XENERGY, Inc., an energy services company, began supplying power to 13 companies in midsummer as part of Massachusetts Electric Co.'s restructuring plan. The companies belong to the Massachusetts High Technology Council. XENERGY will supply 40 Mw of power per year. Projected annual savings to the companies run about $2.2 million, or 14 percent, a drop of 2¢/Kwh. The wholesaler is NYSEG Bulk Power Sales Group; Mass. Electric will provide customer and distribution service. A residential pilot is scheduled to begin January 1.
According to a report by the PIRA Energy Group of New York, global trade in liquefied natural gas (LNG) will grow from 3.2 Tcf in 1995 to 4.5 Tcf in 2000. Long-term growth factors include lower production and shipping costs, small-scale modular LNG plants, and workable financial arrangements, among other factors.
Madison Gas and Electric Co., a coal-fired utility, is testing an easily grown switchgrass as an alternate fuel. Although still evaluating results from burning eight tons of switchgrass in about two hours, MGE found no noticeable operational impact, MGE says. Switchgrass is a thick-stemmed, drought-resistant perennial that can grow to six feet.
A $256-million contract extension for Tennessee Valley Authority generating projects brings the contract total to $634 million, according to G•UB•MK, the company doing the work. G•UB•MK is a joint venture of Parsons Power Group, Inc., Union Boiler Co. and Marrison Knudsen Corp.
The Electric Power Research Institute and Bechtel National, Inc. have formed The Center for Sustainable Technology to speed commercialization of energy, environmental, and transportation technologies. The Center will be based in Las Vegas.