O&M
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O&M
Optimizing Turbine Repair Resources
Steam turbines are used in many applications on various scales to drive equipment such as pumps, compressors, and generators. Routine maintenance, as laid out by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) is
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Solar
How Electroluminescence and Current-Voltage Characteristics Tools Enhance PV Solar System Performance
Solar photovoltaic (PV) power generation demonstrated the largest absolute growth of all renewable technologies in 2022, surpassing wind for the first time in history, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). The IEA has said continuous growth in the economic attractiveness of PV, massive development in the supply chain, and increasing policy support, especially in […]
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Power
Tips for Managing Steam and Water Analysis System Maintenance in Aging Plants
Proper steam and water analysis system (SWAS) maintenance is critical to the operation of any coal, nuclear, or combined cycle power plant, many of which are being forced to ask more of aging equipment. For
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O&M
A New Year’s Resolution: Utilities Can Reap the Rewards of Resilience
Extreme weather events are occurring more frequently and with greater severity across the U.S., from scorching heat in many areas to major hurricanes battering coastal regions. Throughout the U.S., utilities
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O&M
A Boiler for Any Occasion
Boilers obviously play an important role in the power generation industry, providing the mechanism to convert heat produced by burning fuel into steam that can be used to drive a turbine to generate electricity. But many other industries also use boilers to produce steam for a variety of purposes. Boilers are commonly used for space […]
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Electrification
Transforming Industrial Power by Electrifying Steam
Steam power drove the Industrial Revolution, freeing manufacturers from the need to set up their factories near water power sources. Industrial steam is still largely used across various verticals, including power generation, chemical processing, and indoor heating. However, amid growing concerns about efficiency and sustainability, electrification of steam-powered systems emerges as a viable alternative capable […]
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IIOT Power
A Coal Refuse Power Plant Is Pioneering an AI-Driven Overhaul
An iconic coal refuse power plant in West Virginia that burns gob—basically dirt—and pond fines as part of a complex environmental solution to address coal waste is stepping up efforts to improve its efficiency, reliability, and cost reductions by embracing cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI). American Bituminous Power’s (AMBIT’s) 80-MW Grant Town Power Project—West Virginia’s only […]
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Commentary
Why Utilities Must Create A Stronger Digital Architecture to Manage the Future Power Grid Amid Climate Challenges
This year, many of us watched with audible gasps as high temperatures shattered records and extreme weather destroyed homes and displaced people across the globe. These uncontrolled events have undoubtedly strained our old, antiquated electric grids, causing outages and downtime. The Biden administration has stepped up with $167 Million in energy grid resilience funding to assist in modernizing these […]
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O&M
How Emerging Cloud Software Supports Renewable Energy O&M
A growing number of companies across the telecom, utilities, renewable energy, and other industries are discovering the value that deployment operations management systems can bring to operations and
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Legal & Regulatory
Wind Project Approvals, Tax Credits Look to Outpace Macroeconomic and Supply Chain Headwinds in 2024
Recent events in the wind power industry, all occurring on a single day, provide a snapshot of the sector’s challenges and opportunities heading into 2024. Ørsted, the world’s largest developer of offshore wind, on Oct. 31 announced the cancellation of Ocean Wind 1 and 2, two 1,000-MW-plus projects off the coast of New Jersey. In […]
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O&M
Five Energy-Saving Tips for Compressed Air Systems
Compressed air is vitally important to all power plants. Although in some cases it is used simply for convenience, such as when operating certain pneumatic tools, in other cases, compressed air is critical to the operation of the plant, such as for air-operated control valves and some fabric filter cleaning systems. In such cases, a […]
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O&M
Understanding Selective Catalytic Reduction Systems and SCR Design Considerations
Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) is an important emissions control technology utilized at many coal, biomass, waste-to-energy, and gas-fired power plants. Many items must be considered when designing SCR
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O&M
How Asset Management Promotes Workplace Safety and Compliance
In the ever-evolving landscape of workplace safety and compliance, effective asset management has emerged as a powerful ally for managers and operators. This strategic approach not only ensures adherence to health and safety regulations but also fosters streamlined operations and cost savings. In a world where doing more with fewer resources is becoming the norm, […]
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O&M
The Value of NDT in Power Generation Asset Management
Nondestructive testing (NDT) blends quality assurance and materials science. It is used to inspect and evaluate materials, components, and assemblies without destroying their serviceability. In the power
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Business
Cogeneration Facility Boosts Turbine Performance with Enhanced Lubricant and Fluid Management Service
Ariege Biomasse Cogeneration, situated in Saint-Paul-de-Jarrat, Ariege, France, is a biomass cogeneration plant that derives electricity and heat from locally sourced wood. The facility was commissioned in
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O&M
