Generation Sector Update: 1

Generation Sector Update

A Report from EPRI’s Generation Sector January 2010 Program members can use their EPRI.com ID and password to download Acrobat PDF files of EPRI technical reports. For assistance, contact the EPRI Customer Assistance Center at 800-313-3774.

In late December, EPRI Senior Vice President Mike Howard and I (Mike is on the far right in the photo above) were part of a group that visited Southern Company’s Mercury Research Center, located at Gulf Power’s Plant Barry near Pensacola, Florida. The visit, which also featured an outstanding primer on environmental controls by Southern’s Larry Monroe and April Sibley, highlighted the long and extensive research by the industry into controlling emissions from power generation – R&D about which few outside the industry are aware, and many inside the industry take for granted. Finding ways to measure and reduce mercury emissions are just one example of the many “long hauls” in industry research that EPRI has supported. George Offen, one of our senior technical executives, has a great presentation on these “long hauls” – efforts that go back decades in developing technologies and processes which weren’t in big demand in the beginning, but new knowledge and regulations have brought them into wide use today. Work on power plant selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems, used for reducing nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions, began in the early 1980s and we’re still improving them today – lowering emissions, reducing impacts, making them more durable.

DEAR EPRI GENERATION MEMBERS

Work on mercury controls started in the late ‘80s, when EPRI and others anticipated a future need. The initial focus was on overcoming a lack of knowledge about the fundamentals, debunking early, overly-optimistic

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nd storage (CCS) is one of the hot-button industry topics today, and it’s likely that it, too, will ke a “long haul” to bring it to commercialization. But that road is a lot shorter and straighter thanks to those

incerely,

arolyn Shockley ice President, Generation

arolyn Shockley P, Generation

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Stu Dalton Director, Generation

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Norris Hirota Director, Generation

Tom Alley Director, Generation

– Future Coal Generation Options (Program 66)

r and included a tour l power plant under construction near

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xecutive summary-style companion documents present results at a high level. n the recently published technical report,

xide (CO2) Capture:

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assessments about effectiveness, and learning how to measure mercury emissions. It took more than a decade, with some surprises along the way, before full-scale tests began that are still ongoing today. And we’re still working to close performance gaps, reduce impacts and lower costs, even as regulatory targetkeep on shifting. Carbon capture atainside and outside the industry who join with EPRI and other organizations to form the R&D collaboratives and host the pilot projects and scale-up demonstrations needed to move new technologies from paper to power plant. The Mercury Research Center is just one of the many places where that happens every day. S CV CVcshockley@epri.co650-855-2858

sdalton@epri650-855-2467

nhirota@epri.com650-855-2084

calley@epri.com704-595-2566

ADVANCED COAL PLANTS/CCS

CoalFleet for Tomorrow®Big CoalFleet meeting crowd visits Duke’s new coal power plant. CoalFleet’s final technical meeting of 2009 attracted 85 people to Charlotte in Decembeof Duke Energy’s Cliffside Unit 6, which is a supercritical pulverized coaCharlotte. Attendees also received briefings on several of CoalFleet’s key deliverables for the year including anevaluation of the impact of retrofitting a state-of-the-art advanced amine system for post-combustion capture oCO2, and the annual cost and performance evaluation report for new coal power plants. For more information on the meeting and Program 66, contact Jeff Phillips (jphillip@epri.com, 704-595-2738). IGCC engineering study desk reference reports published. EIn October, EPRI published two Desk Reference reports based oIntegrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) Design Considerations for Carbon DioEngineering and Economic Assessment of Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle Power Plants for Near-Term Deployment (EPRI document # 1015690). The Desk Reference reports are identical, with the exception that the first report (1019367) contains results presented in English units, and the second hapresented in SI units (1019368). Because the source report is approximately 1,200 pages of engineering dthe Desk Reference reports are designed to be executive summary-style companion documents that present the results at a high level in about 80 pages. For more information, contact Ron Schoff (rschoff@epri.com, 704-595-2054).

Generation Sector Update: 2

Generic design specification for Duke Edwardsport IGCC Plant published. Assists power plant owners in accelerating early deployment of IGCC power plants. A recent EPRI report provides a Generic Design Specification (GDS) for Duke Energy’s integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) plant in Edwardsport, Indiana. The report, Duke Edwardsport Generic Design Specification (1017503) provides a basic description of the Duke Edwardsport IGCC plant, which is scheduled to be the first 600-MWe class IGCC plant in the world. The document includes information on site selection and specifics, performance targets, environmental assessment, RAM (reliability, availability, and maintainability) and operability goals, technical design, schedule milestones, and cost estimations. In addition, the document provides background and reasons for certain major process and equipment decisions. The report was developed by the CoalFleet IGCC Design Guidelines Experts Group, based on available public sources and information. This group consists of nearly a dozen IGCC experts, including independent IGCC consultants and EPRI staff. For more information, contact Ron Schoff (rschoff@epri.com, 704-595-2054). “Survey of USC Plants in Japan and China” published. Report details experiences of Japanese and Chinese power companies with supercritical and ultra-supercritical plants. A recent EPRI report provides the results of a survey of pulverized coal (PC) plants operating at ultra-supercritical (USC) conditions in Japan and China, two major countries experienced in building and operating this technology. The report, Survey of Ultra-Supercritical Pulverized Coal Power Plants in Japan and China: Phases I and II (1020526), was compiled by EPRI’s CoalFleet Combustion Program, through its unique access to various international sources, to encourage further deployment of USC PC technology. The report is a follow-on to the Phase I report (1018444) published in 2008. For more information, contact Des Dillon (ddillon@epri.com, 650-855-2036). What could cause natural gas demand to surge over the next 15 to 20 years? Report calculates effects of CO2 measures, higher-than-expected electric growth, or ultra-cheap and abundant natural gas on capacity, generation, and fuel use. U.S. power sector natural gas use over the next 10 to 20 years is a topic of significant uncertainty and debate. With abundant, relatively low-priced supplies, gas-fired generation can be a strong competitor to zero- and low-carbon technologies (e.g., renewables, coal with CCS, nuclear). In the opposite case, expensive gas-fired generation becomes an option to avoid through investment in zero- and low-carbon technologies. A new report, Economic Modeling of Mid-Term Gas Demand and Electric Generation Capacity Trends (1017499) explores the range of potential power sector-induced natural gas demand trends. It presents findings on capacity, generation, gas use in the electric sector, and total economy gas use by technology and regionally for a number of cases, including possible effects of $25/ton CO2 and higher carbon policies. A common underlying development is the topping out of gas use about 2025. For more information, contact Jeremy Platt (jplatt@epri.com, 650-855-2179) or George Booras (gbooras@epri.com, 650-855-2471). The “turnover” of generation capacity in Spain - what happened, and why? Spain offers an important case study in industry restructuring, policy and economics. Aiming to displace power generation with coal- and oil-fired plants, Spain turned to natural gas-fired generating capacity and became the fastest growing importer of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the past decade. Rather than displace coal, this capacity was required to meeting surging electricity demand. Next came renewables. One day last November, more than 50% of electricity came from wind. The policies driving these changes led to enormous subsidies, unintended consequences, and later adjustments. A new report, The Spanish Experience in Electric Generation Capacity Turnover (1020592) documents these changes. It was prepared with assistance from Iberdrola, a member of the CoalFleet program. For more information, contact Jeremy Platt (jplatt@epri.com, 650-855-2179) or George Booras (gbooras@epri.com, 650-855-2471).

