POWER Magazine

The post Rural Electric Cooperatives: Debt Rules Need to Change appeared first on POWER Magazine. The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) is working feverishly to get a provision into the next COVID-19 stimulus package that would allow electric cooperatives to reprice loans from the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) at current low interest rates without penalties. The change could save co-ops more than $10 billion. The RUS, which is a […]The post Rural Electric Cooperatives: Debt Rules Need to Change appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Gas, Solar Will Power Pittsburgh Airport Microgrid appeared first on POWER Magazine. A microgrid project pairing natural gas with solar power is taking shape at Pittsburgh International Airport, with the installation expected to be the primary source of electricity for the property by the summer of 2021. Construction of the microgrid (Figure 1) began a few weeks ago with site preparation work, which included rerouting an electrical […]The post Gas, Solar Will Power Pittsburgh Airport Microgrid appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Future-Proofing Gas Generation for the Coming Carbon-Free World appeared first on POWER Magazine. Is gas generation quickly going down the same path as coal? Will gas power generation built today be abandoned in 30 years? How can you be serious about climate change and still build gas power generation? As governments, utilities, and private enterprises continue to set aggressive net-zero emissions goals, these are the hard questions being […]The post Future-Proofing Gas Generation for the Coming Carbon-Free World appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post FERC Finalizes PURPA Rule Reforms appeared first on POWER Magazine. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) finalized a long-awaited rule revising regulations that govern qualifying small power producers and cogenerators under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA). While FERC said the rule was necessary to respond to significant market changes, the action drew mixed reactions from industry. FERC’s final rule issued on […]The post FERC Finalizes PURPA Rule Reforms appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Xcel Energy Approved to Run Two Coal Units on Seasonal Basis appeared first on POWER Magazine. The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission approved Xcel Energy’s request to offer two of its coal units into the Midcontinent Independent System Operator market on a seasonal basis. That means the company can idle the two units for six months of the year, which is expected to save customers money while also reducing air emissions. “This […]The post Xcel Energy Approved to Run Two Coal Units on Seasonal Basis appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post New Milestone Reached in NuScale’s Push to License Small Modular Reactor appeared first on POWER Magazine. NuScale Power has completed its second submittal to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) for pre-licensing Vendor Design Review (VDR) of its small modular reactor (SMR). A pre-licensing VDR is an optional service provided by the CNSC when requested by a supplier. It provides a mechanism that enables CNSC staff to provide feedback early in […]The post New Milestone Reached in NuScale’s Push to License Small Modular Reactor appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Renewable Energy Growth Stymied by Pandemic, but Optimism Is High appeared first on POWER Magazine. The renewable energy sector was on a steep growth curve entering 2020 with a lot of experts predicting a record year. Then COVID-19 disrupted the entire world, causing trouble in supply chains and putting millions of workers in unemployment lines. However, a new report released by the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE), a renewable […]The post Renewable Energy Growth Stymied by Pandemic, but Optimism Is High appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post The POWER Interview: Microgrids Open New Business Models appeared first on POWER Magazine. Microgrids offer an “all of the above” approach to distributed generation, incorporating a variety of technologies into their design. As microgrids continue to evolve, incorporating renewable power resources, fuel cells, battery energy storage, diesel and gas generator sets, microturbines, and other technologies, they also provide the opportunity to expand the business models for power producers. […]The post The POWER Interview: Microgrids Open New Business Models appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Real-Time Wind Turbine Monitoring: Data Challenges, and Rewards appeared first on POWER Magazine. With the advantages of clean, renewable energy, wind power has become one of the fastest-growing energy sources and one of the most economical solutions for electricity generation. There are already 350,000 wind turbines installed globally, with more than 650,000 MW of installed generation capacity. In light of climate change, demand continues to grow. However, to […]The post Real-Time Wind Turbine Monitoring: Data Challenges, and Rewards appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Using AI-Powered Thermal Tagging to Prevent Summer Overheating Outages appeared first