Power Engineering E-Newsletter 5/26

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 DOE report evaluates possibility for wind power in all 50 states Duke Energy plans to build natural gas-fired power plant in Asheville More delays possible for Plant Vogtle GE launches next evolution of wind energy: the Digital Wind Farm View Now Share:   From our Sponsor For Knock Out Drums, Separators, Feedwater Heaters, Sumps And Other Level Control Applications, Eclipse®GWR Technology Is Your Ace In The Hole. When process applications require best-in-class liquid and interface level control, the ECLIPSE Model 706 guided wave radar transmitter ensures accuracy, efficiency, reliability and ease of use. Top Stories 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 NRG Energy's Carlsbad Energy Center. The 500-MW, five-unit natural gas peaking plant expects to help ensure reliability in southern California following the closure of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. Read More Share: Business leaders throw support behind coal plant proposal Business leaders outlined the economic devastation they say could come if New Mexico regulators fail to approve a plan to shut down part of a decades-old coal-fired power plant to meet a federal mandate. Read More Share: MHPS to supply M501J gas, steam turbines to new combined-cycle power plant in Korea Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems (MHPS) has received an order for two M501J gas turbines and a steam turbine for the new 950-MW Pyeongtaek Combined Cycle Power Plant in Korea. Read More Share: Report: Triple investment in clean energy to reach $1.2 trillion A new report calls for investment in clean energy to be tripled to $1.2 trillion annually through 2030 to give more than one billion people worldwide access to electricity and help prevent global warming. Read More Share:   Industry News Electrical cooperative pulls out of Kemper power plant deal The entity that procures power for many Mississippi electric cooperatives Wednesday pulled out of a deal to buy 15 percent of the $6.2 billion Kemper County power plant, blowing a hole in Mississippi Power's financing plan for the project. Read More Share: Siemens to provide long-term service at Brooklyn Navy Yard cogeneration plant Siemens (NYSE: SI) has been awarded a long-term service agreement for the Brooklyn Navy Yard Cogeneration Power Plant in New York City. Read More Share: DOE report evaluates possibility for wind power in all 50 states In support of the President’s all-of-the above energy strategy, Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz 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: Solvay and Enirgi Chemicals form joint venture Solvay and Enirgi Chemicals have created a 50-50 joint venture to speed up the development and offering of sodium bicarbonate based products and solutions to reduce airborne emissions from power plants in North America. Read More Share: More Headlines • Hickenlooper rejects GOP call to ignore EPA coal rules • Obama frames global warming as national security threat • Maine PUC keeps wind project contract negotiations alive • Montrose hydroelectric facility gets federal grant • Vermont joins international effort to fight climate change • California Public Utilities Commission Approves NRG Energy’s Carlsbad Energy Center • TVA seeks public comment for future coal ash storage at Bull Run • Southern Company acquires 103-MW solar project in Georgia   Industry Trends Henry Hub Average Natural Gas Spot Prices The Department of Energy's Energy Information Administration keeps track of the daily changes to the spot prices. Power Engineering figured out the monthly averages and has the figures up to May 13, 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, 9. 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:   From GenerationHub FERC letter suggests ‘safety valve,’ easing interim goals in EPA CO2 plan The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) says the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) might consider easing the “interim” carbon dioxide reduction timetable and also developing a reliability “safety valve” for the Clean Power Plan. Read More Share:

Under Clean Power Plan, power sector CO2 emissions fall to lowest levels since 1980s

http://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.cfm?id=21372&src=email

Thorium Energy Alliance Conference 7 Palo Alto

 

Thorium Energy Alliance  Conference 7 Palo Alto , Getting Darn Close to Selling Out.
If you are fence sitting or have been waiting to really twist the arm of someone thinking about coming - We Are Almost Sold Out! ( I did not think this would happen this year, but once again, it has ) - I want everyone to come, don't miss out, this could be the conference where real change happens.

