Michigan

GE Power & Water Wins Outage Services Work for DTE Energy’s Fermi 2 Nuclear Power Plant

DTE Energy awarded outage services work to GE Power & Water through GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH) and GE Power Generation Services (PGS) for the utility's Fermi 2 Nuclear Power Plant. GEH will provide outage and inspection services related to the boiling water nuclear reactor at the Fermi 2 plant, while PGS will provide inspection and maintenance services to the main generator and six turbine valves.

Consumers Energy Debuts New Technology to Help Monitor Power Lines, Equipment, Wind Turbines

Consumers Energy launched an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) near a Jackson County electric substation to help determine whether the emerging technology can improve how the company serves Michigan residents. Consumers Energy is the fourth energy company in the U.S. and the first in Michigan, to receive approval for UAV use from the Federal Aviation Administration. The UAV is being evaluated on its performance at inspecting wind turbines and above-ground utility equipment such as poles and transformers.

ITC Energizes Thumb Loop Transmission Line

ITCTransmission completed the Thumb Loop high-voltage transmission project with the energization of the third and final phase of the project. ITC invested $510 million to build the 345 kV line, which serves as the backbone of a system designed to meet the identified maximum wind energy potential of Michigan's Thumb region. It also will contribute to regional system reliability and facilitate wholesale market competition.

DTE Energy Partners with Domino's Farms and Ford Motor Company

DTE Energy partnered with Domino's Farms and Ford Motor Company to build and operate the two largest solar arrays in Michigan. DTE Energy has begun construction of a 1.1-MW photovoltaic solar installation at Domino's Farms, just east of Ann Arbor, which will be completed and operational by the end of the year. The solar installation will have capacity to generate 1,089 kilowatts of electricity.

RES Americas Executes PPA with Wolverine Power Cooperative

RES America Developments entered into a 20-year PPA with Wolverine Power Supply Cooperative (Wolverine) for 114 MW of wind energy and associated renewable energy credits in the Thumb of Michigan. The wind power will be sourced from the Deerfield Wind Energy project, which is located in Huron County, Michigan. RES Americas developed and will construct the project and Wolverine, which is owned by and supplies wholesale electric power to seven members, will be the recipient of the 114 MW of electricity generated by the project.

IKEA to Increase Size of Michigan’s Largest Rooftop Solar Array

IKEA plans to increase the solar array atop its Detroit-area store that opened eight years ago in Canton, MI. In September, IKEA began work on a 44,000-square-foot expansion to the store, atop which new panels will be installed beginning spring 2015, with a completion by summer. The 40,000-square-foot solar addition will consist of a 240.9-kW system built with 765 panels, and will produce 287,490 kWh more of electricity annually for the store.

ABB Commissions HVDC Station Improving Grid Stability in Michigan

ABB commissioned a power solution that will control the flow of power and enhance grid stability in the State of Michigan. ABB’s low-loss and eco-efficient HVDC Light technology controls the power flow between the upper and lower peninsulas of Michigan. The HVDC Light station was commissioned on schedule and handed over to the customer, American Transmission Co. (ATC). ABB designed, supplied and installed the 200-MW back-to-back HVDC Light station in upper Michigan.

Ford, DTE Energy to Build Michigan's Largest Solar Array

Ford Motor Company teamed up with DTE Energy to build Michigan's largest solar array at Ford World Headquarters. The project, funded by DTE Energy, will provide employees with 360 covered parking spaces and 30 charging stations for plug-in electric vehicles. The solar canopy will have capacity to generate 1.038 MW of electricity. Under a recently finalized agreement, DTE Energy will construct, operate and maintain the carport for 20 years. Construction is slated to begin in September and be completed in early 2015.

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.

Invoice Enclosed

Having lost Entergy to MISO, the Southwest Power Pool seeks its pound of flesh.

Welcome to the age of RTO competition: region vs. region, grid vs. grid. It could well outdo the choice wars between retail energy suppliers that we thought were in our future.