on POWER Magazine. Summertime heat is cresting at the same time many economic restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic are easing in communities across the United States. Meanwhile, as extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, much of the country is on alert as forecasters predict severe hurricane, tornado, and wildfire seasons will continue. Utilities know they need […]The post Using AI-Powered Thermal Tagging to Prevent Summer Overheating Outages appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Report: Decarbonization of World’s 50 Most Influential Power Companies Bleak appeared first on POWER Magazine. Two reports analyzing energy transitions toward low-carbon resources released this week offer mixed assessments of how the power industry is faring in efforts to tamp down carbon emissions. The World Benchmarking Alliance (WBA), a broad group of stakeholders committed to 17 Sustainable Development Goals developed by the United Nations (UN) in 2015, on July 6 launched […]The post Report: Decarbonization of World’s 50 Most Influential Power Companies Bleak appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post DOE Specifies ‘Foreign Adversaries’ for Trump BPS Equipment Ban appeared first on POWER Magazine. Taking its first major step to act on President Trump’s May 1 executive order (EO) to limit foreign bulk power equipment transactions in the U.S., the Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a definitive list of six foreign “adversaries” that pose threats to the U.S. bulk power system (BPS): China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, […]The post DOE Specifies ‘Foreign Adversaries’ for Trump BPS Equipment Ban appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Award-Winning Coal Unit Set for Retirement appeared first on POWER Magazine. The five owners of a 410-MW coal-fired unit at the Craig Generating Station in Colorado have said they will retire the generator on Sept. 30, 2028, about one year before what will then be the last operating unit at the facility will be shuttered. Owners of the Yampa Project—Units 1 and 2 at the site […]The post Award-Winning Coal Unit Set for Retirement appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post What Is DERMS and How Can It Help Utilities? [PODCAST] appeared first on POWER Magazine. A distributed energy resource management system, or DERMS, is a software platform used to manage a group of distributed energy resource (DER) assets—such as rooftop photovoltaic solar panels, behind-the-meter batteries, or a fleet of electric vehicles—to deliver vital grid services and balance demand with supply to help utilities achieve mission-critical outcomes. As a guest on […]The post What Is DERMS and How Can It Help Utilities? [PODCAST] appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post U.S. Bank Set to Lift Ban on Supporting Nuclear Power appeared first on POWER Magazine. A government-run development bank is expected to end its ban on investment in nuclear energy, a move that could allow U.S. companies to take a greater role in foreign nuclear power projects. The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) as early as this week could lift its prohibition on supporting nuclear power. The DFC on […]The post U.S. Bank Set to Lift Ban on Supporting Nuclear Power appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post German Lawmakers Sign Off on Phase-Out of Coal appeared first on POWER Magazine. Germany’s plan to end coal-fired power generation in the country is now official, as both houses of the German parliament approved the plan to shut down the last coal units by 2038. Lawmakers signed off on the deal July 3. Environmental groups have supported the measure, though some say it does not go far enough […]The post German Lawmakers Sign Off on Phase-Out of Coal appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post [VIDEO] POWER Insights—Bringing Electricity to Underserved Areas appeared first on POWER Magazine. More than half of the population of Africa, or about 640 million people out of about 1.2 billion, does not have access to energy. It’s the lowest access rate for electricity worldwide. Bringing power to those people is important work, being led by people such as Damien Simon, marketing and strategy director for Paris, France-based […]The post [VIDEO] POWER Insights—Bringing Electricity to Underserved Areas appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Egypt Warns Ethiopian Mega-Dam May Provoke Conflict, Crises appeared first on POWER Magazine. Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan may be poised to end a decade-long dispute over waters from the River Nile, agreeing on June 27 to conclude trilateral negotiations and reach final agreement about the first filling and annual operation of the massive 6.4-GW Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) within the next two weeks. The agreement announced on […]The post Egypt Warns Ethiopian Mega-Dam May Provoke Conflict, Crises appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post How Digital Disruption Will Reshape the Maintenance Management Sector appeared first on POWER Magazine. The imperatives of maintenance management have always been maximizing the availability, quality, and effectiveness of the equipment. And all of these must be achieved at the lowest possible cost in terms of machine and material. According to a report, the maintenance of manufactured products costs more than 30% of the operating costs. Over the past […]The post How Digital Disruption Will Reshape the Maintenance Management Sector appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Hitachi Absorbs ABB Power Grids in New $10B Joint Venture appeared first on POWER Magazine. Hitachi on July 1 commandeered a majority share of ABB’s lucrative Power Grids business and officially launched a joint venture company—Hitachi ABB Power Grids. The new company, which already has a volume of about $10 billion, is expected to provide financial muscle to support ambitious projects and new business opportunities as the sector embraces decentralization […]The post Hitachi Absorbs ABB Power Grids in New $10B Joint Venture appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post RWE, E.ON Deal Will Reshape Energy Markets appeared first on POWER Magazine. Two German energy heavyweights have completed an asset swap that will have a major impact on the global market for renewable energy. RWE and E.ON on July 1 closed a deal that had been months in the making, with RWE taking on the assets of Innogy, an E.ON subsidiary (and former RWE company), to make […]The post RWE, E.ON Deal Will Reshape Energy Markets appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post The Evolution of Power Business Models appeared first on POWER Magazine. Traditional models have been upended by recent disruptions, including decarbonization, decentralization, and even the COVID pandemic, but new ones are replacing them that focus on customer preferenceThe post The Evolution of Power Business Models appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Micro Generation with Macro Possibilities appeared first on POWER Magazine. The market for microgrids continues to expand, with utilities, businesses, and neighborhoods installing a variety of technologies in systems designed to ensure a reliable and resilient supply of power. TheThe post Micro Generation with Macro Possibilities appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Islands: An Ocean of Potential for Marine Energy appeared first on POWER Magazine. While island governments are exploring marine power technologies as serious options for future resources to replace diesel, technology developers are looking at improved value through new revenue streams, suchThe post Islands: An Ocean of Potential for Marine Energy appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Minutes Matter in the Energy Imbalance Market appeared first on POWER Magazine. An energy imbalance market (EIM) is a voluntary market that provides a sub-hourly economic dispatch of participating resources for balancing supply and demand every five minutes. One such market is the WesternThe post Minutes Matter in the Energy Imbalance Market appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Siemens’ Roadmap to 100% Hydrogen Gas Turbines appeared first on POWER Magazine. Aligning with a target set by European industry association EUTurbines, Siemens Gas and Power in January 2019 rolled out an ambitious roadmap to ramp up the hydrogen capability in all its gas turbine models toThe post Siemens’ Roadmap to 100% Hydrogen Gas Turbines appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Russia, China Drive Africa’s Plan for Nuclear Expansion appeared first on POWER Magazine. Officials in South Africa and across the African continent continue to explore new nuclear power generation projects, and the region provides an opportunity for other countries to export their advanced nuclearThe post Russia, China Drive Africa’s Plan for Nuclear Expansion appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Algeria Targets Renewables to Diversify Generation appeared first on POWER Magazine. Algeria, like other countries that are members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), wants to diversify its electricity production, and is looking to solar power for the bulk of itsThe post Algeria Targets Renewables to Diversify Generation appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Cuba’s First Biomass-Fired Power Plant Inaugurated appeared first on POWER Magazine. The first biomass-fired power plant in Cuba—located adjacent to Ciro Redondo sugar mill in the central province of Ciego de Ávila—recently synchronized its two boilers to the grid. The 60-MW plant isThe post Cuba’s First Biomass-Fired Power Plant Inaugurated appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Advantages of Dual Linear Array Probes for Corrosion Inspection appeared first on POWER Magazine. The power generation industry is among those whose aging infrastructure contributes to increased safety concerns, and can lead to costly unscheduled maintenance and shutdowns. Facilities must be vigilant aboutThe post Advantages of Dual Linear Array Probes for Corrosion Inspection appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post POWER Digest [July 2020] appeared first on POWER Magazine. Germany Adopts National Strategies for Energy, Climate, Hydrogen. Twenty days before Germany commandeers the European Union Council presidency, Germany on June 12 adopted two national strategies that couldThe post POWER Digest [July 2020] appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Rethinking