Power Engineering articles from January 2008

Power Engineering archives from January 2008

Correction.(Correction notice)
January 1, 2008... The news item headlined "Canadian Nuke Would Serve Oil Sands" in Power Engineering magazine's November issue, reported that the proposed Peace River nuclear plant would be the first CANDU reactor outside Ontario. There is a CANDU reactor in...

The next three years.(Opinion)
January 1, 2008... To gauge the level of global greenhouse gas emissions 30 to 50 years from now, pay close attention to power plant ordering decisions made in the next three years. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] After all, baseload coal plants have operating...

Reality check.(Opinion)
January 1, 2008... In many ways, wind and nuclear represent opposite poles of the power generation spectrum. Yet they share three things in common--low fuel cost, high capital cost and zero emissions. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Wind generation requires no...

Achieving cost-effective emission reductions.(Clearing the Air)
January 1, 2008... A new legal paradigm exists in the United States that will affect every generating plant in one way or another. The era of regulating greenhouse gases (GHG) has arrived and federal action is reasonably certain. It appears the impending federal...

Clean and profitable.(View on Renewables)
January 1, 2008... Recent authors in this column have addressed wind, nanotechnology and hydrogen, among other topics. These and other technologies have gained prominence in recent years, attracting significant government, industry and even consumer interest....

Lost in the zeroes.(Nuclear Reactions)
January 1, 2008... A mid the media talk about high capital costs for new generation sources, production costs often get lost in the zeroes. While power plants routinely claw for every fraction of a penny reduction in operations and maintenance costs, the billions...

POWER-GEN International @ 20: a look back at issues and events from 1988.(Power Engineering magazine)
January 1, 2008... Twenty years ago on page 6 of the January 1988 edition of Power Engineering magazine, a full-page ad introduced "POWER-GEN '88" to the world. The inaugural event, which grew to become POWER-GEN International, was held at the Orlando Convention...

Report assesses likely cost to stem GHG.(Startup)
January 1, 2008... The United States could cut projected 2030 emissions of greenhouse gases by between one-third to one-half at manageable costs to the economy and without requiring big changes in consumer lifestyles, according to a recently published report. ...

Two firms pursue solar thermal projects.(Startup)(Lockheed Martin Corp.)(Starwood Energy Group Global, LLC. )(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Lockheed Martin and Starwood Energy Group (SEG) have teamed to pursue utility-scale solar generation projects in North America. Under the agreement, Lockheed Martin will be primarily responsible for engineering, procurement, manufacturing and...

Growing natural gas dependence a security risk?(Startup)
January 1, 2008... Growing public opposition to new coal development, coupled with the prospective carbon dioxide (C[O.sub.2]) capture and sequestration (CCS) costs envisioned under numerous legislative scenarios makes the future of U.S. power generation...

Alstom plans turbine facility.(Startup)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Alstom said its Power Systems Sector will invest $200 million in a new manufacturing facility in Chattanooga, Tenn., where it intends to manufacture steam turbines, gas turbines, generators and related equipment for use in U.S. power generation...

Exelon Nuclear selects Texas site for possible plant.(Startup)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Exelon Nuclear has selected Victoria County in southeast Texas as its site for a federal license application that would allow construction and operation of a new nuclear plant, should the company decide to build one. The company expects to...

B & W achieves oxy-com milestone.(Startup)(Babcock and Wilcox Co. Power Generation Group)(oxygen-combustion mode)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... The Babcock & Wilcox Power Generation Group said it burned coal in full oxygen-combustion mode at a 30 MWth scale during recent testing at its Clean Environment Development Facility in Alliance, Ohio. The facility operated in full oxygen-coal...

The FutureGen Alliance selected a site in Illinois for an experimental $1.8 billion zero-emissions coal facility.(Business Briefs)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... The FutureGen Alliance selected a site in Illinois for an experimental $1.8 billion zero-emissions coal facility. However, Congress has placed the private-government research project under increasing scrutiny because of cost and long delays....

Xcel Energy told Minnesota state regulators it plans to control mercury emissions at Sherburne County (Sherco) Generating Plant Unit 3 and the Allen S. King Plant by installing and operating a sorbent injection system.(Business Briefs)
January 1, 2008... Xcel Energy told Minnesota state regulators it plans to control mercury emissions at Sherburne County (Sherco) Generating Plant Unit 3 and the Allen S. King Plant by installing and operating a sorbent injection system. The company estimates the...

