POWER Magazine

The post Nuclear First—Work Starts on Russian Fast Neutron Reactor appeared first on POWER Magazine. Construction of a 300-MW nuclear power unit showcasing a fuel specially developed for the reactor is underway in Siberia, a project that industry experts say could provide a dramatic leap forward in nuclear power technology. The project is being hailed as a way to provide a “practically inexhaustible” source of fuel for nuclear power, as […]The post Nuclear First—Work Starts on Russian Fast Neutron Reactor appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post DTE Retires River Rouge Coal-Fired Plant appeared first on POWER Magazine. DTE Energy has retired the last operating unit of its River Rouge coal-fired power plant along the Detroit River, a facility that came online in 1956 and entered commercial operation in 1958. The utility on June 4 said River Rouge, located just southwest of Detroit, Michigan, operated for the final time on May 31. The […]The post DTE Retires River Rouge Coal-Fired Plant appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Wyoming Coal Power Plant May Host Natrium Advanced Nuclear Demonstration appeared first on POWER Magazine. Bill Gates’ nuclear innovation startup TerraPower and Berkshire Hathaway Energy subsidiary PacifiCorp are looking to site a federally backed demonstration of their 345-MWe Natrium advanced nuclear reactor system at a retiring PacifiCorp coal power plant in Wyoming. During a June 2 energy event in Cheyenne attended by Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon, U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer […]The post Wyoming Coal Power Plant May Host Natrium Advanced Nuclear Demonstration appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post PSEG Power Closes Last Coal Plant, Explores Divestiture of Other Fossil Assets appeared first on POWER Magazine. PSEG Power retired its Bridgeport Harbor Station Unit 3 (BHS 3, Figure 1) on May 31. The unit, located in Bridgeport, Connecticut, was the last remaining coal-fired power plant in the company’s fleet. “The retirement of Bridgeport Harbor Station Unit 3 marks the end of an era for the City of Bridgeport and the citizens […]The post PSEG Power Closes Last Coal Plant, Explores Divestiture of Other Fossil Assets appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Changing Winds: Emerging Wind Turbine Technologies appeared first on POWER Magazine. Wind turbine technology continues to evolve under new market demands—as well as an urgency to expand to further decarbonization. The post Changing Winds: Emerging Wind Turbine Technologies appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Positive Signs Support Solar Sector appeared first on POWER Magazine. Government support, lower costs, and technology advancements are among the bright spots as rapid growth continues. Solar power has long been part of the global push for renewable energy, and power industryThe post Positive Signs Support Solar Sector appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post How Commercial and Industrial Facilities Benefit from On-Site Power appeared first on POWER Magazine. Commercial and industrial companies can reap many rewards by taking a more hands-on approach in sourcing power. Incorporating solar, wind, and other forms of on-site generation—including combined heat andThe post How Commercial and Industrial Facilities Benefit from On-Site Power appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Japan Ushers in New Era for IGCC Coal Power appeared first on POWER Magazine. The Nakoso integrated coal gasification combined cycle (IGCC) plant, a much-watched power project in Japan’s Fukushima prefecture because it incorporates a pioneering advanced coal gasification technologyThe post Japan Ushers in New Era for IGCC Coal Power appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Coal Substitutes Touted as Way to Keep Coal-Fired Power Plants Open appeared first on POWER Magazine. The move away from coal-fired power generation has supported the growth of other technologies to produce electricity. Discussions often revolve around renewable resources such as solar and wind, or theThe post Coal Substitutes Touted as Way to Keep Coal-Fired Power Plants Open appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post In-Person Events and COVID: Are You Ready to Travel? appeared first on POWER Magazine. In my job, I typically do a fair amount of traveling. Of course, that all changed last year due to COVID-19. I didn’t go anywhere for work-related events or meetings. It was kind of nice—at first—butThe post In-Person Events and COVID: Are You Ready to Travel? appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Market Prospects Heating Up for Cryogenic Energy Storage appeared first on POWER Magazine. Highview Power, developer of a cryogenic energy storage system, in April selected MAN Energy Solutions to provide the liquid air energy storage (LAES) turbomachinery train for its 50-MW/250-MWh CRYOBatteryThe post Market Prospects Heating Up for Cryogenic Energy Storage appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Missouri v. Biden: The Benefits and Costs of Carbon Emissions appeared first on POWER Magazine. The Biden administration in February announced that for the remainder of 2021, federal agencies will conduct regulatory and environmental analyses assuming that the global “social cost” of emitting carbonThe post Missouri v. Biden: The Benefits and Costs of Carbon Emissions appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post End the War on Nuclear Power—Start with Radiation appeared first on POWER Magazine. Governments and non-governmental organizations worldwide are clamoring for reduction in human-generated CO 2 emissions. Yet, America’s largest carbon-free energy source is regulated and demonized to theThe post End the War on Nuclear Power—Start with Radiation appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post New Technology Improves Rooftop Solar Designs appeared first on POWER Magazine. The solar power industry continues to see growth in distributed generation installations from residential to commercial projects, particularly as people take more control of powering their properties to increase their electricity reliability, and to control their energy costs. An important part of that process involves a rooftop solar installation’s onsite survey. There is currently a […]The post New Technology Improves Rooftop Solar Designs appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post NERC Warns Energy Shortfalls Almost Inevitable This Summer appeared first on POWER Magazine. The North American Electric Corp. (NERC) is warning that large swathes of the North American bulk power system (BPS) could face “elevated risks” of energy shortfalls this summer, especially if temperatures surge beyond normal peaks. But in California, risks are even more pronounced, owing to its reliance on imports to offset falling solar PV output […]The post NERC Warns Energy Shortfalls Almost Inevitable This Summer appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post DHS Issues Pipeline Cybersecurity Directive but Industry Championing FERC Mandatory Standards appeared first on POWER Magazine. Owners and operators of the 100 most “critical” hazardous liquid and natural gas pipelines, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities will need to act within the next 30 days to align with federal cybersecurity guidance under new mandates issued by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The TSA’s May 27-issued pipeline-focused security directive is a notable, […]The post DHS Issues Pipeline Cybersecurity Directive but Industry Championing FERC Mandatory Standards appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post The POWER Interview: Spotlight on the Solar Wave appeared first on POWER Magazine. Growth in the solar power sector is coming from many angles, with utilities building ever-larger solar arrays, and more homeowners and building owners putting panels on their rooftops. Many utilities and other companies also are expanding offerings of community solar, a way for electricity customers to get the benefits of solar power without having to […]The post The POWER Interview: Spotlight on the Solar Wave appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Tensions Intensify as Ethiopia Readies to Start GERD Mega-Dam Turbines appeared first on POWER Magazine. Despite continued pressure from Egypt and Sudan, Ethiopia will push ahead on the second-year filling of the 6.4-GW Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) reservoir this summer with ambitions to begin operating two of its 16 planned turbines later this year. Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen, who also serves as the East African nation’s deputy prime […]The post Tensions Intensify as Ethiopia Readies to Start GERD Mega-Dam Turbines appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post The Benefits of Flow Batteries Over Lithium Ion appeared first on POWER Magazine. Lithium-ion (Li-ion) is the most commonly talked about battery storage technology on the market these days, and for good reason. Li-ion batteries have a high energy density, and they are the preferred option when mobility is a concern, such as for cell phones, laptop computers, and electric vehicles. But there are different energy storage technologies […]The post The Benefits of Flow Batteries Over Lithium Ion appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post The POWER Interview: A Marketplace for Energy Collaboration appeared first on POWER Magazine. The digitization of power generation is among the technology advancements transforming the way electricity is produced and distributed. Utilities have always sought ways to improve the efficiency of their operations, along with lowering the cost of maintenance while streamlining asset management. The digital transformation has brought numerous challenges, as utilities seek to upgrade their legacy […]The post The POWER Interview: A Marketplace for Energy Collaboration appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Groups Announce Renewable Energy Microgrid Project appeared first on POWER Magazine. A joint venture of energy management company Schneider Electric and Huck Capital, a power sector investment firm, has announced a partnership with energy infrastructure developer ClearGen to build and operate standardized on-site renewable energy microgrid systems. The deal made public May 25 is designed to “accelerate the ability for commercial and industrial customers to transition […]The post Groups Announce Renewable Energy Microgrid Project appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Project Will Burn Ammonia with Coal to Cut Emissions appeared first on POWER Magazine. Japan’s largest power generation company plans to begin using ammonia as a fuel at one of its coal-fired plants as part of an effort to reduce the facility’s emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2). JERA Co., a joint venture between Tokyo Electric Power Co. Holdings (TEPCO) and Chubu Electric Power, and IHI Corp., a Japanese engineering […]The post Project Will Burn Ammonia with Coal to Cut Emissions appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Testing Problems Push Vogtle Start to 2022 appeared first on POWER Magazine. Southern Co. has moved the startup date for the first unit of its two-reactor expansion at the Vogtle nuclear power plant to the first quarter of 2022, citing problems found during testing. The company on May 18 notified Georgia state regulators of the delay. Analysts with Mizuho Group, an investment banking company, on May 21 […]The post Testing Problems Push Vogtle Start to 2022 appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post USNC’s MMR Project Becomes First SMR in Canada to Enter Formal Licensing Phase appeared first on POWER Magazine. Ultra Safe Nuclear Corp.’s (USNC’s) 5-MWe (15 MWth) Micro Modular Reactor (MMR) has entered formal licensing review with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) as part of its proposed project spearheaded by Global First Power (GFP). The small modular reactor (SMR) is