Power Engineering International articles from January 2003

Power Engineering International archives from January 2003

Take a deep breath and keep smiling. (Up Front).(state of the US power business discussed at Power-Gen International)
January 1, 2003... As James Wood, president and CEO of Babcock Borsig Capital put it, the state of the power business "is nothing to joke about". Speaking at Power-Gen International last month (December), Wood reminded us of how tough a year 2002 was. What a...

Seeking strategies for growth. (Analysis).(power sector firms reassess their growth strategies)
January 1, 2003... With the power sector struggling worldwide, companies are reassessing strategies. Sian Green assesses how manufacturers have responded to the US downturn, and what opportunities exist for near-term growth. At Power-Gen International in...

Russia delays reform plans. (International: World News).(electricity reform bill)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Russian lawmakers have opted to delay the second reading of the country's electricity reform bill. Four state Duma factions making up a parliamentary majority voted in December to delay the reading until 2003. The delay was supported by...

AES continues asset sales programme. (International: World News).(selling assets in Africa to CDC Globeleq)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... AES is driving its global divestment programme by agreeing to sell assets in Africa, after giving the nod on a similar deal in Australia. The agreement in Africa is with CDC Globeleq, CDC Group's emerging markets power business, to sell its...

Alstom bags refurbishment project in Mozambique. (International: World News).(to refurbish Hidroelectrica de Cahora Bassa's hydropower station)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Alstom has signed a [euro]40m contract with Hidroelectrica deCahora Bassa to refurbish the Cahora Bassa hydropower station (5 x 415 MW) situated on the Zambezi river near Songo in the Tete province of Mozambique. The aging Cohora Bassa...

South Africa makes PBMR project breakthrough. (International: World News).(Pebble Bed Modular Reactor made progress in starting up test rig of PBMR power conversion system)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... South Africa's Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR) made progress in starting up a test rig of the PBMR power conversion system. The test rig represents the first closed-cycle, multi-shaft gas turbine in the world. David Nicholls, CEO of PBMR...

Hungary to sell x-border rights. (International: World News).(Mavi to sell utilization rights of Hungary's excess cross-border electricity transmission capacities for 2003)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Hungary's state-owned electricity system operator (Mavir) announced a tender to sell the utilization rights of Hungary's excess cross-border electricity transmission capacities for this year. The tender marks the first step in partial...

CEZ merges with discos. (International: World News).(to merge with 5 regional power distributors)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... The Czech Republic's antimonopoly office UOHS has approved a merger between power company CEZ and five regional power distributors. The five distributors are Stredoceska energeticka, Vychodoceska energetika, Severoceska energetika, Zapadoceska...

Azerbaijan and Iran have agreed to proceed with the construction of a power cable that will cross their common border at Astara, near the Caspian sea coast. (News Digest).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Azerbaijan: Azerbaijan and Iran have agreed to proceed with the construction of a power cable that will cross their common border at Astara, near the Caspian sea coast. Work on the 220 kV transmission line began last month and is due to go in...

Iran's first geothermal power plant will be built in the northeastern Sabalan region of Ardebil province. (News Digest).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Iran: Iran's first geothermal power plant will be built in the northeastern Sabalan region of Ardebil province. Six wells are being drilled on the site of the plant at depths of 3500 m. The steam obtained from the wells will be used to drive...

Alstom, a leader of consortium with Japanese firm ltochu. (News Digest).(firms gets contract from Transelectrica to create national fibre optic telecommunication network )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Romania: Alstom, a leader of consortium with Japanese firm ltochu, has won a [euro]21.9m contract with Romanian transmission system operator Transelectrica to create a national fibre optic telecommunication network for its electrical power...

Romania's Finance Minister Mihal Tanasescu said that some of the state's power assets will not be put up for privatization for the moment. (News Digest).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Romania: Romania's Finance Minister Mihal Tanasescu said that some of the state's power assets will not be put up for privatization for the moment. Those off the list are thermal power plants, but Hidroelectrica, the state's main hydropower...

