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Ferris State University’s Construction Management Program Expands Its MEP Courses

July 24, 2022

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The Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) trades make up a significant portion of a construction project’s budget, and MEP scope continues to grow in complexity and size as we get further into the 21st century. Depending on the type of project, the MEP scope can account for upwards of a third of an overall project’s budget. With that in mind, along with feedback from our industry partners, the Construction Management Program at Ferris State University saw a need to increase the amount of MEP content that was being taught in our construction technology and management degree programs.

After an in-depth curriculum review, two new courses that combine both lecture and lab components were added to the program to address the importance of the MEP trades; Electrical Construction Practices and Mechanical Construction Practices. Students have the opportunity to learn about mechanical and electrical systems, major types of materials and equipment, construction documents, installation techniques, relevant codes, and the testing and commissioning of these systems.…

UK Throws Support Behind Sizewell C Nuclear Plant Construction

July 22, 2022

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The UK government has given the go-ahead for construction of the Sizewell C nuclear power plant in southeast England, which officials have called an important project for the country to meet its net-zero climate goals.

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng on July 20 confirmed the government’s support, saying UK officials consider it a major infrastructure project for the country.

Sizewell C, which would be majority-owned by France utility EDF, would be built in Suffolk, a fishing village about 110 miles northeast of London that has been home to nuclear power at the Sizewell site for nearly 60 years. The plant is expected to have 3.2 GW of generation capacity, according to officials who on July 20 announced their support for the project. The plant is expected to feature two, 1,600-MW pressurized water (EPR) reactors.

Sizewell C is sited next to the existing Sizewell B nuclear plant, a 1,250-MW facility that has operated since 1995. Sizewell A, which came online in 1966, was closed at the end of 2006.…

GE’s Energy Business Will Have a New Name—Vernova

July 18, 2022

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General Electric (GE) is again announcing changes to its corporate structure, with the company on July 18 saying its energy and other businesses will operate under new brand names.

H. Lawrence Culp Jr., the company’s chairman and CEO, and CEO of GE Aerospace, on Monday said the strategy involves a planned separation into three groups, focused on energy, healthcare, and aviation. GE’s existing energy businesses, including its Power, Digital, Renewable Energy, and Energy Financial Services, will carry the brand name GE Vernova. GE Aerospace will be GE’s aviation business. The healthcare business will operate under the GE HealthCare banner.

“Today marks a key milestone in GE’s plan to become three independent, laser-focused companies,” said Culp. “Leveraging GE’s multi-billion-dollar global brand gives us a competitive advantage in our end markets, allowing these businesses to win in the future. Built on a foundation of lean and innovation, these brands will continue our mission of building a world that works and provide our customers with an important reminder of the strengths they value in GE.”…

JERA Readying to Start 1-GW Coal Plant as Japan Scrambles to Secure Power Supplies

July 16, 2022

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Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has called for up to nine nuclear plants to be put into operation to mitigate tight supplies expected this winter. The country could meanwhile resume operation of more than 10 thermal power plants to ensure electricity security this summer, he said.

Kishida’s comments at a press conference on July 14 come as the nation grapples with a summer power crunch. Earlier this summer, the Japanese government issued an “electricity shortage alert” for the first time under a new system as parts of the nation, including Tokyo, Saitama, Tochigi, and Ibaraki prefectures, suffered record-high heat.

Security of country’s power supplies has been compounded by the slow startup of its nuclear power plants, which were shut down after the March 2011 Fukushima disaster, as well as retirements of aging thermal plants for environmental reasons. So far, only 10 of Japan’s 33 reactors are operating. Another seven have been cleared by the nation’s nuclear regulator.

The country is meanwhile suffering a surge in fuel prices, which stems from tight markets in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.…

Regasification Project Will Provide New Power for Papua New Guinea

July 14, 2022

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The government of Papua New Guinea (PNG) has entered a joint venture with a nationally-owned power producer in a project to bring additional electricity generation capacity to the island nation. The system will utilize a process featuring liquefied natural gas (LNG) and could eventually be converted to work with hydrogen as the fuel.

Singapore-based Twenty20 Energy on July 12 said it will roll out its Power Island Floating Storage Regasification & Power, or FSRP, solution in a dozen locations across Papua New Guinea as part of the PAWA PNG project. Twenty20 is supporting the joint venture between the government and Dirio Gas & Power, an independent power producer in PNG that focuses on natural gas-fired installations.

PAWA PNG will provide 283 MW of what officials said would be a “less expensive and more reliable” electricity supply, with lower emissions, as it primarily replaces older diesel fuel-based power generation. The project is designed to bring additional electricity to areas where it will support economic and social development objectives.…

New 1.1-GW GE-Powered Gas-Fired Plant Enters Service in Michigan

July 12, 2022

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A new $ 1.1-billion natural gas-fired power plant, built by Kiewit and featuring equipment from General Electric (GE), has entered service in southwest Michigan. The Indeck Niles Energy Center in Niles, a community just north of South Bend, Indiana, will provide 1,100 MW of generation capacity.

The plant is operated by Indeck Energy Services along with its South Korean partners, Korea Southern Power Co. (KOSPO) and DL Energy, formerly known as Daelim Energy. Indeck, based in Buffalo Grove, Illinois, is a developer of thermal and renewable energy power generation projects across the Upper Midwest and U.S. Northeast. KOSPO is South Korea’s largest electric utility.

The Niles plant features two GE 7HA.02 gas turbines, powering two GE-supplied H65 generators. The facility also includes an STF-D600 steam turbine powering a H84 generator, and two heat recovery steam generators that are triple pressure reheat drum. The plant also includes GE’s Mark* VIe Distributed Control System software, along with services to support the availability and reliability of the plant, according to GE.…