POWER Magazine

NERC Warns Long-Term Grid Reliability Risks Mounting from Surging Demand, Lagging Resources The North American electric grid faces intensifying reliability risks over the next decade as demand growth driven by data centers and artificial

#NERC released its 2025 Long-Term Reliability Assessment yesterday, and the demand growth projections are stunning. Here's our comprehensive analysis:
Read it: https://loom.ly/mOxFo44

#GridReliability #EnergyPolicy #DataCenters #PowerMagazine

Four Reasons to Consider Water Chemistry Early in the Design Process Power plants are engineered with precision down to the smallest detail, yet one critical variable is often considered too late in the process: water chemistry. When it’s considered early in design rather

Water chemistry is often addressed late in the design process, impacting materials and operations. Aquatech highlights the importance of integrating chemistry from the start to avoid costly issues.

Selecting the Right Three-Phase Transformer Configuration: A Decision Guide for Power Distribution Systems In power distribution systems, three-phase transformer configuration directly impacts system reliability and load management. Understanding the trade-offs between Delta and Wye connections enables engineers to

Transformer configuration influences how a distribution system manages loads and faults. Anthony Kourtessis explains various arrangements, their applications, and considerations for transformer selection.

The Age of Electricity and 5 Other Forces Reshaping the Global Energy Outlook The world has firmly crossed into the “Age of Electricity.” That is a unifying finding in the International Energy Agency’s (IEA’s) 2025 edition of the World Energy Outlook (WEO), which shows a global power sector being reshaped simultaneously by surging demand, a geographic pivot in consumption, record solar manufacturing capacity, a wave of liquefied natural gas (LNG) export development, heightened energy security concerns, and a widening gap between generation deployment and grid readiness.

The world has firmly crossed into the “Age of Electricity.” That is a unifying finding in the International Energy Agency’s (IEA’s) 2025 edition of the World Energy Outlook (WEO).

THE BIG PICTURE: Power Affordability Infographic IEA data show household electricity demand rising through 2035 as electrification expands, shifting costs toward grids, renewables, and storage.

#Affordability is poised to become a hot topic in 2026. This month’s POWER #infographic lays out how electricity use, grid investment, and policy choices could interact to shape customer bills through 2035.

Filter Debris Analysis: High-Resolution Diagnostics for Power Generation Reliability In reliability engineering, few indicators are as consistently revealing as the particles that infiltrate a lubrication system. Long before vibration, temperature, or performance changes become measurable

Filter debris can highlight equipment issues before other indicators do. Expert Mary Messuti outlines how plants are using this analysis for early failure detection and improving maintenance. She covers sampling, lab methods, and adapting inspection schedules.

How Remote Operations Centers Are Reshaping Power Plant Operations Centralized remote monitoring is reshaping power plant operations, enabling specialized teams to oversee multiple facilities from a single location. This discussion examines the technology, benefits, and

Remote operations centers are changing how plants are staffed and run. Instead of each facility operating as a stand-alone unit, specialized teams monitor and support multiple assets from a central hub.​

https://www.powermag.com/how-remote-operations-centers-are-reshaping-power-plant-operations/​

In this commentary, Think Power's HR chief David Chandler argues that workforce stability is now a core reliability issue for the power industry.
https://www.powermag.com/grid-reliability-hinges-on-workforce-stability/​

Reshaping the Power Grid: Driving Resilience Through DERs Distributed energy resources (DERs) have become a major part of the power generation landscape, particularly in support of a more reliable and resilient grid. Generating electricity from a variety of sources, including fossil fuels and renewables, using smaller-scale installations is now a key element of demand response and energy efficiency.

DERs have advanced from pilot stages, but their effectiveness in enhancing grid resilience versus complicating it is on trial. This feature explores how developers, utilities, and tech integrate DERs, microgrids, and AI to boost efficiency.

Transformers in 2026: Shortage, Scramble, or Self-Inflicted Crisis? Analysts still see multi-year deficits in U.S. transformer supply, even as equipment manufacturers invest billions in new factories and advanced manufacturing processes. But some brokers suggest there is no real shortage and that, if there is a crisis, it stems from procurement blinders.

