Power Engineering articles from September 2005

Power Engineering archives from September 2005

Reality TV meets Thomas Edison.
September 1, 2005... Unless you've been stranded on a desert island for the past few years, you've undoubtedly seen one or more of the many "reality" shows dominating the TV programming landscape. From Survivor and Fear Factor to more sedate home improvement shows...

Retraining critical in deregulated power market.(UPDATE)(Industry Overview)
September 1, 2005... After more than a decade of deregulation in various segments of the electric power industry, many companies exist in limbo, somewhere between regulated and deregulated. Some are dealing with change better than others, says Robert Sansone, risk...

Cinergy upgrades on a roll.(electrostatic precipitators installation contracts)(Casey Industrial, Inc)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Wheelabrator Air Pollution Control contracted Casey Industrial, Inc. to field erect and install two new electrostatic precipitators for Cinergy's Cayuga Generating Station Units 1 and 2. Each of the precipitators is 40 feet deep, 80 feet wide,...

New gas turbine technologies move toward wider commercial deployment.(UPDATE)
September 1, 2005... Two of the world's most advanced gas turbines, GE Energy's H System designed for large-scale combined-cycle baseload applications, and its LMS100 turbine meant for peaking applications, are advancing toward wider commercial deployment. At...

KCP & L.(environmental permits)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Having now received approval from regulators in Kansas and Missouri, KCP & L is seeking environmental permits to build a $776 million coal-fired power plant about 40 miles north of downtown Kansas City. KCP & L also plans to spend $272 million...

Calpine.(agreement with Siemens)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Calpine has reached an agreement with Siemens regarding its Siemens F- and G-class gas turbines and eight steam turbines that represent more than 12,000 MW. The restructuring includes a five-year arrangement to purchase Siemens parts and...

TVA.(new nuclear power plant location)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... TVA has offered its Bellefonte nuclear plant site in Alabama for a proposed new nuclear plant backed by the NuStart nuclear consortium. TVA provides technical services for the consortium.

DTE Energy.(non utilitiy operations investments)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... DTE Energy plans to exit its distributed generation business, DTE Energy Technologies, and focus on non-utility operations. DTE plans to spend up to $1 billion through 2008 on power and industrial projects, unconventional gas, and fuel...

Plug Power.(defense contracts)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Plug Power has received a $943,000 contract extension from the U.S. Department of Defense to begin field testing Plug's next-generation continuous-run fuel cell systems. Plug's next-generation continuous-run 5 kW prime power, liquefied...

Mag-Tran Equipment Corp.(Charles Fixa appointd as corporate vice president)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Mag-Tran Equipment Corp., maker of dry-type transformers, inductors and related specialty magnetic components, has named Charles Fixa general manager and corporate vice president.

American Superconductor Corporation.(Terry Winter appointed as chief operating officer)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Terry Winter has been named COO of American Superconductor Corporation with primary responsibility for overseeing management of the company's wires, SuperMachines and power electronic systems business units.

WorldWater & Power Corporation.(James S. Brown promoted as Chief Operating Officer)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... James S. Brown has been promoted to EVP and COO of WorldWater & Power Corporation, developer of proprietary high-powered solar energy systems. He will continue to be the company's CFO.

Basler Electric.(Ron Weiss promoted as director of corporate sales)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Ron Weiss has been promoted to director of corporate sales and marketing for Basler Electric, manufacturer and supplier of power system control and protection equipment and custom transformers.

Sunflower Electric Power and Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association.(coal fired plants construction contract)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Sunflower Electric Power and Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association have agreed to build two 600 MW coal-fired plants at Sunflower's Holcomb Station plant near Holcomb, Kansas.

TXU.(lignite power plant construction permit application)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... TXU has filed an application with the State of Texas for an air permit to build a 1,720 MW lignite plant in Robertson County, about 120 miles south of Dallas. TXU plans to build the plant with other power providers, perhaps municipal utilities...

Sempra Energy.(power plants contruction )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Sempra Energy has announced plans to develop and construct a 600 MW expansion of its Twin Oaks plant near Bremond, Texas, tripling the plant's 305 MW capacity to 900 MW. The new unit will be permitted to utilize either Texas lignite or coal...

