Xcel Energy Powers Up 200-Mile Transmission Project

The TUCO-to-Woodward 345-kV transmission line between Xcel Energy's TUCO Substation was energized when a connection was made with an Oklahoma line segment built by Oklahoma Gas and Electric (OG&E). Xcel Energy built the line from TUCO to just east of the Texas-Oklahoma boundary in Beckham County, Okla. The OG&E segment connects from the Beckham County site to Woodward, Okla.

Bechtel Completes the Panda Temple I Generating Station in Texas

Bechtel completed the Panda Temple I Generating Station in Temple, Texas ahead of schedule. The 758-MW natural gas-fueled, combined-cycle power facility is owned by Panda Power Funds. As part of a consortium with Siemens, Bechtel provided project management, engineering, procurement, construction, and startup services, while Siemens provided the power-island package, including the natural gas and steam turbines, generators, and waste-heat-recovery boilers.

Toshiba Concludes a MOU with Ethiopian Electric Power on Geothermal Power Generation

Toshiba concluded a MOU with Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) on a comprehensive partnership in geothermal power to collaborate in power generation projects and personnel development. EEP, a publicly owned utility, engages in the development of geothermal resources and the construction of power plants. Through the partnership with EEP, Toshiba will draw on its experience in geothermal systems to develop and manufacture major equipment, create operation and management guidelines, cooperate in personnel development, and start a waste heat utilization business.

JCP&L Completes Upgrades to Enhance Reliability on Major Circuits in New Jersey

Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) completed upgrades on 16 major circuits serving more than 30,000 customers in the counties of Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex and Warren. The upgrades included installing more resilient polymer fuses, adding larger 10-foot cross-arms to increase wire clearance, and installing fault indicators that help identify problem areas on a circuit which helps speed the restoration process if an outage occurs.

Bourne Energy Break the Energy Barrier

Bourne Energy successfully field-tested the latest version of its BackPack Power Plant (BPP) portable hydropower system in a shallow remote river in the Pacific Northwest. A zero-fuel power generator of this size (one cubic meter) producing 600 W will help renewable energy move past the low energy density, low capacity factor and high cost barriers that have slowed the growth of renewable energy.

SunEdison and BlueWave Capital Complete 1.8-MW Superfund Project

SunEdison and BlueWave Capital completed a 1.8-MW solar power plant constructed on a remediated EPA Superfund site in New Bedford, Massachusetts. The City of New Bedford is the owner and host of the site and will purchase the net metering credits generated from the system. SunEdison partnered with BlueWave Capital to develop the project, arranged construction financing and permanent financing for the project, and managed local partners to provide EPC services.

ABB Wins Power Products Order worth Over $30 Million from PSE&G

ABB won an order worth over $30 million from Public Service Electric & Gas (PSE&G) to supply gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) for substations to boost the reliability of transmission infrastructure in New Jersey. ABB’s order includes design, supply and commissioning of ABB’s 550 kV GIS type ELK-3, a compact and modular solution. PSE&G is spending $4 billion between 2014 and 2016 to upgrade its electricity infrastructure to meet demand for electricity.

PG&E, EDI Unveil Utility Trucks Capable of Shortening or Eliminating Electric Outages

PG&E and Efficient Drivetrains Inc. (EDI) unveiled two fuel-efficient work trucks that have the potential to eliminate the need for planned outages, lessen the impact of unplanned ones and allow for the operation of a bucket and other auxiliary systems without engine idling. PG&E and EDI also unveiled a Class 5 PHEV bucket truck that they partnered on with Altec Industries, featuring a customized version of Altec’s Jobsite Energy Management System (JEMS).

AREVA Wins Contract from DOE to Develop Enhanced Accident Tolerant Fuel

AREVA Federal Services (AFS), an AREVA subsidiary in the United States, was awarded a contract by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to continue the development of next generation fuel for light water nuclear reactors. This program aims to develop enhanced accident tolerant fuel (EATF), a fuel that is more resistant under severe accident conditions, particularly those involving a loss of cooling. The AREVA-led team, comprising the U.S.

Obama and Climate Marchers Meet in NY but Take Divergent Paths

President Obama and the climate marchers now in New York City have one major thing in common – that they are fighting to mitigate global warming. But the soulmates are also departing on one major issue – the role of natural gas in that effort. Many of the marchers see natural gas as an obstacle to progress whereas the president views the energy source as a bridge fuel until green power is able to provide most of our electricity.

President Obama’s trip to the United Nations is infusing the People’s Climate March with new energy. While the president is now encumbered with defeating the Islamic State, the cause of mitigating global warming is still gathering steam.