Gazprom unveiled plans to build a North European gas pipeline linking Russia and Germany, its largest western European customer. (News Digest).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Russia: Gazprom unveiled plans to build a North European gas pipeline linking Russia and Germany, its largest western European customer. Total construction costs are estimated at $5.7bn and Gazprom plans to launch the pipeline in 2009.

Eskom Enterprises outbid Spanish and Indian power firms to clinch a 20-year concession to boost Uganda's power supply. (News Digest).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... South Africa: Eskom Enterprises outbid Spanish and Indian power firms to clinch a 20-year concession to boost Uganda's power supply. The company will operate two power dams situated on the River Nile which have a maximum capacity of 380 MW but...

The Gulf states must invest over Sl3Obn] over the next 20 years to meet expanding residential and industrial demand for power. (News Digest).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... UAE: The Gulf states must invest over Sl3Obn] over the next 20 years to meet expanding residential and industrial demand for power. The UAE alone will need 8000 MW of additional capacity within ten years. double the installed capacity in 1999,...

ABB announced it has signed a $15m contract with Abu Dhabi Water Electricity Authority to modernize the process control system for the Al Taweelah B power station. (News Digest).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... UAE: ABB announced it has signed a $15m contract with Abu Dhabi Water Electricity Authority to modernize the process control system for the Al Taweelah B power station. The project will help the plant lower operating costs and remain...

Uganda Electricity Generation Company. (News Digest).(lets order for installation of fifth 40 MW unit at Kiira power station)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Uganda: Uganda Electricity Generation Company has awarded Aistom a supplementary order for the installation of the fifth 40 MW unit at the Kiira power station.

GE tests prototype 3.6 MW offshore wind turbine. (Europe: World News).(GE Power Systems )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... GE Power Systems has developed the first wind turbine over 3 MW for commercial use in offshore locations and is currently testing a prototype at an onshore location in Spain. The 3.6 MW wind turbine has been supplying power to the Spanish grid...

Government agrees aid for British Energy. (Europe: World News).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... The UK government has agreed on measures to help nuclear generator British Energy remain solvent. A [pounds sterling]650m ($1bn) loan facility will be extended to March 9 by which time the company must have agreed its restructuring programme...

Dry spell sets power prices soaring in Nordic region. (Europe: World News).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... A lack of rainfall since the summer has led to record high wholesale electricity prices in hydropower-reliant Scandinavia. Reservoir levels are at a ten-year low and the shortage of capacity is set to clash with the winter period of peak...

EU gives German gas fired power plant market a boost. (Europe: World News).(Germany allowed 5-year tax exemptions for new gas fired power plants )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... An EU decision to allow Germany five-year tax exemptions for new gas fired power plants is expected to encourage new environmentally friendly and efficient power plant projects as well as attract new players into the market. "This is...

Ministers agree pan-European emissions trading. (Europe: World News).(to create world's first international greenhouse gas emissions trading system )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... European Union environment ministers have agreed to create the world's first international greenhouse gas emissions trading system which, subject to European Parliament approval, will commence in 2005. The cap and trade scheme is intended to...

Aquila gains UK approval. (Europe: World News).(to build 860 MW CCGT power station in Southampton, England)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... UK energy minister Brian Wilson has granted permission to Aquila to build a 860 MW CCGT power station in Southampton, England. The $600m project will be on the former Marchwood power plant on the river Test. Aquila is proceeding with the...

Alstom has been awarded a contract to upgrade a gas turbine block, featuring a GT13DM originally supplied in 1980. (News Digest).(EVN AG placed order)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Austria: Alstom has been awarded a contract to upgrade a gas turbine block, featuring a GT13DM originally supplied in 1980, for the Korneuburg B combined cycle power plant, located north-west of Vienna, Austria. The order was placed by EVN AG.

