Power Engineering International articles from February 2004

Power Engineering International archives from February 2004

Sweet & sour.(Up Front)(China forecasts power shortages)
February 1, 2004... There was barely time to recover from Christmas but this was a rare opportunity to visit the massive Three Gorges hydropower dam. It was my first time on mainland China and I didn't quite know what to expect, except perhaps that it might be a...

UK sets the standard for EU ETS: the UK is the first EU member state to publish its draft National Allocation Plan for emissions trading. The plan has implications for generators and energy users alike, reports Sian Green.(Analysis)
February 1, 2004... In January the UK government published its draft National Allocation Plan (NAP), setting out how greenhouse gas emission allowances will be allocated under the European Union's (EU) Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). The UK is the first EU member...

Bechtel wins second Iraq infrastructure contract.(International)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has awarded a follow-on contract to Bechtel National for reconstruction work in Iraq. The contract, valued at up to $1.8bn, extends Bechtel's role as EPC contractor in a series of major Iraqi...

Bulgaria rejects UES advances.(International)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... An attempt by Russia's United Energy Systems (UES) to extend its international interests has suffered a setback its bid to buy a stake in seven Bulgarian electricity distributors. The UES tender has not been allowed to proceed due to the...

EIB backs Gulf power grid.(International)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... The Emirates Industrial Bank (EIB) says that the future development of the electricity sector in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), or the entire Gulf, depends on the development of an internal and cross-regional grid. EIB noted that, despite an...

Five bid for Slovenske Elektrarne.(International)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Five foreign investors have submitted bids for a minority stake in Slovakia's dominant power producer, Slovenske Elektrarne. The privatization is expected to net the Slovakian government at least [euro]440m ($513m) for the 66 per cent interest...

Moldova sells power distributors.(International)(Red Nord )(Red NordVest)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Moldova's privatization department has offered for sale 75 per cent stakes in two of the country's five power distributors, Red Nord and Red NordVest. The tender is open to foreign and Moldovan companies or consortia and a closing date of April...

Lahmeyer runs Rwandan utility.(International)(Lahmeyer International)(Electrogaz)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Lahmeyer International, Germany's largest energy engineering consultant, has taken over the management of the Rwandan power and water company Electrogaz as part of a privatization programme across several sectors in the country. The handover to...

Algeria.(News Digest)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Algeria: Despite a devastating explosion at its Skikda LNG plant, Algeria's Sonatrach has said it will use other supply routes in order to honour gas supply contracts with Italy, Spain and France.

Bahrain.(News Digest)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Bahrain: Bahrain's cabinet has approved privatization of the country's electricity production, with distribution and supply remaining with the government. The first private sector tender to construct a 400 MW power station has been issued.

Bulgaria.(News Digest)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Bulgaria: Bulgaria has secured a $300 000 grant from the World Bank to support the creation of an Energy Efficiency Fund. It is also expecting to receive its first $10m instalment from the Global Environmental Facility for energy saving and...

East Africa.(News Digest)(Zambia-Tanzania-Kenya interconnector power project )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... East Africa: Work on the Zambia-Tanzania-Kenya interconnector power project is due to start this October. The country's energy ministers are to look into finance for the project, to cost about $326m.

Estonia.(News Digest)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Estonia: In compliance with a new electricity market law, state-owned energy group Eesti Energia intends to divide its two business units, Pohivork (Basic Network) and Jaotusvork (Distribution Network), into independent subsidiaries as from 1...

Hungary.(News Digest)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Hungary: Hungary's power system operator has forecast that around 6000 MW of new power generation will be needed over the next 15 years to cope with an annual 1.9 per cent growth in demand and as many obsolete and inefficient units need to be...

Iraq.(News Digest)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Iraq: Jordan and Egypt have agreed to supply western Iraq with electricity by connecting the three country's power grids. Technical teams are to study the best ways of achieving the connection.

Lithuania.(News Digest)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Lithuania: Lithuania has closed the sale of a 77 per cent stake in its VST power grid, one of the five entities spun off from the national electricity utility five years ago, to NDX Energija, for $200m.

Poland.(News Digest)(El-Dystrybucja)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Poland: The Polish government looks set to reject the tender from the sole bidder for its G-8 group of electricity distribution companies, domestic investor El-Dystrybucja. The bidder has failed to secure backing for the entire cost of the...

