Clean energy powers on—and is projected to escalate exponentially—in spite of a sluggish economy. According to a new report from Clean Edge Inc., revenues for the renewables industry surged 40% in 2007, with returns for solar photovoltaics, biofuels, and wind surpassing the $20 billion mark for the first time. Global revenues for solar photovoltaic products, […]
Energy legislation and the European pump industry: Approaches to the Energy-Using Products Directive
The European Union has set targets for cutting carbon emissions by 2020 and Europe’s pump manufacturers are expected to play their part.While better efficiency from individual pumps may be one solution, there is a strong argument that a systems approach may bring more substantial energy savings. World Pumps presents the situation as it is now. […]
From prairie grass to power
Alliant Energy Corp.and Prairie Lands Bio-Products Inc. are jointly assessing ways to create a commercially viable market for switchgrass, corn stalks, and similar agricultural products for use as fuel.The energy services provider expects that the products will constitute up to 10% of the fuel source for a proposed 630- MW hybrid plant in Marshalltown, Iowa, […]
GE to sell Baglan Bay plant
GE Energy’s mammoth Baglan Bay gasfired station, near Port Talbot in South Wales, will also be up for sale by the end of the year (Figure-1). GE Energy plans to put an estimated price tag of $986 million on the 500-MW plant so it can concentrate on plans to build and operate proposed nuclear stations […]
National Grid divested of Ravenswood
London-based National Grid plc will sell Ravenswood Generating Station (Figure-1), a facility in Queens, N.Y., that provides more than 20% of New York City’s overall peak load, to TransCanada Corp. for $2.9 billion this summer. Ravenswood Generating Station was a 2004 POWER Top Plant (July/August 2004, p. 32). National Grid was obligated to divest itself […]
Kobra Adds Bite to Inspection Programs
Carrying out detailed internal inspections of gas turbines is critical to any routine power plant maintenance program, but it has to be achieved without affecting production targets. Many companies have tight outage schedules and face the prospect of high penalties for longer than expected equipment downtime. Against this backdrop, operators of power plants frequently use […]