Power Engineering's Newsletter 5/29

Register for POWER-GEN Natural Gas! Join some of the top names in the energy industry to discuss the issues surrounding technology, operation, construction and maintenance of gas-fired power and production of unconventional hydrocarbon resources. Power-Gen Natural Gas is Aug. 18 - 20 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio. Read More Share: Video Highlights PG&E president announces retirement GE to supply energy storage system in Ontario Sendai nuclear power plant receives final permit to restart EDF offers Areva $2.2B buyout for nuclear reactor business unit Shuttered coal-fired plant to house energy storage system View Now Share: Top Stories EIA report: Clean Power Plan will lower CO2 emissions Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the power sector declined by 363 million metric tons between 2005 and 2013, this according to a recent report by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Read More Share: Siemens to provide the first H-class power plant technology in Mexico Siemens (NYSE: SI) has been awarded a contract to supply two SGT6-8000H gas turbines and two generators to Mexico. The components will be installed at the Empalme I combined-cycle power plant in Sonora, Mexico. Read More Share: Only five of 99 nuclear units remain offline As of early May 26, only five of the nation’s 99 nuclear power units were not generating power, another sign that the annual spring refueling and maintenance season is winding down. Read More Share: PG&E president announces retirement Christopher P. Johns, president of Pacific Gas & Electric Co. (PG&E, NYSE: PCG), has announced his retirement at the end of 2015. Read More Share: The Week's Most Read Articles California Public Utilities Commission Approves NRG Energy’s Carlsbad Energy Center California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has approved the SDG&E Power Purchase and Tolling Agreement for the NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NRG) Carlsbad Energy Center. Read More Share: Energy Department Report evaluates the possibility for Wind Power in All 50 States In support of the President’s all-of-the above energy strategy, Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz today announced the release of Enabling Wind Power Nationwide, a report showing how the U.S. can unlock the vast potential for wind energy deployment in all 50 states. Read More Share: Who Owns the 'Risk' in First-of-a-Kind Gas Turbine Technology? Technology is evolving to increase firing temperatures, boost compressor air flow, improve sealing methods, advanced aerodynamics, minimizing leakages, and improve performance. Yet, in an industry where reliability and proven performance is critical, the promise of first-of-a-kind (FOAK) technologies also raises the question of who owns the risk when it comes to adopting FOAK? Read More Share: Top 5 U.S. Coal Plant Heat Rates According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, a power plant's heat rate measures the amount of electricity used by an electrical generator or power plant to generate one kilowatthour (kWh) of electricity, measured as btu/kWh. Read More Share: More Headlines • Indian Point 3 returns to service following transformer fire • Pilgrim nuclear plant back online after $70M upgrade • Beacon Power teams on energy storage systems in Alaska • EDF offers Areva $2bn offer for nuclear reactor unit • Shut down coal-fired power plant to house energy storage system • French bill seeks to boost renewable energy, cut nuclear use • Japan nuclear plant obtains final permit needed to restart • Credit rater to downgrade Mississippi Power on Kemper woes • Army post near Baltimore breaking ground for new power plant • GE to supply energy storage system in Ontario • Austria will sue over nuclear power subsidies • Terrestrial Energy to advance molten salt reactor design • Westar plans to buy wind power from new plant • Texas groups petition feds over alleged coal exemptions 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 May 20, 2015. 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: EIA’s weekly coal production report The U.S. Energy Information Administration has released its coal production report for the week ending May 23. Read More Share: Join In Send UNLIMITED delegates (employees) for one flat rate! Does your company generate electricity? Is your company a utility, muni, co-op, public power provider, on-site power producer or IPP? Does your company generate at least 1 MW of energy? If you answered YES to any of these questions then your company qualifies for the Power Generators Discount Program!* Read More Share: Add your hero to our Wall of Honor! The Wall of Honor pays tribute to military personnel around the world. It is on display at all of PennWell's North American conferences. Click to add a name or sponsor the wall. Read More Share: Power Generation Week 2014 Post-Show Report It was another successful year at Power Generation Week 2014! As the world's largest power generation event, the week was spent focusing on the industry's latest innovations, technical trends, and business strategies. The event boasted over 22,000 attendees from 115 countries, and 1,400+ exhibitors. Click here to learn more about Power Generation Week and what happened in 2014! Read More Share: From GenerationHub Murray Energy makes sweeping coal mine layoffs in Ohio, Illinois and West Virginia Four different Murray Energy affiliates announced May 22 a massive series of coal mine layoffs as the Ohio-based company adjusts to market conditions, including the ongoing closure of coal-fired power plants due to the federal Mercury and Air Toxic Standards (MATS). Read More Share: West Virginia PSC approves base rate hike for Appalachian Power, Wheeling Power The West Virginia Public Service Commission on May 26 authorized the Appalachian Power Co. (APCo) and Wheeling Power Co. (WPCo) subsidiaries of American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP) for an overall increase in rates of $123.5 million. Read More Share: Power Engineering Slideshow U.S. Coal Plants with the Lowest NOx Emission Rates The Top 5 U.S. coal-fired power plants were rated on the lowest NOx emissions. Read More Share: Callaway Energy Center's Replacement Reactor Vessel Closure Head Project Progress photos of the replacement reactor vessel closure head, during fabrication, at Equipos Nucleares SA in Santander, Spain. Read More Share: POWER ENGINEERING SPONSORED EVENTS POWER-GEN Europe Amsterdam Jun 9, 2015 - Jun 11, 2015 Click here for details POWER-GEN Africa Cape Town South Africa Jul 15, 2015 - Jul 17, 2015 Click here for details POWER-GEN Natural Gas Greater Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, Ohio Aug 18, 2015 - Aug 20, 2015 Click here for details POWER-GEN Asia Bangkok Thailand Sep 1, 2015 - Sep 3, 2015 Click here for details POWER-GEN Middle East Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. Oct 4, 2015 - Oct 6, 2015 Click here for details POWER-GEN International Las Vegas, NV USA Dec 8, 2015 - Dec 10, 2015 Click here for details NUCLEAR POWER International Las Vegas, NV USA Dec 8, 2015 - Dec 10, 2015 Click here for details POWER-GEN International Financial Forum Las Vegas, NV USA Dec 8, 2015 - Dec 10, 2015 Click here for details COAL-GEN Las Vegas, NV Dec 8, 2015 - Dec 10, 2015 Click here for details