POWER Magazine

The post Novel Stellio Heliostat Solar Project Goes Online in China appeared first on POWER Magazine.One of the world’s first molten salt tower concentrated solar power (CSP) projects that uses a “Stellio” heliostat was grid-connected at the end of December in China’s Xinjiang province near theThe post Novel Stellio Heliostat Solar Project Goes Online in China appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post The Case for Autonomous Network Management appeared first on POWER Magazine.There is a near-global drive to replace carbon-based, polluting, resource-constrained energy sources with non-carbon renewables as the primary fuel for the electricity industry. Even traditional sources ofThe post The Case for Autonomous Network Management appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post POWER Digest [March 2020] appeared first on POWER Magazine.Siemens Buys Out Iberdrola, Readying to Spin Off Gas and Power and SGRE Businesses. Siemens AG will acquire Spanish renewables giant Iberdrola SA’s full 8.1% stake in Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (SGRE)The post POWER Digest [March 2020] appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Changes in Boiler Operations Bring Innovations in Erosion and Corrosion Protection appeared first on POWER Magazine.Metal loss of the pressurized tubes inside the boiler is a big concern for boiler designers and operators. Changing fuel composition and other service parameters can lead to accelerated erosion and corrosionThe post Changes in Boiler Operations Bring Innovations in Erosion and Corrosion Protection appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Are Traditional Power Companies Being Disintermediated? [PODCAST] appeared first on POWER Magazine.How will the electric grid change as the world transitions to a power system with more renewable energy resources? Some experts foresee a shift from today’s grid-type architecture to a system of systems—from the current centralized design to a distributed energy scheme. While it’s hard to know exactly what the future holds, it’s commonly believed […]The post Are Traditional Power Companies Being Disintermediated? [PODCAST] appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post How Much Will Hydrogen-Based Power Cost? appeared first on POWER Magazine.Costs associated with 40 hydrogen technologies used in 35 applications, including for heat and power, could tumble dramatically over the next decade as the scale-up of hydrogen production, distribution, and equipment and component manufacturing continues. For some applications, hydrogen could become competitive with other low-carbon alternatives, and even conventional options. Those are key findings from […]The post How Much Will Hydrogen-Based Power Cost? appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post The Year Wind Surpassed Hydro as the Top Renewable in the U.S. appeared first on POWER Magazine.Annual wind power generation exceeded hydroelectric generation for the first time in 2019, according to data published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) on Feb. 26, making wind the top-producing renewable source of electricity in the country, a position long held by hydro. The EIA’s Electric Power Monthly with Data for December 2019 report […]The post The Year Wind Surpassed Hydro as the Top Renewable in the U.S. appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post 15 Digitalization Game Changers in Power, Chemical Processing appeared first on POWER Magazine.Each year, the Connected Plant Conference, presented by POWER and Chemical Engineering, recognizes people who are in the front line of implementing digital technologies in the power and chemical process industries. This year, we congratulate the following winners of the “Game Changer” awards, who will be honored at the Connected Plant Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, […]The post 15 Digitalization Game Changers in Power, Chemical Processing appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Energy Storage—A Trillion-Dollar Holy Grail appeared first on POWER Magazine.The science of renewable energy is remarkable—the ability to harness nature to magically power our modern world is a seductive vision. And yet, the actual business of renewable energy is late to establish itself as a viable competitor to the petrochemical industry. The problem is rooted in cost parity and the challenges of production, storage, […]The post Energy Storage—A Trillion-Dollar Holy Grail appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Tech Guru’s Plan—Fight Climate Change with Nuclear Power appeared first on POWER Magazine.There’s widespread debate over whether nuclear power should be a player in the path toward addressing climate change. Industry analysts say nuclear is key to zero-emission power generation; even some environmentalists agree, though others point to the issue of disposal of nuclear waste, and concerns about the safety of reactors. Those concerns have led some […]The post Tech Guru’s Plan—Fight Climate Change with Nuclear Power appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Research Group: Energy Storage Market Will Hit $546 Billion by 2035 appeared first on POWER Magazine.A new report from a global research, data, and analytics firm says the total market for energy storage will reach $546 billion in annual revenue over the next 15 years, led by the continued electrification of the transportation sector. Lux Research, a Boston, Massachusetts-headquartered group, in its “Global Energy Storage Market 2019” report, estimates the […]The post Research Group: Energy Storage Market Will Hit $546 Billion by 2035 appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post The POWER Interview: Vicinity CEO Discusses District Energy appeared first on POWER Magazine.The rise of distributed, or decentralized, power generation has been supported by district energy, the generation from facilities and associated distribution networks supplying steam or hot water, chilled water, and electricity for heating and cooling to millions of square feet of building space across the U.S. and around the globe. District energy is among several […]The post The POWER Interview: Vicinity CEO Discusses District Energy appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post TECO Announces $800-Million Investment in New Solar appeared first on POWER Magazine.Tampa Electric Co. (TECO) on Feb. 19 said it plans to invest about $800 million to add another 600 MW of solar power generation capacity by year-end 2023. TECO on Wednesday said the expansion will increase its solar portfolio to more than 1.25 GW of solar generation, or about 14% of its total generation mix. […]The post TECO Announces $800-Million Investment in New Solar appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Researchers Make Progress on Several Power Projects appeared first on POWER Magazine.Researchers at a few prominent universities have published findings on recent power-related projects. At Cranfield University in the UK, hydrogen production technology is advancing with an eye on cost and carbon reductions; researchers at the University of Michigan released best practices for extending lithium-ion battery life; and a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) study found […]The post Researchers Make Progress on Several Power Projects appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Exclusive: Why Oklo’s Demonstration of HALEU Could Be Groundbreaking for New Nuclear appeared first on POWER Magazine.In an exclusive interview, executives from Silicon Valley–based Oklo, a company Idaho National Laboratory (INL) chose this week to demonstrate the first-of-its-kind use of recycled high-assay, low-enriched uranium (HALEU) fuel in its full-size Aurora micro-reactor, told POWER that the project could have broad implications for the future of nuclear power. Marking a significant boost for […]The post Exclusive: Why Oklo’s Demonstration of HALEU Could Be Groundbreaking for New Nuclear appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post France Announces Fessenheim Nuclear Power Plant Closure appeared first on POWER Magazine.France, which has long relied on reactors to supply the bulk of the country’s electricity, on Feb. 19 announced the imminent closure of the Fessenheim nuclear plant, located on the country’s border with Germany. One of the plant’s two 920-MW pressurized water reactors will shut down within days, with the second taken offline by the […]The post France Announces Fessenheim Nuclear Power Plant Closure appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post UAE’s First Reactor Gets Go-Ahead appeared first on POWER Magazine.The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is set to begin commercial operation of the Middle East’s first nuclear power plant, after the country’s regulatory agency on Feb. 17 gave its approval for the start-up of the first reactor at the Barakah site. The plant can now begin loading fuel, and Unit 1 is expected to come […]The post UAE’s First Reactor Gets Go-Ahead appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Oklo Microreactor Is INL’s Pick for First-of-a Kind HALEU-Fueled Nuclear Demonstration appeared first on POWER Magazine.Oklo, developer of a 1.5-MW passive compact fast reactor, will be the first to receive high-assay, low-enriched uranium (HALEU) nuclear fuel from Idaho National Laboratory (INL) to aid a first-of-its-kind demonstration of its Aurora microreactor, which could begin in 2024. Marking a significant boost for advanced nuclear innovation, which industry experts are banking on to […]The post Oklo Microreactor Is INL’s Pick for First-of-a Kind HALEU-Fueled Nuclear Demonstration appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post ITC Probing Economic Impact of Renewable Goals, Imports to New England appeared first on POWER Magazine.Responding to a request from a Democrat-led U.S. House committee, the federal International Trade Commission (ITC) is investigating how New England’s increasing renewable targets are economically affecting the region, and what role renewable imports play in meeting those commitments. The ITC, an independent, nonpartisan and quasi-judicial federal agency that also provides fact-finding as it relates […]The post ITC Probing Economic Impact of Renewable Goals, Imports to New England appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Vestas, Siemens Gamesa, GE Top Wind Turbine Growth appeared first on POWER Magazine.An energy and finance research group on Feb. 18 said Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy’s (SGRE’s) offshore wind installations make it far and away the market leader in that category, while Danish wind turbine manufacturer Vestas continues to lead the onshore and overall wind turbine market. The report published Tuesday from BloombergNEF (BNEF) said Vestas took […]The post Vestas, Siemens Gamesa, GE Top Wind Turbine Growth appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Engineering Group: American Gas Turbines Will Remain Relevant But Need