Generation Sector Update: 3

CO2 Capture & Storage (Program 165) Post-combustion CO2 Capture database posted on EPRI website. Profiles emerging post-combustion carbon capture control processes around the world. This database (E230507) provides quick access to the information EPRI has collected on the major post-combustion CO2 capture technologies under development and known publicly. Available as a live database on www.epri.com, it offers members an alternate to the annual printed report, with important new information updated as EPRI obtains it. The database is organized according to the five main capture mechanisms – absorption, adsorption, membrane separation, mineralization, and biofixation. For each process, the database presents pertinent summary information about the developer and the process. For processes still early in development, estimations are made for the total capture potential, and potential application (new or retrofit), based on the inherent characteristics of the process relative to similar processes for which more details are known. EPRI intends to update the process descriptions on an ongoing basis as staff review and perform due diligence on new technologies. Members are encouraged to send updates on existing content, report errors, new capture processes to be included, and/or suggestions on better ways to present or organize this information. For more information, contact Brice Freeman (bfreeman@epri.com, 650-855-1050). “Post-Combustion CO2 Capture Technology Development” issued. An update to two previous EPRI reports (1016995 and 1012796), this report (1017644), contains short updates on technologies where significant changes have occurred in the past year, as well as an updated list of technologies. EPRI’s Post-combustion CO2 Capture database (E230507) will serve as the primary source for updated information. For more information, contact Abhoyjit Bhown (abhown@epri.com, 650-855-2383). “Public Perceptions of Carbon Capture and Sequestration and Other Carbon-Reducing Technologies” published. Report details results of focus group study by Carnegie Mellon team. If members of the general public are given educational information about carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology, they may be more willing to accept it in comparison to other low-carbon technologies and as part of a low-carbon portfolio than previous research suggested. Those are the results of an EPRI-sponsored study which used a series of structured focus groups, conducted by a research team from the Department of Engineering and Pubic Policy at Carnegie Mellon University. Results have been published in Public Perceptions of Carbon Capture and Sequestration and Other Carbon-Reducing Technologies (1017645). The results of this preliminary study suggest that after the educational technique is used to provide a balanced view of CCS, participants may prefer future scenarios that include CCS over portfolios that do not. The findings also suggest that the participants in this study seemed less reluctant to accept CCS as part of a low-carbon portfolio than was suggested in previous studies. The main difference between this study and previous ones is that participants in this study were given balanced and comparative information about the costs, risks, benefits, and limitations of different low-carbon portfolios and technologies, along with adequate time to study each and discuss them with other members of the general public. For more information, contact Brice Freeman (bfreeman@epri.com, 650-855-1050). Dry CO2 sorbents found that merit scale-up testing. Three sorbents will be tested in a field pilot treating a slipstream of real flue gas. Testing has continued at very small scale (0.5-2.5 grams) to evaluate potential sorbents. Three attractive materials have been identified to be tested in a 1-kW equivalent slipstream fluidized-bed pilot. The developers of these materials are scaling up their production processes to produce the quantities needed (up to 300 kg) for testing at this larger scale. Generally, production methods significantly different from the lab-scale batches must be developed, and the resulting material tested in the lab, to ensure that the behavior/performance is the same as that of the small-scale production samples.

Generation Sector Update: 4

In the last period, batches up to nearly 300 kg have been produced for two of the materials. Testing has been completed on one of the materials, and the performance is consistent with the lab-scale materials. In addition, the 1-kW pilot has been constructed and tested on sand. It will be sent to the first site in January for testing on a slipstream of flue gas, beginning in late January. For more information, contact Richard Rhudy (rrhudy@epri.com, 650-855-2421). “Groundwater Chemistry Changes as a Result of Carbon Dioxide Injection”. Report details results from combined field, laboratory, and modeling investigation of whether carbon dioxide (CO2) can have an adverse impact on potable groundwater. The project, detailed in EPRI report 1017648, piggy-backed on an effort to determine if CO2 leaking from the ground could be detected at the surface. The project injected CO2 into a water table very close to the surface. Although the project was conducted under unrealistic conditions, the fact that changes in groundwater chemistry were observed indicated the need to conduct more realistic, hence costly, field tests. One such project is just beginning in a collaboration between the Southern Company, Tennessee Valley Authority, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and EPRI. Collaborative partners are needed to allow the full suite of testing to be conducted and, if possible, to undertake similar experiments in a different geochemistry. For more information, contact Rob Trautz (rtrautz@epri.com, 650-855-2088). “Integration of Carbon Dioxide Capture, Purification, and Compression Systems for Coal Fired Power Plants”. Report summarizes state-of-the-art integrated CO2 capture, purification, and compression systems; documents new, innovative technologies. This report (1017649) is a unique compilation of current CO2 capture, purification, and compression information. It provides a status on existing technologies that have been integrated for improved plant efficiency and reduced costs. It also includes an update on developing technologies and processes that are progressing toward larger demonstrations. For more information, contact Rob Steele (rsteele@epri.com, 704-595-2025). EPRI Industry Technology Demonstrations Collaborative members tour AEP Mountaineer CCS project site. Members of EPRI’s pulverized coal with carbon capture and storage (PC-CCS) Industry Technology Demonstration collaborative made their first site visit to American Electric Power’s (AEP) Mountaineer Plant in New Haven, WV on Jan. 19. They observed firsthand the operation of the advanced carbon dioxide (CO2) capture process, integrated with compression and storage, taking place at the site. A 20-megawatt electric capture system has been installed at the 1,300-megawatt Mountaineer Plant, where it will remove approximately 100,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions annually from the flue gas stream. The project is the first to both capture CO2 from a pulverized coal-fired power plant and inject it into a permanent storage site. The captured CO2 is being compressed and injected into two saline reservoirs located more than 7,800 feet beneath the plant. Actual CO2 capture began on September 1, 2009, and first injection occurred on October 1, 2009. The site visit not only provided the participants the opportunity to tour the facilities and “kick the tires,” but also the opportunity to obtain detailed technical information from AEP, its storage contractor Battelle, and Alstom, the capture system vendor. These entities reported on the design, initial testing, and lessons learned on both the capture process and storage approach, including site characterization, permitting, drilling, and initial injection behavior. EPRI joined with AEP and Alstom in their demonstration to help validate Alstom’s chilled ammonia CO2 capture technology and to support AEP in knowledge sharing with other power companies on storage issues. The site visit was attended by more than a dozen major U.S. and several international power companies, all of which have provided funding for the collaborative project.