All 80 wind turbines at Elsam's new offshore wind farm at Horns Rev are now in operation and undergoing testing. (News Digest).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Denmark: All 80 wind turbines at Elsam's new offshore wind farm at Horns Rev are now in operation and undergoing testing. The turbines, located 14-20 km off the Danish coast in the North Sea, will be capable of generating 160 MW at full...

The first industrial turbine generator unit of VA Tech Hydro's ECOBulb has successfully gone into commercial operation in Aubas, central France. (News Digest).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... France: The first industrial turbine generator unit of VA Tech Hydro's ECOBulb has successfully gone into commercial operation in Aubas. central France. The ECOBulb offers high efficiency combined with low environmental impact.

The Athens 2004 Olympic Organizing Committee has awarded a $13m contract for the provision of power for the games to a consortium led by ABB. (News Digest).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Greece: The Athens 2004 Olympic Organizing Committee has awarded a $13m contract for the provision of power for the games to a consortium led by ABB. The contract involves ABB building one of four 150 kV distribution substations and is part of...

Enel has ordered 181 wind turbines from Spanish turbine manufacturer Gamesa with an option for 40 more. (News Digest).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Italy: Enel has ordered 181 wind turbines from Spanish turbine manufacturer Gamesa with an option for 40 more. The 187 MW order is worth [euro]115m and delivery is scheduled from January 2003 to the end of 2004.

GE Aeroderivative and Package Services. (News Digest).(supplied replacement power generation equipment to Azienda Generale Servizi Municipali di Verona)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Italy: GE Aeroderivative and Package Services has supplied replacement power generation equipment to Azienda Generale Servizi Municipali di Verona including a new LM2500 gas generator and an overhauled LM2500 power turbine, reducing its outage...

BP and ChevronTexaco have begun the commercial operation of their jointly owned Nerefco wind farm located on a brownfield site near Rotterdam, Holland. (News Digest).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Netherlands: BP and ChevronTexaco have begun the commercial operation of their jointly owned Nerefco wind farm located on a brownfield site near Rotterdam, Holland. The $23m, 22.5 MW project is producing electricity for the Dutch grid.

Austria's VA Tech Hydro has won an order from Ferroatlantica worth [euro]1.5m to upgrade its O Novo Pindo hydroelectric power station. (News Digest).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Spain: Austria's VA Tech Hydro has won an order from Ferroatlantica worth [euro]1.5m to upgrade its O Novo Pindo hydroelectric power station, including providing a new turbine generator unit, a horizontal 10 MW Francis turbine.

A total of 20 Nordex N80/2500 kW wind turbines have been ordered by Fred Olsen Renewables Limited. (News Digest).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... UK: A total of 20 Nordex N80/2500 kW wind turbines have been ordered by Fred Olsen Renewables Limited at a cost of [euro]37m for its Crystal Rig wind farm near Dunbar, Scotland.

A new code of practice aimed at stamping out misselling in the UK energy sales industry has received a welcome from regulator Ofgem. (News Digest).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... UK: A new code of practice aimed at stamping out misselling in the UK energy sales industry has received a welcome from regulator Ofgem. The code, developed with electricity watchdog Energywatch, commits all major energy suppliers to higher...

Basslink orders converter stations for HVDC link. (Asia-Pacific: World News).(Siemens Power Transmission and Distribution gets contract from Basslink Pty Ltd.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Basslink Pty Ltd. has placed an order for the two converter stations for a planned high voltage direct current (HVDC) submarine cable link across the Bass Strait between Tasmania and the state of Victoria, Australia. The converter stations...

Australian JV develops low-cost solar cells. (Asia-Pacific: World News).(Australia's National University and Origin Energy develop solar cell)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... A joint venture involving Australia's National University (ANU) and Origin Energy have developed a solar cell that uses one tenth of the silicon used in conventional solar panels without hindering energy performance. The cell uses Sliver Cell...

