Power Engineering ELetter Update 12/27

	COAL-GEN 2014 call for abstracts The deadline to submit abstracts for COAL-GEN 2014 is just around the corner. You have until Jan. 3 to submit an abstract under three tracks (Emissions Control; New Plants: Design & Construction; and Plant Management & Operation). COAL-GEN is scheduled for Aug. 20-22 in Nashville, Tenn. Read More Share:

Video Highlights
	EIA: US utilities see decrease in electricity sales Siemens receives $400M order for natural gas-fired power units Oyster Creek nuclear power plant returns to service NV Energy merger with MidAmerican Energy completed View Now Share:

Top Stories
	Duke Energy implodes H.F. Lee coal-fired power plant smokestacks Duke Energy Progress' completed the first of two implosions at the retired H.F. Lee Steam Plant last week. Read More Share:
	NRC cites SCE for failing to check design of steam generators at San Onofre nuclear plant The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has cited Southern California Edison for failing to properly check the design of faulty replacement steam generators that disabled the San Onofre nuclear plant. Read More Share:
	SDG&E sued by Montana wind farm operator NaturEner sued San Diego Gas & Electric for breaching contracts to invest in the Rim Rock wind farm. Read More Share:
	EIA: Most new residential solar PV projects in California program not owned by homeowners More than two-thirds of residential installations in the California Solar Initiative program were third-party owned in 2012 and 2013. Read More Share:

The Week's Most Read Articles
	NV Energy merger with MidAmerican Energy completed MidAmerican Energy Holdings closed its merger with NV Energy on Dec. 19 after receiving final approvals from state and federal authorities. Read More Share:
	Study: Coal plants can be part of a cleaner energy system A new study shows that coal generation plants can be modified to fit within the new power sector and be a part of a cleaner energy system. Read More Share:
	Siemens receives $400M order for natural gas-fired power units Siemens (NYSE: SI) received a $400 million order for two combined-cycle natural gas-fired units to be installed at an 829-MW power plant project in Pennsylvania. Read More Share:
	U.S. utilities see decrease in electricity sales The Energy Information Administration (EIA) released a report showing U.S. electricity sales, including retail sales and onsite use of power at utility-scale generators, have declined in the past four out of five years. Read More Share:

More Headlines
• Report: Coal-fired power generation market to exceed 2,000 GW globally by 2019
• NorthWestern Energy files to acquire 633 MW of hydroelectric generation
• Natural gas-fired power project in PA sold
• Solvay & Areva to jointly develop thorium for nuclear power plants
• Oyster Creek nuclear power plant returns to service

Industry Trends
	Henry Hub Average Natural Gas Spot Prices The Henry Hub is the pricing point for natural gas futures contracts. Here's a look at how prices have changed up to December 18, 2013. Read More Share:
	Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas' Economic Indicators The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas offers a glimpse into how the markets are doing domestically and internationally. Read More Share:

White Papers
	Top 6 places to look for energy losses in commercial buildings Small, consistent changes can make a big difference in the profitability of any facility. Find problems fast, fix them, and win by realizing the cost savings. Read More Share:
	Vibration monitoring of pumps This white paper discusses vibration monitoring of pumps including failure modes, what should be monitored, and data analysis. Read More Share: