Power Engineering International articles from September 2006

Power Engineering International archives from September 2006

A final word.(banking industry)
September 1, 2006... The mood at this year's POWER-GEN Asia conference in Hong Kong was just a touch subdued. And it had nothing to do with the fact that this would be my last show as conference chairman. Michael Barrow, Principal Structured Finance Specialist at...

Asia takes foot off the gas: Asian countries have been expanding their use of natural gas and LNG in power generation, but industry experts are now predicting that coal is set to remain the region's dominant fuel, writes Nigel Blackaby.(Analysis)
September 1, 2006... Fuel choice decisions in the power industry tend not to be short term. Infrastructure has to be put in place and lengthy contracts entered into if security of fuel supply is to be achieved. Across Asian power markets, the trend over recent...

Gulf grid project to be up and running by 2010.(international)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states are set to be connected to a regional transmission grid by 2010, according to a recent report by the GCC Interconnection Authority. The first phase of the project, due for completion by 2008, will...

Private players prepare to enter South African power market.(international)(request for proposals )(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... South Africa has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for two simple cycle gas turbine generation stations, a move which will introduce the private sector to the country's power sector for the first time. Establishing the framework for...

Ethiopia moves forward on 1870 MW hydro development.(international)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... State-owned national utility the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCO) has signed an agreement with Italy's Salini Costruttori for the development of the 1870 MW Gilgel Gibe III hydro project. The ETB15bn ($1.72bn) project is to be...

SE deflects blame for high energy prices on to Slovakian distributors.(international)(Slovenske Elektrarne)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Amidst moves by the newly elected government to renationalise strategic assets in the energy sector, Slovenske Elektrarne (SE) Slovakia's largest generator, has reportedly rejected suggestions from the government that it should reduce...

Riga capacity boost from GE.(international)
September 1, 2006... GE Energy is supplying a Frame 9FB gas fired turbine-generator for the expansion of Riga Thermal Power Plant II, the largest thermal plant in Latvia. The expansion will increase the plant's output by approximately 420 MWe and some 270...

UES unveils investment plans.(international)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Russia's UES has released details of a five-year Rb2.1tn ($78.6bn) investment plan. The programme is expected to deliver some 20.9 GW of new generation capacity, with some Rb1.1tn of investment on the country's transmission grid. ...

Algeria.(News digest)
September 1, 2006... Algeria: SNC-Lavalin is to build a 1227 MW gas fired power station in Algeria's Tipaza Province. The project is due to begin operations in 2008. SNC has also signed a separate 20-year maintenance contract in a pair of deals worth $1.2bn.

Bahrain.(News digest)
September 1, 2006... Bahrain: With the operation of the country's first IPP, Bahrain now produces excess electricity. The 470 MW first phase of Al Ezzel development is complete with the second due by next May.

Enel.(News digest)
September 1, 2006... Bulgaria: Enel has set its sights on acquiring energy assets in Bulgaria, Romania and Russia amid concerns that its ambitions to acquire sufficient bulk to compete with the other European power majors remain unfulfilled.

Bulgarian Competition Commission.(News digest)
September 1, 2006... Bulgaria: The Bulgarian Competition Commission has approved the acquisition of the 1260 MW coal fired power station at Varna by CEZ.

Iran.(News digest)
September 1, 2006... Iran: A 7 km, 230 kV transmission line between Iran and Azerbaijan has begun operations. The line, which can deliver a maximum of 50 MW, will supply Iran in summer and Azerbaijan in winter.

Lithuania.(News digest)
September 1, 2006... Lithuania: Poland has been invited to participate in the construction of a third reactor at Lithuania's Ignalina nuclear station. Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia have already come to a provisional agreement to develop the unit.

Romania.(News digest)
September 1, 2006... Romania: Hidroelectrica plans to privatize 51 small hydro plants this year as part of accession negotiations with the European Union.

Russia.(News digest)
September 1, 2006... Russia: Wartsila is to develop a 17 MW CHP plant at the city of Eisk in Southern Russia. The plant will consist of two gas engine gensets in a contract worth over [euro]10m ($12.7m).

