Sunday, August 8, 2010

IGTI Electric Power Committee calls Papers

Everyone likes to get an invitation…well here is yours. ASME TurboExpo has sent out their call for papers for next year’s event in Vancouver, BC. As in years past the TURBOEXPO promises to be one of the energy industries most informative forums. September is also a great time of the year to be in Canada. All the information you need is printed below. The deadline is just around the corner so you better hurry.

June 06-10, 2011, Vancouver, Canada.
2011 ASME / IGTI Turbo Expo www.asmeconferences.org/TE2011/

The Electric Power Committee is promoting the exchange of information about operation, application and maintenance of gas turbine-based power plants.

We invite you to submit Abstracts for Technical Sessions on the following subjects:

Technical Sessions Topics
•Case Studies in Special-Interest Gas Turbine Power Plants
•Best Practices for Operation & Maintenance of Gas TurbinePower Plants, including the role of Independent Service Providers
•Gas Turbine Power Plant Emission Control •Thermodynamic Cycles of Gas Turbine Power Plants including Open Cycle, Combined Cycle, Combined Heat & Power, and Co-generation •Power Plant Performance Enhancements
•Operational Flexibility and Fuel Flexibility
•Reliability, Availability & Maintainability Measurements & Improvements, including durability and serviceability
•Thermo-Economic Plant Optimization
•Upgrade & Technology Improvement of Gas Turbine Power Plants
•Technologies of Major Components and AuxiliaryEquipment of Gas Turbine Power Plants (includingTurbogenerator, Steam Turbines, Heat Recovery SteamGenerator etc.)
•Grid Code Regulation Compliance
•Life extension Measures
•Large Steam Turbines for Nuclear Applications
•Renewable and dedicated turbo-machinery –special requirements for design and operation of equipment
•Repowering
•Monitoring & Diagnostics
•Selection, Design and Optimization of CC Heat Rejection SystemsContact


Additionally the Electric Power Committee conducts Panel Sessions on the following subjects:

Panel Sessions Topics
•The Pathway Forward: Future Gas Turbine Products and Technologies -Perspective from OEM's
•Emissions and Greenhouse Gas Control, Capture, and Sequestration: Perspectives from OEM's, EPC Contractors, Owners, Insurers, & Bankers
•Combined Cycle Power Plant Technology: Perspectives from OEM's, EPC Contractors, Owners, Insurers, & Bankers

If you are interested to participate on a Panel Session or if you like to suggest additional topics for Panel Sessions, please email our contacts (see below).

(Abstruct deadline is September 6, 2010. All Abstracts must be submitted on line)


If you have any questions please contact:

Europe, Africa and Asia:
Michael Ladwig, Alstom Location: Baden, SwitzerlandPhone: +41 56 205-8240
Email: michael.ladwig@power.alstom.com

Americas:
Jeffrey Benoit, PSM -An Alstom CompanyLocation: Jupiter, FL, United States Phone: +1 561 354-1418
Email: jbenoit@powermfg.com