Generation Sector Update: 5

EPRI will conduct independent evaluations of the CO2 capture and storage processes at Mountaineer. The data collected and analyzed by EPRI and its collaborative will support efforts to advance CCS technologies to commercial scale and provide information to the public and industry on future advanced coal generation options. For more information, contact Andrew Maxson (amaxson@epri.com, 650-855-2334).

OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE

I&C and Automation for Improved Plant Operations (Program 68) Preventive Maintenance Basis Database (PMDB) newsletter published. Provides updates for industry users. The latest newsletter includes:

• PMBD updates: o Version 2.1 is Vista and Windows 7 compatible o New web service link for template updates o Ways to provide PMBD change suggestions o Access to component template information and data

• Upcoming meetings and activities For more information, contact Justin Thibault (jthibault@epri.com, 704-595-2602). “Descriptions of Past Research” published. New report describes reports, training materials, and software. A recently published technical update report (1020371) describes past EPRI research reports, training materials, and software associated with Program 68. It is intended to be used as a reference guide to allow members to easily search for existing products relevant to specific topics of interest. This document contains product summaries for more than 100 past products, arranged in seven technical categories. All products listed in this document are available for download or ordering from the EPRI website. EPRI members are encouraged to refer to this document frequently to assess reports and software tools already available to assist in addressing their organization’s instrumentation, controls, and automation needs. For more information, contact Aaron Hussey (ahussey@epri.com, 704-595-2509). Maintenance Management & Technology (Program 69) “Lean Maintenance and Kaizen Continuous Improvement” published. New report discusses Lean maintenance strategies in fossil plant maintenance. In response to increasing interest by power generators, EPRI has published Lean Maintenance and Kaizen Continuous Improvement-Applications to Fossil Power Generation (1017530). The report provides a tutorial on Lean concepts and their application in other industries. In addition, the 2009 research described in the report explores challenges and strategies associated with Lean implementation in fossil power generation. Two current fossil power generation case studies are presented. The report concludes that significant gains can be made in the area of maintenance cost reduction and reliability improvement by adopting Lean concepts. Early adopters in fossil power generation are linking their Lean initiative with strategic workforce planning. For more information, contact Steve Hesler (shesler@epri.com, 704-595-2680). New PlantView web-services application released. Product enables users to access vital information from new portals. An extensive development effort in 2008-9 has culminated in the release of new web-service applications for EPRI’s successful PlantView equipment condition status reporting software. The web-services enable PlantView users to access vital information from equipment predictive maintenance, operator rounds, and

Generation Sector Update: 6

component assessments from new user portals. These portals can include information retrieved from other sources as well, resulting in various customized dashboards aimed at the needs of specific organizational levels. This key Plantview development fills a major need of users who are continuously improving their condition-base maintenance (CBM) program. Streamlining CBM requires easy access to the right information in a timely manner, with appropriate alerting to manage the high volume of data. Future improvements to PlantView through the Operations and Maintenance Excellence (OMX) project ongoing in 2010 will provide this information management. For more information, contact Steve Hesler (shesler@epri.com, 704-595-2680). Fossil Maintenance Application Center (FMAC) (Program 108) Latest maintenance guides for new generation of FGDs published. Series of four maintenance guidelines now complete. In 2009, the Fossil Maintenance Application Center (FMAC) completed the series of maintenance guides for the new generation of flue gas desulfurization systems (FGDs). The latest two reports include Flue Gas Desulfurization Scrubber Maintenance Guide: Wastewater Treatment and Gypsum Handling Area (1017636); and Flue Gas Desulfurization Scrubber Maintenance Guide: Gypsum Dewatering Area (1020273). December 2009 was a milestone for FMAC, because the series of four maintenance guidelines were complete for the FGDs. During the development period for these products, FMAC continued to receive requests for assistance from its members on these new behemoths. Startups of the new systems have seen challenges in the amount of preventive maintenance tasks to be added to the sites’ already burdensome workloads. The average addition of tasks can vary from 1,700 to more than 3,000, causing a significant increase in committed man-hours. In the past, most of the environmental modifications required in power plants have not seriously affected many of the site organizations during routine operation. Not so for these FGDs – they are required to function 100% of the time that the units are operating, and this is enforced by new permit requirements. Any depression previously allowed or assumed is no longer available, and this forces FGDs to be a critical design feature required to operate the unit. The new documents from both 2008 and 2009 provide the plant with key knowledge necessary for reliability and efficient operation. For more information, contact Ray Chambers (rchamber@epri.com, 704-595-2580). Operations Management and Technology (Program 108) New reports detail plant case histories, operator graphics, and surveillance testing. Three new reports were issued by Program 108 in December. Fossil Generating Station Case Histories 2009: Industry Events and Plant Assessments (1017640) is a collection of information on events that have occurred in fossil generating stations. These events are only a small sample of those experienced by the power generation industry, but they provide a basis for understanding the operational areas in which improvement actions are necessary. The event details are sufficient for analysis but do not divulge sources. Readers are encouraged to share the operating experience contained in the report with operations and other staff in their generation facilities. By taking action based on the experience of others, users can improve overall performance across the generation fleet. Operator Human Machine Interface Case Study: The Evaluation of Existing ‘Traditional’ Operator Graphics versus High-Performance Graphics in a Coal-Fired Power Plant Simulator (1017637) details a project designed to test operator effectiveness in accordance with the modern, high-performance principles. Eight operators tested both sets of graphics in four simulated scenarios. The trials indicate that the high-performance concepts significantly assist the operator in maintaining situational awareness; recognizing abnormal situations; dealing with abnormal situations; embedding knowledge into the control system; and allowing for more effective training of new operations personnel.

