HEADLINES ARCHIVE
U.S. EPA Sets Coal Ash Disposal Rules for Electric Power Plants
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule to deal with the disposal of coal combustion residuals (CCR) from electric utilities, which stemmed from a 2008 coal ash spill at a coal-fired power plant operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).
NREL Claims 45.7% Efficiency for Concentrator Solar Cell
The U.S. Energy Department's National Renewable Energy lLaboratory has improved the design of its solar cell by adding an additional absorber layer. NREL says this increased the conversion efficiency to 45.7% for a four-junction solar cell at 234 suns concentration.
ASTM Metallic Wear Standard Will Help Machines Run Smoothly
To keep machines running smoothly, a new ASTM International standard, D7917, Inductive Wear Debris Sensors in Gearbox and Drivetrain Applications, provides practices for the selection, application and use of inductive type metal debris sensors that are used to indicate the presence of ferrous and
Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Used for Energy Storage Products
Researchers have discovered a new way to take some of the atmospheric carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and use it to make an advanced, high-value material for use in energy storage products.
China Plans for Nuclear Power Growth
China's nuclear generating capacity is set to triple over the next six years, according to an energy development plan published by the State Council.
Unlocking the Electrical Potential of 1D Interfaces
A recent study by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory has, for the first time, made direct observations of a one-dimensional boundary separating two different, atom-thin materials.
Post-Fukushima Japan Looks to Water to Solve Energy Issues
The March 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident damaged Japan’s energy infrastructure and caused the country to shut down the majority of its nuclear reactors and accelerate investment in renewable energy to close the resultant power gap.
Residential Solar Energy Storage Market to Grow by Factor of 10 from 2014 to 2018
The global market for grid-connected residential photovoltaic (PV) solar installations coupled with energy storage is predicted to grow tenfold to reach more than 900 megawatts (MW) in 2018, up from just 90 MW in 2014, according to new analysis from IHS Technology.
U.S. and China Agree to Carbon Reduction Goals
U.S. President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping announced an agreement to cut greenhouse gas emissions. The U.S. would aim to cut net greenhouse gas emissions 26-28% below 2005 levels by 2025.
Revised Standard for Installing and Maintaining Medium-voltage Cable
The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the National Cable Splicing Certification Board (NCSCB) released NECA/NCSCB 600-2014, Standard for Installing and Maintaining Medium-Voltage Cable the latest in a series of revisions for National Electrical Installation Standard (NEIS).
Gas-fired Power Plant with Zero Air Emissions Secures Funding
NET Power LLC secured funding and project agreements to build a 50 megawatt thermal (MWt), $140 million gas-fired power plant that would produce no air emissions and includes what the North Carolina-based company says will be full carbon dioxide (CO2) capture.
Smart Lithium-ion Battery Warns of Fire Hazard
Stanford University scientists have developed a "smart" lithium-ion battery that gives warning before it overheats and ignite. The technology is designed for conventional lithium-ion batteries.
Power Supply Options for Multiple Output Voltage Applications
A variety of power supply configurations and designs are available from industrial suppliers. The tried-and-true design of the linear power supply typically has better transient response to load changes, less electrical noise and less ripple than other power supply designs.
5MW Battery Storage Unit Enters Service in Germany
One of Europe’s largest commercial battery power plants entered service on September 16. The 5 megawatt (MW) lithium-ion unit was designed by Berlin-based grid and storage company Younicos for WEMAG, an electricity supplier.
Solar Microinverter and Power Optimizer Market to Top $1 Billion in 2018
The market for global photovoltaic (PV) solar microinverters and power optimizers is forecast to more than triple in the coming years, rising to more than $1 billion in 2018, as both established and new regions increase their adoption of the emerging technology, according to a new report, PV
Motor Makers Tackle the Efficiency Challenge
Motor manufacturers have made a number of efficiency-boosting changes to their product designs. One common practice has been to increase the amount of so-called active material in the motor's core to reduce total losses, which translates into higher efficiency.
NRC Approves GE-Hitachi Nuclear Power Plant Design
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved a rule to certify GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy’s Economic Simplified Boiling-Water Reactor (ESBWR) design for use to generate electric power in the United States.
IEEE Forms New Standards Working Groups
IEEE is forming the IEEE P2415 Unified Hardware Abstraction and Layer Working Group and IEEE P2416 Power Modeling Meta-standard Working Group. Both will draft standards that are intended to support development of more powerful and economically affordable electronics.
IEEE 802.3bj Amendment
IEEE 802.3bj “Standard for Ethernet Amendment 2: Physical Layer Specifications and Management Parameters for 100 Gb/s Operation Over Backplanes and Copper Cables.”
LSD 28-2014 Minimizing the Potential of Base Arcing Between Certain Wattage HID Lamps
NEMA LSD 28 educates end users of high wattage HID lamps about lamp-bases and lampholders and recommends best practices for selection and maintenance. Related Resources: IHS Standards Store