AES ships out of Australia. (Asia-Pacific: World News).(AES to cut debt load and sells several of its Australian assets)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... US energy giant AES is seeking to reduce debt load by offloading several of its Australian assets. The sales will have a combined value of A$295m ($166m). Origin Energy has indicated its interest in acquiring the AES Mt Stuart -- a 288 MW...

Black & Veatch appointed engineers for Dabhol plant. (Asia-Pacific: World News).(Overseas Private Investment Corp. awarded contract)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) has appointed Black & Veatch as an independent engineer to the Dabhol power plant in India. OPIC has mandated B&V on behalf of the foreign lenders to study the plant and offer advice for...

Fortum sells Thailand asset. (Asia-Pacific: World News).(to sell Laem Chabang Power Co. to Sime Darby Berhad)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Finland's Fortum is set to sell its 103 MW, Thai subsidiary Laem Chabang Power Company (LCP) to Sime Darby Berhad, a Malaysian company, for [euro]30.4m. The move is part of long term plans to raise funds to beef up Fortum's portfolio in...

HK modernizes Castle Peak. (Asia-Pacific: World News).(Invensys completed I/A Series control system modernization at Hong Kong plant)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Invensys has completed a comprehensive I/A Series control system modernization project at Unit 3 of Hong Kong's Castle Peak B power station. The plant, which is owned by Castle Peak Power Company, is one of the largest coal-fired plants in the...

Construction of the $251 m offshore BassGas project will begin in January 2003 after the Australian federal government approved the development. (News Digest).(Origin Energy)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Australia: Construction of the $251 m offshore BassGas project will begin in January 2003 after the Australian federal government approved the development. The BassGas project, operated by Australia's second-largest power and gas retailer...

The competition watchdog has handed down a decision intended to stop electricity wholesalers from abusing their market position. (News Digest).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Australia: The competition watchdog has handed down a decision intended to stop electricity wholesalers from abusing their market position. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said power companies must act in good faith when...

VA Tech Hydro has been awarded a [euro]25m contract for a runof-river power plant at Da Pu, Guangxi, China. (News Digest).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... China: VA Tech Hydro has been awarded a [euro]25m contract for a runof-river power plant at Da Pu, Guangxi, China. The scope of supply will be three Kaplan Bulb turbines with an output of 31 MW each and a runner diameter of 6 m, generators,...

Guangdong Power Group. (News Digest).(to spend $954.5m to 2005 to build facilities to receive electricity transmitted from western China)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... China: Guangdong Power Group in South China's Guangdong Province will spend $954.5m to 2005 on constructing necessary facilities to receive electricity transmitted from the western part of the country.

Two Vericor Power Systems. (News Digest).(gas turbines supplied by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for use at 2 separate projects)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Japan: Two Vericor Power Systems' ASE40 aeroderivative gas turbines supplied by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), Nagoya, Japan will be used at two separate projects in Japan: a 2.6 MW natural gas fired unit for a newspaper print mill and a...

General Electric plans to expand sales of wind power generators in the Japanese market. (News Digest).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Japan: General Electric plans to expand sales of wind power generators in the Japanese market. GE has developed operations chiefly through Japan Wind Development Co., a developer of power generation facilities. GE will start selling 1500 kW...

Pakistan's Northwest Frontier Province has signed an agreement with a Chinese construction firm to build an 81 MW hydropower generation project. (News Digest).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Pakistan: Pakistan's Northwest Frontier Province has signed an agreement with a Chinese construction firm to build an 81 MW hydropower generation project. Construction of the Malakand Ill Hydropower Project would cost RS379bn ($1 0gm),...

Singapore power company PowerSeraya Ltd. (News Digest).(to make partial switch to orimulsion from heavy fuel oil by 2005 )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Singapore: Singapore power company PowerSeraya Ltd. said it is planning to make a partial switch to orimulsion from heavy fuel oil by 2005 in order to reduce costs and to keep pace with increased competition spurred by Singapore's electricity...