Generation Sector Update: 7

MAJOR COMPONENT RELIABILITY

Operational Surveillance Testing (OST) Program for Fossil Generating Stations (1017639) is a guideline can be used to develop a comprehensive surveillance testing program that enhances the testing performed by operations personnel. The OST programs observed at fossil generating station contain inconsistencies in the content and in the effectiveness of operational testing. Some industry equipment failures can be attributed to the lack of effective surveillance testing. The OST program is intended to uniquely identify operational function test, to develop the tests, to schedule the tests using the plant’s Computer Maintenance Management System (CMMS), and to ensure the completion, review, and tracking of data when appropriate. For more information on any of these reports, contact Wayne Crawford (wcrawford@epri.com, 704-595-2727). Boiler Life and Availability Improvement (Program 63) Real-time digital radiographic equipment installed in Charlotte lab. System can provide real-time radiographic images of component damage, even in cases of complex geometry. EPRI recently took delivery of the new real-time digital radiography system, based on an advanced digital detector and other proprietary hardware and software from Envision Product Design, LLC of Anchorage, Alaska. This system is an Ensync™ complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) digital X-ray design, part of a product line which includes systems designed with computer-controlled synchronized motion of the source and X-ray detector along the scanning axis of a stationary part and the area of interest. The source and detector usually move together, but may be offset for off-axis shots. In the case of this system, additional features can also be added to allow only the detector to move with a detector tilt axis added to keep the detector aligned with the source focal spot as the detector moves relative to the fixed source. Because this system provides real-time radiographic images, it will be very useful in many NDE applications, as well as in new NDE technology development. With the CMOS detector and appropriate shielding, radiation exposure to peripheral areas is quite low - resulting in very small radiation exclusion zones. Development and qualification of NDE techniques to detect many different types of damage in many different components will be performed with this system. The software that controls the image acquisition and display is also capable of acquiring and displaying images obtained for piping (FAC, corrosion, cracking, etc) and for other components that may have quite complex geometries or may be simple flat geometries. For more information, contact Stan Walker (swalker@epri.com, 704-595-2581). Fossil Materials and Repair (Program 87) Testing for condition and life assessment of aging power plant components. Small Punch Testing (SPT) facility established at EPRI’s Charlotte campus. This facility will substantiate condition and life assessment methods previously established by EPRI for in-service aging power plant components. SPT requires small specimens of 8 mm diameter and 0.5 mm thickness to determine low- to high-temperature mechanical and fracture properties, which are required for condition and life assessment of in-service components. EPRI also recently purchased a special sampling device, called the Low-Cost Scoop Sampler (LCSS) from Rolls-Royce, UK. This device samples material to produce SPT specimens from in-service components. The sampled material is small enough that its removal has no impact on the performance of the sampled component in further service. Potential applications of SPT testing and assessment include a range of components, from large components such as boilers drums, where tensile strength and fracture toughness data is determined, to piping, where tensile and creep data are determined, and finally to rotating components in steam and gas turbines, such as rotor wheels and turbine blades, where tensile, creep and fracture toughness data are determined.

Generation Sector Update: 8

Once a routine EPRI SPT testing and condition assessment program is established, the SPT facility will also be used for testing and assessment training of engineers from EPRI member utilities. This will facilitate integration of the approach into their present assessment programs, which will lead to improved utility inspection. For more information, contact Bilal Dogan (bdogan@epri.com, 704-595-2650).

Combustion Performance and NOx Control (Program 71) Program members vote on 2010 R&D priorities. End-of-year webcasts were held for Programs P71 – Combustion Performance and NOx Control, and P73 – Post Combustion NOx Control, in December. Both webcasts summarized 2009 deliverables and disseminated the results of the 2010 prioritization, held via e-mail balloting earlier in the month. Results of the 2010 prioritization were:

ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS

• For P71, the highest 2010 priorities include field test results of the mercury onsite generation process (sorbent activation process [SAP]), evaluation of coal flow control methods, demonstration and data bases of thermal spray and ceramic boiler tube coatings, slagging and fouling guideline addendum, sensitivity of air/coal balancing on combustion, economics of fuel quality on heat rate, combustion guidelines for maximum boiler tube life, and cycling impacts on heat rate.

• For P73, the highest 2010 priorities include SCR catalyst reconditioning guidelines, SCR workshop, SCR load following issues, catalyst management issues, and SCR catalyst disposal and recycling.

For more information, contact Tony Facchiano (afacchia@epri.com, 650-855-2494). Results of Phase II Testing at Brunner Island published. Study aimed to correlate operating conditions with development of cracking. A recent EPRI report describes the results of the second of a two-phase field study aimed at correlating plant operating conditions with the development and propagation of circumferential cracking at Pennsylvania Power & Light’s (PPL’s) Brunner Island Power Station, Unit 3 (BI3). The field study was conducted by PPL and an EPRI-led multi-utility collaborative. Understanding the operating conditions that lead to circumferential cracking could potentially assist PPL and other plant operators in improving operating practices and taking steps necessary to eliminate cracking. The report, Circumferential Cracking: Assessment of PPL’s Brunner Island Unit 3, Phase II (1020542), is available at www.epri.com. For more information contact Jeff Stallings (jstallin@epri.com, 650-855-2427). Impacts of state-of-the-art environmental controls on heat rate. Report identifies ways these impacts can be reduced through operating and design changes. A new EPRI report documents the impacts of state-of-the-art environmental controls on power plant heat rate and identifies ways that these impacts may be reduced through operating and design changes. Survey of Impacts of Environmental Controls on Plant Heat Rate (1019003) reviews how environmental controls for sulfur and nitrogen oxides, particulates, mercury, and other pollutants reduce power plant efficiency. For the most part, these impacts are well known to the industry. However, environmental control technologies are improving over time, and it is important for electric utilities planning environmental projects to know the heat rate impacts of state-of-the-art technologies as they become commercially available, especially because increasingly stringent environmental regulations will make it more challenging to improve efficiency. For more information contact Jeff Stallings (jstallin@epri.com, 650-855-2427). “Biomass Cofiring Handbook” published. Guide based on actual utility experience. The newly published Biomass Cofiring Handbook (1020356) is a “how-to” manual for biomass cofiring in cyclone- or pulverized-coal-fired boilers. The handbook contains information on all aspects of biomass cofiring,

Generation Sector Update: 9

including biomass materials and procurement, handling, storage, pulverizing, feeding, gaseous emissions, ash handling, and general economics. This information is based on actual utility experience from plants mainly in the United States, as well as some plants in Europe and Australia. The handbook is targeted at members evaluating biomass cofiring as part of a “green” energy portfolio. As future regulations require utilities to pursue “green” energy, this handbook will provide answers to many of the most pressing issues regarding biomass cofiring. For more information, contact Dave O’Connor (doconnor@epri.com, 650-855-8970). Integrated Environmental Controls (Hg, SO2, NOx and Particulate) (Program 75) On-site activated carbon production demonstration successful. Tests at one site showed performance comparable to commercial activated carbons. Testing of the sorbent activation process (SAP) prototype unit located at Dynegy’s Hennepin station (75 MWe baghouse, PRB coal fired) was successfully concluded in December. The SAP is a joint development of Programs 71 and 75 and produces activated carbon for pollutant capture on site using the coal being burned by the host plant. At this site, EPRI determined the performance of activated carbons produced from both Powder River Basin (PRB), and Illinois bituminous coal, with calcium bromide added during portions of the PRB test. Overall, the system operated as expected, and the SAP activated carbon’s mercury capture performance was comparable to that of a commercially available product. Depending on coal source, use of bromine, and feed rate, the SAP carbon achieved up to 92% mercury removal in this baghouse-equipped power plant. EPRI plans to move the current SAP unit to another host site for further testing and development this year. In addition, EPRI is seeking to form a collaborative of power generation companies, commercializers, and host sites to demonstrate the long-term performance of a more robust and more automated full-scale SAP unit. For more information, contact Ramsay Chang (rchang@epri.com, 650-855-2535) or Cassie Shaban (cshaban@epri.com, 650-855-2345). Carbon plates may offer alternative mercury control. Novel design and binding agent show promise for carbon-based fixed structures to capture mercury without affecting particulate control or ash use. EPRI is evaluating a novel “fixed structure” design for mercury removal consisting of parallel activated carbon plates. The plates are formed using a unique binding process for the activated carbon powder that minimizes the use of binding agents. Excessive binding agents that sinter with the carbon can diminish the activity and capacity of the activated carbon. This unique process allows for a more porous plate with better mass transfer from the flue gas to the internals of the plate structure. Initial laboratory testing with plausible plate spacing showed 70 to 80% removal of theoretical maximum mercury removal effectiveness over a four-day continuous test period in simulated PRB flue gas. Current plans are to study the potential regeneration of these plates after further saturation with mercury and their structural stability. If successful, these parallel plates could be an attractive alternative to in-duct mercury removal and oxidation. For more information, contact Ramsay Chang (rchang@epri.com, 650-855-2535). “Mercury Control Update 2009” published. Summarizes current status of mercury control technologies, and offers detailed discussion of recent developments. This annual report (1017564) of EPRI’s RD&D into mercury controls, primarily for units not equipped with SO2 controls, updates the state of the technology. It summarizes performance tests, balance-of-plant investigations, and research into novel approaches to overcome current limitations. The focus of this update is largely studies on the balance-of-plant impacts when using boiler bromide addition to improve mercury capture with western coals, but it also covers a number of activated carbon injection (ACI) tests at selected sites. For more information, contact Ramsay Chang (rchang@epri.com, 650-855-2535).

