevance in future decarbonized systems are driving fundamental shifts in gas turbine combustion design approaches. Combustion lies at the heart of gas turbineThe post Rediscovering Fire: Advancements in Gas Turbine Combustion appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Advanced Technology, Innovative Solutions Enhance Nuclear Operations and Maintenance appeared first on POWER Magazine. Incorporating new technology and solutions being used by others could help nuclear power plant staff improve operations and maintenance practices. Nuclear power plants face many challenges. Monitoring heatThe post Advanced Technology, Innovative Solutions Enhance Nuclear Operations and Maintenance appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Groundswell of Support Heats Geothermal Innovation appeared first on POWER Magazine. There’s new interest in one of the world’s oldest resources, as governments and investors worldwide look for advanced ways to tap geothermal energy. Geothermal wells have been producing energy for moreThe post Groundswell of Support Heats Geothermal Innovation appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Renewable Natural Gas Emerging as Serious Decarbonized Gas Contender appeared first on POWER Magazine. Last December, two giant Virginia-headquartered firms—energy company Dominion Energy and food manufacturer Smithfield Foods—announced completion of a novel renewable natural gas (RNG) facility in MilfordThe post Renewable Natural Gas Emerging as Serious Decarbonized Gas Contender appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Japan Pulls Back from Coal, Though New Plants Move Forward appeared first on POWER Magazine. Japanese financial institutions and energy companies continue to move away from supporting coal-fired power generation, as the country’s leadership reiterates what it says is an “unwavering resolve toThe post Japan Pulls Back from Coal, Though New Plants Move Forward appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post How the Department of Energy Is Helping Keep Nuclear Power Relevant appeared first on POWER Magazine. In the decade following World War II, the U.S. government took a keen interest in helping to create a commercial nuclear power industry. Although there were military leaders and members of Congress whoThe post How the Department of Energy Is Helping Keep Nuclear Power Relevant appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Process Control Strategies for Reducing the Minimum Load of Fossil-Fired Plants appeared first on POWER Magazine. Recent Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) research aims to better understand the potential of process control enhancements, such as load control, sliding pressure control, and steam temperature controlThe post Process Control Strategies for Reducing the Minimum Load of Fossil-Fired Plants appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Carbon-Neutral Blue Hydrogen Can Be More Than a Bridge in a Transformed Hydrogen Economy appeared first on POWER Magazine. Many advocates for a hydrogen economy believe “green” hydrogen, which is produced through electrolysis using renewable energy, will eliminate the need to curtail wind and solar generation. However, thereThe post Carbon-Neutral Blue Hydrogen Can Be More Than a Bridge in a Transformed Hydrogen Economy appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Alabama Coal Plant Tops List of Emitters appeared first on POWER Magazine. A report from a Colorado-based group that provides analysis and market reports to the energy industry says an Alabama power plant has the highest emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) of any coal-fired facility in the Lower 48 states. BTU Analytics in a report released April 29 ranked the James H. Miller plant in West Jefferson, […]The post Alabama Coal Plant Tops List of Emitters appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Greenhouses and Microgrids Should Grow Together appeared first on POWER Magazine. As consumer preferences continue to shift toward purchasing locally sourced and organic produce, demand is growing for commercial greenhouses, or controlled environment agriculture (CEA), as the industry is labeled. This shift in preference to locally grown food is changing the way supermarkets and restaurants source their fruits and vegetables. COMMENTARY Many restaurants throughout the country […]The post Greenhouses and Microgrids Should Grow Together appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Large-Volume, Long-Duration Power and Water Storage Project Taking Shape in Idaho appeared first on POWER Magazine. Cat Creek Energy, developer of a 1.1-GW “tribrid” renewable power and water storage project planned near Mountain Home, Idaho, has picked Voith Hydro to design and manufacture equipment for the project’s 720-MW ternary pumped storage component. The development announced on April 29 marks a major milestone for the Cat Creek Energy and Water (CCEW) project. […]The post Large-Volume, Long-Duration Power and Water Storage Project Taking Shape in Idaho appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Serious