ABB.(News digest)
September 1, 2006... South Africa: ABB has won a $30m contract for 275 kV and 400 kV circuit breakers and medium voltage 400 kV surge arrestors for South African utility Eskom.

Honeywell.(News digest)
September 1, 2006... South Africa: Honeywell has won a $41.4m, three-year contract from South African utility Eskom to provide a distributed control system for six generation units at the Grootvlei power station.

Tanzania.(News digest)
September 1, 2006... Tanzania: Wartsila is to construct a 100 MW gas fired power plant in Tanzania in a contract worth [euro]57m ($72.4m). The 12 engine plant, will be located at Ubungo in Dar es Salaam.

Uganda.(News digest)
September 1, 2006... Uganda: Four companies, including a local group, have submitted bids to build, own and operate a 50 MW thermal plant to be located in Mutundwe, Kampala.

Zambia.(News digest)
September 1, 2006... Zambia: National utility Zesco has contracted Kalpatura Power Transmission of India to develop a 330 kV transmission line 72 km from Kansanshi to Lumwana. The project is expected to cost [euro]8.5m ($10.8m).

Wave power set to deliver 3 MW to British island.(europe)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... RWE's UK arm npower renewables has reached an agreement with Voith Siemens Hydro and its subsidiary Wavegen that could lead to the development of a 3 MW wave energy plant on the Hebridean island of Lewis. Based on Oscillating Water Column...

Commission objects to Suez-GdF alliance.(europe)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... The European Commission is set to publish a list of its concerns over the proposed merger between energy and services utility Suez and Gaz de France. The two companies have two months to respond to the objections, understood to focus...

Construction begins on world's largest lignite fired power plant.(europe)
September 1, 2006... Construction work has started on the world's largest lignite fired power station, at Neurath near Grevenbroich in Germany's North Rhine-Westphalia region. The two units, known as BoA 2 and 3, are being built by RWE and will generate a...

More CHP for the UK's Immingham.(europe)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... ConocoPhillips has been granted government approval to expand its 760 MW CHP plant at South Killingholme, North Lincolnshire. The enlarged Immingham facility, which is adjacent to Conoco's Humberside refinery, will produce 1230 MW when it...

RWE conducting new nuclear study.(europe)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... The chairman and chief executive of RWE, Harry Roels, has said that the company will press ahead with plans to develop new nuclear generation in order to maintain links with the technology. Although details of RWE's nuclear plans were not...

Trade brisk on carbon market.(europe)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Market analysts Point Carbon have released an overview of the European carbon market for the first half of 2006, along with a forward looking forecast. Trading activity in the global carbon market during the first half of 2006 has been...

Denmark.(News digest)
September 1, 2006... Denmark: Three way joint venture Maabjerg BioEnergy is to tender for the construction of a large biomass facility near Holstebro.

Ormat Technologies.(News digest)
September 1, 2006... Germany: An Ormat Technologies subsidiary has won a $4.4m contract for a Rankine cycle energy converter for a geothermal station at Landau in Germany.

Verbund and Salzburg.(News digest)
September 1, 2006... Germany: Verbund and Salzburg are to construct a new hydro station at Werfen as a joint venture. The [euro]63.5m ($80.6m) run of river project is expected to produce 76.5 GWh annually.

Ireland.(News digest)
September 1, 2006... Ireland: A four-month delay to the start of the all-Ireland power market has been announced. The market is now due to begin operations in November 2007 in order to allow more time for testing.

Endesa.(News digest)
September 1, 2006... Italy: Endesa has acquired a 14 MW wind farm in Italy for [euro]16.6m ($21.1m). The Lardino farm, south of Naples, uses seven Gamesa 2 MW turbines.

REpower.(News digest)
September 1, 2006... Italy: REpower is to supply 20 wind turbines for the Minervino project in southern Italy. The deal forms part of an agreement to supply 140 2 MW machines to a subsidiary of EdF by 2008.