Generation Sector Update: 10

“Formation of N2O and NO2 Across Conventional DeNOx SCR Catalysts” published. None of the catalyst samples tested produced N2O levels greater than system detection limit; single sample tested for NO2 production showed a decrease across the catalyst. These tests were conducted because N2O is a strong greenhouse gas, and NO2 interferes with the operation of amine-based CO2 controls. The report (1019614) details how four SCR catalyst samples, covering the range of conventional materials from different suppliers, were tested for N2O production in a bench-scale reactor. One catalyst sample was tested for possible NO2 production. Prior to testing, all the catalysts were exposed for various lengths of time to flue gas from a commercial boiler firing low-sulfur, eastern bituminous coal. This is a joint project between Programs 73 and 75. For more information, contact Alejandro Jimenez (ajimenez@epri.com, 650-855-2051). Particulate & Opacity Control (Program 76) Precipitator testing and CFD model demonstrate excellent activated carbon capture. Flow control used in this ESP may guide designs for other ESPs to minimize hopper re-entrainment of the light carbon particles. In concert with an activated carbon (AC) injection test for mercury capture, conducted on a large, pulverized coal-fired unit, EPRI recently completed Method 17 particulate testing to determine the electrostatic precipitator’s (ESP’s) ability to capture the AC. EPRI then performed a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model investigation of the AC capture efficiency of the ESP. Previous experience has shown this small, lightweight carbon particulate to be extremely susceptible to re-entrainment losses in precipitators at the lower, hopper attachment elevation. This is due to flow turbulence preferentially sweeping this particulate out of the hoppers. Testing revealed an unexpectedly high carbon capture efficiency – well over 99%, top to bottom – with total noncondensable outlet particulate matter (PM) emissions below 0.01 lb/MBtu. The CFD model agreed with these measurements and illustrated the effectiveness of the flow control devices used in this ESP, along with the hopper geometry, to hold re-entrainment losses to levels far below those observed in other precipitators. This project provides a case study example to be used in designing improvement modifications to other precipitators that exhibit re-entrainment losses. For more information, contact Bruce Scherer (scherer@epri.com, 419-517-4217). “Utility Baghouse Survey 2009” published. Report presents detailed performance and operating experience of nine pulse-jet baghouses. The objectives of this survey, detailed in EPRI report 1017570, were to provide a better understanding of the design, performance, and operation of recent installations. To address these objectives, EPRI focused on nine pulse-jet baghouses that had been in service for one to three years. The selections represented a broad cross-section of the industry, covering various baghouse configurations, vendors, coal types, and other key parameters. Baghouse operations were documented by answers to a detailed questionnaire and information gathered during on-site visits. In general, baghouse performance has been excellent at most of the sites, although there were some early problems with bag-cleaning effectiveness. For more information, contact Ramsay Chang at (rchang@epri.com, 650-855-2535). Continuous Emissions Monitoring (Program 77) Key R&D thrusts for 2010 already under way. With early consensus by advisors on objectives for 2010, contracts were initiated, enabling work to begin in early January. Efforts began immediately at the start of 2010 in a number of areas: • Continuous particulate mass (PM) emission monitors – A host has offered the use of a plant for field

tests of a number of different monitors. This project and site will enable the suppliers to evaluate their instruments against a well-documented baseline and address any operability or performance issues that they may encounter. This is the same approach that EPRI offered developers of continuous mercury

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monitors several years ago, leading to a greatly accelerated development of commercial designs. EPRI currently is contacting suppliers interested in this opportunity.

• PM monitor calibration – This effort seeks an effective approach to calibrating PM monitors. EPRI has a contract in place to test the Quantitative Aerosol Generator (upgraded since the earlier tests to address some issues uncovered then), and is exploring two other calibration techniques.

• Mercury measurements and calibration – A contract is in place to determine the accuracy of mercury CEMS at the very low levels that will exist in the stack at plants required to meet very stringent emission limits (e.g., 90% as currently required by some states). Another contract addresses the discrepancy observed between CEMS readings when calibrating with oxidized versus elemental mercury.

For more information, contact Chuck Dene (cdene@epri.com, 650-855-2425). Report on state of the science of mercury measurement published. Describes systems currently in use and methods used to calibrate the systems. Current Status of Mercury Measurement at Coal-fired Sources (1017573) summarizes the current state of the science for measuring vapor-phase mercury (Hg) emissions at coal-fired utility power plants. The report describes the systems currently in use, the methods used to calibrate the systems, the evolution of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules that pertain to the systems, and what has been learned from recent demonstration projects. It compiles in one place information on the several types of mercury measurement technology developed in recent years and likely to remain the primary options for years to come. Utilities required to implement this technology in their plants can use this information to better understand operation of the monitors and the issues related to their use and calibration. For more information, contact Chuck Dene (cdene@epri.com, 650-855-2425). Coal Combustion Product Use (Program 78) EPRI briefs federal officials on nature of coal combustion products (CCPs). Briefings inform EPA’s reconsideration of the current designation of CCPs as nonhazardous. The briefings and documents provided covered CCP chemical properties, leaching tests, comparisons to other materials currently designated as nonhazardous, assessments of previous damage cases, lost benefits if beneficial reuse disappears, and potential impacts on grid reliability if marginal plants shut down due to elevated CCP management costs. On Dec. 10, EPRI’s Ken Ladwig testified before the House Subcommittee on Energy and Environment on coal combustion products (CCPs). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) currently is reconsidering the classification of CCPs under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), and the results might have a profound effect on both the disposal and use of these materials. The written testimony and an accompanying presentation can be downloaded from EPRI’s coal combustion product management research website at www.epri.com/ccp. Ladwig and John Novak, EPRI Executive Director, Federal and Industry Activities, Environment and Generation, also met with EPA Assistant Administrator for Solid Waste Mathy Stanislaus and others to answer technical question on CCPs in early January. EPA’s proposed rule has been delayed and is now expected sometime in 2010. For more information, contact Ken Ladwig (keladwig@epri.com, 262-754-2744).