Southern California Edison and Stirling Energy Systems.(Stirling Energy Systems solar project contracts)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Southern California Edison and Stirling Energy Systems have announced an agreement that could result in construction of a 500 MW solar project 70 miles northeast of Los Angeles using Stirling's dish technology.

R. L. Turner Corporation.(purchase of power plants )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... R. L. Turner Corporation has agreed to purchase an 8.4 MW plant consisting of one Wartsila 20V34SG gas-fired engine. Turner will install the equipment and other modifications at the Rensselaer Power Plant in Rensselaer, Indiana, where it is...

Day & Zimmermann NPS.(maintenace contract for Pacific Gas & Electric )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Day & Zimmermann NPS has received a multi-year contract with Pacific Gas & Electric for maintenance and modifications at the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant in Avila Beach, CA., which consists of two 1,087 MW Westinghouse pressurized water...

GE Energy.(fuel cell based power plants with coal resource under development)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... GE Energy's Hybrid Power Generation Systems business unit will design and demonstrate a multi-MW solid oxide fuel cell-based power system that operates on coal. The objective is to achieve greater than 50 percent total system efficiency from...

Taiwan Power Company.(Invensys Process Systems control systems contracts)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Taiwan Power Company will implement Invensys Process Systems' I/A Series distributed control systems from Foxboro for balance-of-plant control system upgrades on both units of the Maanshan Nuclear Power Station. Invensys Taiwan will provide...

FramatomeANP's joint venture with Washington Group International, SGT.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... FramatomeANP's joint venture with Washington Group International, SGT, has received a contract to provide services for replacing steam generators at FPL's St. Lucie nuclear plant. SGT will provide project management, planning, engineering and...

Babcock Power.(catalytic reduction systems contract of Holyoke Water Power Company)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Babcock Power has received a contract for the design and supply of a selective catalytic reduction system from Holyoke Water Power Company, a subsidiary of Northeast Utilities, for its Mt. Tom plant in Holyoke, Mass. Cianbro Corp. Will install...

Plug Power.(fuel cell systems contracts with Tyco Electronics Power Systems)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Plug Power has received an order for 63 GenCore backup fuel cell systems from distribution partner Tyco Electronics Power Systems. The systems will go to a leading U.S.-based telecommunications provider for integration into its network.

ADA-ES.(activated carbon injection equipment supply contract)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... ADA-ES has received a contract to supply activated carbon injection equipment to control mercury emissions from a new 790 MW coal power plant being built in the Mid-west designed to operate on PRB coal. The mercury control equipment will be...

Moore Industries-International.(acquisition of Hawke International)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Moore Industries-International will acquire the line of FOUNDATION Fieldbus/PROFIBUS PA device couplers and fieldbus power supplies from Hawke International.

El Paso Corporation.(purchase agreement with subsidiary of Globeleq Ltd )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... El Paso Corporation has agreed to sell power plants in Pakistan, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and the Philippines to a subsidiary of Globeleq Ltd. for approximately $109 million. El Paso has now contracted or sold all but one of its Asian power...

Connell Limited Partnership.(purchase of Alstom North America condenser business)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Connell Limited Partnership has agreed to purchase ALSTOM's North American condenser business. ALSTOM will retain condenser technology and manufacturing capability currently located outside North America.

Sempra Generation.(purchase of Reliant Energy combined cycle plant)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Sempra Generation, a subsidiary of Sempra Energy, has completed the purchase of Reliant Energy's 50 percent interest in the 480 MW El Dorado Energy combined-cycle plant in Boulder City, Nev., giving Sempra complete ownership. Transaction value,...

Calpine.(sale of power plants to Diamond Generating Corporation)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Calpine has completed the sale of its interest in the 156 MW Morris Power Plant in Morris, II. to Diamond Generating Corporation, a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Corporation, for approximately $84.5 million. Calpine has also agreed to sell its 550...

Appalachian Power.(purchasing agreement with Reliant Energy )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... AEP subsidiary Appalachian Power has agreed to purchase the Ceredo Generating Station from a subsidiary of Reliant Energy for approximately $100 million.

Nuclear progress requires risk sharing.(NUCLEAR REACTIONS)
September 1, 2005... In visiting Calvert Cliffs recently, President Bush became the first U.S. president to visit a nuclear power plant since the 1979 Three Mile Island accident. While addressing the group assembled there, the president made a strong case for more...