T.E.A. - Conference 7

thoriumenergyalliance.com

This is the official website for the Thorium Energy Alliance. Thorium Energy Alliance's main objective is to lay the foundation for a Thorium Energy Future. The Alliance educates our leaders and the public on the need to create a working Liquid Fluoride Thorium Reactor (pronounced LiFTeR). Thorium Energy Alliance (T.E.A.) creates the resources for energy policy makers and for this to be taught in universities so that there are the engineers, http://thoriumenergyalliance.com/index.html

Register Now: Nuclear Going Forward Conference

A Chain Reaction: The Role of Nuclear Energy in New England’s Energy Mix The New England region, arguably one of the most environmentally conscious regions of the country, has long demonstrated a commitment to clean air. Nuclear energy has played a key role in reducing CO2 emissions and remains a significant asset in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Yet existing nuclear plants face many challenges and competing market forces in the northeast. Please join us for this FREE event exploring the options for nuclear energy going forward. Industry and policy experts will engage in a spirited conversation about the key questions and the future of nuclear energy in the northeast. Key Areas of Discussion: What role should nuclear energy play in helping to achieve the environmental and energy objectives for New England? How can the region best balance a commitment to the environment with the demands to supply cheaper energy? How will advanced technology reactors, currently being pursued by technologists in the region, affect the industry? How will the closure of Entergy’s Vermont Yankee reactor, and economic challenges to reactors throughout the region, affect New England’s energy mix? If nuclear power is here to stay, how should it fit into New England’s clean energy initiatives? Underwritten by: Wednesday, June 24, 2015 8:00 am – 11:30 am ET Westin Copley Place 10 Huntington Avenue Boston, MA Register Now >> ________________________ Meet the speakers: William Mohl President Entergy Wholesale Commodities Former Senator Judd Gregg Co-Chair Nuclear Matters Seth Grae President & CEO Lightbridge Jay Surina CFO NuScale Daniel Weekley Vice President, Corporate Affairs Dominion Resources

This African Country Sees A Nuclear Future

http://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/This-African-Country-Sees-A-Nuclear-Future.html

Can reactors run for 100 years? First you have to build them.

Can reactors run for 100 years? First you have to build them.

https://nuclearstreet.com/pro_nuclear_power_blogs/b/neutron-bytes/archive/2015/05/25/can-reactors-run-for-100-years-first-you-have-to-build-them.aspx

Did China Just Launch World's Biggest Spending Plan?

http://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonchang/2015/05/24/did-china-just-launch-worlds-biggest-spending-plan/

New documents show cost of Russian floating nuclear power plant skyrockets

The new cost of building Russia’s floating nuclear power plant (FNPP) the Akademik Lomonosov, has spiked from an original estimate of 9 billion rubles ($140 million) in 2006 to a current 37 billion rubles ($ 740 million) official Russian sources report, citing government documents.

http://bellona.org/news/nuclear-issues/2015-05-new-documents-show-cost-russian-nuclear-power-plant-skyrockets

Japan under-estimated Fukushima tsunami risk: IAEA

http://zeenews.india.com/news/eco-news/japan-under-estimated-fukushima-tsunami-risk-iaea_1601245.html

First look in Japan's Sendai nuclear power plant

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-32872772

IAEA report on Fukushima slams lack of tsunami preparedness despite awareness of threat

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/05/25/national/iaea-report-fukushima-debacle-slams-lack-tsunami-preparedness-despite-awareness-threat/#.VWN0c6aKI-8

Pursuit of nuclear energy likely to be more wasted time

Pursuit of nuclear energy likely to be more wasted time

http://www.bdlive.co.za/opinion/2015/05/25/pursuit-of-nuclear-energy-likely-to-be-more-wasted-time

China Nuclear Firm Plans Biggest Domestic IPO in 5 Years

CNNPC offering comes as Beijing steps up efforts to reduce reliance on coal

http://www.wsj.com/articles/china-nuclear-firm-plans-biggest-domestic-ipo-in-5-years-1432565745

China warned over 'insane' plans for new nuclear power plants

He Zuoxiu, a leading Chinese scientist, says the country is not investing enough in safety controls after lifting of post-Fukushima disaster reactor ban

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/may/25/china-nuclear-power-plants-expansion-he-zuoxiu

Remembering a Generation Defined by Duty

Remembering a Generation Defined by Duty

Fukushima Update 5/25/15

Fukushima Update 5/25/15 –

The IAEA will issue its final Fukushima accident report in September… Some Fukushima evacuees have doubts about Tokyo’s repopulation plan… An umbrella antinuclear organization is formed out of 13 Fukushima evacuee groups… The Asahi Shimbun speculates that Fukushima’s liquid waste drums might explode… Tokyo’s NRA approves all Sendai station design changes… Kepco applies for Sendai unit #2 inspection.

