News

ABB Wins $45 Million Order to Strengthen Swedish Power Grid

ABB won orders worth $45 million from Svenska kraftnät, the Swedish National Grid operator, to supply three 400 kV substation to strengthen the Swedish power grid. The substations are scheduled to be commissioned in 2015. ABB's project scope includes the design and supply of engineered packages for the high-voltage air-insulated switchgear (AIS) substations.

Planned NRG and Edison Mission Energy Merger Receives FERC Approval

NRG Energy and Edison Mission Energy (EME) jointly announced that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has approved the sale of substantially all of EME's assets to NRG. The acquisition of EME's portfolio of renewable and conventional generation assets will create the second-largest US power company. EME will add nearly 8,000 MW of generating capacity to the combined company's diverse portfolio of both conventional and wind generation facilities. The transaction closed on April 1, 2014.

FERC Issues Pilot License For Tidal Project in Puget Sound

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued a 10-year pilot license to Public Utility District No. 1 Snohomish County for the proposed Admiralty Inlet Pilot Tidal Project to be located in the Puget Sound. The 600-kW Admiralty Inlet Project is an experimental project designed to determine whether commercial development of the tidal energy resources of Puget Sound is commercially viable. The license authorizes Public Utility District No. 1 to study, monitor, and evaluate the environmental, economic, and cultural effects of hydrokinetic energy.

AEP Selects B&W for Steam Generator Services Contract

Babcock & Wilcox Nuclear Energy (B&W NE) was awarded a contract from American Electric Power (AEP) to provide steam generator services for the Donald C. Cook (D.C. Cook) Nuclear Plant just north of Bridgman, Mich. The D.C. Cook Plant contains two units, one of which is outfitted with Babcock & Wilcox replacement recirculating steam generators. As part of this contract, B&W NE will execute a comprehensive inspection and cleaning campaign, which includes eddy current testing, visual inspections and water lancing.

Toshiba Delivers Battery Energy Storage Systems for Project to Expand Use of Renewable Energy Sources

Toshiba delivered battery energy storage systems integrating the company's SCiB, an lithium-ion secondary battery to Kyushu Electric Power, for a demonstration project to expand introduction of renewable energy sources on remote islands. The systems have been installed in substations on Tanegashima Island and Amamioshima Island, in Kagoshima prefecture. The demonstration program will run for three years to fiscal 2016.

First Solar Completes Solar PV Power Plant at Kitakyushu-shi in Japan

First Solar completed the 1.3MW solar PV power plant at Kitakyushu-shi. Powered by First Solar FS Series 3 Black PV modules, the plant will generate approximately 1,400 MWh of solar electricity per year. Power from the project will be purchased by Kyushu Electric Power Company. First Solar holds 100 percent equity in the project. Obayashi Corporation and Yaskawa Electric Corporation constructed the project.

FERC to Issue Environmental Assessment for Dominion Cove Point LNG Project on May 15

Dominion received word from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) that the agency will issue its environmental assessment for the Dominion Cove Point LNG liquefaction and export project on May 15. The proposed export facility will be within the 131-acre footprint of the LNG import facility. No new pipelines, storage tanks or piers are needed at the facility. The company needs about 50 permits and approvals before construction can begin.

Canadian Solar Opens Microgrid Testing Center in Ontario

Canadian Solar opened the new Canadian Solar Microgrid Testing Centre to focus on microgrid solution testing, system solution design and smart grid assessment services. The Canadian Solar Microgrid Testing Centre, partially funded by the Ontario Ministry of Energy, will be located in Guelph, Ontario and will work with its collaborators to provide shareable services for utilities, universities and colleges, communities, and companies that engage in the development of microgrid solutions.

MISO Breaks Ground on Region Operations Center in US

The Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) broke ground on a regional operations center in Little Rock, Ark. This action marks the next phase of the integration of the four-state electric grid spanning the southern region into MISO. Similar to the company's North Region Operations Center, the facility in Little Rock will serve as the command center for MISO's newly established South Region. MISO expects to spend $22 million on its new facility in West Little Rock. The building is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2014.