Combustion Turbine and Combined Cycle O&M (Program 79) Algorithm developed for hot-section anomaly detection. It can detect imminent part failure in gas turbines. A recent EPRI report describes the development of a hot section anomaly detection algorithm that can detect imminent part failure or other problems in gas turbines through analysis of dynamic data records. The report, Program for Technology Innovation: Algorithm for Hot Section Anomaly Detection via Analysis of Dynamic

COMBUSTION TURBINES

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Data (1015780), describes the principle behind the algorithm, testing of the algorithm with dynamic data from operating engines, and future research needed to evaluate the algorithm’s capabilities and limitations. This report describes work to develop and deploy a hot section anomaly detection algorithm that can detect imminent part failure or other problems in gas turbines through analysis of dynamic data records. Data obtained from several sites that experienced failures indicated that anomalous behavior could be detected many hours or days before the engine tripped. Finally, the report describes work to incorporate this technology into a commercial combustion dynamics monitoring software system. Although results to date are very promising, further evaluation on additional sites over long time intervals will allow further fine-tuning of the algorithm as well as an assessment of its capabilities and limitations. Efforts are under way to organize additional field tests. For more information contact Leonard Angello (langello@epri.com, 650-855-7939). New Combustion Turbine/Combined-Cycle Plant Design and Technology Selection (Program 80) Study explores approach for extending asset depreciable life. Results indicate increased net revenue and earnings per share. On occasion, a utility would like to extend the depreciable life of its combustion turbine-based plants, but might need to use methods beyond traditional, engineering-based depreciation studies. A methodology was developed to extend the depreciable life based on component-level recognition of asset life. In one example, a significant increase in book income can result when depreciable life of combined-cycle plants is increased from 35 to 45 years, resulting in increasing total revenue over the life of the plant by 28%. By relying on a uniform and explicit set of study criteria, the component-level method and comprehensive approach bring more consistency to the period of time over which generating companies depreciate their plants. Currently, a wide variation in depreciable life reflects the industry’s lack of a broad consensus on a consistent plant depreciation method and the failure of financial accounting authorities to require such a method. The period of time over which utilities can depreciate plant construction costs as approved by state public utility commissions (PUCs) can vary widely. As a result, the same type of plant may be depreciated over 25 years by one company and over 40 years or more by another. The study defines key accounting concepts and describes the component-level method for extending plant depreciable life. The study article is included in the report Combustion Turbine Experience and Intelligence Reports: 2009 (1017592). For additional information, contact Dale Grace (DGrace@epri.com, 650-855-2527). Heat Recovery Steam Generator Dependability (Program 88) “Troubleshooting Guide for Thermal Transients in HRSGs” published. Synthesizes information from a decade of EPRI reports. A recent EPRI report provides an overview document on how to troubleshoot an operating heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) to recognize severe thermal transients initiated or accentuated by operating practices and/or design features. The report (1018993) synthesizes information from 10 EPRI reports developed from 2000 to 2009 that offered guidance on how to identify, address, and minimize thermal transients in HRSG superheaters, reheaters, economizers, and evaporators. This summary report is organized to guide readers to pertinent sections in the original reports and to provide a step-by-step process to assess and mitigate thermal transients. For more information, contact Bill Carson (bcarson@epri.com, 704-595-2698). “State-of-knowledge” report on HRSG deposits now available. Describes physical and chemical characteristics of deposition mechanism. Heat Recovery Steam Generator (HRSG) Deposits (1017629) provides a comprehensive report on under-deposit corrosion of heat recovery steam generators (HRSGs). The report describes the physical and chemical characteristics of the deposition mechanism in HRSG high-pressure evaporator tubing, factors influencing the

Generation Sector Update: 13

deposition (including HRSG operation, design and arrangement), and the deficiencies in the current knowledge of deposition. The report assembles the state of knowledge on deposition in HRSG high-pressure (HP) evaporator tubing and to identify the major deficiencies in that knowledge. Findings of this effort can be used to establish immediate remediation and correction of deposit mechanisms and to plan future research in this area. For more information, contact Bill Carson (bcarson@epri.com, 704-595-2698). Using snake robots for inspection of HRSGs. New report explores feasibility for inspecting hard-to-reach areas. A recent EPRI report, Study of Snake Robot Technology for Inspection of Headers and Tubes in Heat Recovery Steam Generators (1017635), explores the feasibility of using snake robot technology to more easily and effectively inspect the tubes and headers of heat recovery steam generators (HRSGs). A snake robot is a highly articulated mechanism that can thread itself through tightly packed volumes and access locations that people and machinery otherwise cannot reach. The large number of variable degrees of freedom associated with snake robots is what sets their mobility characteristics apart from other types of robotic vehicles. The report discusses the challenges of HRSG inspection, describes the capabilities of the current generation of snake robot technology, analyzes six possible applications in HRSGs, and proposes a roadmap for further development of the snake robots for use in HRSGs. For more information, contact Stan Walker (swalker@epri.com, 704-595-2581).

Renewable Generation (Program 84) Geothermal summit helps set R&D priorities. Tri-State Generation & Transmission co-hosted a Geothermal Technology Summit in Denver on Dec. 8, during which approximately 30 participants helped EPRI identify potential opportunities in geothermal research and development. General recommendations included:

RENEWABLES

• Investigate advanced exploration and drilling technologies, and an innovative business approach to reduce the up-front risk of geothermal power development

• Conduct independent assessment of geothermal cost/performance information and technology advances • Evaluate and demonstrate feasibility of power production from low-temperature geothermal technologies • Evaluate and demonstrate feasibility of power production from co-produced wells • Explore new geothermal technologies that will reduce water use and facilitate more widespread

deployment of geothermal power production such as single-well approaches and the use of supercritical CO2 in combination with carbon sequestration

• Address environmental issues associated with geothermal power production • Strengthen collaboration between geothermal industry stakeholders

For more information, contact Stan Rosinski (strosins@epri.com, 704-595-2621). “Engineering and Economic Evaluation of Central-Station Solar Photovoltaic Power Plants” published. Covers 22 combinations of six PV technologies and four locations. This new EPRI report (1017600) provides power production, capital and operation and maintenance cost, and levelized cost of electricity for estimates for conceptual 10-MW central-station photovoltaic power plants. It addresses 22 combinations of six PV technologies and four locations in the United States. The PV technologies are fixed-tilt flat plate modules using single-crystalline silicon (c-Si), thin-film amorphous silicon (a-Si), and thin-film cadmium telluride (CdTe) modules; single-axis and tilted single-axis tracking modules using c-Si cells; and two-axis tracking, multijunction concentrating PV modules (CPV). The locations are Las Vegas, Nevada; Alamosa, Colorado; Jacksonville, Florida; and Columbus, Ohio. For more information contact Chuck McGowin (cmcgowin@epri.com, 650-855-2445).

