TOPICS

Decarbonization is shifting the generation mix. Coal-fired units are being retired, while renewable energy resources and batteries see substantial growth. Zero-carbon sources like nuclear are also drawing interest from large-scale generators and industrials. The path to decarbonization faces several challenges, including the intermittency of renewables, increasing load growth and the costs associated with transitioning from fossil fuels.

Plant owners and operators must strategically manage their assets using the latest processes and solutions, including leveraging data to maximize the productivity of a highly trained and adaptive workforce. A successful maintenance regimen ensures assets’ continuous operations, extends their lives and enables their performance and availability.

The gas turbine is considered the workhorse of power generation and offers rapidly dispatchable power combined with reliability, operational flexibility and the ability to use low-carbon fuel blends. Gas turbines will be increasingly needed in fast-ramping applications as renewables account for greater power on the grid. In the face of increasing electricity demand, buyers of F-Class, advanced-class and aeroderivative gas turbines are experiencing lead times not seen since the gas boom of the early 2000s.

Clean hydrogen is poised to play an important role in decarbonization and has received significant federal funding. In power generation, some utilities are conducting demonstration projects to assess the viability of blending hydrogen at their natural gas-fired plants, while gas turbine OEMs believe their equipment could eventually be fueled by 100 percent hydrogen. Still, hydrogen supply, infrastructure and technical challenges such as plant modifications remain to getting there.

Consensus is growing that nuclear will play an important role in the generation mix, especially with the joint challenges of load growth and net-zero goals. Companies are racing to deploy smaller reactors with the promise of lower costs and faster build times than large, conventional reactors. But despite the positive momentum for new nuclear reactors, their promise of offering simplicity and standardization has yet to be tested. Several actions will likely need to be considered across financing, supply chain and regulation for the industry to scale up significantly.

Solar continues to gain a greater share of the power market as the world races to achieve net-zero emissions. Yet utility-scale solar farms face performance and reliability challenges at every stage. POWERGEN will pinpoint O&M challenges and feature case studies and maintenance strategies across key components, from PV panels to inverters to switchgear.

Power companies are increasingly using lithium-ion batteries to complement the intermittency of wind and solar. U.S. battery storage capacity has continued to see strong growth in the last year, particularly in the western states. POWERGEN education sessions include a focus on the technical and operational challenges of battery storage, along with safety considerations.

Emission reduction and environmental remediation strategies at fossil-fired plants are critical for viability and to meet decarbonization goals. EPA has finalized a suite of measures aimed at addressing air, water and land pollution from plants. The agency’s emissions rule for many coal and gas-fired plants leans on technologies like carbon capture. POWERGEN highlights state and federal regulations impacting plant operations, as well as operational strategies and control technologies to remain in compliance.

Interest in microgrids is driven by a range of factors, including an increasing demand for reliable power and the need to reduce carbon emissions. Utilities are deploying microgrids in the face of extreme weather events, while hospitals, municipalities, the military and others aim to provide energy security for mission critical services.

Engineering and EPC services are critical components of the power generation industry, encompassing the design, procurement and construction of plants and related infrastructure. POWERGEN offers educational and networking opportunities for EPC companies, with sessions including technical, financial, regulatory and environmental considerations.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming power generation by optimizing energy operations, enhancing efficiency and improving grid reliability. In power plants, AI-driven tools are being used for predictive maintenance to detect potential equipment failures before they happen. AI is also driving significant load growth through the rise of data centers, and utilities are scrambling to meet the resulting power demand.

Hydroelectric power is a critical part of the global energy mix, providing close to 16% of the world's electricity and over half of all renewable energy. Its ability to generate consistent, low-cost power makes it a backbone of many countries' energy strategies, especially in regions rich in water resources.