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The article offers information on the New Zealand's leading developers of sustainable power generation systems, Contact Energy Ltd., that has a diverse portfolio of geothermal, natural gas, wind, and hydroelectric assets. It states that the company owns and operates 10 plants located throughout the country and considered one of the five large New Zealand power companies.

The article focuses on the junior power plat, 600 megawatt John W. Truck, owned by American Electric Power's (AEP) Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO) and located on a 2,800-acre tract near Fulton, in Hempstead Country, Arkansas. It states that this is the first modern plant in the U.S. to commercialize ultrasupercritical (USC) boiler technology.

The article focuses on the efforts being made in much of the Nordic region to secure a sustainable energy supply for the future. It particularly discusses the extent to which the innovative solutions of these countries can be exported around the globe. It is reported that the Nord Pool network is the world's only multinational exchange for trading electricity, incorporating Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland.

The article reports on the development of Siemens Power Generation (SPG) of the 270-MW-class SGT6-6000G gas turbine. The prototype of this engine first saw service at the Unit 5 of the Macintosh Power Plant, owned and operated by the City of Lakeland, Florida on April 1999. After successful introduction, 22 Siemens G-Class turbines are now operating worldwide and two units are still under construction. It is noted that SGT6-6000G has a nominal output of 400 MW, and has a net efficiency of 58.4 percent at ISO conditions.

The article reports that monitoring of key gases in insulating oil keeps transformers in good condition. The average age of utility power transformers is about 40. A good condition assessment must balance the age and maintenance history of the transformer against its operating history and the quality of its preventive maintenance regimen. The results of the assessment are then interpreted in the context of a system wide transformer management and prioritization strategy that details where maintenance dollars are actually spent.

Presents information on the 3-ppm combustor technology by Power Systems Manufacturing LLC which will reduce NOx at its source. Information on the Low Emissions Combustor III; Effect of combustor technology on gas turbine plant operations; Methods of achieving 3-ppm NOx. INSET: How to get to 3-ppm NOx: A primer.

Focuses on nuclear power plants in the U.S. Amount of power generated by the U.S. nuclear power plants in 2003; Number of operating nuclear plants in the U.S.; Total power generated by the nuclear plants owned by Exelon in 2003; Developments in the nuclear plants of PPL. INSET: Next-generation reactor options.

Discusses the status of the U.S. power generating capacity as of June 2003. Information on a report released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration; Factors that restrain the power capacity expansion in North America; Possible retirement of several oil, gas, and coal-fired power plants.

The article presents information about the journal "Power," and its history as the journal celebrates its 125th anniversary in 2007. "Power," magazine was launched in 1882, not too long after introduction of the first practical steam engine by James Watt in England. From the beginning "Power," had to keep editorial pace with a fast-developing technology and a market strongly influenced by the fantastic economic growth of the post-Civil War period in the U.S. Over the decades, "Power," covered the addition of each new power-generating source--from water and coal to the atom and, more recently, the wind and sun. In short, "Power," and the power industry have continued to be inseparable.

Presents information on Sanford Repowering Project power plant owned by Florida Power and Light (FPL) Co. in Sanford, Florida. Details of the repowering project of FPL; Challenges experienced by FPL in the Sanford project; Information on the configuration of the Sanford project.

The author discusses the impact of distributed energy resources on electric utilities and their customers. The author explains the challenges of integrating distributed energy resources into electric grid including the integration costs, cost shifting, and backup rates. The author states that collaborative efforts between state legislators, utilities, and customers are needed to address public policy issues and financial burden of cost shifting.

Presents information on the top power plants according to "POWER" magazine in 2004. Sanford Repowering Project in Florida; Ravenswood Unit 40 in Long Island, New York; Danahu Thermal Power Station in India; Pusan Combined-Cycle Plant in South Korea; Pagbilao Power Plant in the Philippines.

Focuses on the top power plants selected by "Power" magazine for 2003. Criteria used in the selection; Problem with the selection process; Power generation technologies represented by the nominees.