Hydropower Eligibility for State Renewable Incentive Programs appeared first on POWER Magazine. In the absence of a comprehensive federal renewable energy policy, many states have established regulatory frameworks that incentivize or require utilities to purchase or develop a percentage of renewableThe post Rethinking Hydropower Eligibility for State Renewable Incentive Programs appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post The POWER Interview: Optimizing Operations with IoT Technology appeared first on POWER Magazine. Some experts have predicted there will be as many as 50 billion connected devices in service by the end of this year. That number basically includes all of the equipment, sensors, and gadgets around the world that together make up the internet of things (IoT). But how are they all connected, what allows them to […]The post The POWER Interview: Optimizing Operations with IoT Technology appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Waste-to-Hydrogen Project Set for California appeared first on POWER Magazine. A California company that produces renewable hydrogen has joined with a Louisiana construction group on a project to build a modular waste-to-hydrogen production facility. Ways2H, based in Long Beach, California, and Ford, Bacon & Davis, a Baton Rouge, Louisiana-based engineering, procurement, and construction firm, on June 30 announced a joint effort to design and build […]The post Waste-to-Hydrogen Project Set for California appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Unit at Largest U.S. Coal Plant Will Close appeared first on POWER Magazine. A Georgia power plant that has held the title of the largest coal-fired facility in the U.S. will give up that title by 2022, as the board of directors of a utility that owns a portion of the plant has agreed to a deal that will result in the closure of Unit 4 at the […]The post Unit at Largest U.S. Coal Plant Will Close appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Last Reactor at Oldest French Nuclear Plant Going Offline appeared first on POWER Magazine. The last operating reactor at France’s oldest nuclear power plant is scheduled to shut down June 30, some 43 years after the plant entered commercial operation. The French government, though, on June 27 ruled out further full closures of nuclear plants, according to Reuters, which cited sources in the country’s energy ministry. France had said […]The post Last Reactor at Oldest French Nuclear Plant Going Offline appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post $122 Million Earmarked for Coal ‘Innovation Centers’ appeared first on POWER Magazine. Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette said the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is ready to make about $122 million available to establish what the DOE calls “innovation centers” for coal. Brouillette and the DOE on June 26 said these centers will focus on the manufacturing of value-added, carbon-based products from coal. The facilities also would work […]The post $122 Million Earmarked for Coal ‘Innovation Centers’ appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Colorado Utility Will Close Last Two Coal Plants appeared first on POWER Magazine. Two coal plants operated by Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) will close early after the agency’s board voted June 26 to retire the facilities. The move will leave Xcel Energy, Colorado’s largest utility, as the only group still operating coal-fired units in the state after 2030. The CSU board in a 7-2 vote Friday decided to […]The post Colorado Utility Will Close Last Two Coal Plants appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Pennsylvania Site Latest Gas Plant Online in Building Surge appeared first on POWER Magazine. Gas-fired power generation in the U.S. remains the top source of electricity production, even as renewable energy continues to take market share. A POWER analysis of projects shows nearly 180 gas-fired units are either under construction or in development nationwide, with more than 2,000 gas-fired plants currently in operation. One of the most-recent plants to […]The post Pennsylvania Site Latest Gas Plant Online in Building Surge appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post NRC Accepts Crucial Advanced Nuclear Applications from Centrus, Oklo appeared first on POWER Magazine. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) on June 23 accepted for formal review Centrus Energy Corp.’s application to produce high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) at its Piketon, Ohio, facility. The move marks a third major regulatory milestone for advanced nuclear over the past month. The NRC’s acceptance of Centrus’ application follows a 4-0 vote by the commission on […]The post NRC Accepts Crucial Advanced Nuclear Applications from Centrus, Oklo appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Three Big Players Work Together on Bulgarian Nuclear Plant appeared first on POWER Magazine. Russian state atomic energy corporation Rosatom is working with Paris-based Framatome and GE Steam Power, which is headquartered in the U.S., to secure contracts to construct the Belene nuclear power plant in northern Bulgaria near the Danube River, which forms the country’s border with Romania. An On-Again Off-Again History The Belene project