Advancement appeared first on POWER Magazine.Given current trends, the U.S. gas turbine industry is set to play a critically important role in power generation, aircraft propulsion, and the oil and gas industry “for decades to come,” but it could benefit from prioritized research and development (R&D) and technological leadership, a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and […]The post Engineering Group: American Gas Turbines Will Remain Relevant But Need Advancement appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Dominion Latest to Set Net-Zero Carbon Goal appeared first on POWER Magazine.Richmond, Virginia-based Dominion Energy has joined a growing list of power companies establishing net-zero emissions targets. The company, which has more than 7 million electricity and natural gas customers in 18 states, said it intends to reach its carbon dioxide and methane reduction goals by 2050. Under the net-zero framework, the company is committing to […]The post Dominion Latest to Set Net-Zero Carbon Goal appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Why Do People Choose Careers in Engineering? [PODCAST] appeared first on POWER Magazine.Do you want to solve important problems, contribute to society, and help people? Well, then, you may want to become an engineer. At least that’s why some successful engineers have said they entered and persist in the occupation, according to a recent study published by DiscoverE, an engineering outreach organization based in Alexandria, Virginia. The […]The post Why Do People Choose Careers in Engineering? [PODCAST] appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Nuclear a Major Focus in Trump’s Latest Budget Request—and 8 Other Takeaways appeared first on POWER Magazine.Yucca Mountain, the 1987 Congressionally appointed deep geologic repository for spent nuclear fuel (SNF), may be officially dead; transmission assets held by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and three Power Marketing Administrations (PMAs) will be put up for sale; and hundreds of millions of dollars in unobligated balances for flagship programs like the Advanced Research […]The post Nuclear a Major Focus in Trump’s Latest Budget Request—and 8 Other Takeaways appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post The POWER Interview: Exelon Discusses Digitalization appeared first on POWER Magazine.Digitization in the power generation sector continues to expand. Its goal in simple terms—providing easy access to data for power plant operators and engineers, enabling the use of advanced analytics to improve equipment performance and efficiency—has resulted in reduced operating costs for utilities, and also has enhanced plant safety. POWER’s upcoming Connected Plant Conference, set […]The post The POWER Interview: Exelon Discusses Digitalization appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post DOE Announces Additional $64 Million for Clean Coal Projects appeared first on POWER Magazine.The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has earmarked $64 million in additional funding for research and development of smaller, more efficient, and cleaner coal plants. Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette on Feb. 7 announced the money would be part of the DOE’s “Coal FIRST Initiative,” telling the audience at an Atlantic Council meeting Friday in Washington, […]The post DOE Announces Additional $64 Million for Clean Coal Projects appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post POWER Notebook: A Week of Trials and Triumphs for Nuclear appeared first on POWER Magazine.The past week saw interesting developments worldwide for nuclear new builds, small modular reactors (SMRs), and advanced nuclear fuel. Highlighted here: A third U.S. utility will use Framatome’s ATRIUM 11 fuel design; Barakah 1 in the United Arab Emirates is on the cusp of startup; South Africa’s Eskom said it wants to dispose of PBMR […]The post POWER Notebook: A Week of Trials and Triumphs for Nuclear appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post After Long History, Paradise Coal Plant Ceases Operation appeared first on POWER Magazine.The generator breaker for Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA’s) Paradise Unit 3 was opened on Feb. 1, removing the coal-fired power plant from service for the final time after 50 years of operation. Notably, TVA retiree Jim Chappell performed the task. Chappell was the electrical control wing operator who originally placed Unit 3 in service. The […]The post After Long History, Paradise Coal Plant Ceases Operation appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Commercialization Boost for Cobalt-Eliminating Battery Technologies Developed at ORNL appeared first on POWER Magazine.Energy Storage startup SPARKZ Inc. has exclusively licensed five technologies from the Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) designed to eliminate cobalt in lithium-ion batteries. The development portends a significant new direction for battery storage technology, which has been hindered by costs and availability of the rare metal. ORNL, which announced the […]The post Commercialization Boost for Cobalt-Eliminating Battery Technologies Developed at ORNL appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Cybersecurity Experts Warn of New ‘Hardened’ ICS-Specific Ransomware Variant appeared first on POWER Magazine.A primitive but unique ransomware variant that emerged in mid-December can forcibly stop a number of processes, including multiple items related to