Romania.(News Digest)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Romania: Romania has qualified Ruhrgas, Wintershall, Gazprom, Enel and Gaz de France, who may now submit non-binding bids for interests in two gas distribution firms being privatized.

Serbia.(News Digest)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Serbia: Serbia's electricity prices will rise by 15 per cent in April in order to finance the essential overhaul and repair of the country's electricity system. Tariffs will still remain among the lowest in the region.

Finnish power company applies for nuclear permit.(Europe)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... The Finnish energy company Teollisuuden Voima Oy (TVO) has taken the next step in its project to develop the country's fifth nuclear reactor unit, by applying to the government for permission to build. TVO plans to locate the new 1600 MW unit...

Norway-Holland power link plan.(Europe)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Dutch power grid operator, TenneT, and Statnett, Norway's transmission system operator, are to examine the establishment of a high voltage power link between the two countries to enable the import and export of electricity. The plan is to build...

Shell plans largest solar plant.(Europe)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Royal Dutch/Shell Group subsidiary, Shell Solar, has announced plans to build the world's largest solar energy power plant, south of Leipzig in Germany. The project will cost [euro]22m ($27.4m) and is being developed in co-operation with...

GDF in talks over Snet stake.(Europe)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... The French industry ministry said that state-owned Gaz de France (GDF) is in talks with industrial group Charbonnages de France. The deal will see GDF acquire a stake in France's third largest power producer, Societe Nationale de l'Electricite...

PVO acquires TXU Nordic.(Europe)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Finnish private energy company Pohjolan Voima Oy (PVO) has purchased an 80.1 per cent stake in TXU Nordic Energy Oy from TXU Europe. The company will in future trade under the name of Nordic Energy. The shareholding was acquired through PVO's...

Static distribution.(Europe)(World Alliance for Decentralized Energy)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... A survey by the World Alliance for Decentralized Energy (Wade) has revealed that the overall share of decentralized energy (DE) in global power generation remained steady at seven per cent during the period 2001-2002. The report concluded that...

Belgium.(News Digest)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Belgium: The Belgian government has agreed to increase the level of competition in power production by opening 25 per cent of its electricity generation capacity to "diverse market players".

Europe.(News Digest)(European Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Europe: The European Commission has launched the "European Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology" platform to advise on how the EU will make a smooth transition from a fuel based to a hydrogen based economy.

Finland.(News Digest)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Finland: A consortium of three Finnish energy companies, Vantaan Energia, Turun Energia and Oulun Seudun Sahko has bought Eastern Norge Svartisen for [euro]180m ($223m), entitling the consortium to 26 per cent of electricity generated by its...

France.(News Digest)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... France: French energy retailer Poweo is seeking to raise [euro]10m ($12.4m) through an initial share offering with the view to building up a two per cent market share in the electricity sector.

Germany.(News Digest)(SWU Energie )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Germany: Siemens Power T & D has completed a medium voltage DC link for SWU Energie allowing power to be transferred between separate networks supplying the municipalities of Ulm and Neu-Ulm at times of peak demand.

Italy.(News Digest)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Italy: Italy's second largest power producer Edison has successfully placed a [euro]100m ($124m) bond issue, part of a [euro]2bn series of debt issues, despite the current difficulties in the bond market.

Italy.(News Digest)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Italy: Danish wind turbine producer Vestas has received an order for 195 turbines with a total capacity of 166 MW for seven new wind parks in Sicily and Sardinia which are due to be built in 2004.

Netherlands.(News Digest)(E-Connection)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Netherlands: Dutch renewable energy firm E-Connection is to build a 120 MW offshore wind park consisting of 60 turbines. The park will be 25 km off the western Dutch coast and is due to be operational in 2005.

Spain.(News Digest)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Spain: German utility E.ON has sold a 4.99 per cent shareholding in Spanish utility Union Fenosa for approximately [euro]217m ($269m). E.ON reported a book gain of about [euro]26m from the transaction.

UK.(News Digest)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... UK: Powergen has ordered a major new N[O.sub.x] reduction technology system from Alstom for Unit 1 of its Ratcliffe-on-Soar coal fired power station. It will be the first commercial installation of a boosted overfire air system in the UK.

UK.(News Digest)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... UK: Funding for 16 major photovoltaic energy projects totalling [pounds sterling]1.8m ($3.3m) has been announced by the UK government. The projects are part of its Major Photovoltaic Demonstration Programme and are expected to generate a total...