has a long […]The post Three Big Players Work Together on Bulgarian Nuclear Plant appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Hydrogen Fueling Turbines at Japan Refinery appeared first on POWER Magazine. A pilot hydrogen project has begun providing fuel for the gas turbines at a facility near Tokyo, Japan. Chiyoda Corp. on June 25 said the project using imported hydrogen is now powering generators at the Toa Oil Co. refinery in Kawasaki. Chiyoda, along with Mitsubishi Corp., Mitsui & Co., and Nippon Yusen, has been working […]The post Hydrogen Fueling Turbines at Japan Refinery appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post [VIDEO] POWER Insights: Why Digitalization Has Been a Lifeline for Power During COVID appeared first on POWER Magazine. The COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the power sector has so far been immense, resulting in supply chain disruptions, labor constraints, construction delays, restrictions on business activities, and, crucially, financial challenges. But according to Dr. Colin Parris, senior vice president and chief technology officer (CTO) at GE Digital, the sector’s response has been adaptive, and digitalization […]The post [VIDEO] POWER Insights: Why Digitalization Has Been a Lifeline for Power During COVID appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Rural Electric Cooperatives Get Big Money to Improve Infrastructure appeared first on POWER Magazine. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) said it will provide loans and loan guarantees to rural electric cooperatives and utilities to build or improve infrastructure in 21 states. The funding was announced on June 22 and amounts to more than $1.6 billion, including nearly $386 million for investments in smart grid technology, which uses digital […]The post Rural Electric Cooperatives Get Big Money to Improve Infrastructure appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Infrastructure Plan Supports Solar Power, Energy Storage appeared first on POWER Magazine. Energy industry analysts have said government support will be needed to help the sector recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, and Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives have introduced legislation that includes measures to help the solar and energy storage industries. The $1.5 trillion infrastructure bill introduced in the House on June 22, known as […]The post Infrastructure Plan Supports Solar Power, Energy Storage appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Big Lift for Newly Launched Siemens Gamesa 14-MW Offshore Wind Turbine appeared first on POWER Magazine. Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (SGRE) has conditionally received an order for 100 units of its newly launched SG 14-222 DD offshore wind turbine model—one of the largest wind turbine models ever introduced to date. The 14-MW units are to be installed at innogy’s proposed 1.4-GW Sofia Offshore Wind Farm in the UK starting in 2024. […]The post Big Lift for Newly Launched Siemens Gamesa 14-MW Offshore Wind Turbine appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Big Data: The New Age of ‘Fortune Telling’ Requires Human Collaboration More Than Ever appeared first on POWER Magazine. Ancient Chinese fortune tellers used heated metal pokers to create cracks in bones or empty turtle shells. By reading the patterns in the cracks, they attempted to calm the unease that comes with the innate uncertainty of the world—especially the ancient world. They predicted the future and doled out advice that affected the fate and […]The post Big Data: The New Age of ‘Fortune Telling’ Requires Human Collaboration More Than Ever appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post How AI is Making Virtual Home Energy Audits a Reality appeared first on POWER Magazine. One of the most dramatic lifestyle and business outcomes of the pandemic has been the acceleration of digitalization and online engagement. Tasks and interactions once predominantly conducted in-person have moved online, and digital and virtual lifestyles are normalizing. For utilities and energy retailers, this evolution has sparked the need to drive a more resilient approach […]The post How AI is Making Virtual Home Energy Audits a Reality appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Judge Approves PG&E Bankruptcy Exit appeared first on POWER Magazine. A federal judge in California has approved Pacific Gas & Electric’s plan to exit bankruptcy, clearing the way for the utility to compensate victims of a series of wildfires in the state that left more than 100 people dead in 2017 and 2018. The action by U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Dennis Montali on June 20 authorized […]The post Judge Approves PG&E Bankruptcy Exit appeared first on POWER Magazine.

The post Analysis Supports Coal-Like Fuel for Power Plants appeared first on POWER Magazine. A British company that manufactures a fuel that it says mimics coal said it “has received a significant endorsement” for the use of its product in the power generation sector. An analysis by Uniper Technologies said Helvellyn Group’s alternative fuel, known as SERF, “is technically suitable for use in large scale thermal power plants in […]The post Analysis Supports Coal-Like Fuel for Power Plants appeared first on POWER Magazine.