Bruce Power LP said the acquisition of a would-be nuclear firm in Alberta gives it a six- to nine-month head start on planning for commercial reactors in the province.(Business Briefs)
January 1, 2008... Bruce Power LP said the acquisition of a would-be nuclear firm in Alberta gives it a six- to nine-month head start on planning for commercial reactors in the province. Duncan Hawthorne, CEO, said the company was considering building a C$6...

Dominion Resources Inc. is the third company to file a complete application to federal regulators to build a new nuclear reactor.(Business Briefs)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Dominion Resources Inc. is the third company to file a complete application to federal regulators to build a new nuclear reactor. Dominion's application was submitted to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in late November. The NRC had already...

GE Energy expects to invest roughly $50 million to increase supply chain and engineering capacity and will more than double its global capabilities to meet global steam turbine demand, company officials said.(Business Briefs)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... GE Energy expects to invest roughly $50 million to increase supply chain and engineering capacity and will more than double its global capabilities to meet global steam turbine demand, company officials said. Output will be expanded in steam...

Entergy's board of directors approved a plan to separate its non-utility nuclear from its regulated utility businesses through a tax-free spin-off of the non-utility nuclear business.(Business Briefs)
January 1, 2008... Entergy's board of directors approved a plan to separate its non-utility nuclear from its regulated utility businesses through a tax-free spin-off of the non-utility nuclear business. SpinCo, the term used to identify the new company yet to be...

Nuclear Regulatory Commission.(Business Briefs)(Nuclear Operating Co.)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... The Nuclear Regulatory Commission docketed in late November NRG Energy's combined construction and operating license application to build and operate two new nuclear units at the South Texas Project (STP) nuclear power station site. The...

The Babcock & Wilcox Companies shortened its name to The Babcock & Wilcox Company (B & W) and reorganized its operations into four groups, including a new nuclear power group.(Business Briefs)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... The Babcock & Wilcox Companies shortened its name to The Babcock & Wilcox Company (B & W) and reorganized its operations into four groups, including a new nuclear power group. A statement said the re-alignment will better support changing...

The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission granted Duke Energy permission to build a commercial-scale coal gasification power plant.(Projects & Contracts)
January 1, 2008... The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission granted Duke Energy permission to build a commercial-scale coal gasification power plant. The approximately $2 billion, 630 MW plant will use advanced integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC)...

Siemens Power Generation received a $170 million order from Tennessee Valley Authority to refurbish and upgrade the turbine island of the 1,200 MW Watts Bar 2 Nuclear Plant in Spring City, Tenn.(Projects & Contracts)
January 1, 2008... Siemens Power Generation received a $170 million order from Tennessee Valley Authority to refurbish and upgrade the turbine island of the 1,200 MW Watts Bar 2 Nuclear Plant in Spring City, Tenn. The Siemens scope of supply includes one new...

Nevada Power Co. plans to build a 500 MW natural gas-fired combined cycle plant as an expansion to its Harry Allen Generating Station.(Projects & Contracts)
January 1, 2008... Nevada Power Co. plans to build a 500 MW natural gas-fired combined cycle plant as an expansion to its Harry Allen Generating Station. The facility, subject to approval by the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada, is expected to enter service...

Dominion will buy a power station development project in central Virginia from Tenaska.(Projects & Contracts)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Dominion will buy a power station development project in central Virginia from Tenaska. When built, the natural gas-fired station will generate about 600 MW of electricity. The project has air and water permits for a combined-cycle, natural...

NRG Energy, Inc. and Powerspan Corp. plan to demonstrate at commercial scale a technology for carbon dioxide capture from conventional coal-fueled, electric power plants.(Projects & Contracts)
January 1, 2008... NRG Energy, Inc. and Powerspan Corp. plan to demonstrate at commercial scale a technology for carbon dioxide capture from conventional coal-fueled, electric power plants. Powerspan's ECO2 technology is a post-combustion, regenerative process...

The Babcock & Wilcox Co. has been awarded a contract by FirstEnergy Nuclear Operation Co.(Projects & Contracts)
January 1, 2008... The Babcock & Wilcox Co. has been awarded a contract by FirstEnergy Nuclear Operation Co. to design, fabricate and deliver two replacement once-through steam generators for the Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station, an 873 MW pressurized light...