The article reports on Merkel's energy plan to extend the use of renewable energy to 35% of total power consumption in 2020 and 80% in 2050 in Germany. It is stated by the German Economy Ministry that the renewable energy grant of the Renewable Energy Act of the residential electricity bill will increase to 5.9-6.6 to pay Merkel's renewable energy polices. It notes that $125 billion will be paid by consumers to subsidize installation of renewables before 2012.

In this article, the author comments on the natural gas production, abundance of oil and gas in the U.S. According to the report released by the Energy Information Administration's Annual Energy Outlook 2012, it is predicted that the U.S. is likely to become a net exporter of natural gas by 2020. He mentions that the quantities of shale gas production is high and are likely to grow for many years. Further he comments on energy policy, carbon emissions dropping, and massive oil reserves.

The article presents the findings of a survey conducted by the "Financial Times" in which household members who pay the energy bill each month in France, Germany, Great Britain, Spain, Italy, and the U.S. were asked about their support of renewable energy. About 87 percent of the U.S. respondents favored renewable energy. About sixty eight percent of U.S. respondents said that they are not likely to pay extraordinary increase in the electricity bill.

The article focuses on the long term effects of Spain's renewable energy policy on jobs and the economy. According to a study by Gabriel Calzada Álverez the policy has led to loss of many jobs with the creation of supposedly green jobs. The study further reveals that consumers have paid large amounts for the renewable energy and the real cost of electricity generation has actually increased but it hasn't been visible as it formed a part of the government debt.

The article discusses the use of air cooled condensers (ACC) in reducing water consumption in a power plant. The dry cooling system is preferred by plant developers since it accelerates the processing of construction permits due to water issues. ACC are widely used in countries such as North America, Belgium and China. With the use of ACC, a plant does not need to be located near a water source due to various plant options available.

The article discusses the competitive edge of the High Bridge Combined Cycle Project of Xcel Energy Inc. in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It is stated that the 570-mega-watt (MW) gas fired power plant was able to reduce air pollution and carbon dioxide emission. The Minnesota Metro Emissions Reduction Project (MERP) has opted for a cleaner and efficient gas fired generation technology by taking its old coal plant.

The article offers information on the Frank A. Tracy Combined Cycle Plant project by Sierra Pacific Resources Co. (SPR) in Reno, Nevada. The project aims to reduce power purchase from outside suppliers in Nevada. Due to the absence of electrical interconnection between Sierra Pacific and Nevada Power, a proposal has been created for the creation of a 250-mile transmission line which will cost $500 million.

The article recognizes the design innovation and teamwork in the creation of the Port Washington Generating Station Phase 2 (PWGS) in Wisconsin. The plant is expected to be completed in 2010. It is expected to generate 2,300 mega-watts (MW) of power. Moreover, the plant is powered by two General Electric 207FA gas turbines, each exhausting into a three-pressure heat-recovery steam generator (HRSG) with supplemental duct firing supplied by Alstom Power Inc.

The article focuses on the prospects of using heat produced by magma escaping through seafloor vents, an undersea version of geothermal energy. With the cost of all kinds of energy rising, the appeal of undersea geothermal energy is predicted to grow to match its ubiquity. Southern California inventor Bruce C. Marshall laments the lack of attention paid to untapped renewable energy source-hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor. Hydrothermal vents are natural geysers of magma-superheated water found atop mid-ocean ridges at an average depth of 7,500 feet. Marshall has proposed a system that would bring the high-temperature fluid to the surface through a network of insulated pipes to an offshore power plant on a platform similar to that used by oil companies.

The article provides information on the move of San Diego Gas & Electric Co. (SDG&E) to aggregate 25 MW of existing backup generators from Boston-based EnerNOC Inc. in Southern California. The Clean Gen program of EnerNOC uses backup generators to support its electric grid during times of peak demand while minimizing black out risk. EnerNOC has helped enhance SDG&E's grid stability in California by combining stringent environmental controls with field-proven expertise managing distributed assets. SDG&E and EnerNOC agreed to install California Air Resources Board-approved diesel particulate filters to reduce particulate matter emissions by over 85%.

