:: News from Power Engineering
:: January 4, 2005
 Editor's Remarks
My goal for the New Year is to bring you, the readers of this electronic newsletter, the most relevant and current information available about the power industry. This issue is the first that contains feature articles that can only be found in this e-Newsletter and on the Power Engineering Web site. One of the feature articles provides a look at the American Council On Renewable Energy's (ACORE's) annual policy forum in Washington, D.C. Another feature covers a discussion about the economic outlook for competitive power generation that took place at POWER-GEN International, which was held in Orlando in early December. The final feature article is a case study about a power plant that improved efficiency and performance, in part, by installing innovative magnetic filtration in its turbine lube oil system.
I hope you find these articles informative and useful. If there is a subject you would like to know more about, please let me know and I'll do my best to include it in one of the upcoming issues. Or, if you have a case study, similar to the filtration study in this issue, that you'd like to share, please send it to me.
As I've said before, this e-Newsletter was designed to serve you by providing valuable information. So, if there is something you want to know more about, let me know.
Teresa Hansen
Associate Editor, Power Engineering
:: CONTENTS
:: FEATURES
:: INDUSTRY NEWS
:: PROJECTS AND CONTRACTS
:: PRODUCT RELEASES
:: FEATURES
:: National Security to Lead Renewable Energy Deployment
If one actionable priority could be distilled from the chorus of support expressed for renewables at the American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE) annual policy forum in Washington, D.C., in early December, it's that the time has come to shift the nation's priorities from an era of research and development to one of major deployment.
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:: Merchant Power's Near Future Remains Dim
Not long ago, the perception was that competitively priced, nonutility-owned generation would replace the old rate-based pricing. Many energy trading experts and Wall Street financiers believed that firms participating in this competitive market would be rewarded and those that continued to operate in accordance with the traditional market would be left behind.
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:: Magnetic Filtration Improves Efficiency and Reduces Maintenance Requirements
Utility engineers must review operating practices with a goal of improving efficiency and extending asset life. A 2,040 MW coal-fired power station with coal crushing gearbox systems first commissioned in 1972 is featured in this article as a prime example of how such practices can be effectively implemented.
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:: E-Fun Archive
It DOES Take a Rocket Scientist
Power Engineering dips into the archives to provide a humorous look at the world of engineering, science, business and management.
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:: Return to Table of Contents ::
:: INDUSTRY NEWS
:: Exelon and PSEG Merger Will Create United States' Largest Utility
Exelon Corp. and Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. (PSEG) are to merge to create the United States' largest utility, Exelon Electric and Gas. The merger will create a combined company with total assets of approximately $79 billion, serving seven million electric customers and two million gas customers in Illinois, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The three states cover a service area of more than 18 million people.
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:: FERC Approves Duke Energy Settlement
The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) recently approved a previously announced settlement between Duke Energy and the states of California, Washington and Oregon; FERC staff; California's three largest investor-owned utilities; and other parties. The settlement, announced in July, resolves refund proceedings and other significant litigation related to the western energy markets during 2000-2001. The private litigation components of the settlement agreement are subject to court approval.
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:: Approved PJM Transmission Upgrades Pass $1 Billion Milestone
Total approved upgrades to the electric transmission system now exceed $1 billion in the PJM Interconnection region. PJM has approved an additional $256 million in upgrades to reach the new total.
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:: U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Continue Moderate Growth
U.S. greenhouse gas emissions increased by 0.7 percent in 2003, from 6,891 million metric tons carbon dioxide equivalent (MMTCO2e) in 2002 to 6,936 MMTCO2e in 2003, according to "Emissions of Greenhouse Gases in the United States 2003," a report recently released by the Energy Information Administration (EIA). The 2003 increase is well below the rate of economic growth of 3.0 percent and below the average annual growth rate of 1.0 percent in greenhouse gas emissions since 1990.