Washington State regulators stopped the permit application.(Projects & Contracts)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Washington State regulators stopped the permit application for a $1.5 billion, 793 MW coal-fired power plant in southwest Washington until Energy Northwest, the builder, meets requirements of a new state climate change law.

Texas public utility regulators approved plans for a $60 million transmission-line project in South Texas.(Projects & Contracts)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Texas public utility regulators approved plans for a $60 million transmission-line project in South Texas. AEP Texas plans to build a 21-mile line and switching stations to interconnect the two wind farms in Kenedy County, Texas. The expected...

Xcel Energy Inc. is delaying plans for a 600 MW IGCC plant in Colorado due to cost concerns and a desire to find project partners.(Projects & Contracts)
January 1, 2008... Xcel Energy Inc. is delaying plans for a 600 MW IGCC plant in Colorado due to cost concerns and a desire to find project partners. A spokeswoman said, "We're not abandoning the project" and Xcel still has "confidence in the technology" for...

Siemens Power Generation will supply 86 wind turbines with a capacity of 2.3 MW each for the Wolfe Island Wind project, near Kingston in Eastern Ontario, Canada.(Projects & Contracts)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Siemens Power Generation will supply 86 wind turbines with a capacity of 2.3 MW each for the Wolfe Island Wind project, near Kingston in Eastern Ontario, Canada. The purchaser is a unit of Canadian Hydro Developers Inc. The 200 MW wind farm is...

NorthWestern Corp. has completed the purchase from SGE.(Projects & Contracts)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... NorthWestern Corp. has completed the purchase from SGE, a unit of General Electric Capital Corp., of a 143 MW interest in the 740 MW Colstrip Unit 4 coal-fired steam electric generating unit near Colstrip, Mont. The purchase price was...

NiSource Inc.(People & Personnel)(appointment of Eileen O'Neill Odum in NiSource Inc.)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... NiSource Inc. said that Eileen O'Neill Odum has been named to the new position of executive vice president and group CEO for NiSource's Indiana business segment, which includes Northern Indiana Public Service Co. Odum joins NiSource after...

Richard E. Reimels was named president of B & W NPG.(People & Personnel)
January 1, 2008... Richard E. Reimels, former president of Babcock & Wilcox Canada Ltd., was named president of B & W NPG.

Dynegy Inc. said Stephen Furbacher, president and chief operating officer, would retire at the end of 2007.(People & Personnel)
January 1, 2008... Dynegy Inc. said Stephen Furbacher, president and chief operating officer, would retire at the end of 2007. The Houston electric provider said Bruce Williamson would continue as chairman and CEO and would re-assume the position of president of...

Southern California Edison's board of directors elected Ross Ridenoure to vice president where he will oversee operations and regulatory affairs at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station.(People & Personnel)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Southern California Edison's board of directors elected Ross Ridenoure to vice president where he will oversee operations and regulatory affairs at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. Ridenoure comes to Edison from Omaha Public Power...

Power Engineering magazine: presented its 2007 Projects of the Year Awards during a gala banquet held at the Sheraton Hotel in New Orleans during POWER-GEN International. Best of the Year.(Company overview)
January 1, 2008... Energy supply was often front page news during 2007. The growing demand for electricity, increasingly volatile fuel prices, growing concerns about the environment and global warning and talk of carbon caps have created a business environment...

Repowering can wait: few incentives exist to repower aging wind farms.(Editorial)
January 1, 2008... California's landscape at times offers what should be a wind power advocate's dream. Row on row of orderly and densely packed turbines spin in the winds that blow through mountain passes. Some of the turbines have operated since the early 1980s...

Energy sources hide in plain sight: there's fuel everywhere in biomass, much of it green and renewable. But inconsistencies are keeping many of these fuel sources from reaching their full potential in the power generation mix.
January 1, 2008... Hundreds of megawatts of electricity hide from us in plain sight. It's in the garbage you put in the alley and in those tree limbs you put out for the monthly trash collection. It's in that pile of debris that was an old house or building...

Sunny for small tech in solar: the market has taken a shine to an array of nano-based technologies that now challenge traditional photovoltaics.(Editorial)
January 1, 2008... Although crystalline-silicon (c-Si), wafer-based solar cells and modules dominate the photovoltaic (PV) marketplace with more than 90 percent share, sales of thin-film-based products are growing at twice the clip of the entrenched technologies....