The article reports that Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA) Shawnee Fossil Plant has been able to build up a strong and good reputation for itself. The plant has allegedly been known for its timely completion way back more than 50 years ago. It has also generated worth 9.4 million of megawatts per hour (MWh), while ranking in the top 25 percent of plants nationwide for lowest cost of production. It has likewise won the national continuous operating title won by its Unit 6: 1,093 days, 11 hours, and 24 minutes when it went off-line on February 15, 2007. In addition to these recognitions, the plant has also been routinely ranking in the top 10 percent nationally for availability and reliability.

The article reports on the possible effect of the proposed carbon cap-and-trade regulations in the U.S. power industry's 2008 performance. The proposed legislation for carbon control has executives at nuclear- and wind-power plants vilify their counterparts at coal-based utilities, in which they asked allowances to ease the transition. Predicting power industry performance requires understanding on how utilities and other plant developers respond to risk and uncertainty. The imminent arrival of carbon controls has reportedly caused a tectonic shift in the industry.

The article discusses the issues related to the use of ethanol, or ethyl alcohol as fuel in the U.S. Ethanol is part of the Iowa Caucus, the first major primary of the 2008 election year and also features prominently in the latest energy bill passed in June 2007 by the Senate. The Renewable Fuels Corp. reports that there are 111 ethanol refineries nationwide with an annual capacity of 5.4 billion gallons. Because the U.S. accounts for 40% of the global corn harvest, the increased domestic consumption and reduced exports are driving up worldwide prices. The heightened demand for corn as ethanol feedstock has farmers forgoing planting other grains, which are now feeling their own upward price pressures.

The article presents information about the evolution of the U.S. power industry since 1882. In 1882, access to electricity didn't exist. Greatest of all the 1882 engines was the famous Centennial Corliss, which supplied power for 14 acres of machines at the 1876 Exposition in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. At this time, steam boiler development was also progressing at a rapid rate. Although water-tube boilers were gaining ground, the typical boiler of 1882 was a fire-tube design that needed a sweating fireman to heave coal onto a flat grate.

The article reports that U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy is opposing the Cape Wind project that is expected to produce pollution-free and renewable energy. The Massachusetts Energy Facility Sitting Board says that the project will lower local residents' sky-high electricity bills while providing 75 percent of their power needs. Cape Wind also is predicted to create between 600 and 1,000 jobs in the region and spur tourism, with negligible impact on local ecosystems. Many of his prosperous neighbors are equally alarmed. They have raised about $7 million to oppose the project. A provision in the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2006 gives the governor of Massachusetts right to veto the Cape Wind project despite a finding by the Coast Guard that the project would not harm navigation. It could cripple offshore wind power development.

Comments on the development of the U.S. government-owned Arctic National Wild Refuge (ANWR) to produce energy in Alaska. Conclusion of the U.S. Energy Information Administration on the energy production of the ANWR in 2025; Decision of U.S. President Bill Clinton concerning a legislation intended to open up ANWR for exploration in 1995; Percentage of the U.S. demand for the fuel that the ANWR can supply according to the U.S. Geologic survey.

Focuses on the emergency power alert which hit California on March 29, 2004. Factors which will contribute to a continuous emergency power alerts in California in the summer of 2004; Actions taken by California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to solve the problem of power shortage; Condition of the power plants approved for use by the California Energy Commission.

Comments on the tightening relationship between energy and international relations discussed by Nikolas K. Gvosdev, an executive editor, in an edition of the foreign policy electronic magazine inthenationalinterest.com. Actions taken by Russia to subsidize its citizens' use of energy; Details of how the energy dependency of a country could constrain its foreign policy choices; Views of Gvosdev on the role of energy considerations in shaping the perception on domestic and foreign policy interests of a country.

Discusses the decline of the market value of the investor owned-utilities (IOU). Factors that led the IOU to lose billions in market value over the past years; Solution to the problems of investor-owned utilities; Comments from American Public Power Association CEO and President Alan Richardson which helped put the public power issue into perspective; Goals of the Hermiston Services as a new agency converted into public power in October 2001.

Discusses the celebration of the 50th anniversary of commercial nuclear power in the U.S. in 2004. Background on the development of nuclear energy; Role of nuclear power in economic progress.