India orders CCGT plant.(Asia-Pacific)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Alstom has won a Rs5000m ($110m) contract from GVK Industries, a construction company, to build a 228 MW combined cycle power plant in eastern India. The plant, to be situated in Jegurupadu in Andhra Pradesh, is the follow-on project to...

CPI plans IPO.(Asia-Pacific)(China Power International Holding )(initial public offering )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... China Power International Holding (CPI) is poised to launch an initial public offering (IPO) on the Hong Kong stock exchange this summer. The proceeds expected to be raised from public listing are estimated to be between $500m and $1bn....

GE signs deal for Lanzhou Meiya cogen project.(Asia-Pacific)(GE Energy Services)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... GE Energy has signed a contract to provide power generating equipment for the Lanzhou Meiya cogeneration project in Lanzhou, China. The deal is one of six projects that form part of a previously announced $900m agreement under which GE Energy...

China orders supercritical boilers.(Asia-Pacific)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) will supply components for four 1000 MW ultra-supercritical boilers to Harbin Boiler Co., a major Chinese boiler manufacturer. The complete boilers will be used by Huaneng Power International's Yuhuan...

Vista project will reinforce Philippines' grid.(Asia-Pacific)(Visayas Transmission Augmentation Programme)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... The Philippines government has underlined its intention to reinforce the country's electricity transmission grid by committing to a four year programme to uprate the Cebu, Negros and Panay islands triple interconnection project. Progress has...

China.(News Digest)(Inner Mongolia Electricity (Group) Co.)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... China: Inner Mongolia Mengdian Huaneng Thermal Power Corp. said a new power joint venture to be set up by its parent, Inner Mongolia Electricity (Group) Co. and three other firms, has completed registration procedures at the local...

China.(News Digest)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... China: Zhejiang southeast Electric Power will build an [yen]11.02bn ($104m) coal fired power plant as part of efforts to relieve the power shortages in Zhejiang province. The plant will feature four 600 MW units.

China.(News Digest)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... China: A section of the west-east pipeline has officially begun supplying natural gas to Shanghai, which has suffered from energy shortages throughout the last year.

China.(News Digest)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... China: China's power generation rose 15.3 per cent year-on-year in 2003, the fastest annual growth since the country launched its market orientated economic reform in the late 1970s.

China.(News Digest)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... China: A new hydropower plant will be constructed on the lower reaches of the Yalong River, a major tributary on the upper Yangtze River. The 3.6 GW hydropower plant will start construction in China's Sichuan province in 2005 and will be...

India.(News Digest)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... India: Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd has bagged a Rs1.97bn ($43.7m) order for a lignite-based power project from Gujarat Electricity Board. The 75 MW power plant will be equipped with fluidized bed combustion technology.

India.(News Digest)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... India: The US-promoted Overseas Private Investment Corp. (OPIC) has signed an option agreement with Enron Corp. to buy out its 65.15 per cent equity in the now-fallen Dabhol Power company for Rs1.34bn ($422m).

Myanmar.(News Digest)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Myanmar: The installed generating capacity of Myanmar has risen nearly twofold to 1219.81 MW from 706.82 MW in 1988. Over the period the government has built 28 hydropower plants and six natural gas plants to generate electricity.

New Zealand.(News Digest)(NGC Holdings buys gas)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... New Zealand: New Zealand gas and metering company NGC Holdings concluded a deal to buy gas from the onshore Kahili field in Taranaki and said it could be brought to market by mid-2004.

Philippines.(News Digest)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Philippines: A Finnish company has emerged as a challenger to Singapore Power for the privatization of the national power grid system of the National Transmission Corp. The name of the Finnish firm was not disclosed.

Sri Lanka.(News Digest)(preparing for drought)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka is preparing for a drought that could trigger a power crisis and is looking at options to boost short-term energy supplies. Reservoirs are only 32 per cent full because of low rainfall during the monsoon season.

Canada to install GE's first 7H gas turbine.(Americas)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Canada's Hydro-Quebec is to be the first utility to implement GE Energy's 7H gas turbine technology. The machine will be installed in an 800 MW, combined cycle facility called Suroit. The $550m Suroit plant, which aims to be online by 2007,...