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“Engineering and Economic Evaluation of Utility-Scale Wind Power Plants” now available. Includes five on-shore and one off-shore wind power plant locations. This new EPRI report (1017599) provides power production, capital and operation and maintenance cost, and levelized cost of electricity for estimates for conceptual utility-scale wind power plants. The engineering and economic evaluation addressed five onshore and one offshore wind power plant locations in the United States. The onshore projects included a base case site that is representative of a site with a very good wind resource and four other representative sites in California, Texas, Michigan, and New York. The offshore wind plant site is off the coast of New York. For more information contact Chuck McGowin (cmcgowin@epri.com, 650-855-2445). Solar Photovoltaics Update. Two EPRI reports reveal significant deployment increases and cost reductions for PV technology. Between 2003 and 2008, annual growth of solar photovoltaics (PV) averaged 52% per year, the fastest growing form of electricity generation on a percentage basis. In 2008, global module sales exceeded 5,400 MW, and it is anticipated that 2009 brought an equal or greater amount of growth, resulting in a total worldwide capacity approaching 20 GW. This rapid pace is driven by a combination of government incentives and popular support for clean energy. It translates into a billions-of-dollars-per-year business for both module production and system installation. Significant cost reductions are expected to continue as a result of improving power conversion efficiencies, development of low-cost fabrication processes, and increasing cell production volume and economies of scale. Historically the selling price of modules has declined by about 20% with each doubling of sales. After three years of higher prices due to a shortage of high-purity silicon feedstock, 2009 saw a massive investment in feedstock production and expansions in module manufacturing, which, along with the softening demand caused by global recession, resulted in silicon module prices falling over 30% in the past year. Large-scale commercial PV and central-station utility-scale PV will most likely become the dominant growth market in future years; however, the relatively high value of displaced retail kWh are expected to stimulate ongoing strong growth of the residential and commercial markets as well. Recent trends suggest that power companies will have a significant role in both distributed and utility scale applications. In December, EPRI published two reports on the status of PV technology. The first is a publicly-available perspective called Solar Photovoltaics: Status, Costs, and Trends (1015804). Detailed cost and performance results for six PV technologies in different climate regions are contained in a second report, titled Engineering and Economic Evaluation of Central-Station Photovoltaic Power Plants (1017600). For more information, contact Chuck McGowin (cmcgowin@epri.com, 650-855-2445) or Tom Key (tkey@epri.com, 865-218-8082).

Power Technology, Market Analysis, and Risk (Program 178) Editor’s note – Program 178, a new program for 2010, integrates three existing programs: the Technical Assessment Guide (former Program 9), Understanding Fuel Markets (former Program 67), and Market & Enterprise Risk (former Program 8). Report updates technology costs for power generation technologies. CO2 capture and storage and hybrid cooling now included. The report, Technical Assessment Guide (TAG) – Power Generation and Storage Technology Options (1017465), represents the annual detailed technology cost and performance data update produced as part of the Technical Assessment Guide program (project set 178A). The 2009 report has been significantly enhanced. The following topics are among those that are new or enhanced: several options on CO2 capture controls and costs for existing retrofits and for new pulverized coal and combustion turbine combined cycle

GENERATION PLANNING

Generation Sector Update: 15

plants; several options on hybrid and dry cooling for combustion turbine combined cycle (CTCC) and for pulverized coal (PC); cost and performance updates for large CTCC, PC, integrated gasification combined cycle, circulating fluidized-bed combustion, nuclear, solar thermal and PV, wind, geothermal, and landfill gas. The following topics have also been addressed in detail: environmental emissions and control, impact of worldwide construction activity, and analysis of cost escalation impacts on future power plants. For more information, contact Ram Ramachandran (gramacha@epri.com, 650-855-2238). New public report summarizing technology costs now available. Report looks at most widely used generation technologies. Program on Technology Innovation: Integrated Generation Technology (1019539) provides a snapshot of current cost, performance, and trends for nine power generation technologies in the central station category. These are the technologies most widely under consideration for power generation capacity additions. The technical basis of this report is ongoing research under the EPRI Technical Assessment Guide research program (P178A). In this report, central station is defined as >150 MW with the exception of renewable resource-based technologies. In addition to fossil- and nuclear-based technologies, four renewable resource-based technologies are included. This report describes the current options in power generation infrastructure capital investments and updates the results of EPRI studies performed in 2008. For more information, contact Ram Ramachandran (gramacha@epri.com, 650-855-2238). Annual EPRI-EEI Seminar looks at impacts of recession, natural gas developments and questions of market volatility. Scope expanded to include fuel market behavior and financial analysis. The annual seminar, organized as part of the Fuel Markets research program (P178B), was held Dec. 2-3 in Washington, DC and featured speakers from the utility, research, energy-economics, and financial communities. This annual conference provides new information and perspectives to support fuel procurement, fuel and power risk management, and technology investment decisions. Session topics included “Recession/Response: Impacts and Implications for the Power and Fuel Industries;” “Natural Gas Drilling Cycle: Anxiety in Abundance;” “Natural Gas Markets under CO2 Compliance;” and “Fuel Market Behavior, Energy Price Volatility, and Fuel/Risk Management.” Attendees obtained a “deep dive” into natural gas markets, ranging from calculations of the extraordinary displacement of coal by gas generation that characterized most the year, to price-depressing effects of global excess LNG supplies over later years, to the opposite effects of potential gross underestimation of global natural gas demand. The seminar addressed four top issues: (1) impacts of the recession across the power and fuel industries, (2) the dramatic natural gas drilling cycle (which frames gas market developments 4-5 years into the future), (3) longer-term pressures on natural gas linked to prospective CO2 legislation or “gas by default” economics, and (4) fuel price behavior/risk management. In addition to principal investigators on EPRI’s research and other energy analysts, attendees heard from the financial community on improved financing in the electric sector, from America’s Natural Gas Alliance on the natural gas shale phenomenon, and from a representative from Iberdrola on the Spanish experience (see the CoalFleet for Tomorrow – Program 66 section of this newsletter for more on that related report). Data on new capacity (particularly post-Stimulus surging wind capacity), on oil and gas price volatility, and on potential new regulation of energy trading were also presented. Meeting materials are available to program participants at the event web site. For more information, contact Jeremy Platt (jplatt@epri.com, 650-855-2179). Report examines how well technical measures of market risk measure actual risk. Energy market history is marked by unanticipated swings and shocks. The extraordinary energy price swings of coal, oil, and natural gas since 2007 have unnerved companies and prompted EPRI to examine fundamentals of forecasting and energy risk management. As a first step in this process, EPRI staff reviewed the range of recent shocks, outlined how price levels may be out of step with price volatility, and opened an inquiry into whether and how expanding production, in addition to greatly extending supplies, is altering the jumpiness of gas price movements. This review is titled Forecasting Fuel