Netherlands.(News digest)
September 1, 2006... Netherlands: ABB is to supply power and cable equipment for the 120 MW Dutch offshore windfarm Q7. The $33m contract will connect the 60 turbines to the grid when it begins operations next year. Vestas is to supply the turbines.

Norway.(News digest)
September 1, 2006... Norway: Aker Kvaerner has been awarded a [euro]14m ($17.8m) contract to supply a boiler to Bio-El Fredrikstad for a new power plant under development in Norway.

Alstom.(News digest)
September 1, 2006... Spain: A [euro]300m ($381m) contract has been won by Alstom for the development of a 400 MW gas fired combined cycle plant in Malaga, Spain. The turnkey plant will use GT26 turbines.

Endesa.(News digest)
September 1, 2006... Spain: Endesa has declared plans to build 14 new combined cycle gas fired stations through to 2009, at a cost of [euro]2.6bn ($3.3bn), increasing the company's gas fired capacity to more than 11.4 GW.

Sweden.(News digest)
September 1, 2006... Sweden: The Baltic's largest wind farm is set to go ahead following approval from the Swedish government. The 128 turbine development, 30 km offshore near Trelleborg, will double the country's installed wind capacity.

RWE npower.(News digest)
September 1, 2006... UK: RWE npower has celebrated the 50 year operational anniversary of its Tilbury power station in Essex, while E.ON's Connah Quay plant in Wales reached the ten-year mark.

Renewable energy trade groups, the British Wind Energy Association and the Renewable Energy Association.(News digest)
September 1, 2006... UK: Renewable energy trade groups, the British Wind Energy Association and the Renewable Energy Association are considering merging to deliver a more coherent voice for the sector.

ADB to promote renewable energy.(asia-pacific)(Asian Development Bank )(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Manila-based Asian Development Bank (ADB) is to conduct a study into its energy policy to promote greater use of clean energy in the Asian Pacific region and boost the region's energy security. Backed by a $lm technical assistance grant...

China builds its first super high voltage line.(asia-pacific)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Construction of China's first ultra high voltage (UHV) transmission line has begun with approval from the relevant government authorities. The proposed 654 km line will connect Shanxi, Henan and Hubei Provinces via the cities of Nanyang...

MHI in fuel cell-micro turbine technology break through.(Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd.)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has tested a novel gas-fuelled solid oxide fuel cell-micro gas turbine (SOFC-MGT) combined-cycle power generation system, a first for the country. MHI has been developing the system since 2004 at...

Thai proposal woos IPPs.(Independent Power Producers )(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Independent Power Producers (IPPs) have received a boost from the Thai government with a proposal to extend power purchase agreements between the private sector generators and state-owned national utility the Electricity Generating Authority of...

Mirant to sell Philippine assets.(asia-pacific)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Mirant Corporation has announced a strategic plan to auction its Philippines and Caribbean businesses, with the proceeds expected to go on a share buy back programme. Mirant has ownership interests in three generating facilities in the...

IFC to boost investment on Vietnam generation.(asia-pacific)(projects worth $3bn annually. With demand growth set to reach 14 )(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... A deal with the International Finance Committee (IFC) has been agreed with Vietnam that should encourage private investment to the country's energy sector. Under the terms of the agreement, the finance organisation is to review the legal...

Australia.(News digest)
September 1, 2006... Australia: Acciona Enerrgy is to install a 200 MW wind farm in the state of Victoria with a total investment of [euro]238m. The Waubra farm is due for completion in 2008.

Bangladesh.(News digest)
September 1, 2006... Bangladesh: The Asian Development Bank is to provide some $465m in finance for the Bangladesh Power Division to improve the power infrastructure and distribution system.

Siemens.(News digest)
September 1, 2006... China: Siemens has won a contract to supply the Waigaoqiao 3 and Daihai coal-fired plants with I & C systems. Commissioning of both plants is due in 2007.