Managing Wet Steam to Maximize Plant Uptime
Valves in production plants are exposed to incredibly hazardous operating conditions each day, which are further magnified by pressurized and erosive wet steam. Proper valve specification and maintenance are
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O&M
Connect Without the Clutter: Building Neater, Tidier, Safer Electrical Enclosures
In light of the widespread integration of renewable energy resources to the power grid, the imperative of ensuring optimally efficient, safe, and reliable energy storage infrastructure cannot be overstated
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Hydrogen
ACES Delta’s Hydrogen Electrolyzers Arrive in Big Boost for Hub’s Progress
The much-watched Advanced Clean Energy Storage Hub (ACES Delta)—a project shaping up to be the largest renewable hydrogen energy hub in the U.S.—has received its first shipment of large-scale hydrogen electrolyzers and gas separators. The shipment, unveiled on Oct. 25, marks the first equipment delivery for the Delta, Utah, project’s integrated Hydaptive package. Hydaptive is […]
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O&M
Cold Weather: How to Maintain Power Plant Readiness and Reliable Operation
Extreme temperature and weather events have become more prevalent in the past decade. The December 2022 Christmas freeze in the southeast U.S. saw many areas experiencing single-digit temperatures. The February 2021 Texas freeze saw temperatures in Dallas reach as low as –2F. Meanwhile, the January–February 2019 Midwest Arctic Polar Vortex saw temperatures plunge as low […]
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O&M
Process Pumps in Power Generation: Choosing the Right Equipment for Optimal Performance
Generating electrical power takes on many forms—hydroelectric, solar, fossil fuel, renewable, biofuel, nuclear, and geothermal, all of which are made up of many internal processes that together produce the power we rely upon. For those internal processes that handle fluids, pump performance is a major contributor to overall plant efficiency, making pump selection a critical […]
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Press Releases
Lamons Introduces New Hydrogen Gasket
The proven gasket focuses on reliability and safety of maintaining a tight seal for hydrogen applications HOUSTON, TX (October 10, 2023) – Lamons® launched today the CorrLock™ gasket to address the need for reliable and safe sealing solutions for the hydrogen market. The PFAS-free solution is based on the field-proven CorruKamm gasket and made with […]
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O&M
Corrosion Research Leads to Material Improvements and More Reliable Systems
Fossil-fueled power plants are billion-pound investments that businesses (as well as whole nations themselves) around the world can’t afford to simply discard. Yet, the combinations of old plant, new fuels, and new operating conditions lead to corrosion, faults, downtime, and inefficiencies for plant operators and manufacturers. But these kinds of bridging technologies—between the “black” and […]
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O&M
Filling Vital Power and Industrial Process Steam Needs with Temporary Boilers
There are many reasons why a temporary boiler might be needed at a power generating or industrial facility. For example, Nationwide Boiler Inc., a supplier of temporary and permanent boiler equipment, custom
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O&M
The Added Value of Corrosion Protection for Pump and Valve Maintenance
Power plants depend on hundreds of valves and many different pumps to carry out operations 24/7. Good maintenance procedures—including routine tasks and predictive maintenance—are critical to keeping these
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O&M
How Power Companies Benefit from Accurate Weather Forecasts
It’s pretty easy to understand how the weather affects certain forms of power generation and infrastructure. Sunlight is obviously needed to generate solar power, wind is required to produce wind energy, and extreme storms of all kinds can wreak havoc on transmission and distribution lines, and other energy-related assets. Therefore, having accurate and constantly updated […]
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O&M
Navigating Remote Partnerships for Power Generation Success
Power generation represents a varied and evolving landscape, both globally and within the U.S., with numerous technology types contributing to the energy mix. From traditional simple cycle gas and turbine peaking plants to modern photovoltaic (PV) solar, battery energy storage systems (BESS), wind, hydro and distributed generation facilities, the energy sector continues to experience dynamic […]
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Wind
Elevating Wind Energy: ‘Intelligent Inspection’ Transforms Turbine Operations
A successful clean energy transition depends on maximizing output and minimizing the costs of renewable investments.In particular, wind turbines are highly effective assets but require frequent detailed inspections and maintenance to ensure they are fully operational and maximize their energy production. This can be ‘easier said than done’ for many wind turbine owners and operations […]
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Solar
AusNet Embraces Data-Driven Storm Impact Modeling
Power companies must respond to outages caused by extreme weather events. Having accurate predictions concerning the severity of impending storms can ensure companies are prepared with the right resources on
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O&M
Ester Transformer Fluids Bring Innovation to Clean Energy Systems
Clean, green, renewable energy deployments continue to grow each year. A recent statement from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) noted, “By the end of 2022, global renewable generation
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Connected Plant
Self-Tuning AI Strengthens Plant and Grid Reliability on Islands
Energy transition is progressively being adopted globally, pushing combined cycle gas turbines (CCGTs) to embrace flexible operation also on islands. CCGTs are, or will be, ramping loads up and down to accommodate intermittent renewable power inputs into the grid. These maneuvers compromise operational stability and jeopardize plant availability. Plant trips on small to mid-size islands […]