Generation Sector Update: 16

TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER

OUTREACH ACTIVITIES

Price Behavior for Energy Risk Management: Implications of Recent Market Swings (1017668). Companies are invited to help EPRI structure this inquiry in the coming year. For more information, contact Jeremy Platt (jplatt@epri.com, 650-855-2179) or Art Altman (aaltman@epri.com, 650-855-8740). Several EPRI members have shared their successes in applying EPRI research results, which are detailed in published Success Stories. If you would like to share an application success with your industry colleagues, please contact Susan Rodgers, 704-595-2572, srodgers@epri.com American Electric Power Hosts Field Testing of Digital Radiography. In today’s electricity generating environment, new demands are being placed on fossil boilers, including operating in cycling modes for which the boilers were not originally designed. In a growing number of cases, these changes are resulting in boiler tube failures. Regular inspections with the latest examination tools are becoming increasingly critical in identifying and repairing areas of damage before they lead to an unscheduled outage. American Electric Power (AEP) hosted the first field trials of a direct-digital radiographic system for detection of coldside corrosion-fatigue cracking in the waterwalls of utility boilers. The field trials were conducted in the boiler of AEP’s Conesville Unit 1, a 125 megawatt coal-fired unit in Ohio, which has been permanently retired and hence presented an excellent venue for testing this technology. The entire Success Story (1020349) is available for download at www.epri.com. Detroit Edison Expands PlantView Capabilities to Make Information More Useful and Streamline Operations. Detroit Edison has expanded the capabilities of EPRI’s PlantView software to more efficiently capture and track plant information. This improved information access has aided plant managers and staff in using the information to meet the utility’s new and changing business goals. The entire Success Story (1020479) is available for download at www.epri.com. FirstEnergy and ENDESA Use Cycle Chemistry Programs to Reduce Boiler Tube Failures and Improve Availability. Boiler tube failures and cycle chemistry corrosion and deposition problems in fossil steam plants remain the leading causes of availability and performance losses worldwide. EPRI’s integrated Boiler Tube Failure Reduction (BTFR) and Cycle Chemistry Improvement (CCI) Programs help utilities develop a formalized in-house management approach to identifying the root cause of these failure mechanisms, determining a permanent solution, and ensuring that optimum boiler water and feedwater chemistry are selected and maintained over the operating life of each unit. EPRI members FirstEnergy and ENDESA have used these programs to implement boiler water chemistry changes in their plants and realized significant bottom-line bene-fits. The entire Success Story (1020478) is available for download at www.epri.com. Legislative EPRI Participates in international climate meetings. John Novak, EPRI Executive Director, Federal and Industry Activities, Environment and Generation, and Adam Diamant, senior project manager in EPRI’s global climate change research, attended the United Nation’s Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) 15th Conference of Parties (COP) in Copenhagen, Denmark in December. This annual international event brings together virtually all the nations of the world for ongoing negotiations on the development of an international policy architecture to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and plan for actions that may be necessary to adapt to a changing climate. Both Diamant and Novak participated in a variety of “side events” where they discussed results of recent EPRI research

Generation Sector Update: 17

programs related to the mitigation of climate change. Novak participated in a side event on CO2 capture and storage organized by the Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum. He also met with key international decision makers on CCS, including the Rapporteur for the EU CCS Directive and the Deputy Directorate General of the European Commission. Clean Coal and CCS Technology Pathways Initiative. On Dec. 1, Novak participated in the rollout of the Clean Coal and CCS Technology Pathways Initiative, lead by Senator Dorgan (D-ND). The initiative is intended to narrow the divide and work toward greater understanding on a number of key questions related to Clean Coal and CCS technologies. The initiative began after the debate on the 2008 Senate climate change legislation and more than 20 different industry, labor, environmental, academic and think tank groups participated. The intent of this initiative is to inform the debate on energy and climate change legislation that is before the Congress and the administration as it pertains to coal and CCS technology development and deployment, not to develop specific legislative language. J. Novak participated in several of the working groups under the Initiative. The final materials are posted on Sen. Dorgan's website at http://dorgan.senate.gov/issues/energy/cleancoal/index.cfm. EPRI Participates in Edison Electric Institute Meetings. On Dec. 1-3, Novak participated in the meetings of the EEI CO2 Capture and Storage Working Group, the Global Climate Change Subcommittee, the Clean Air Strategy Group, and the Environment Executive Advisory Committee, held in Washington, DC. Novak provided updates on related EPRI projects and research results. House Science and Technology Committee Hearing. On Dec. 3, EPRI ocean energy R&D leader Roger Bedard testified before the House Science & Technology Subcommittee on Energy and the Environment on “Marine and Hydrokinetic Technologies: Finding the Pathway to Commercialization.” National Coal Council. On Dec.4, EPRI Generation Director Stu Dalton and Novak attended the fall meeting of the Council, which presented its latest study, “Low-Carbon Coal: Meeting U.S. Energy, Employment and CO2 Emission Goals with 21st Century Technologies” to the Secretary of Energy. EPRI staff provided input to the study. House Energy and Commerce Committee Hearing. On Dec. 10, Ken Ladwig, Senior Project Manager, testified before the House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Environment on safe drinking water and health impacts associated with current practices for the disposal of coal flyash. For more information on these activities, contact John Novak (jnovak@epri.com, 202-293-6180). EPRI in the news EPRI and its members made headlines in a number of media outlets in December, including: Dec. 2 – Revis James was interviewed by Cathy Cash of Platts about provisions in climate change legislation calling 4 GW of power plants equipped with CCS an indication the technology has been commercially deployed. Dec. 3 – David Thimsen of the CoalFleet team was in interviewed by Kevin Bullis, Energy Editor of Technology Review, about syngas chemical looping and how it compares to other types of power plants for CCS. Dec. 3 – EPRI issued a press release on its solar thermal hybrid Industry Technology Demonstrations, including details and quotes from the project host companies. The resulting articles appeared in the New York Times, Smart Grid News, Bizjournals, Energy Online, Electric Light & Power, Power Engineering, ET Magazine, Penn Energy, The Energy Daily, and the Associated Press.

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Dec. 11 – Art Altman of the Generation Planning team was quoted extensively in Energy Risk magazine’s cover story for its December issue on energy experts’ views on the most critical industry risks and trends. Dec. 18 – Stu Dalton was interviewed by Sharryn Harvey, online editor for Power Engineering, on the need for and status of global CCS R&D. Dec. 21 – EPRI’s solar thermal hybrid demo projects press release is published in the Financial Post. Dec. 26 – EPRI’s solar thermal hybrid demo projects are cited in an article in “Build Your Own Generator,” an on-line renewable energy publication. Dec. 29 – EPRI’s Prism and MERGE analyses of renewable energy penetration was cited in an article in The Motley Fool, a syndicated column on investing.

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