Looking for a good scrubbing: today's FGD technology; Today's FGD provides better performance and broader flexibility than ever before--and delivers it in a smaller, more dependable package.(FLUE GAS DESULFURIZATION)(Cover Story)
September 1, 2005... It's a good time to be in the flue gas desulfurization (FGD) business. Two-thirds of the existing U.S. coal fleet is not equipped with FGD (scrubbers). New emission standards for the control of sulfur and nitrous oxides, particulate matter and...

Membrane magic: Kansas Power & Light Co.'s La Cygne generating station finds success with membrane filtration water pretreatment technology.(WATER TREATMENT)
September 1, 2005... Pretreatment to remove suspended solids from raw makeup water is a requirement for many industries. In the potable water industry, suspended solids, including microorganisms, can be detrimental not only to the taste and odor of drinking water...

Water treatment on wheels: design options and combinations of fixed and mobile demineralization equipment give power plant operators the flexibility to continually optimize their water treatment system to meet rapidly changing needs.(MOBILE WATER TREATMENT)
September 1, 2005... Today's power generation marketplace has become very competitive. In this environment, the company that can produce the lowest cost power sells the most, makes the most profit and wins the game. Contract water treatment services are one tool...

Windy expectations and frustrations: the wind industry remains in a strong growth mode but various challenges loom, including transmission constraints and turbine scale-up.(WIND ENERGY)
September 1, 2005... Getting the federal production tax credit (PTC) renewed, for more than the time it takes to help re-elect a presidential candidate, is a solid accomplishment for the U.S. wind industry. However, other challenges loom, most notably in...

Catching a wave: wave energy's enormous potential, along with growing emphasis on development of clean, renewable energy technologies, has caused some companies to take a serious look at harnessing the ocean's power.
September 1, 2005... The energy in ocean waves holds enormous potential for pollution free electricity generation. Research reveals that wave energy is a suitable renewable energy resource for certain coastlines in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom,...

Dispatch to dollars: combined-cycle power plant owners can significantly increase the bottom line by improving the way they treat operations and maintenance costs in dispatch decisions.(GAS TURBINE OPERATION)
September 1, 2005... The profitability of combined-cycle gas turbine plants may be falling short due to the common, suboptimal ways that traders, dispatchers and investors approach gas turbine operation and maintenance (O & M) costs in their operating and...

Pumping up might offer new DG approach.
September 1, 2005... Pumped storage is hardly a new idea. About 18,000 MW of hydro pumped storage is installed in the United States, whereby water is pumped uphill during off-peak periods and allowed to return downstream on-peak to generate power. A very small...

FERC issues standard small generator interconnection rule.(Federal Energy Regulatory Commission)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has issued standard procedures for the interconnection of generators no larger than 20 MW, thus reducing time and costs associated with installing generation infrastructure by removing...

Events.(Calendar)
September 1, 2005... OCTOBER 2-5, Occupational Safety & Health Conference, Edison Electric Institute (www.eei.org/meetings), Oklahoma City, Okla. 2-5, Invensys Process Systems North American Customer Conference, Invensys Process Systems (www.invensys.com),...

Rapid turnaround rotor manufacturing.(rotor replacement and repair)
September 1, 2005... TIME IS AS IMPORTANT as cost when deciding whether to run, repair or replace a failed rotor. As the owner/operator of a geothermal steam turbine learned last fall, waiting until completion of the failure analysis before beginning the...

Flowmeter.(PRODUCTS)
September 1, 2005... Wafer-Cone Flowmeter from McCrometer offers accuracy and repeatability in an easy to install space-saving instrument that requires almost no maintenance. The Wafer-Cone Flowmeter is designed for liquid or gas service in 0.5 to 6 inch lines,...

N[O.sub.x] Reduction System.(PRODUCTS)
September 1, 2005... Babcock Power Environmental Inc. (BPE), a subsidiary of Babcock Power Inc. (BPI), recently introduced an innovative, advanced, high-efficiency N[O.sub.x] reduction technology designed to reduce the N[O.sub.x] emissions from industrial boilers...