California sets power margins.(Americas)(California. Public Utilities Commission)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has ordered the state's utilities to set up a 15 to 17 per cent electricity reserve level by 2008. The aim is to avoid a repeat of the summer energy crisis of 2000-1. Energy companies will...

NY approves 600 MW line.(Americas)(New York)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... A 600 MW HVDC power line connecting New Jersey to Long Island (NY) has been approved by US regulators. The New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) has allowed the construction of the HVDC link which will stretch 60 km from New...

Ratings agency boosts Brazil.(Americas)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Fitch Atlantic Ratings has upgraded Brazil's power sector from negative to stable as utilities' profit margins increase steadily. The agency has predicted 2004 to be a profitable year for utilities. Fitch paid tribute to Brazil's power and...

El Paso sells 25 plants.(Americas)
February 1, 2004... US power giant El Paso will sell 25 power plants for $746m to American International Group Inc. (AIG), a global insurer. Proceeds of the sale will contribute towards debt relief and improving cash flow. The deal will see AIG assume $174m of...

Argentina.(News Digest)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Argentina: Argentina's energy ministry received six bids for a contract to build, operate and maintain a transmission line linking the national and Patagonian power grids. Sweden's Skanska, Spanish companies Abengoa and Islux, and Argentine...

Bolivia.(News Digest)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Bolivia: The Bolivian government will launch a $30m international tender to build the Caranavi-Trinidad 115 kV transmission line in Beni and several smaller branch lines. The Bolivian government has said that it will receive bids until June...

Brazil.(News Digest)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Brazil: The Portuguese group EDP has completed the first stage of the restructuring process of its Brazilian assets. The Brazilian assets account for 30 per cent of EDP's business. EDP has negotiated with the Brazilian state-owned oil and gas...

Canada.(News Digest)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Canada: Construction of the $95m Summerview Wind Farm will begin with work on the electricity generating facility to be completed by July. The 68 MW project will consist of 38 wind turbines.

Chile.(News Digest)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Chile: The senate has voted to approve the final version of the "Ley Corta" fast-track bill. The law should provide the power sector with greater regulatory certainty, and pave the way for $3bn of investments over the next five years.

Peru.(News Digest)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Peru: Peru will seek bids for tender to complete the 130 MW Yuncan hydroelectric project in the southern Andes. Final cost is expected to be around $262m and the project will be completed by mid 2005.

Peru.(News Digest)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Peru: Peru has authorised the sale of shares on the Lima stock exchange of three state-owned electricity companies: the San Gabon generator plants in Puno; Egasa, which distributes electricity in Arequipa; and Sociedad Electrica del SurOeste.

USA.(News Digest)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... USA: Xcel Energy is seeking government approval to upgrade three coal-fired power plants in Minneapolis/St Paul, Minnesota to increase capacity and reduce emissions. The power plants include King, High Bridge and riverside plants and will need...

USA.(News Digest)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... USA: PSEG has set a voluntary goal of cutting its carbon dioxide (C[O.sub.2]) emissions by 18 per cent from 2000 levels by January 1, 2009. The target continues PSEG's participation in the US Environmental Protection Agency's Climate Leaders...

USA.(News Digest)(Gen Tex Power Corp)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... USA: Calpine Corp. has completed the sale of its 50 per cent interest in the 545 MW Lost Pines 1 Power Project to Gen Tex Power Corp.

Combating corruption.(Companies)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Nineteen leading engineering and construction companies have signed and adopted a set of business principles designed to combat bribery within their industry. The principles are the product of a year-long effort by the World Economic Forum's...

Nanotech breakthrough.(Companies)(American Superconductor Corp.)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... American Superconductor Corporation has successfully developed and filed a patent application for a nanotechnology-based manufacturing technique that delivers a 30 per cent increase in the electric current carrying capability of the company's...

Westinghouse expands operations.(Companies)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Westinghouse Electric Company and PaR Systems Inc. have signed a letter of intent under which Westinghouse will acquire a controlling, 80 per cent interest in PaR's commercial Nuclear Equipment and Services group. PaR is majority owned by...

Kema launches Velocitie for GIS software activities.(Companies)(Velocitie Integration Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Kema has launched Velocitie Integration Inc., a new GIS software design and development consulting firm focused on geospatial utility operations. The move is in line with Kema's strategy to reorganize its operations employing GIS software...