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:: PROJECTS AND CONTRACTS
:: Electro Energy Gets 2005 Funding for Battery Research
Electro Energy Inc., a developer and manufacturer of advanced rechargeable batteries, is to receive $2 million from the U.S. Department of Energy for the continued development of bipolar nickel-metal hydride batteries for energy storage applications.
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:: Washington Group and DTE Energy Form Alliance
Washington Group International signed a contract with DTE Energy formalizing an engineering, procurement and construction alliance between the two companies. Under the alliance, Washington Group will perform a series of major environmental control system installations, capital improvement retrofits and plant maintenance projects at Detroit Edison's fossil-fueled electric generating stations.
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:: Transnuclear to Supply Storage System at Monticello
Transnuclear Inc., an Areva subsidiary, is to supply a dry storage system to the Monticello nuclear generating plant. It will be the fifth Nuclear Management Company plant it serves. Transnuclear will supply the dual-purpose Nuhoms-61BT spent fuel storage system. The initial order of canisters and modules will be delivered in early 2008, while the first fuel loading is scheduled for late 2008.
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:: Siemens Wind Division Secures First Substantial Order
Siemens Power Generation (PG) is to supply npower renewables, a subsidiary of RWE npower plc., with 40 wind turbines, in the first considerable order for its new wind power division.
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:: Product Releases
Flexible Wear Resistant Pipe System
Abresist Corp.'s new KALFLEX flexible and wear resistant pipe system provides a cost-effective solution to connect structural components that move due to vibration, thermal expansion, or as a result of intended movement. Simple and quick to install, KALFLEX can easily be integrated into existing pipe systems using normal flanging and coupling connections and works well in pneumatic conveying equipment. KALFLEX can also be used as a simple replacement stock item for a number of different angle pieces. These piping components are particularly useful in retrofitting systems with odd or indeterminate angles or dimensions, especially in hard to reach places.
Wet/Wet Differential Pressure Sensors
American Sensor Technologies Inc. introduced a new line of wet/wet differential pressure sensors designed for use in water management, gas pipeline instrumentation, filtration, natural gas compressors and other application where corrosive liquids and gases are present. (Pressure transmitters translate the low level output of a transducer to a higher-level signal suitable for transmission to a site where it can be further processed.) Units are specially designed for applications with demanding price and performance requirements. Engineered to withstand the permeation of gases and liquids, the Model 5000 Wet/Wet Differential Pressure Sensors feature a unique design free of internal O-rings or fill fluids that provide a seal against invading hazardous media. Should either pressure port be at full line pressure and the other at zero, no damage will be done to the transmitter.
Vibration Analysis Instrument
Diagnostic Instruments has announced the launch of the Di-440, a new concept in vibration analysis instrumentation. The Di-440 was created to provide a simple, easy to use instrument for a wide range of maintenance, inspection and analysis applications. It is in effect, several instruments combined into one fully ruggedized, handheld device. The Di-440 gives the users the flexibility to choose from a range of test and analysis applications. These modular tools include a user configurable conformance checker that utilizes either existing ISO/BS/ANSI standards or can be customized by the users, allowing them to create their own standards. Further applications include a spectrum analyzer with an easy-to-use phase vector readout, dual plane static and dynamic balancing and a recorder/data logger module.
Multivariable Mass Vortex Flow Meter for Energy Consumption
Sierra Instruments Inc. has announced the release of its new Innova-Mass Model 240 Energy Monitoring System (EMS) multivariable vortex mass flow meter for energy monitoring applications. This flow meter calculates energy consumption, delivers a real time output signal of the energy consumed within the facility over a period of time, and is suitable for water and steam heating and cooling applications. The 240 EMS provides selectable energy units of BTU, Joules, Calories, Giga Calories, W-hour, MW-hour and HP-hour. The instrument features a local display to indicate two temperatures, delta T, mass total, and energy total. The instrument utilizes an internal RTD and a secondary RTD in a remote junction box.
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