Power Transmission Without Wires Is Closer Than You Think appeared first on POWER Magazine. Most people are aware that wireless charging technology is available today for small electronic devices, such as cell phones and watches, but when it comes to larger-scale power systems, the concept of wireless transmission of electricity probably seems like science fiction. The truth, however, is that systems have been developed and are being tested that […]The post Serious Power Transmission Without Wires Is Closer Than You Think appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Heavy Push by Industry, Biden Administration to Jumpstart Transmission Expansion, Grid Modernization appeared first on POWER Magazine. Bolstering the Biden administration’s recently announced initiatives to modernize the nation’s grid and improve its resilience, the Department of Energy (DOE) on April 27 made up to $8.25 billion in loans available to expand transmission capacity nationwide, while the Department of Transportation (DOT) offered new guidance to help speed the siting and permitting of transmission […]The post Heavy Push by Industry, Biden Administration to Jumpstart Transmission Expansion, Grid Modernization appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post $8 Billion Proposals Could Bring New Gas-Fired Plants to Texas appeared first on POWER Magazine. An energy investment group told Texas regulators the company has a plan to help solve some of that state’s electricity reliability issues, proposing a plan similar to one put forth by billionaire Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Energy in March. Starwood Energy Group on April 23 sent the state’s Public Utility Commission a proposal to build […]The post $8 Billion Proposals Could Bring New Gas-Fired Plants to Texas appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Engineering on Flexible Green Hydrogen Generation Facility Design Complete appeared first on POWER Magazine. Engineering and construction firm McDermott International and pipeline technology developer New Energy Development Co. have wrapped up engineering for two modular 50-MW hydrogen energy projects that they said could enable “grid-scale” hydrogen blending with natural gas pipelines as well as potentially integrate existing or new power plants with energy storage. The “Green Hydrogen” facilities, which […]The post Engineering on Flexible Green Hydrogen Generation Facility Design Complete appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Automated Powerline Inspection: How Preparation Is the Key to Combating Wildfires During the Off Season appeared first on POWER Magazine. 2020 was a catastrophic year for wildfires across the U.S. The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) reported that almost 60,000 fires ran rampant across more than 9 million acres in the U.S. last year, nearly 1.5 times the 10-year average of 6.6 million acres. Not only this, California saw its first-ever “gigafire,” a devastating single […]The post Automated Powerline Inspection: How Preparation Is the Key to Combating Wildfires During the Off Season appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post 3 Ways Remote Assistance Can Limit Power Downtime appeared first on POWER Magazine. Innovation and power generation have always gone hand in hand. For almost 140 years, the industry has evolved through a steady stream of emerging technologies, shifting policies, infrastructure investments, and an assortment of crises. The power industry has weathered a lot over this time and been forced to adapt. The latest example: COVID-19. Over the […]The post 3 Ways Remote Assistance Can Limit Power Downtime appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Vogtle Unit 3 Starts Hot Functional Testing appeared first on POWER Magazine. Georgia Power announced two more milestones for its Vogtle nuclear power plant expansion project, including the start of hot functional testing for Unit 3 at the facility in Waynesboro, Georgia. The utility on April 26 also said the last major crane lift project at the site was completed, as a massive water tank was placed […]The post Vogtle Unit 3 Starts Hot Functional Testing appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post More Coal Cuts—AEP, Mississippi Power Detail Closures appeared first on POWER Magazine. American Electric Power (AEP), which in 2019 reached an agreement to close Unit 1 of the two-unit, 2.6-GW coal-fired Rockport power plant in Indiana, has now announced a plan to close Unit 2 of the facility. Both units at Rockport are now expected to be shuttered by year-end 2028. AEP, the parent of Indiana Michigan […]The post More Coal Cuts—AEP, Mississippi Power Detail Closures appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post DOE Earmarks $109.5 Million to Support Coal Workers appeared first on POWER Magazine. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) said it will provide $109.5 million in funding for projects that directly support job creation in communities impacted by the energy transition, particularly for workers and areas struggling due to closures of coal-fired power plants and coal mines. The DOE in the April 23 announcement, made in connection with […]The post DOE Earmarks $109.5 Million to Support Coal Workers appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post The Hydrogen Rainbow: Elected Officials Focus on Green appeared first on POWER Magazine. Blue, green, turquoise, yellow, pink, blue, grey and brown/black. Hydrogen is currently beset by a host of colorful adjectives, but what part of the hydrogen rainbow is most likely to lead to a pot of gold (and environmental benefits)? Elected officials across the country are more and more focused on promoting green hydrogen, which is […]The post The Hydrogen Rainbow: Elected Officials Focus on Green appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Chevron Joins Growing List of Oil and Gas Companies Investing in Offshore Wind appeared first on POWER Magazine. Ocergy Inc., a company developing a couple of new offshore wind energy solutions, announced last week that Chevron Technology Ventures and Moreld Ocean Wind (MOW) were investing in its Series A round of funding. The money is expected to help the company commercialize its OCG-Wind Floating Offshore Wind Turbine technology and OCG-Data environmental monitoring buoy. […]The post Chevron Joins Growing List of Oil and Gas Companies Investing in Offshore Wind appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Innovative ‘Steel Bricks’ Design Expected to Reduce Time, Cost of SMR Construction appeared first on POWER Magazine. An innovative second-generation steel-composite modular construction system that is planned for use in GE Hitachi’s (GEH’s) BWRX-300 small modular reactor (SMR) plant could dramatically reduce the amount of labor required during nuclear island construction. Brian Johnson, vice president and BWRX-300 product director with GEH, explained various details about the company’s SMR design as part of […]The post Innovative ‘Steel Bricks’ Design Expected to Reduce Time, Cost of SMR Construction appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Reprieve for Nuclear, Gas in EU’s Sustainable Finance Taxonomy Rules appeared first on POWER Magazine. The European Union’s (EU’s) much-watched Taxonomy Climate Delegated Act—the world’s first “green list”—unveiled by the European Commission (EC) on April 21 qualifies several power-producing sectors in its technical screening criteria for sustainable investment decisions. However, it delays controversial decisions on gas and nuclear. The EC adopted the Delegated Act as part of an ambitious package […]The post Reprieve for Nuclear, Gas in EU’s Sustainable Finance Taxonomy Rules appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Biden Sets New Paris Agreement GHG Target: 50-52% below 2005 levels by 2030 appeared first on POWER Magazine. President Biden has set a new nationally determined contribution (NDC) for the U.S. to achieve a 50% to 52% reduction in economy-wide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2030 compared to 2005 levels. The White House said on Thursday the NDC, which was determined after a “a whole-of-government process” organized through the Biden administration’s National Climate […]The post Biden Sets New Paris Agreement GHG Target: 50-52% below 2005 levels by 2030 appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Sweet Deal—Hershey, Others Have Solar Pacts appeared first on POWER Magazine. A well-known chocolate maker has announced two new clean energy partnerships as the company continues to increase its sustainability efforts. The Hershey Co. on April 20 said it has power purchase agreements (PPAs) to take electricity from two solar projects, one in North Carolina and another in Texas. Hershey, like many corporate power customers, has […]The post Sweet Deal—Hershey, Others Have Solar Pacts appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post India Cites ‘Cheaper’ Coal in Planning New Units appeared first on POWER Magazine. A draft copy of a document outlining India’s latest National Electricity Policy (NEP) reportedly shows the country is considering building new coal-fired generation capacity, even as it sets new carbon reduction targets. The document also said government officials would push for better technology to help reduce emissions from those plants. Reuters on April 19 reported […]The post India Cites ‘Cheaper’ Coal in Planning New Units appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Advantages of Fibre-Reinforced Concrete appeared first on POWER Magazine. Concrete is an integral part of any construction project, whether you are building roads, a a ground floor in your private home, or a power plant. This is because concrete is very durable, but it can be susceptible to fractures as subsoil frosts and thaws, if it shifts, or if tree roots press upward on […]The post Advantages of Fibre-Reinforced Concrete appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post COVID Costs 300,000 Clean Energy Jobs; DOE Readies for Rebound appeared first on POWER Magazine. An analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data for 2020 shows the number of workers in clean energy jobs last year