Power Digital Edition February 2020

Digital Edition FEBRUARY 2020 Read Now

COVER FOCUS: CONNECTED PLANT Hype and Hope: Artificial Intelligence’s Role in the Power Sector To understand the role that artificial intelligence (AI) plays today, and to gauge what it could mean for the future, POWER talked to several experts, surveyed some promising applications, and examined some challenges the technology faces. Predicting the Future? There’s an App for That Predictive maintenance programs, including the use of artificial intelligence, are part of the increased digitization of power generation, as plant operators look for improvements in operational efficiency, including cost savings and reduced downtime. Increasing Automation for Fossil Energy Plants Case studies are underway as part of an Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) project to develop a systematic process for automation implementation at fossil power plants. The program is designed to assess plant factors that define their readiness to apply effective sequence automation functions, and to explore the issues that arise through these assessments. Data Is the New Power: Key Learnings from a Successful ERP Migration It can be difficult for a power company to upgrade legacy systems, such as when a utility wants to add enterprise resource planning (ERP) software. ERP enables an organization to use a system of integrated applications to manage and automate many business functions, including operations. But there are best practices that can smooth the integration and transition. Using Self-Service Analytics to Improve Power Plant Efficiency Self-service analytics can play a vital role in the global quest to reduce carbon emissions. Power plant operators want their facilities to be more efficient, and there are several ways to accomplish that goal, including the use of advanced technology to determine faster ways to make improvements. EMERGENCY POWER Backup Power for Critical Loads Can Save Lives and Money Natural disasters in recent years, including hurricanes and wildfires, have caused massive power outages and have highlighted the need for reliable backup power systems. There are ways to combat the outage problem, through preparation and planning, to ensure residential, commercial, and industrial electricity customers can avoid or minimize the impacts of blackouts. BIOMASS POWER Is Biomass Dead? The promise of biomass as a major source of energy may have faded, but pockets of production persist in areas where the technology remains viable. PLANT DESIGN Fault Ride-Through Using Slip-Capable Torque-Limiting Couplings Generation of electricity is more decentralized than ever, and the growth of solar, wind, and other distributed energy resources highlights the importance of maintaining the connectivity of all generation sources without interruption. A new, innovative coupling design may help power plants safely achieve fault ride-through requirements. SOLAR Community Solar: Ready for the New Decade Community solar is proving to be a popular choice for those who want the benefits of renewable energy, without the cost of having the associated infrastructure on their property. Utilities have discovered it’s a way to serve customers who want their power from renewable sources, delivered in a cost-effective manner. RECIPROCATING INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Taking Efficiency and Flexibility to the Next Level A multi-fuel engine from Wärtsilä provides a technological answer to the question of bringing fast-start capabilities to power plants, an essential part of today’s generation landscape as producers need flexibility, efficiency, and reliability.

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