the first to mark that milestone. Seattle-based USNC marked its newest milestone for […]The post USNC’s MMR Project Becomes First SMR in Canada to Enter Formal Licensing Phase appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Are NRC Fees Limiting Innovation in the Nuclear Industry? appeared first on POWER Magazine. As multiple advanced reactor vendors enter the licensing process to build first-of-a-kind demonstration projects, the Nuclear Innovation Alliance (NIA)—a nonprofit “think-and-do tank” that supports the nuclear power industry—has said issues with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (NRC’s) current user fee cost-recovery model could slow innovation. In a report released on May 19, the NIA identified how […]The post Are NRC Fees Limiting Innovation in the Nuclear Industry? appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Looking for Carbon-Free Energy Resources? Don’t Forget Nuclear Power appeared first on POWER Magazine. As leaders around the world take steps to decarbonize energy supplies, many people have focused their attention specifically on wind and solar power. What they may fail to recognize is that nuclear power provides more electricity in the U.S. than all other carbon-free sources combined. This is true in some other countries, such as France, […]The post Looking for Carbon-Free Energy Resources? Don’t Forget Nuclear Power appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post NuScale Exploring Marine-Deployed SMR Power Plant appeared first on POWER Magazine. NuScale Power and Prodigy Clean Energy, a Canadian designer of small modular reactor (SMR) marine power stations, have completed the conceptual design and economic assessment phases of a potential “marine-deployed” NuScale Power module (NPM) nuclear power plant. Building on an August 2018 memorandum of understanding (MoU) in which the companies set out to investigate the […]The post NuScale Exploring Marine-Deployed SMR Power Plant appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Increasing Accuracy on Power Line Surveys appeared first on POWER Magazine. Large-Scale Mapping in Plains of Nebraska Kevin Kenna has lots of experience with GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) and major projects for utilities, government agencies, and large-area mapping. He’s used GPS (Global Positioning System) and GNSS for more than two decades and estimates that he has worked on mapping/surveying more than 20,000 miles of power […]The post Increasing Accuracy on Power Line Surveys appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post The POWER Interview: Solar Powers Onward appeared first on POWER Magazine. Solar power led all generation sources in terms of added generation capacity in 2020, with the U.S. adding a record 19.2 GW of capacity last year, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). The SEIA said that was a 43% jump from 2019, with utility-scale installations experiencing a 65% increase last year compared to […]The post The POWER Interview: Solar Powers Onward appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Hydrogen from Nuclear Power Test Set at Idaho Lab appeared first on POWER Magazine. A California company that introduced a new electrolyzer technology last year has announced an agreement with Idaho National Laboratory (INL) to test how nuclear energy can create clean hydrogen using the product. San Jose-based Bloom Energy on May 18 said INL will use the company’s solid oxide, high-temperature electrolyzer to produce carbon-free hydrogen through electrolysis, […]The post Hydrogen from Nuclear Power Test Set at Idaho Lab appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post How Innovative Technology Is Making Waves in the Power Generation Industry appeared first on POWER Magazine. Is dual-containment pipe leak detection or effluent compliance keeping you awake at night? There are smart, sustainable solutions to save time and money. Regulators, investors, media, and the general public—as well as the power generation industry itself—are all keenly aware of protecting health and safety in the process of generating power. Coal ash contains toxins, […]The post How Innovative Technology Is Making Waves in the Power Generation Industry appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Big Data Rewrites the Rule Book on Power System Risk Analysis appeared first on POWER Magazine. Extreme weather patterns, net zero acceleration, and shifting regulatory regimes demand a new methodology to assess and mitigate network challenges across both the immediate and long term. The integrity, performance, and flexibility of energy networks have become progressively more important in the face of rapid technological, economic, and environmental change. And the challenges in maintaining […]The post Big Data Rewrites the Rule Book on Power System Risk Analysis appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Coal Shipments to Power Sector at Lowest Level in 14 Years appeared first on POWER Magazine. Shipments of coal to U.S. power plants in 2020 fell 22% year-over-year, according to data released May 13 by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). The agency said the U.S. power sector received 428 million short tons (MMst) of coal last year, the lowest amount since the EIA began publishing shipment data in 2007. The […]The post Coal Shipments to Power Sector at Lowest Level in 14 Years appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Biden Takes Executive Action to Strengthen National Cybersecurity, Secure Supply Chains appeared first on POWER Magazine. The Biden administration this week issued a new spate of actions to bolster the nation’s cybersecurity, though details of its 100-day plan issued last month to address risks to the U.S. bulk power system (BPS) remain scant. In a May 11 notice, the president said his administration would continue, for one year, a national emergency declared […]The post Biden Takes Executive Action to Strengthen National Cybersecurity, Secure Supply Chains appeared first on 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.