http://www.hiroshimasyndrome.com/fukushima-accident-updates.html

Japan Inc not as keen as Abe government on nuclear power -Reuters poll

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/05/24/japan-companies-nuclear-idUSL3N0YB2PR20150524?feedType=RSS&feedName=utilitiesSector

China's nuclear power capacity set to reach 30 mln kilowatts

China's nuclear power capacity set to reach 30 mln kilowatts
http://www.nuclearpowerdaily.com/reports/Chinas_nuclear_power_capacity_set_to_reach_30_mln_kilowatts_999.html

Areva’s reactor division goes on the auction block

Areva’s reactor division goes on the auction block

http://nuclearstreet.com/pro_nuclear_power_blogs/b/neutron-bytes/archive/2015/05/25/areva-s-reactor-division-goes-on-the-auction-block.aspx

Idaho’s big battle over a small amount of spent nuclear fuel

Idaho’s big battle over a small amount of spent nuclear fuel

http://neutronbytes.com/2015/05/25/idahos-big-battle-over-a-small-amount-of-spent-nuclear-fuel/

Gaius Publius: Hillary, TPP, the World of Money, and the Center for American Progress

http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2015/05/gaius-publius-hillary-tpp-and-the-center-for-american-progress.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+NakedCapitalism+%28naked+capitalism%29

Israel thanks US for opposing nuke-free Mideast plan

Israel thanks US for opposing nuke-free Mideast plan
Jerusalem (AFP) May 24, 2015 - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his "appreciation" to the United States for opposing an Arab plan for a nuclear weapons-free zone in the Middle East, an Israeli official said. The Jewish state is believed to be the only country in the region that has an atomic bomb although it has never confirmed its nuclear military capacity. The Saturday phone call between Netanyahu ... morehttp://www.spacewar.com/reports/Israel_thanks_US_for_opposing_nuke-free_Mideast_plan_999.html

Nuclear power not cheap, being phased out: expert

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2015/05/24/2003619043

Beach Reading (and More) By Bill Gates

Beach Reading (and More)

By Bill Gates 

http://www.gatesnotes.com/About-Bill-Gates/Summer-Books-2015?WT.mc_id=05_24_2015_SummerReading_tw&WT.tsrc=Twitter

Climate change altering frequency, intensity of hurricanes

Climate change altering frequency, intensity of hurricanes
Tallahassee FL (SPX) May 22, 2015 - Climate change may be the driving force behind fewer, yet more powerful hurricanes and tropical storms, says a Florida State geography professor. In a paper published by Nature Climate Change, Professor Jim Elsner and his former graduate student Namyoung Kang found that rising ocean temperatures are having an effect on how many tropical storms and hurricanes develop each year. "We're seein ... morehttp://www.terradaily.com/reports/Climate_change_altering_frequency_intensity_of_hurricanes_999.html

Star power: Troubled ITER nuclear fusion project looks for new path

Star power: Troubled ITER nuclear fusion project looks for new path
Saint-Paul-Les-Durance, France (AFP) May 22, 2015 - In 1985, then Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and US president Ronald Reagan launched one of the unlikeliest ideas of the Cold War. Under it, the Soviet Union would team up with United States and other rivals of the day to develop nuclear fusion: the same limitless energy source that powers the Sun. Today, 30 years on, their dream is still a long and agonising way from reality. Launc ... morehttp://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Star_power_Troubled_ITER_nuclear_fusion_project_looks_for_new_path_999.html

Alleged nuclear scam CEO scrams

Alleged nuclear scam CEO scrams

http://neutronbytes.com/2015/05/24/alleged-nuclear-scam-ceo-scrams/

World Energy Perspective: Cost of Energy Technologies

http://www.worldenergy.org/publications/2013/world-energy-perspective-cost-of-energy-technologies/

Why Hasn’t Tidal Power Taken Off?

http://www.technologyreview.com/questionoftheweek/537656/why-hasnt-tidal-power-taken-off/

China's NUCLEAR ENERGY EXPANSION

May 25, 2015 1:00 am

China's State Council last month approved the |construction of two nuclear reactors, signalling that the post-Fukushima lull in China's nuclear industry expansion is over.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Chinas-NUCLEAR-ENERGY-EXPANSION-30260853.html

The Bloomberg Innovation Index

http://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2015-innovative-countries/