E-ISAC launches new engagement program with industry
The North American Electric Reliability Corp.'s (NERC's) Electricity Information Sharing and Analysis Center (E-ISAC) has launched a new program to enhance engagement with industry and the exchange of information on potential threats that could affect the bulk power system.
The goals of the new initiative, called the Industry Augmentation Program, include:
- Raising awareness of E-ISAC cyber and physical security analysis processes.
- Increasing opportunities for the E-ISAC to receive specific feedback from the industry on tools and communication protocols.
- Strengthening utility programs and staff expertise.
For more information, visit www. nerc.com or call (202) 400-3000.
DOE to invest $6.5M for large-scale pilot fossil fuel projects
DOE's Office of Fossil Energy and the National Energy Technology Laboratory have selected nine projects to receive approximately $6.5 million in federal funding for Phase I of the Fossil Fuel Large- Scale Pilots funding opportunity announcement (FOA).
The FOA, issued in August 2017, is a $50 million funding opportunity for projects supporting cost-shared R&D to design, construct and operate two large-scale pilots to demonstrate transformational coal technologies.
DOE has supported a range of potentially transformational coal technologies aimed at enabling step-change improvements in coal-powered systems. Some of these technologies are now ready to proceed to the large-scale pilot stage of development. The selections announced have demonstrated technical success at the small-scale pilot stage.
For more information, visit www. netl.doe.gov or call (412) 386-4984.
FERC revises primary frequency response requirements
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has revised its regulations for the provision of primary frequency response, an essential service in ensuring the reliability and resilience of the North American bulk power system.
Reliable operation of the grid requires maintaining system frequency within predetermined boundaries above and below 60 hertz. Primary frequency response involves the rapid, automatic and autonomous actions of generating facilities to arrest and stabilize frequency deviations, and allows the interconnected grid to maintain frequency within acceptable boundaries following the sudden loss of generation or load.
FERC's action is intended to address the increasing impact of the evolving generation resource mix. The final rule requires all new generating facilities to install, maintain and operate a functioning governor or equivalent controls as a precondition of interconnection.
For more information, visit www. ferc.gov or call (202) 502-6088.
NEI urges revamp of fuel industry to support advanced reactors
The Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) has warned preparations should begin now to develop a national fuel cycle infrastructure to support the operation of advanced reactors expected to begin deployment in the 2020s and 2030s.
Currently, there are no U.S.-based facilities that manufacture fuel for advanced reactors on a commercial scale. Thus, for the long-term operation of advanced reactors, a robust new infrastructure for fuel manufacture is needed.
A recent NEI white paper describes the challenges of establishing an infrastructure to support the fuel needs of future advanced reactors and recommends solutions. The paper says establishing such a capability will better position the U.S. to advance nuclear safety and nonproliferation policies around the world, while helping to ensure a robust commercial industry domestically in the decades ahead.
For more information, visit www.nei. org or call (202) 739-8000.
Minnesota gas plant construction completed
Construction is complete on the Westside Energy Station, a natural gas-fired generation station located in Rochester, Minnesota, and owned and operated by Rochester Public Utilities (RPU).
The plant completes the replacement of RPU's 1949 vintage Silver Lake coal-fired plant. It provides double the efficiency and significantly fewer carbon emissions than the former plant.
The plant uses five natural gas-fired reciprocating internal combustion engines (RICE). The RICE units are a newer technology that provides quick-start emergency backup power generation. The units can go from sitting idle to providing power to the grid within two-anda- half minutes. Each unit is 9 MW, totaling 45 MW for the plant. The $62.6 million facility is the largest power development project undertaken by RPU.
For more information, visit www. rpu.org or call (507) 280-1500.