Areva closes Alstom deal.(Companies)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Areva Group and Alstom have signed the closing agreement for Areva's purchase of Alstom's transmission and distribution activities. Areva Transmission and Distribution has become the fourth energy division of the Areva Group. The...

Alstom rebounds.(News Digest)(Alstom S.A.)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Alstom rebounds: Alstom has reported a strong rebound in orders during the third quarter of fiscal 2004. It experienced the highest level of orders for 18 months, including a [euro]680m ($867m) order for three GT26 gas turbines and related...

Capstone progress.(News Digest)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Capstone progress: US-based Capstone Turbine Corporation has said that it is in the final stages of development of its C200 microturbine. It plans to start beta-testing of the new product in the first quarter of fiscal 2005 (beginning April 1,...

ConEd falls.(News Digest)(Consolidated Edison Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... ConEd falls: Electricity and gas utility Consolidated Edison Inc. said that its fourth quarter profits fell by 58 per cent, reflecting charges on telecommunications and power plant assets. Quarterly net income fell to $50m from $118.3m in the...

Duke changes.(News Digest)(Duke Energy Corp. reorganizing)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Duke changes: Duke Energy Corp. has started to reorganize its wholesale energy divisions in line with its new financial plan, which aims to reduce the company's dependence on wholesale operations. Duke is aiming to sell or spin off plants and...

Emerging Energy Research.(News Digest)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Emerging Energy Research: A new study from Emerging Energy Research reports that the wind energy market grew ten per cent globally in 2003, but is expected to post a decline in 2004. Growth is expected to resume in 2005, however. Worldwide wind...

Kansai-Mitsubishi fuel cell.(News Digest)(Kansai Electric Power Co.)(Mitsubishi Materials Corp.)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Kansai-Mitsubishi fuel cell: Kansai Electric Power Co. and Mitsubishi Materials Corp. have jointly developed a fuel cell system which achieves an efficiency double that of most current systems. They plan to develop a 10 kW power generation unit...

RWE initiative.(News Digest)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... RWE initiative: Germany's RWE Group has combined the competencies of two of its divisions--Innogy's International Business and RWE Power's consulting subsidiary RE--to form RWE Power International. The new division will cover a broad range of...

New directive boosts CHP: a new directive on cogeneration is about to become law in Europe, clearing the way for a formal framework supporting its development. PEi examines whether this will be enough to re-energise the growth of CHP.(Report)(combined heat and power)(Cover Story)
February 1, 2004... The formal adoption of the cogeneration directive by the European Parliament in December 2003 is a major step forward for the combined heat and power (CHP) industry in the region. After enduring several years of market uncertainty and low...

Standing up to transmission reliability standards: new technology enables wind turbines to meet utility transmission reliability standards by maintaining system stability, reducing the risk of voltage collapse and minimizing grid disruptions.(Wind Technology)
February 1, 2004... Wind power has grown significantly in recent years. Currently, over 37 000 MW of wind capacity is in operation worldwide, an increase of over 6000 MW compared to 2002. During 2003 alone, Germany added 2000 MW, closely followed by the USA with...

World leader: Romania's transmission system operator, Transelectrica is installing the latest in power telecommunications technology to aid the flow of communication in its network.(Transmission & Distribution)
February 1, 2004... Running a high voltage electricity grid used to be all about maintaining equipment, and was never an insignificant task, but since market deregulation, transmission system operators have had to contend with more than just supplying power. ...

Pecs workout is healthy exercise: the Pecs power plant in Hungary is being refurbished with the conversion of its coal fired units into gas and biomass fired units. Under the Kyoto Protocol, the plant will generate carbon dioxide emission reduction certificates, the value of which has offset the cost of the refurbishment.(Refurbishment & Repowering)
February 1, 2004... Later this year, Hungary will be welcomed into the European Union as part of the first "wave" of eastward enlargement. The prospect of membership has meant many changes for Hungary, not least for the electric power industry, which saw the...

Latest technologies for mercury control: the US Department of Energy, the Electric Power Research Institute and a number of US utilities have been developing technologies to meet the proposed mercury regulation for coal fired power plants. A number of these new technologies are showing promise.(Emission Control)
February 1, 2004... The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently proposed to control mercury emissions from coal fired power plants from the current level of 48 t to 15 t a year by 2018--around 70 per cent reduction. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...