Mitsubishi Electric Corp.(News digest)
September 1, 2006... China: Mitsubishi Electric Corp has set up a joint venture to produce high voltage substation switchgear. Chinese partners Baoding Tianwei group will hold a 10 per cent interest.

Hong Kong.(News digest)
September 1, 2006... Hong Kong: A pilot S[O.sub.x], N[O.sub.x] and particulate emissions trading platform is to be implemented for thermal power plants in the Pearl River Delta region between the island state and China's Guangdong Province.

India.(News digest)
September 1, 2006... India: Wind technology company Suzlon has announced plans to invest some $322m in setting up manufacturing facilities in the country in order to increase export potential.

The government plans to open bidding in October on a further 30 power projects.(News digest)
September 1, 2006... Indonesia: Close to 60 investors have expressed interest in developing 10 coal-fired generation stations in Indonesia, part of an $8bn programme to deliver 10 GW of additional capacity. The government plans to open bidding in October on a...

Itochu Corporation.(News digest)
September 1, 2006... Indonesia: Itochu Corporation plans to develop the world's largest geothermal power plant in Indonesia's North Sumatra. The $600m project will have three generators producing 330 MW and is due for completion in 2009.

PLN and Malaysia's TNB.(News digest)
September 1, 2006... Indonesia: PLN and Malaysia's TNB have agreed to complete cross-border transmission links between West Kalimantan and Sarawak by 2009. The 150 kV, 231 km line will cost $38.5m.

Korea.(News digest)
September 1, 2006... Korea: Millennium Electric has signed a development agreement with Korea's HQMC for the development of a $150m solar-PV project with a capacity of 120 MW. The project is due on-line by 2009.

Myanmar.(News digest)
September 1, 2006... Myanmar: China Sinohydro Corp together with Thailand's EGAT are to develop a 600 MW hydro station on the Thanlwin river in Myanmar. The $1bn project is the first of five planned.

Philippines.(News digest)
September 1, 2006... Philippines: Twelve investors have expressed interest in bidding for a 25-year contract to manage the country's national grid, says the state-run Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Corp.

US grid shines as heat triggers record demand.(americas)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Despite soaring temperatures across the US that have prompted record power demand, the nation's power systems have been able to meet demand with few unexpected disruptions. According to Cambridge Energy Research Associates (CERA) directors...

Tractebel to increase its capacity in Brazil.(americas)
September 1, 2006... Suez' Brazilian subsidiary Tractebel Energia plans to invest in new generation projects and purchase existing plants in order to maintain its market share in the country. Brazil's installed capacity has been predicted to grow from the...

Pulp mill switches to bio power.(americas)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... An industrial-scale test burn of bio-oil as a replacement for natural gas has been completed by DynaMotive Energy Systems Corporation. The test, in the lime kiln of a pulp and paper mill, was conducted in the Northern Interior of British...

Four sites left on FutureGen shortlist.(americas)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... The US Department of Energy (DoE) has announced the final candidate host sites for its $1bn FutureGen programme to develop a near-zero emissions coal fired power plant. The FutureGen Alliance decision, naming two sites each in Texas and...

Argentina plans nuclear revival.(americas)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Argentina has announced an ambitious programme to expand its nuclear generation capacity through both plant life extensions and new build. Planning minister Julio de Vido said the strategic plan will increase the lifespan of both the...

Brazilian asset sale leaves EdF lighter.(americas)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Electricite de France (EdF) has concluded the sale of a 79.4 per cent stake in its subsidiary Light, an electricity distribution company in the state of Rio de Janeiro that serves 3.8m people. The company went to Rio Minas Energia...

MDU Resources.(News digest)
September 1, 2006... Brazil: MDU Resources has purchased an interest in the transmission partnership which operates a series of transmission lines in the northeast and south of the country.

The government has signed a 30-year concession deal.(News digest)
September 1, 2006... Brazil: The government has signed a 30-year concession deal for seven new hydro projects with a combined capacity of 850 MW due to begin operations by 2010.

