TransAlta is converting its Sundance and Keephills coal fired plants to natural gas, with Emerson leading the design, procurement, installation and commissioning in the replacement of the full automation system for the converted projects. The conversions are part of a strategy that will see TransAlta transition to clean energy by 2025.

The rapid adoption of connected power generation, transmission, distribution, and end-use assets are enabling utilities to move away from centralized power generation technologies, and towards distributed energy. But it is a shift that opens utilities to cyberattacks.

Power demand is not restricted to safe and stable locations. Power plants also operate in locations where there is a high risk, be it man-made or natural hazards. Carrying out operation and maintenance on large, static power plants under such circumstances can be challenging, and dealing with these challenges requires planning and preparation one wouldn’t consider in secure locations. How does one deal with such challenges? GTW has been examining the issue.

Egypt has completed construction of three combined cycle gas turbine projects in just 27.5 months. GTW was part of a press visit to Beni Suef, one of the massive 4800 MW plants, which all use Siemens’ advanced H-class technology.

GE’s 6B gas turbine fleet has reached 40 years of operation, with the first unit starting up in 1978 and still running. Now, GE has reached its first agreement to repower three 6B gas turbines at a site in Asia.