Alstom has signed a contract with the Chinese turnkey supplier Harbin Engineering Company. (News Digest).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Vietnam: Alstom has signed a contract with the Chinese turnkey supplier Harbin Engineering Company to supply 2 x 50 MW CFB boilers for the Cao Ngan Thermal Power plant in Vietnam.

BC splits up to attract investment. (Americas: World News).(British Columbia Hydra is to divide itself in two)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Canada's British Columbia Hydra is to divide itself in two in a bid to attract investment to add power generation capacity and maintain low tariffs. The split will mean that one side will head up the hydro dams, distribution operation and...

El Paso Electric is ordered to repay $14m. (Americas: World News).(Federal Energy Regulatory Commission orders firm to refund California $14m and forfeit power trade privileges for 2 years )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... El Paso Electric has been ordered by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to refund California $14m and forfeit power trade privileges for two years for its dealings with Enron during the Californian power crisis. El Paso...

TVA places $200m order for extra-high voltage transformers. (Americas: World News).(ABB signs 5-year agreement with Tennessee Valley Authority )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... ABB has signed a five-year agreement with the USA's Tennessee Valley Authority for $200m worth of extra-high voltage power transformers. The transformers will have ratings of up to 765 kV. They will be purpose built and designed to operate...

El Paso Corp. announces sale of Samalayuca II interest. (Americas: World News).(El Paso Merchant Energy to sell 40% share in Mexican power project to affiliate of GE Structured Finance)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... El Paso Merchant Energy, a unit of El Paso Corporation, is to shed its 40 per cent interest in the 700 MW Samalayuca II power project in Mexico to an affiliate of GE Structured Finance. The plant, situated near Ciudad Juarez, comprises...

ICA Fluor Daniel to build 500 MW Mexico plant. (Americas: World News).(the plant is for Iberdrola Energia)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... ICA Fluor Daniel, the industrial engineering company jointly owned by Fluor Corporation and Empressa ICA Sociedad Controladora, announced its intention to construct a 498 MW, $250m, combined cycle power plant in Gomez Palacios, Durango, Mexico...

Centrica buys retailer in Canada. (Americas: World News).(Centrica plc will buy ACTO Group's retail gas and electricity supply business in Alberta)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Centrica plc will acquire the retail gas and electricity supply business of the ACTO Group in Alberta, Canada for C$128.5m ($52m). Next year will see Centrica hold a customer base of 5.5m as it attempts to complete this transaction along...

Argentina's President Eduardo Duhalde has raised rates for gas and electricity by 2.5 pesos (70[cents]) per month for electricity and 1.4 pesos per month for gas. (News Digest).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Argentina: Argentina's President Eduardo Duhalde has raised rates for gas and electricity by 2.5 pesos (70[cents]) per month for electricity and 1.4 pesos per month for gas. The government froze utility rates after devaluing the peso currency...

A decision on Canada's role in the Kyoto protocol was decided when the House of Commons voted in favour of ratifying the deal. (News Digest).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Canada: A decision on Canada's role in the Kyoto protocol was decided when the House of Commons voted in favour of ratifying the deal. Kyoto requires Canadian businesses to reduce emissions by 55 megatonnes or 23 per cent of the country's 240...

Chile's power firm Endesa has described the long-term perspectives for Latin America as "bright" at the IV European Forum of Latin American Companies in Madrid. (News Digest).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Chile: Chile's power firm Endesa has described the long-term perspectives for Latin America as "bright" at the IV European Forum of Latin American Companies in Madrid. Endesa has operations in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Peru and Chile.

Kawasaki Gas Turbines-Americas, a division of Kawasaki Motors Corp. (News Digest).(announces first commercial operation of low emissions technology from Kawasaki and Cataytica Energy Systems)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... USA: Kawasaki Gas Turbines-Americas, a division of Kawasaki Motors Corp., announced the world's first commercial operation of a new low emissions technology from Kawasaki and Cataytica Energy Systems. Kawasaki has initiated online operation of...