Canada.(News digest)
September 1, 2006... Canada: Vestas has won a contract to supply 30 units of its 1,8 MW wind turbine for the Kettles Hill project near Pincher Creek.

Guatemala.(News digest)
September 1, 2006... Guatemala: Globeleq has sold a 14 per cent stake in Orzunil I de Electricidad Limitatda, a 24 MW geothermal plant, to OrPower 3.

Uruguay.(News digest)
September 1, 2006... Uruguay: GE has supplied four turbines to make up for the gap in Uruguay's energy mix caused by a season of lower than expected rainfall. Together the diesel/gas fuelled turbines will generate 200 MW.

Alstom.(News digest)
September 1, 2006... USA: Alstom has won a $700m EPC contract for the boiler and air control equipment for an 850 MW coal fired unit in Missouri.

Chena Hot Springs.(News digest)
September 1, 2006... USA: Commercial operations have begun at Alaska's first geothermal plant, a 200 kW installation at Chena Hot Springs.

GE and Bechtel.(News digest)
September 1, 2006... USA: GE and Bechtel have signed a contract with AEP for the front-end engineering of a 630 MW integrated gasification combined cycle power plant in West Virginia.

AWEA.(News digest)
September 1, 2006... USA: Installed wind capacity has reached the 10 GW milestone, the AWEA reports, while FPL has assumed the mantle of world's largest producer, operating nearly 4 GW of capacity.

Long Island Power Authority.(News digest)
September 1, 2006... USA: Long Island Power Authority has begun construction of an 800 m superconducting 138 kV cable to be installed in a live grid. Sumitomo Electric has also begun field trials of a 350 m high voltage superconducting cable in Albany, NY.

Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.(News digest)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... USA: Seven northeast states have agreed the nation's first mandatory C[O.sub.2] cap and trade scheme under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. A model set of regulations will see emissions from power plants in the region capped at...

Department of Energy.(News digest)
September 1, 2006... USA: The Department of Energy has awarded a contract to Consol Energy, a major coal producer, to demonstrate a multi pollutant control technology for the development of low emission coal fired plants. AES is to install the clean coal technology...

Venezuela.(News digest)
September 1, 2006... Venezuela: Telefonica Moviles is to begin installation of nine Plug Power fuel cell-based back-up power systems.

Regulator checks Endesa-E.ON deal.(companies)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Spanish regulatory authority the Comision Nacional de Energia (CNE) has imposed savage conditions in approving the proposed merger between national champion Endesa and German powerhouse E.ON. The 19 conditions of approval required by the...

Transmission tariff cuts impact German players.(companies)
September 1, 2006... Germany's network agency the Bundesnetzagentur (BNA) has imposed significant cuts in charges for third party access on all major Transmission System Operators (TSOs). The double digit cuts in network costs applied for hit RWE, Vattenfall,...

American Superconductor reports 2G wire breakthrough.(companies)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Commercial levels of electric current have been transmitted for the first time in long lengths of second generation (2G) high temperature superconductor (HTS) wire. The announcement, from American Superconductor, marks a breakthrough in...

World Bank backs renewable energy.(companies)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Renewable energy projects benefited from loans to the tune of $680m from the World Bank Group in fiscal year 2006, under its New-Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency programmes. This marks a 48 per cent increase over the 2005 commitment...

BP-GE hydrogen power alliance.(companies)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Two large energy companies have teamed up to develop hydrogen power projects. BP and GE are to collaborate on power, carbon capture and sequestration technologies in a joint effort to dramatically reduce carbon emissions from electricity...

Alliance to conduct global commercialization of 2G products.(companies)
September 1, 2006... Three specialist superconducting technology companies have forged an alliance to accelerate product commercialization. Zenergy Power, comprising Australian Superconductors, SC Power Systems and Trithor, aims to become a global player in the...

BKW orders Italian.(News digest)
September 1, 2006... BKW orders Italian: A 40 per cent stake in Italian CHP and biomass power plant construction company STC has been acquired by BKW FMB Energy.