industrial control system (ICS) operations, industrial cybersecurity firm Dragos warned in a detailed report on Feb. 3. The ransomware known as “EKANS” (or “Snake,” which is “EKANS” spelled backwards) is “relatively straightforward” as […]The post Cybersecurity Experts Warn of New ‘Hardened’ ICS-Specific Ransomware Variant appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Energy Northwest Study Makes a Case for SMRs in Future Power Mix appeared first on POWER Magazine.Deep decarbonization of the U.S. Northwest can be achieved at “manageable” costs by 2045, but only if utility agency Energy Northwest secures zero-emitting firm capacity, such as by relicensing Columbia Generating Station—the sole nuclear plant in the region—and building small modular reactors (SMRs), a new study suggests. The study by San Francisco-based consulting group Energy […]The post Energy Northwest Study Makes a Case for SMRs in Future Power Mix appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post California Official: Solar’s Future Bright, but Clouds Persist appeared first on POWER Magazine.The technology behind solar power is changing rapidly. Researchers at the University of California, Davis have said so-called “anti-solar” panels could even generate power at night. But even as solar deployments grow worldwide, more innovative solar products are launched, and more governments enact clean energy mandates, political headwinds threaten to slow the progress of the […]The post California Official: Solar’s Future Bright, but Clouds Persist appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Public Safety Power Shutoffs: How Utilities Could Partner appeared first on POWER Magazine.Catastrophic wildfires have devastated California in recent years. This article seeks to outline a plan wherein neighboring utilities can send energy to support a utility that has shut down critical paths during wildfire mitigation efforts. On the morning of Nov. 8, 2018, the Camp Fire erupted 90 miles north of Sacramento, California (Figure 1). This fire […]The post Public Safety Power Shutoffs: How Utilities Could Partner appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post How Utilities Can Better Manage and Maintain the Quality of Their Data Assets appeared first on POWER Magazine.Utilities are becoming increasingly skilled at adapting to changes brought on by the digital age: pressure from automation, disruption from new technology, and challenges with how to ingest, manage, and utilize mountains of data. Viewing “data as an asset” is becoming the new industry norm and utilities are beginning to invest heavily in digital tools […]The post How Utilities Can Better Manage and Maintain the Quality of Their Data Assets appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Fault Ride-Through Using Slip-Capable Torque-Limiting Couplings appeared first on POWER Magazine.As more intermittent renewable energy resources are added to the power grid, generator connectivity during a grid fault becomes ever more important to mitigate the risk of cascading blackouts. An innovativeThe post Fault Ride-Through Using Slip-Capable Torque-Limiting Couplings appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Show Preview – Connected Plant Conference appeared first on POWER Magazine.The Connected Plant Conference allows for interaction with the industry’s early adopters. Attendees will meet generators who are using the latest connected plant tools. The speaker lineup (Figure 1) providesThe post Show Preview – Connected Plant Conference appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Data Is the New Power: Key Learnings from a Successful ERP Migration appeared first on POWER Magazine.Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software allows an organization to use a system of integrated applications to manage and automate many business functions related to operations, technology, services, andThe post Data Is the New Power: Key Learnings from a Successful ERP Migration appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Increasing Automation for Fossil Energy Plants appeared first on POWER Magazine.An Electric Power Research Institute study has developed a systematic process for introducing sequence automation to fossil power plants. Researchers are now exploring its implementation in case studies. AsThe post Increasing Automation for Fossil Energy Plants appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Predicting the Future? There’s an App for That appeared first on POWER Magazine.Power plant operators are turning to predictive maintenance applications to monitor equipment and collect performance data. Asset management systems, using artificial intelligence and other methods, are partThe post Predicting the Future? There’s an App for That appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Using Self-Service Analytics to Improve Power Plant Efficiency appeared first on POWER Magazine.There is a widespread movement to reduce carbon emissions around the world. One way to do so is by improving plant efficiency, but that can be easier said than done. However, self-service analytics could playThe post Using Self-Service Analytics to Improve Power Plant Efficiency appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Raiders Will Roll With Renewables at New Vegas Stadium appeared first on POWER Magazine.The Raiders, a franchise that has called both Oakland and Los Angeles, California, home since the team began play in 1960, is moving to Las Vegas for the 2020 National Football League season. And