Features Archives - Power Technology

Heavy Lifting: Cranes in the Power Industry

cmsadmin — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 17:30:00 +0000

Cranes and lifting equipment are an essential but little-discussed aspect of operations at power generation sites around the world. The unique demands of the power industry mean that cranes must be able to operate in often tough environments with precision and safety. Long periods standing idle followed by a flurry of activity at short notice also mean that absolute reliability when the time comes is a must.

Online Magazine – Transmission & Power Grids

cmsadmin — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 17:30:00 +0000

In times of increasing power demand and ongoing energy efficiency debate, a focus on the entire electricity network - from the power station to the switch on the wall - is becoming ever more important.

What’s Holding Biofuels Back?

cmsadmin — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 17:30:00 +0000

The theory is simple and persuasive: biomethane can replace natural gas in homes and factories, bioethanol and biodiesel can replace fossil fuels for transport and biopower can meet baseload electrical demand. Realising these possibilities would drastically reduce dependence on (often) imported fossil fuels, improve energy security, create local jobs, and most importantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. So, why the slow uptake?

Snapshot: 2011 – Year of Transition for Solar PV

cmsadmin — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 17:30:00 +0000

The year 2010 was one of the most successful years for the global solar photovoltaic (PV) industry, with annual capacity installations growing by more than 100% to about 16,000MW. Crucially, however, growth in 2010 was driven only by a select few markets in Europe and the US, Germany alone accounted for about 50% of the total installations.

Conquering Emissions

cmsadmin — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 17:30:00 +0000

Shocking as the IEA's estimated global total of 30.6Gt in 2010 may be - a rise of five per cent from 2008 - an older issue that of strictly limiting toxic emission from power plants has recently been propelled back into the limelight.

The Power of Beauty

cmsadmin — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 17:30:00 +0000

Industrial steel masts, overbearing turbines and unsightly power plants have long been a cause of controversy among communities throughout the world, much to the frustration of utility providers. But, for the first time, energy companies and architects are coming together to paint a better picture of power generation.

The Price of Green Power

cmsadmin — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 17:30:00 +0000

As the EU moves towards its plans to decarbonise the electricity grid and secure energy supplies, many industry experts are concerned about the large price tag that comes with building renewable power projects.

Wind Power Comes of Age

cmsadmin — Thu, 05 May 2011 17:30:00 +0000

Last year, China installed more wind generating capacity (19GW) than the rest of the world combined. Mainly because of that, the WWEA reports, the wind turbine market as a whole kept its 25% a year overall growth. Last year added nearly 38GW, with a turnover of $60bn and from a workforce of two thirds of a million. The eastern European market grew, too, as did offshore capacity. Total installed offshore is now 3GW, of which 1GW was added in 2010 (mainly in the UK).

Fuel Cells – Converting the Future

cmsadmin — Thu, 12 May 2011 17:30:00 +0000

One of the main barriers to the wider adoption of fuel-cell technology, both in the UK and more generally, is the lack of truly commercial, viable and cost effective, off-the-shelf products - with most fuel-cell systems still too expensive for mass market applications.

Snapshot: Renewable Energy – China’s Imbalanced Trade

cmsadmin — Tue, 17 May 2011 17:30:00 +0000

The urgent need to combat global climate change is set to ensure that the search for renewable energy will play a much greater role in the global energy supply in the UK. Research so far has been encouraging, but expansion worldwide (or limitation, depending on which side of the fence you're on) has been driven by government policies to encourage renewable energy.

Tracking the Top Wind Players

cmsadmin — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 17:30:00 +0000

The wind power industry has emerged as a powerful and popular player in the renewable energy sector. The small wind turbine market has increased in Europe and the US while large offshore wind farms have become commonplace. With renewable energy still growing, the companies making the technology to take this sector forward are currently at the top of their game right now.

Election 2010: Energy on the Agenda

cmsadmin — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 17:30:00 +0000

Some commentators have described climate change issues as the elephant in the election room, seemingly high on the political agenda but low on the discussion list for the UK's upcoming general election. Outside of the election campaign, climate change is a hot topic and the parties must set out their policies that will later be debated on the world stage. While the UK's Green Party by its very nature puts the issue at the top of the agenda, it has not always been clear exactly what each of the three main political parties would do to ensure energy security, reduce carbon emissions and even where they stand on the controversial issue of civil nuclear power.

Online Magazine – Smart Grid Edition

cmsadmin — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 17:30:00 +0000

Using an engaging mix of editorial, images, video and animation, the online magazine will bring you in-depth coverage into the latest technological developments that are moving us towards a stronger, smarter and more reliable grid. To view the issue, click here.

Tools To Bring Solutions To A Climax

cmsadmin — Thu, 13 May 2010 17:30:00 +0000

Climax Portable Machine Tools is among a handful of companies that work to meet some of the biggest challenges faced by power companies today. And as more new builds are announced, and upgrades demanded to meet growing power supply, the company's special on-site machine tools business is growing.

CRC Britain – Boosting Efficiency or a Waste of Resources?

cmsadmin — Mon, 24 May 2010 17:30:00 +0000

Launched by the previous Labour Government, the CRC (Carbon Reduction Commitment) Energy Efficiency Scheme came into effect in April with the aim of improving the UK's energy efficiency and reducing carbon dioxide emissions. It targets the largest UK organisations, which generate around a tenth of the UK's CO2 emissions.

Online Magazine – Nuclear’s Next Phase

cmsadmin — Thu, 27 May 2010 17:30:00 +0000

After 20 years out in the cold, there has been a turnaround in favour of nuclear power with scores of proposals for new nuclear plants being put forward. Even public opinion, once overwhelmingly set against it, has begun to turn and nuclear power is now being looked upon as one of the key ways of reducing carbon emissions and preventing long-term energy shortages.

Smart Security on the Grid

cmsadmin — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 17:30:00 +0000

'Smart grid' is a convenient phrase that covers a wide range of convergent technology: smart meters that will give consumers much more information about their energy use, and enable them to earn money from feed-in-tariffs for microgeneration; remote meter reading and online billing that will do away with manual meter reading and estimated bills; differential pricing for peak periods; smart load shedding, which will allow energy providers to cut off certain types of appliance when loads are high while preserving essential services; and distributed storage using, for example, consumers' electric vehicles to boost the grid at certain times.

Driving Future Electricity Generation with the Car

cmsadmin — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 17:30:00 +0000

Besides being the largest drain on our oil reserves, transport is the world's fastest growing energy sector. Making it more efficient must, therefore, have top priority globally both for reducing CO2 emissions and for making travel more affordable.

Pipe Dreams for CCS

cmsadmin — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 17:30:00 +0000

The idea of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology was introduced as a beacon of hope years ago, when the world first became concerned with global warming, and the power and mining industries started to feel they should prove something could be done about it. But after a few hopeful headlines, the technology was put in the "too-hard" basket.

Online Magazine – Emissions Reduction

cmsadmin — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 17:30:00 +0000

In this month's issue we look at emissions reduction and pollution control.