Monday, July 12, 2010

Hybrid ships sail the seven seas

Going green is gaining popularity around the world and now ships in the U.S. and Indian Navy are joining the movement.
In October, 2009 the U.S. Navy commissioned its first hybrid amphibious assault ship. The USS Makin Island is the first U.S. Navy ship to feature a unique hybrid propulsion system that relies on two gas turbines or two diesel electric motors.
The hybrid propulsion system's gas turbines and electric motors operate independently. The General Electric LM2500+ gas turbines, which provide a total of 70,000 horsepower (hp), are used for high speed service, propelling the vessel to more than 20 knots. The two diesel electric motors combined provide 10,000 hp and are used for low speed operation.
According to the Honorable Ray Mabus, secretary of the U.S. Navy, the vessel's hybrid propulsion system, amongst other overall ship design enhancements, can be credited for helping save on fuel and maintenance costs. "Just two months ago, the Makin Island, our hybrid of the seas that uses an electric motor to power the ship at low speeds, went from where it was built in Pascagoula around to its homeport in San Diego. During that initial voyage alone, she saved close to $2 million in fuel costs. NAVSEA estimates at today's fuel prices the Makin Island will save $250 million over the lifetime of that ship, and it doesn't include reduced maintenance costs." Secretary Mabus said. Not to be outdone, in April, 2010, the Indian Navy commissioned the INS Shivalik stealth frigate at the Indian Navy’s shipyard in Mumbai. This first-in-class frigate is powered by two GE LM2500 aeroderivative marine gas turbines with two diesels in a COmbined Diesel Or Gas turbine (CODOG) configuration. This project marks the first LM2500-powered ship to enter service with the Indian Navy.
The 4,600-ton INS Shivalik measures 143 meters in length with a beam of 17 meters. The stealth frigate can reach its maximum speed of 30 knots when operating the gas turbines, and 18 knots cruising on the diesel engines. The Indian Navy expects to commission two sister stealth frigates -- INS Satpura and INS Sahyadiri -– each powered by two LM2500 gas turbines in a CODOG system.
GE also provided four LM2500 gas turbine kits to Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL), Bangalore, which HAL assembled and tested for the Indian Navy’s indigenous aircraft carrier; the keel laying took place on February 28, 2009. This brings the total to 10 LM2500 propulsion modules HAL provided to the Indian Navy.
The amount of money these ships can save over their operational lifetimes is really impressive. We need more of these innovative ideas. Go Navy!

Saturday, June 12, 2010

U.S. Navy goes green with first hybrid assault ship

With government spending out of control, it’s good to see that the U.S. Navy is looking to control costs on fuel and maintenance. In October, 2009 the U.S. Navy commissioned its first hybrid amphibious assault ship. The USS Makin Island is the first U.S. Navy ship to feature a unique hybrid propulsion system that relies on two General Electric LM2500+ gas turbines or two diesel electric motors.
The hybrid propulsion system's gas turbines and electric motors operate independently. The LM2500+ gas turbines, which provide a total of 70,000 horsepower, are used for high speed service, propelling the vessel to more than 20 knots. The two diesel electric motors combined provide 10,000 horsepower and are used for low speed operation. The ability to select the best mix of power plants to match the immediate mission requirements provides the opportunity for significant fuel savings and reduction in operating costs for the ship.
According to the Honorable Ray Mabus, secretary of the U.S. Navy, the vessel's hybrid propulsion system, amongst other overall ship design enhancements, can be credited for helping save on fuel and maintenance costs. "Just two months ago, the Makin Island, our hybrid of the seas that uses an electric motor to power the ship at low speeds, went from where it was built in Pascagoula around to its homeport in San Diego. During that initial voyage alone, she saved close to $2 million in fuel costs. NAVSEA estimates at today's fuel prices the Makin Island will save $250 million over the lifetime of that ship, and it doesn't include reduced maintenance costs."
Saving over $250 million in savings is really significant when you think about it. Now let’s take that $250 million and use it to reduce the deficit.

Monday, May 31, 2010

California to be the site of the first power plant with federal limits on greenhouse gas emissions

California usually leads the nation in some sort of trend. It is the first state to ever reach a trillion dollar economy in gross state product; (and will probably be the first the first state reach a trillion dollars in debt); the first state to institute tough automobile pollution controls; and the first state to legalize marijuana. Now California will be the nation’s first state to host a power plant with federal limits on greenhouse gas emissions. On February 4, Calpine Corporation received approval to build the 600MW Russell City Energy Center to be located in the City of Hayward in Alameda County, CA. Construction is slated for later this year.
The combined-cycle plant will be powered by a cleaner burning natural gas that will produce 50 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than even the most advanced coal-fired plants and 25 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than the standard set by the California Public Utilities Commission.
California’s Governor Schwarzenegger has set an aggressive goal that, by 2020, 33 percent of California utilities' power will be generated by renewable sources and statewide greenhouse gas emissions be reduced by 15 percent from current levels another California first.
The California Energy Commission granted a license for the plant in September 2007, and the California Public Utilities Commission approved a 10-year power purchase agreement in April 2009 under which PG&E will purchase the electricity generated by the plant.
The Russell City project is jointly owned by Calpine Corporation, which holds a 65 percent equity interest and serves as development manager, and an affiliate of GE Energy Financial Services, which holds a 35 percent equity interest.