GE Power Systems will supply a steam turbine generator and additional equipment to Santee Cooper. (News Digest).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... USA: GE Power Systems will supply a steam turbine generator and additional equipment to Santee Cooper. South Carolina's state-owned electric and water utility, for expansion of its coal fired Cross Generation Station. A GE G9D steam turbine...

Siemens PG has announced that the number of its advanced W501G gas turbine units in operation is set to double in 2003. (News Digest).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... USA: Siemens PG has announced that the number of its advanced W501G gas turbine units in operation is set to double in 2003. Currently there are nine W501 G units in operation with an accumulated operating hours total of over 50 000 hours. The...

Colorado Interstate Gas, a subsidiary of El Paso Corp. (News Digest).(to develop new natural gas pipeline project, extending from Wyoming to Kansas)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... USA: Colorado Interstate Gas, a subsidiary of El Paso Corp., has announced the development of a new natural gas pipeline project that extends from Wyoming to Kansas. The Cheyenne Plains Pipeline will serve markets in the midwest with...

The Andean Development Corp. (CAF). (News Digest).(authorized $100m in financing for Venezuelan hydroelectricity project)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Venezuela: The Andean Development Corp. (CAF), the regional financing arm of South America's Andean nations, said it has authorized $100m in financing for a Venezuelan hydroelectricity project.

ABB R & D commitment. (News Digest).(commits $1.6bn in research and development each year)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Power and automation company ABB commits $1.6bn in research and development each year, according to its Group Technology Report. The report revealed that 75 per cent of its business is based on products developed within the past five years.

AECL co-operation. (News Digest).(Atomic Energy of Canada and Bechtel to cooperate in deployment of Advanced Candu Reactor)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Atomic Energy of Canada and Bechtel are to co-operate in the deployment of the Advanced Candu Reactor, extending a relationship in which they have successfully worked together to construct two Candu 6 reactors in China.

Alstom and Waplans. (News Digest).(companies partner on Swedish market)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Alstom and hydro-turbine manufacturer Waplans are to combine efforts in the Swedish hydro market. The companies are to offer complete mechanical and electrical solutions.

BP Solar quits thin film. (News Digest).(company to focus on crystalline-based products)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... BP Solar is to exit the thin film business and concentrate on its crystalline-based products as part of a reorganisation aimed at maintaining an annual sales growth rate of 30 per cent.

Eni gas move. (News Digest).(Eni S.p.A. to purchase 50% of Union Fenosa Gas )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Italy's Eni SpA is paying 5440m to acquire a 50 per cent share in Union Fenosa Gas, the gas unit of Spain's power company Union Fenosa as part of its strategy to participate in the liberalizing Spanish energy market.

Genset sales stagnate. (News Digest).(generator set dealers)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Research among US and Canadian generator set dealers conducted by Power Systems Research reveals virtually no increase in third quarter sales over the previous quarter due to weak economic conditions and lower activity in the construction...

National Grid Transco results. (News Digest).(financial results, 2003)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Newly merged National Grid Tranco posted interim profits of [pounds sterling]339m ($545m) with cost savings partially offset by increased pension fund deficits, following the [pounds sterling]l3bn merger of England's gas and electricity...

Owel funding request. (News Digest).(Offshore Wave Energy Ltd. )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Offshore Wave Energy Limited (Owel) is seeking [pounds sterling]300 000 ($482 000) in funding for the next phase of its technology testing programme which it says will lead to a practical and commercially viable system for harnessing the power...

Rolls K-Gas milestone. (News Digest).(sales of Rolls Royce K-Gas reciprocating engines)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Recent sales of Rolls Royce K-Gas reciprocating engines exceeded [pounds sterling]10m with six new orders including three from Italy. The engines are now operational in nearly 300 installations worldwide since their introduction in the early...