this “new” team will take advantage of renewable resources to power both its new stadium, as well as its administrative offices […]The post Raiders Will Roll With Renewables at New Vegas Stadium appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post The POWER Interview: Benefits of a Smarter Grid appeared first on POWER Magazine.The smart grid is transforming the way utilities communicate with their customers. Smart grid technology, including control systems and automation that help new technologies work together, supports a power grid that can respond digitally to quickly changing electricity demand. The smart grid enables electricity producers to enhance reliability, availability, and efficiency. It can provide cost […]The post The POWER Interview: Benefits of a Smarter Grid appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post GEH Launches NRC Licensing Process for BWRX-300, an ESBWR-Derived SMR appeared first on POWER Magazine.Marking another major milestone for U.S.-based small modular reactor (SMR) development, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH) said it has formally begun the regulatory licensing process for its BWRX-300, a 300-MW boiling water reactor that it claims could be competitive with natural gas power. The company revealed on Jan. 30 that it submitted the first licensing […]The post GEH Launches NRC Licensing Process for BWRX-300, an ESBWR-Derived SMR appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Cementing Coal Power Phaseout, Germany Sets Out to Shutter 40% of Current Generation Mix appeared first on POWER Magazine.Germany’s federal cabinet on Jan. 29 approved a nationwide phaseout of coal power generation by 2038, paving the way for the country, which has already initiated a nuclear phaseout, to rely even more heavily on renewables. The federal cabinet’s approval of the “Reduction and Termination of Coal Power Generation” (Gesetz zur Reduzierung und zur Beendigung der […]The post Cementing Coal Power Phaseout, Germany Sets Out to Shutter 40% of Current Generation Mix appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post FERC Approves New Cybersecurity, Transmission Reliability Standards appeared first on POWER Magazine.The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on Jan. 23 approved two new reliability standards related to transmission system planning performance and cybersecurity. However, it also proposed to retire 74 reliability standard requirements, which it deemed duplicative or unnecessarily burdensome. Among the spate of actions it took on Thursday, FERC also green-lighted retaining the North American […]The post FERC Approves New Cybersecurity, Transmission Reliability Standards appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post MOX Nuclear Fuel Loaded in Russian Reactor, More to Come appeared first on POWER Magazine.Power plant engineers have loaded 18 mixed-oxide (MOX) fuel assemblies in Unit 4 at the Beloyarsk nuclear power plant in Sverdlovsk Oblast, Russia. Distinct from traditional nuclear fuel with enriched uranium, MOX fuel pellets are based on the mix of nuclear fuel cycle derivatives, such as plutonium oxide bred in commercial reactors and uranium oxide […]The post MOX Nuclear Fuel Loaded in Russian Reactor, More to Come appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post How Utilities Can Manage Supplier Risk [PODCAST] appeared first on POWER Magazine.Power companies are turning to external suppliers and contractors now more than ever. Utilities are getting help with tasks ranging from the relatively simple, such as vegetation management and the handling of customer calls, to the complex, including turbine repair and large infrastructure projects. Although the benefits of utilizing contractors are often obvious, the dangers, […]The post How Utilities Can Manage Supplier Risk [PODCAST] appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post The POWER Interview: What Is a Digital Twin? appeared first on POWER Magazine.The term “digital twin” is used frequently by tech-savvy power industry professionals, but what does it really mean? To get an insider’s perspective, POWER posed the question to Akshay Patwal, strategic business manager with Siemens Energy. Patwal leads the development and commercialization of digital business transformation projects, using big data platforms and analytics, to create […]The post The POWER Interview: What Is a Digital Twin? appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Wisconsin Co-op Will Close Coal-Fired Plant appeared first on POWER Magazine.Wisconsin-based Dairyland Power Cooperative on Jan. 23 said it would close its 345-MW coal-fired Genoa Station No. 3 by year-end 2021. The move comes as the La Crosse-based utility continues to phase out coal-fired power generation while it develops a new, $700-million natural gas-fired plant, and ramps up its use of renewable power sources. The […]The post Wisconsin Co-op Will Close Coal-Fired Plant appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post The Rise of Distributed Natural Gas Generation appeared first on POWER Magazine.The power sector has increasingly turned to various forms of distributed generation to meet growing power demands over the past several decades. Although solar PV and other renewable technologies receive most of the coverage, they represent only a fraction of the distributed market. Diesel generator sets (gensets) have long been the face of distributed generation. […]The post The Rise of Distributed Natural Gas Generation appeared first on POWER Magazine.