The pandemic has cut daily peakload in PJM, the largest US regional power network, by 13.5 GW and demand is unlikely to recover before 2023. Researchers at the Applied Economics Clinic warn of a “capacity surplus," suggesting the network is “over-reliant” on gas peaking power plants.
Success of the global energy revolution – the shift from fossil to low-carbon power generation – hinges on the quality of the cable that underpins. Yet an estimated 20% of all cables in the UK are either substandard, counterfeit or non-approved.
Intermittency issues of wind and solar power supply are feared to jeopardize the stability of the U.S. power grid. To remedy this issue scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed an “air-breathing” battery storage that, at the cheapest, run about $100/kWh and functions only in certain locations.
Japanese utility buyers have been busy to snap up US LNG, importing a total of 18 cargoes in both August and September, ahead of South Korea with 15 cargoes. Generating electricity from LNG remains vital for Japan, though Kyushu Electric aims to restart units 1&2 at its Sendai nuclear plant.
Wholesale power prices will increasingly hinge on zero marginal cost generators, such as variable renewables, which undermine the profitability of thermal power units. Cornwall Insight proposes to guarantee each generator at least their floor price for each MWh produced. The value would be determined in a competitive tender.
Japan’s largest utility JERA has notified the government about plans to build new combined-cycle gas power Units 7 & 8 at the Chita Thermal Power Station. The two 650 MW units are designed to reach a gross thermal efficiency of 63% and will be fuelled by regasified LNG.
Slowing oil and gas consumption as a result of the global green energy transition may lower the credit profile of national oil companies (NOCs). Oil majors can reduce this risk, according to Moody’s, by increasing their exposure to LNG assets and less carbon-intensive energy sources.
Rolls-Royce will deliver and install a Bergen gas engines in an onsite power unit at the Dhamra LNG terminal in India, based on an order from DLTPL, a joint venture between Adani Group and Total. The Dhamra LNG terminal is due for commissioning towards the end of 2021.
AES Corp, a global Fortune 500 energy provider, is preparing to operate its power stations at Alamitos and Huntington Beach remotely to ensure continuity and leverage staffing. The Virginia-based utility will employ GE software at a new central control centre due to be built by early 2021.
US oil and gas major ExxonMobil has been given regulatory approval to build a LNG import terminal and power project at the northern Vietnamese port city of Haiphong. The project is meant to start generating electricity by 2026, though ExxonMobil has yet to confirm it is going ahead.
Thailand’s B.Grimm Power gained approval from the Provincial Electricity Authority to service more industrial customers near the Map Ta Phut LNG regas terminal. The Thai IPP is building 700 MW of gas-fired capacity, and arranged two LNG licences with a view to start importing as early as 2022.
Siemens has launched an artificial intelligence (AI)-based Managed Detection and Response (MDR) service that helps shield the energy industry from cyber-attacks. Powered by Eos.ii, the solution gathers real-time energy asset intelligence to monitor, detect and uncover attacks before they occur.