·       Valves for Gas Turbine/Combined Cycle Plants Is the “Hot Topic” For May 29^th

·       New Approach to Deal with Avalanche of Gas Turbine Information

·       Renewable Energy Briefs

·       Headlines for the May 16, 2014 – Utility E-Alert

Valves for Gas Turbine/Combined Cycle Plants Is the “Hot Topic” For May 29^th

A free webinar on May 29^th will bring together valve suppliers, valve specifiers and purchasers to discuss how a dedicated website and Gas Turbine and Combined Cycle Decisions webinars can help owners make their valve decisions.

Over the last month, McIlvaine gas turbine webinars have been directed at turbine owners to assist them in decision making.  As a result of the demonstrated success, a number of future webinars will be scheduled.   One subject which warrants multiple webinars is valves.

On May 29^th at 10 a.m. we will conduct an organizational discussion regarding valves for GTCC plants.  The subject will be methods to best provide the owner/operators with information they need using the webinars and dedicated websites.

We had originally scheduled a webinar on steam valve stellite de-lamination for this date but realized that we have gotten ahead of ourselves and need to prioritize the valve subject matter in a series of webinars.   De-lamination is only one of many subjects.   Another is Total Valve Solutions.  We are writing a feature article for the upcoming issue of Valve World magazine on this subject.  Two subjects in that article would be good for group discussion.  One deals with an intelligence based rather than routine valve maintenance system.  Another details a bypass system to prevent valve coking in the secondary fuel system. 

We will be asking participants to suggest specific valve topics which they feel are important to GTCC owner/operators. We will organize the discussion along specific processes.   Here is the agenda of this 60 minute meeting.

            Gas Turbine/Combined Cycle Valve Agenda May 29^th, 2014

·       Discuss the purpose and plan for Gas Turbine and Combined Cycle Decisions.  This will include a review of the present website and the valve information already posted.

·       Currently scheduled webinars and how valve decisions can be included.

·       Coordination with Combined Cycle Journal and demo of the valve information on their website.

·       Future webinars:

·       Webinars where valves are the main subject:

o   Steam valves

§  Steam valve stellite de-lamination

o   Smart valves for GTCC

o   Intelligent valve maintenance programs

·       Webinars on processes where valves are important:

o   Boiler feedwater treatment

o   Zero liquid discharge systems

·       Valves in emission control systems including ammonia injection, tempering air and CEMS.

We already have a dedicated website.  Gas Turbine Emission Control - Continuous Analyses

·       Special designs for extreme temperatures, humidity, etc.

·       Air treatment:  valves are needed for pulse jet filters fogging, etc. 

We already have a dedicated website.  Gas Turbine Air Filtration – Continuous Analyses

·       The webinars as part of decisions programs:

Owner /operators:

A number of free websites and webinar series will be available to each industry category e.g. power, refining, oil and gas, chemical, etc.  They cover process equipment, consumables, flow control and materials.

Suppliers:

There are programs for suppliers to maximize the value of this new sales route.

To register for the “Hot Topic Hour” on May 29, 2014 on “Gas Turbine/Combined Cycle Valve Agenda” click on: http://home.mcilvainecompany.com/index.php/component/content/article?id=675

New Approach to Deal with Avalanche of Gas Turbine Information

In the U.S., gas turbine /combined cycle (GTCC) power plants are being planned and built in record numbers.  The Middle East relies on this power source for most of its electricity generation.  The oil and gas industry uses GTCC both on land and at sea.  The use of gas turbine power generation as a secondary source of power where wind and solar are the primary sources is becoming common.  All these uses create many challenges.  There is an avalanche of new information on these challenges.  This quantity warrants a new approach to accessing and using the needed information.

A system called Gas Turbine/Combined Cycle Decisions includes a continuously updated website and weekly webinars.  It is free of charge to power plant owner/operators.   The service includes a growing number of free subsidiary websites each displaying a segment of the information on the main website.  Those already created for the program are:

·                 Gas Turbine Air Treatment – Continuous Analyses

·                 Gas Turbine Emission Control - Continuous Analyses

·                 Degasification and Demineralization

The webinars scheduled in the near future are:

The webinars are conducted in a discussion format so that issues can be debated.  Analyses subsequent to the webinars result in a compilation of all the options which are available for specific conditions.  Variables include the type and frequency of use of secondary fuels, water availability at the site, temperature, humidity, air quality and other environmental factors.

For more information, click on: Gas Turbine and Combined Cycle Decisions

Renewable Energy Briefs

Alstom Haliade 150-6MW Offshore Turbines Part of Innovative Demonstration Project Off the Coast of Virginia

Alstom announced that it is part of a team to receive a $47 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for phase II of the Virginia Offshore Wind Technology Advancement Project (VOWTAP) led by Dominion Virginia Power. This next phase includes the completion of Front End Engineering Design (FEED), installation and testing of two Alstom Haliade 150-6MW (megawatt) offshore wind turbines approximately 24 miles off the coast of Virginia Beach.

The team will explore innovative approaches to optimize turbine and balance of plant designs while addressing environmental conditions including hurricanes, transportation and installation strategies, and operations and maintenance (O&M) methodologies. The group, which includes the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), among others, is one of three teams selected to receive funding for phase two of the project.

Alstom's Haliade 150-6MW offshore wind turbine is engineered to achieve the goals and objectives outlined by VOWTAP. Its 150-meter rotor contributes dramatically to reducing the cost of offshore wind power while the direct drive permanent magnet generator and the Alstom Pure Torque technology increase reliability, availability, and efficiency.

Recurrent Energy Awarded 150 MW Utility Scale Solar Contract by Austin Energy for Texas Solar Projects

Recurrent Energy, a leading North American solar project developer, announced an award from Austin Energy for 150 MW of solar capacity in West Texas. The power will be delivered to Austin Energy pursuant to a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement.