Oil and renewables don't mix.(VIEW ON RENEWABLES)
September 1, 2005... Let me begin by stating unequivocally that I am an ardent renewable energy supporter. I believe that global climate change is a real threat, that meaningful actions should be taken to materially reduce the amount of emissions associated with...

Advanced control & optimization.(SUPPLIER'S SHOWCASE)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2005... Pegasus Technologies has released the DeltaE3[TM] "Intelligent Power Plant" Optimization Portfolio, which addresses combustion and post combustion issues utilities are facing today. Whether you need to improve performance, reduce emissions...

Air Pollution Control systems.(SUPPLIER'S SHOWCASE)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2005... A global leader in the design and supply of pre-engineered and custom-engineered air pollution control equipment, turnkey systems and services, Wheelabrator offers fabric filters, electrostatic precipitators, wet or dry scrubbers, NOx control,...

Boiler MACT emissions compliance.(SUPPLIER'S SHOWCASE)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Bionomic field proven and cost effective emission control technologies reliably meet Boiler MACT and SIP standards. Our innovative OPTI-SCRUB[TM] program can substantially reduce the operating cost to eliminate acid...

Baghouse Leak Detectors.(SUPPLIER'S SHOWCASE)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2005... * No Optics * No Maintenance * Detect & Locate Leaks [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] FilterSense is the world leader in Baghouse Leak Detectors and Leak Locating Systems. Field-proven since 1994 FilterSense's particulate monitors and...

Bio gas Gen-sets.
September 1, 2005... GUASCOR Gasification Technology [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The SF (Diesel) & SFGLD-(Gas) Engine Series have been designed by GUASCOR to provide a "Solution with Good Prospects". The SFGLD Gas engines have a continuous output power range...

Boiler Economizer.(SUPPLIER'S SHOWCASE)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2005... LITERATURE AND ANALYSIS ON CUTTING BOILER FUEL COSTS [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] There are two economic reasons for installing a Kentube Economizer on your boiler. IT SAVES MONEY -- The fuel savings provide an attractive return on...

Boilers.(SUPPLIER'S SHOWCASE)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2005... Transportable Steam Plant Meets the Needs of Medium- And Long-Term Users [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Transportable steam plants provide a reliable source of steam in applications where a permanent supply in not available or cost effective....

Combustion Analyzer.(SUPPLIER'S SHOWCASE)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2005... Revolutionary Combustion Analyzer with NOx Capability [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] All-new testo 330-2 Combustion Analyzer, is the professionals' choice for fast, easy, and affordable commercial / industrial burner-boiler service....

Controls.(SUPPLIER'S SHOWCASE)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2005... The reduced Bore Digital YEWFLO vortex flowmeter eliminates the need for costly sections of reducing runs normally required to increase the volocity through the meter for more stable, accurate measurements at low flows. Now these reductions are...

Cooling Tower Drive.(SUPPLIER'S SHOWCASE)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2005... Universal Cooling Tower Drive from Philadelphia Gear [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] This Universal Cooling Tower Drive from Philadelphia Gear offers a unique solution to the challenge of replacing cooling tower drives and spare parts. Base...

Cooling, wet/dry.(SUPPLIER'S SHOWCASE)
September 1, 2005... GEA Power Cooling, Inc. provides wet and dry cooling solutions that deliver superior performance and years of cost effective service with minimal maintenance requirements. Its parallel condensing or PAC System[TM] combines wet and dry cooling...

Diesel genset.(SUPPLIER'S SHOWCASE)
September 1, 2005... 2.7 MW "clean" diesel genset [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The new PowerCommand 2.7 MW generator set from Cummins Power Generation is the world's most powerful high-speed, production diesel generator set. It is also one of the cleanest. Ideal...

Energy services.(SUPPLIER'S SHOWCASE)
September 1, 2005... Navigant Consulting (NYSE: NCI) is a specialized independent consulting firm that assists clients in addressing the critical challenges of regulation, risk, litigation, and business model change. NCI's Energy Practice group is well known for...

Engineering services.(SUPPLIER'S SHOWCASE)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2005... Utility Engineering--Your Power Solutions Partner [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Utility Engineering Corporation is a full-service, nationwide engineering firm with more than 900 employees and major offices in Amarillo, TX; Atlanta; Denver;...