Despite billions in investment, analysts forecast ongoing U.S. transformer supply deficits. Industry insiders claim delays stem from access and procurement rules, not just capacity. Explore the full report's insights. #TransformerSupply #EnergyCrisis #PowerDemand

Meeting the Moment: Industry Leaders Chart the Course for Power in 2026 From artificial intelligence-driven efficiency to transmission bottlenecks, power industry insiders share their perspectives on the opportunities and obstacles shaping 2026 and beyond. The power generation

Power demand is outpacing plans and project timelines. In POWER's 2026 forecast, industry leaders discuss adjustments made in equipment, interconnection, workforce, and capital, highlighting how current constraints influence which projects advance.

Artificial Intelligence's Thirst for Power Demands Greater Focus on Cybersecurity of the Energy Sector Behind the scenes of every new artificial intelligence (AI) app and program is a staggering amount of energy needed to power its data centers. We’re already in the throes of the AI revolution and with

In @powermagazine.bsky.social, McCrary's Frank Cilluffo and Kyle Klein argue that the fate of US AI supremacy is directly tied to our ability to produce greater supplies of energy. That means we need secure these increasingly vital energy systems now. Great read www.powermag.com/artificial-i...

Russia Has Deal to Build Eight Nuclear Power Plants in Iran The president of Iran’s nuclear energy agency said officials in that country have signed an agreement with Russia for construction of at least eight

A major deal in #nuclear power, as Russia agrees to build at least eight new power plants in Iran, a country that currently has just one operating reactor. www.powermag.com/russia-has-d...

Meta Deal With Constellation Will Keep Illinois Nuclear Plant Open Technology group Meta, the parent of Facebook and Instagram, has signed a 20-year power purchase agreement with Constellation Energy to take about 1.1 GW of electricity from Constellation's Clinton Cl...

Meta has a deal with Constellation Energy to purchase power from the Clinton #nuclear plant in Illinois, the latest agreement by a tech company to buy electricity for data centers and AI. The 1.1-GW Clinton site had been expected to close in 2027. www.powermag.com/meta-deal-wi...

Graph showing that China is now more popular worldwide than the U.S.

The world is more divided than ever, but there’s still something (nearly) everyone agrees on: The US is unloved.

Meanwhile, China keeps improving its global standing 👇
www.politico.eu/article/usa-...

NRG Buying LS Power Gas-Fired Plants in $12-Billion Deal NRG Energy announced it would acquire 18 natural gas-fired power plants with 13 GW of generation capacity as part of a $12-billion cash-and-stock deal with LS Power. Houston, Texas-based NRG on May 1...

NRG Energy makes $12-billion deal for natural gas-fired power plants, as company continues to acquire assets designed to provide power supply as demand for electricity increases. www.powermag.com/nrg-buying-l...

Nation's Largest Gas-Fired Plant Planned at Former Pennsylvania Coal Plant Site Officials in Pennsylvania have announced the redevelopment of a former coal-fired power plant site into a data center campus that will be powered by

A site that was once home to Pennsylvania's largest coal-fired power plant is now expected to be redeveloped as a data center campus featuring what would be the largest natural gas-fired power plant in the U.S. #EnergySky www.powermag.com/nations-larg...

South Africa Grants Emissions Exemptions to Coal-Fired Plants in Effort to Avoid Blackouts South African officials will allow some of the country's coal-fired power plants to operate without the need to adhere to regulations on carbon and other

Energy crisis in #SouthAfrica continues, with government now exempting some #Eskom #coal power plants from #emissions rules in an effort to stabilize the electricity supply. #EnergySky www.powermag.com/south-africa...

GE Vernova Turbines Will Power Texas Wind Farms GE Vernova said it has an agreement with global energy developer RWE to provide 109 of GE Vernova's 2.8-MW wind turbines for two projects in Texas. The

Always interesting to note that #Texas, a #fossilfuels juggernaut, also is a leader in #renewableenergy — which has helped keep the lights on during periods of extreme cold and heat over the past few years. www.powermag.com/ge-vernova-t...