S&P lowers El Paso. (News Digest).(Standard and Poor's Corp.'s rating of El Paso Corp.'s long term corporate credit)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... US pipeline operator El Paso Corporation has suffered a downgrade in its long term corporate credit rating to junk status at the hands of Standard & Poor's due to its debt and liquidity position.

Clean-up team-up. (World News: Companies).(RJM Corp. purchases Beaumont Environmental Systems)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Two names in the field of pollution emission control are joining forces with the acquisition of Pittsburgh-based Beaumont Environmental Systems by RJM Corporation. Connecticut-based RIM Corporation has specialized in technologies for reducing...

Buyer is found for Babcock's US unit. (World News: Companies).(HIG purchases BBCC Holding Company Inc.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... The US operations of bankrupt German engineering group Babcock Borsig Power GmbH have been acquired by HIG, a New York based private investment firm. No financial details were released for the transaction in which HIG acquired all shares of...

HTS partnership announced. (World News: Companies).(Southwire Co., NKT Cables)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Two businesses specializing in the development and manufacturer of high-temperature superconducting (HTS) power cables, Southwire Company and NKT Cables, have agreed to establish a joint company to continue development and eventual...

Eutila adds new services to aid cost effective transactions. (World News: Companies).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Eutila, the European e-marketplace for the utility sector, has broadened its sourcing optimization services by adding a Transaction service and a self-service portfolio. Eutila's Transaction services enable rapid and cost effective...

Black & Veatch adapts operations. (World News: Companies).(reorganizing its Energy Engineering and Construction business)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Black & Veatch has responded to changing market conditions in power generation by carrying out a reorganization of its Energy Engineering and Construction division to move its focus more towards international markets. The division, which...

Alstom and ADA to offer mercury control. (World News: Companies).(Alstom and ADA Environmental Solutions to jointly market mercury removal system)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... In anticipation of new US state and federal legislation for mercury emission control, Alstom and ADA Environmental Solutions have entered an exclusive relationship to market systems for mercury removal from power plants. The two companies will...

Gambling on Russia. (Russian Power Market).(efforts to reform the Russian electric power industry examined)(Industry Overview)
January 1, 2003... Russia's mammoth task of reforming its power industry is stalling in the face of tariff reform and the upcoming Parliamentary elections. PEi examines how this is likely to affect the flow of much-needed investment into the market. The...

It's been emotional. (Utility Branding).(utilities need to make an emotional connection to consumers in order to gain customers)(Industry Overview)
January 1, 2003... Building brand loyalty is one of the greatest challenges faced by utilities today. New research suggests that low prices alone are no longer enough, and that utilities must start showing their sensitive side if they are to enhance customer...

The United States of Central America. (Transmission Grid Development).(six Central American nations plan to interconnect electric systems)
January 1, 2003... Six Central American nations have embarked on a project to interconnect their electricity systems. The $320 million project will help to improve reliability and efficiency in the region's power markets. Six Central American countries have...

Bringing in the new: with distributed generation on the increase, Caterpillar aims to grow its share of the market with its new G3500 Series of natural gas engines. (Reciprocating Engine Technology).
January 1, 2003... "This new generator set fills an emerging need in the distributed generation market," said Michael A. Devine, gas product marketing manager with Caterpillar Inc. "Distributed generation is growing rapidly as utilities see its potential as a...

A question of integrity. (Operation & Maintenance).(in power plant boilers tht require short notice start ups and shut downs)
January 1, 2003... Today's merchant plants are required to come on line or shut down at short notice which puts a strain on the HRSG. This article describes various mechanisms which affect the integrity of the boilers and discusses monitoring requirements to keep...

Shaping energy's future: accounting practices hove come to the forefront of energy company strategy since the demise of Enron. Selecting the right software con reduce risk as well as provide o competitive edge. (It Focus).(Company Profile)
January 1, 2003... In the post-Enron era, energy companies around the globe are extra assertive when dealing with their financial accounts and what software to implement to monitor results. Risk factors are given more attention since Enron's collapse, and...