Engineering text.(SUPPLIER'S SHOWCASE)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2005... A practical text covering the fundamentals of machinery diagnostics for anyone who works with rotating machinery. Written for operators, managers, design engineers, and machinery diagnosticians. This comprehensive book thoroughly explains and...

Equipment.(SUPPLIER'S SHOWCASE)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2005... Technology [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Gas * Steam * CC * IGCC Wind * Geothermal Boilers * SCRs Our technology is the driving force behind clean, efficient, reliable and economically practical power generation... delivering...

Filters water.(SUPPLIER'S SHOWCASE)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2005... "Water Filter uses dirt to enhance cleanliness". [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Studies have shown that the accumulation of dirt in a screen filter actually improves the efficiency of the filter. As the solids accumulate on the screen, the...

Gas analyzers.(SUPPLIER'S SHOWCASE)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2005... Thermo Electron Corporation launches iSeries line of gaseous pollutant analyzers. This line, with monitoring capabilities for a broad range of pollutants, has been introduced to enhance the many capabilities of Thermo's popular cSeries line of...

Gas turbines.(SUPPLIER'S SHOWCASE)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2005... GE Energy is one of the world's leading suppliers of power generation technology, energy services and management systems, with an installed base of power generation equipment in more than 120 countries. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] GE Energy...

Generator controls/switchgear.(SUPPLIER'S SHOWCASE)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2005... The Enercon Evolution Control system design is a multiple mode generator control architecture allowing change of operating modes without addition of significant components. In today's climate of changing utility rate structures this system...

Heavy industrial contractor.(SUPPLIER'S SHOWCASE)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2005... "With over 24,000MW of installed capacity, TIC--The Industrial Company is among the leading industrial contractors serving today's power producers. TIC is ranked 7th among the top US contractors within the power industry and 3rd with respect to...

Instrumentation.(SUPPLIER'S SHOWCASE)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2005... Anderson Greenwood Instrumentation Products The Anderson Greenwood SaddleMount[R] has been developed to overcome the problems associated with traditional transmitter/manifold installations that are connected with impulse lines. Traditional...

Metallurgical Services.(SUPPLIER'S SHOWCASE)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2005... Power Systems now offers a full range of Metallurgical Services designed to identify the root cause of failures and provide viable, high performance solutions. Our world-class engineers perform failure analysis, metallography, and verification...

Preheater gearboxes and parts.(SUPPLIER'S SHOWCASE)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2005... Penn Machine is now an authorized source for Ljungstrom[R] Air Preheater Gearboxes, parts and service. Drop-in replacement gearboxes, gears, shafts, bearings, seals and housings are in stock for immediate shipment. We rebuild to OEM...

Pre-insulated tubing bundles.(SUPPLIER'S SHOWCASE)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2005... Swagelok[R] electric and steam traced pre-insulated bundled tubing provides process fluid freeze protection and temperature maintenance in a variety of analytical and process instrumentation applications including impulse, process, and sampling...

Rental Power solutions.(SUPPLIER'S SHOWCASE)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2005... Cat[R] Rental Power solutions range from 8kW to 2 MW to serve a broad range of energy needs. Rental units are self-contained, mobile power solutions, housed in protective enclosures that incorporate sound attenuation and fuel containment. Units...

Valves.(SUPPLIER'S SHOWCASE)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2005... ELIMINATE Valve Cavitation * Eleminate valve cavitation by placing one or more diffusers downstresm of the valve. * Noise and pipe viberation will also be eliminated or reduced. * Valve's first costs and maintenance burden will...

Valves, control.(SUPPLIER'S SHOWCASE)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2005... V-LOG[R] ENERGY MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY Issues of noise, vibration, and stringent demands for control performance, often dictate use of V-LOG[R] Energy Management Trim. V-LOG offers a customized solution for a broad set of severe compressible...

Wrenches.(SUPPLIER'S SHOWCASE)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2005... Wright Tool's WrightGrip[TM], an innovative, high-strength, anti-slip design is standard on all Wright Tool open-end and combination wrenches in sizes up to 1-1/4". WrightGrip ensures the open-end wrench fits more snugly on the fastener,...

Light bulb laughs.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... How many first-year engineering students does it take to change a light bulb? None, that's a second-year subject. How many second-year engineering students does it take to change a light bulb? One, but the rest of the class copies the...