fell for the first time since 2015, according to a group of business leaders and investors who study those numbers each year. The group’s “Clean Jobs America” report, released April 19, said about 3 […]The post COVID Costs 300,000 Clean Energy Jobs; DOE Readies for Rebound appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Hydrostor Receives Funding for New A-CAES Project appeared first on POWER Magazine. A Canadian company that has led design efforts for advanced compressed air energy storage (A-CAES) systems has received funding for development of a new 300-500-MW A-CAES facility. Hydrostor, based in Toronto, Ontario, on April 15 announced a commitment of about $4 million for the project, which would be built in Canada, from Natural Resources Canada’s […]The post Hydrostor Receives Funding for New A-CAES Project appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post 8 Rivers Unveils 560 MW of Allam Cycle Gas-Fired Projects for Colorado, Illinois appeared first on POWER Magazine. 8 Rivers Capital, inventor of a novel supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) cycle, plans to begin operating a 280-MW NET Power natural gas–fired plant within the Southern Ute Indian Reservation in southwest Colorado by 2025. The company on April 15 also said it will team with agricultural and processing firm Archer-Daniels-Midlands Co. (ADM) to locate a […]The post 8 Rivers Unveils 560 MW of Allam Cycle Gas-Fired Projects for Colorado, Illinois appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post 8 Rivers Unveils 520 MW of Allam Cycle Gas-Fired Projects for Colorado, Illinois appeared first on POWER Magazine. 8 Rivers Capital, inventor of a novel supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) cycle, is looking to begin operating a 280-MW NET Power natural gas-fired power project within the Southern Ute Indian Reservation, in southwest Colorado by 2025. The company on April 15 also said it will team with agricultural and processing firm Archer-Daniels-Midlands Co. (ADM) to […]The post 8 Rivers Unveils 520 MW of Allam Cycle Gas-Fired Projects for Colorado, Illinois appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post What’s Been Holding Hydrogen Fuel Cells Back, and How to Change That appeared first on POWER Magazine. The technology used in modern hydrogen fuel cells is not new. In fact, NASA used fuel cells for its manned space missions in the 1960s. But fuel cells have not really “taken off” (pardon the pun) in earthly applications since that time. Some industry insiders believe that will change very soon. “We’ve been sort of […]The post What’s Been Holding Hydrogen Fuel Cells Back, and How to Change That appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post The POWER Interview: Enhancing the Safety of Energy Storage appeared first on POWER Magazine. Energy storage is having a transformative impact on the power sector. Storage solutions are enabling growth in several areas, including electric vehicles, and are supporting technologies such as solar and wind power, being paired with installations to capture and supply even more energy from renewables. Storage is recognized as a key player in the fight […]The post The POWER Interview: Enhancing the Safety of Energy Storage appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post ERCOT Conditions Tighten Again as Outages Mount to 32 GW appeared first on POWER Magazine. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) on April 13 urged Texans to conserve power as grid conditions tightened owing to a “a combination of high generation outages typical in April and higher-than-forecasted demand from a stalled cold front over Texas.” The Texas grid operator, which in February narrowly avoided system collapse as Winter Storm […]The post ERCOT Conditions Tighten Again as Outages Mount to 32 GW appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Self-Tuning Artificial Intelligence Improves Plant Efficiency and Flexibility appeared first on POWER Magazine. Flexible plant operations are highly desirable in today’s power generation industry. Every plant owner desires increased ramp rates and the ability to operate at lower loads so their plants will remain “in the money” longer in today’s competitive power markets. This goal, while laudable, remains elusive. The ADEX self-tuning artificial intelligence (AI) system allows plants […]The post Self-Tuning Artificial Intelligence Improves Plant Efficiency and Flexibility appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Jack and Solar—TVA Links Iconic Distillery With Renewable Energy appeared first on POWER Magazine. The trend of supplying commercial and industrial locations with renewable energy—along with the Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA’s) continuing support of investments in power projects that support sustainability—is being recognized at one of the most-iconic distilleries in the U.S. The TVA on April 13 said it has signed a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with Nashville-based […]The post Jack and Solar—TVA Links Iconic Distillery With Renewable Energy appeared first on POWER Magazine.