BASF Commissions Electrolyzer for Major German Hydrogen Production Project German multinational chemical company BASF has commissioned that country's largest proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer. The company said the 54-MW facility will have an annual capacity of as m...

BASF brings #hydrogen production project online in #Germany. The electrolyzer will use electricity from #renewableenergy. #EnergySky www.powermag.com/basf-commiss...

Trump's EPA Set to Undo Limits on Power Plant Emissions The Trump administration has announced several regulatory rollbacks designed to curb limits on power plant emissions, along with cutting protections for

Expect a flurry of court challenges as #Trump and #EPA roll back protections for air and water, and scuttle rules on power plant emissions. www.powermag.com/trumps-epa-s...

Focus on Data Centers (more...)

POWER recently published its POWER Primer, this one focused on data centers and how the artificial intelligence #AI industry will solve issues around securing its power supply. #EnergySky www.powermag.com/power-primer...

Canada Bitcoin Miner Acquiring Two Pennsylvania Coal Plants A Canada-based crypto mining company is acquiring two Pennsylvania coal-fired power plants as part of its purchase of a digital mining group.

As #crypto talk heats up during #Trump 2.0, a Canadian #bitcoin mining company buys two Pennsylvania power plants that burn waste #coal to support its power supply. #EnergySky www.powermag.com/canada-bitco...

Dominion Seeks Virginia Approval for 1-GW Gas-Fired Power Plant Dominion Energy has asked Virginia officials to approve its request to build a new 1-GW natural gas-fired power plant, as the company seeks to add more generation capacity to help serve surging demand...

Dominion Energy seeks state approval for a 1-GW gas-fired power plant. The facility in Virginia is the latest project touted to help supply electricity for the energy-intensive data center sector. #naturalgas #EnergySky www.powermag.com/dominion-see...

NRG, GE Vernova, Kiewit Have Plan to Build Four New Gas-Fired Power Plants NRG Energy is joining with GE Vernova and Kiewit Corp. in a plan to build four new natural gas-fired power plants. The companies on Feb. 26 said the

POWER was talking about the future, and very good, outlook for #naturalgas even prior to last November's election, due to the need to quickly add more baseload power to the grid. Utilities are not slowing down in their plans for new gas-fired generation. #energysky www.powermag.com/nrg-ge-verno...

YouTube video by Future Sun Devils Dialogues for Democracy: Mark Cuban hosted by Ambassador Jeff Flake

Had a great time doing this interview with Jeff Flake, and thanks for the support @davidaxelrod.bsky.social it was invaluable.

The interview covers everything. My background. Shark tank. Politics. You name it
youtu.be/WSOePmWFVNo?...

Quidnet Completes Testing of Long-Duration Geomechanical Energy Storage Energy storage solutions group Quidnet Energy said the company has successfully completed demonstration and testing of its Geomechanical Energy Storage (GES) technology at a megawatt-hour (MWh) scale.

Long-duration energy storage, or LDES, continues to see technological advancements, including this from Quidnet. #energy #energysky www.powermag.com/quidnet-comp...

We were blown away to have over 400 participants join our "Rethinking Load Growth" webinar this week, and the recording is now live! With thx to @powermagazine.bsky.social for covering. 🔌💡 www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNdN...

Italy Passes Law to Bring Back Nuclear Energy Government officials in Italy have implemented a new law that allows for nuclear energy to return in the country, four decades after voters banned the

Italy the latest European nation to look at bringing back #nuclear power, nearly 40 years after referendum to ban the technology. #energy #energysky www.powermag.com/italy-passes...

POWER Magazine February 2025 Operations and Maintenance Special Report Preview POWER is the one brand that addresses all electric power generation and related technologies and fuels across North America and around the world,

Check out several informative articles on O&M for the power generation sector in this Special Report from POWER. www.powermag.com/power-magazi...