S[O.sub.3] effect on mercury control: reducing S[O.sub.3] can help control mercury emissions while boosting plant efficiency and lowering operating costs.
January 1, 2008... The United States utility industry must significantly reduce mercury emissions. Depending on location, individual power plants may have to reduce existing mercury emissions by up to 90 percent of the mercury introduced with the coal. To respond...

Environmental issues dominate POWER-GEN International: looming C[O.sub.2] regulation dominated many discussions in New Orleans this past December. Developing economically viable ways to capture and sequester C[O.sub.2] emerged as a prime industry focus.(Editorial)
January 1, 2008... Carbon was the word of the week at POWER-GEN International 2007, held December 11-13, in New Orleans. "Whether you agree or disagree (with the global warming theory), carbon is in your future," said Andrew Kruger, Evolution Market Inc.'s...

FGD wastewater treatment still has a ways to go: the power industry should jointly address questions about FGD water treatment and share the lessons it has learned so far.
January 1, 2008... The composition of flue gas desulfurization varies widely, based on scrubber type and coal and limestone used. Coal contributes acidic gases, such as chlorides, fluorides and sulfate. Coal also contributes volatile metals, such as arsenic,...

Calling the COPS.(DG Update)
January 1, 2008... The recently adopted Article 708 of the National Electrical Code (NEC) is aimed at protecting the economy from critical power infrastructure failure. It also could transform distributed generation. Article 708 defines a new type of alternate...

Borosilicate glass block linings at work in wet FGD chimneys.(Field Notes)(flue gas desulfurization)
January 1, 2008... Expanding demand for flue gas desulfurization (FGD) systems in both new and retrofit applications for coal-fired power plants has required the use of suitable and cost-effective materials for flue gas ductwork and chimneys. In the past,...

Ambient particulate monitoring.(Products)(Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. released the TEOM Series 1405 for ambient particulate monitoring, featuring modernized electronics and a touch-screen user interface, packaged into a single cabinet. The TEOM Series 1405 addresses the need to...

Angular contact ball bearings.(Products)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... SKF single-row angular contact ball bearings feature high radial and axial load capacity, high speed capabilities, and steep contact angle of 40 degrees to meet demanding performance requirements in centrifugal pumps. These bearings are...

Ethernet I/O chassis.(Products)
January 1, 2008... United Electronic Industries (UEI) released the DNR-12-1G ("RACKtangle") Ethernet I/O chassis. Based upon the electronics in the company's "Cube" I/O chassis, the new rectangular form factor increases the number of I/O slots from six to twelve...

Boiler drum level monitoring.(Products)
January 1, 2008... Clark-Reliance has introduced the LevelMax system. For use in Boiler Drum Level instrumentation, this combination drum level instrument assembly enables local and remote monitoring of the user's boiler drum level. LevelMax utilizes the...

Magnetic activated ground.(Products)(new method for welding process)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Western Enterprises has announced a new ground for welding. The new magnetic activated ground has a built-in on/off switch, which activates a powerful magnet, providing a ground close to the weld. It is smaller, lighter and more versatile than...

Shaft collars.(Products)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Custom shaft collars that can be engineered with specific aesthetic and functional design properties to match a wide range of industrial, medical, scientific and commercial applications are available from Stafford Manufacturing Corp. ...

Orbital welding power supply.(Products)(Swagelok Co. introduces welding tool)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Swagelok Co. released the Swagelok welding system M200 power supply that offers a 200 amp capability at a weight of less than 50 lbs. (23 kg). A high-resolution, 12.1 in. (307 mm) color industrial touch screen gives users a pathway to enter...

Exchanging Shots in the carbon war.(Generating Buzz)(warning for China)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Nicolas Sarkozy, the French president, warned China that the European Union could penalize cheap imports from high carbon-emitting countries to defend EU companies obliged to meet strict environmental standards. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Honest and green.(Generating Buzz)(tomb of Abraham Lincoln)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Geothermal technology will heat and cool the Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site in Springfield, III. The pipes and wells for the geothermal system in Oaklawn Cemetery will be buried on the south side of the tomb, which is the final resting place...

Google's '404' error on coal.(Generating Buzz)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Online search behemoth Google plans to develop electricity from renewable energy sources that will be cheaper than electricity produced from coal. The scheme, called Renewable Energy Cheaper than Coal (RE [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Google...