The 150 MW solar facility will be completed in 2016 and will be Texas’ largest single solar power plant.

Georgia Power to Bring 90 MW of Solar Generation to Georgia Army Bases

Georgia Power announced plans to build own and operate three separate solar generation facilities on U.S. Army bases in Georgia. The generation facilities, each capable of producing approximately 30 megawatts (MW) AC of solar energy, will be located at Fort Stewart near Savannah, Fort Benning near Columbus and Fort Gordon near Augusta. Scheduled to be completed by the end of 2016, the facilities are expected to be the largest solar generation facilities operating on U.S. military bases.  The announcement was made as part of the company's updated Renewable Resource Action Plan filed with the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC).

Voith Celebrates Dedication of Badger Hydro Plant

Voith participated in Kaukauna Utilities Badger Hydro Plant’s formal dedication in Kaukauna, WI. The Badger Hydro Plant combines hydraulic capacity of the 105-year old “old” Badger plant and the 85-year old “new” badger plant into a new single 2-unit plant resulting in more capacity than the previous two plants combined. Voith was heavily involved in the project, as Voith Hydro supplied two Kaplan turbines and automation equipment, while Voith Turbo provided the speed increasers. The 7 megawatt-plant has a 50-year license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. It is estimated that 4,000 households will benefit from the clean, reliable energy produced by the Badger Hydro Plant.

The Badger Hydro Plant is indicative of much of the current focus of the U.S. hydropower industry. Many utilities and developers are retrofitting existing hydropower plants such as Badger to increase output, or turning to the United States’ approximately 80,000 non-powered dams and other water infrastructure to add hydropower production. Voith Hydro is involved with many of these projects, including the expansion of PPL Generation's Holtwood Hydroelectric Facility in Pennsylvania, AMP’s Ohio River Projects, and Missouri River Energy Services’ Red Rock Hydroelectric Project in Iowa.

Broward County and Chevron Energy Solutions Break Ground on Innovative Waste to Energy Project

In what may be the first of its kind in South Florida, Broward County will launch an innovative project at its wastewater treatment facility that will generate cost-saving electricity from a common urban waste: fats, oils and grease (FOG). The energy produced by the project will both offset utility-purchased power and help achieve county-wide carbon reduction benefits.

The project, to be designed and built by Chevron Energy Solutions, is expected to generate almost 2 MW of power, reduce electricity usage by over 30 percent and save the county nearly $27 million in its first 17 years of operation.

For more information on Renewable Energy Projects and Update please visit

http://www.mcilvainecompany.com/brochures/Renewable_Energy_Projects_Brochure/renewable_energy_projects_brochure.htm

Headlines for May 16, 2014 – Utility E-Alert

UTILITY E-ALERT

#1175 – May 16, 2014

Table of Contents

COAL – US

• URS awarded Contract to install Mercury Control Technology at the Cayuga Operating Company’s Unit 2, in Lansing, New York

GAS/OIL – US

• GHG Permit approved for Natural Gas-fired Peaking Project in Texas
• Duke Energy Florida to invest in Natural Gas-fired Power Plants
• Emerson (Ohio) upgrades Gas Turbine Controls
• Wärtsilä to supply Gas-fired Power Plant to Alexandria, Louisiana
• Stantec awarded Contract for 120 MW Combined Cycle Power Plant in Alaska
• PA Governor and Elected Officials join Panda Power Funds for Groundbreaking of 829 MW Marcellus Shale Gas-fired Power Plant
• State Regulators approve New 650 MW IPL Natural Gas Conversion of 200 MW Coal Plant

GAS/OIL – WORLD

§  Energy Minister signs Commercial License for Dorad Combined Cycle Power Plant in Ashkelon, Israel

§  Palm Paper wants to build a Power Station next to its Paper Mill in King’s Lynn, UK

NUCLEAR

• FP&L to ask for approval to build Two New Nuclear Reactors
• Azerbaijan intends to renew construction of Nuclear Power Plant
• MEAG may be a Step Closer to Government Nuclear Loan Guarantees

BUSINESS

§  Class Action Lawsuit against Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc.

§  Uzbek Reconstruction and Development Fund allocates $150 Million to Uzbekenergo for modernization of Navoi TPP

§  B&W to acquire International Industrial Products and Services Firm MEGTEC

§  U.S. Air Pollution Control Companies Can Adjust to the Shrinking Coal Market

HOT TOPIC HOUR

§  “Gas Turbine Intake Filter selection depends on the Site” – Hot Topic for Webinar May 15^th

§  Upcoming Hot Topic Hours

For more information on the Utility Tracking System, click on: 

http://home.mcilvainecompany.com/index.php/databases/2-uncategorised/89-42ei

McIlvaine Hot Topic Hour Registration

On Thursday at 10 a.m. Central time, McIlvaine hosts a 90 minute web meeting on important energy and pollution control subjects. Power webinars are free for subscribers to either Power Plant Air Quality Decisions or Utility Tracking System. The cost is $300.00 for non-subscribers.

See below for information on upcoming Hot Topic Hours. We welcome your input relative to suggested additions.

To register for the “Hot Topic Hour”, click on: http://home.mcilvainecompany.com/index.php/component/content/article?id=675

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You can register for our free McIlvaine Newsletters at: http://home.mcilvainecompany.com/index.php?option=com_rsform&formId=5

Bob McIlvaine
President
847 784 0012 ext 112

rmcilvaine@mcilvainecompany.com

www.mcilvainecompany.com

191 Waukegan Road Suite 208 | Northfield | IL 60093

Ph: 847-784-0012 | Fax; 847-784-0061