Friday, May 21, 2010

U.S. first offshore wind farm gets government approval

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar has approved the U.S.'s first offshore wind farm off the coast of Cape Cod in Massachusetts. Called Cape Wind, the project will supply an average of 183MW or up to three-quarters of the electricity needs for Cape Cod and the islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. The 130 wind turbines will cover 24 square miles and will be located about five miles from shore.
Under regulatory review for over nine years, opponents claim that the $1 billion project will spoil Cape Cod's sea views. It is opposed by various environmental groups and politicians including newly elected Republican Senator Scott Brown of Massachusetts. The late Senator Edward Kennedy was one of the projects biggest opponents. (NECN) - Native American tribes, commercial fishermen, environmental groups and others will file suit to stop wind project. Tying up the decision in court could significantly delay the start of production.
Supporters of offshore wind farms have been waiting for this decision for a long time. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory estimates that about 90,000MW of electricity could be harnessed from offshore winds.
Isn’t it funny that the majority of people favor these projects as long as it’s -- Not in my backyard.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

United States and Indonesia to Explore Clean Energy Opportunities

United States Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke and a select group of ten US business leaders are scheduled to visit Indonesia May 25-26. This is the Obama Administration's first cabinet-level trade mission to Indonesia. The US delegation will engage with Indonesian officials and private sector representatives on advancing bilateral trade in clean energy development.
US participating firms include Capstone Turbine Corporation, Caterpillar, Echelon Corp., Emerson Electric, General Electric Company, Lockheed Martin Global, Inc., Oshkosh Corporation, Peabody Energy, Pratt & Whitney Power Systems, Inc., and Prime Engineering, Inc.
The Indonesian government expects a 56 percent increase in overall energy investments by 2014. Indonesia’s strategic setting in Asia and its emerging domestic market offer significant commercial opportunities for the US clean energy industry. For the American companies, this is an ideal opportunity to meet key Indonesian decision-makers in the public and private sectors and to learn more about energy related needs and challenges in Indonesia.
While the world is in favor of clean energy, it is yet to be proven that clean energy sources such as wind and solar can generate significant amounts of power without significant increases in costs to the consumer. The last time I checked Indonesia was still one of the poorest countries in the world. While this trade delegation makes good press, will it really accomplish anything? What do you think?

VERMONT SENATE VOTES TO CLOSE NUCLEAR PLANT

The Vermont Senate recently voted 26-4 to close the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant after 2012. Recent leaks of radioactive tritium at the 38-year-old plant as well as the collapse of a cooling tower in 2007 and misstatements in testimony by plant officials are the reasons for the closing.
Vermont Yankee is a General Electric boiling water reactor (BWR) nuclear power plant owned and operated by Louisiana-based nuclear operator Entergy. It is located in the town of Vernon, Vermont and generates 620MW of electricity. The plant began commercial operations in 1972. It provided Vermont with nearly 73 percent of its electrical generating capacity prior to the 2006 uprate and meets 35 percent of the overall energy requirements of the state. The state has no plan to replace the electricity generated by the plant, which has justifiably caused concern among many businesses in Vermont.
The vote came shortly after
President Obama declared a new era for the nation’s nuclear industry, announcing federal loan guarantees of $8.3 billion to assure the construction of a twin-reactor plant near Augusta, Ga.
It’s going to be interesting to see where Vermont comes up with replacement power. I don’t think we’ve heard the last of this and I wouldn’t be surprised if this vote is revisited in the near future. We’ll keep you posted.