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This earthbound version of the CF6 engine, which GE calls the LM6000-PF SPRINT gas turbine for power applications, will produce heat and more than 45 megawatts of electricity for Oradea. The city partnened on the the project with the Italian power developer STC SpA. Image credit: GE Distributed PowerThe picturesque Romanian city of Oradea dates back at least 900 years. Some locals joke their heating system is just as old. Large portions of the city, which sits near Romania’s western border with Hungary, have relied on a district heating plant that opened in 1966, one year after Nicolae Ceaucescu consolidated power. The plant has been mostly fueled by low quality brown coal and oil. (Only recently it also started using cleaner-burning natural gas.)
The pipes of the city’s heat distribution network are feeling their age, too. They leak more than a quarter of the thermal energy that flows through them before it reaches customers, almost four times the norm.
But Oradea’s power sector is now moving into the jet age. The city will start using a new gas-fired turbine based on technologies originally developed for jet engines to produce lower-emissions heat and electricity for more than a quarter of its residents, or 140,000 people.
The combined electricity generation and heating unit will have a sky-high efficiency of 92 percent at the output from the power plant. This is the first installation of such jet engine-based power plant in Romania.
The technologies at the heart of Oradea’s new power plant will come from GE Aviation’s CF6 jet engines, the same engines that power Air Force One. Image credit: GE AviationIn a nod to the technology’s aviation history, GE calls the machines “aeroderivatives.” They are using the compressor, combustor and turbine from the CF6 jet engine to generate power. (The CF6 powers many Boeing 747 passenger jets, including Air Force One). The earthbound version of the engine spins a shaft attached to the generator to produce electricity.
Many cities and businesses around the world are using aeroderivatives to efficiently generate reliable heat and power. For example, in October 2012, when Hurricane Sandy struck the East Coast of the U.S. and knocked out power to 2.6 million people, several aeroderivatives rode out the storm.
In 2012, MIT’s Technology Review selected aeroderivatives as a “key innovation” for “building flexible and efficient natural gas power plants,” and the technology is at the core of GE’s Distributed Power business. There is also a mobile version of the technology that can be quickly deployed anywhere and moved around on a plane and a trailer.
The company says some 2,100 GE aeroderivative gas turbines are generating electricity and keeping people warm in 73 countries, from Sakhalin Island to South Africa.
Today's Engineering Newswire looks at hovering over land and sea in the navy’s newest ship-to-shore connector, 3D printing a comfortable dress, and giving a dog the opportunity to run free for the first time.
The debate between direct current and alternating current isn’t confined to the pages of history, and between the renowned thinkers, Einstein and Tesla. The debate is still prevalent on the plant floor when the choice whether to utilize an alternating-current (AC) drive or a direct-current (DC) drive arises. In an effort to more clearly highlight the differences between the two, here is a breakdown of some of the advantages and disadvantages of AC and DC drives.
Alternating-Current (AC)
There are a few significant benefits to the use of AC drives. First, AC drives require very little maintenance and upkeep. One reason for this, is that AC drives do not have brushes, so there are never issues with motor brush wear and the inconvenience and cost of replacements, as well as the resulting downtime. They are also typically a more cost effective motor option, due to their size and more simplistic design.
The speed of operations is important to consider when choosing a motor. The AC drives are particularly effective when working with higher speeds, such as 2500 rpm or higher. The AC drive also provides more controlled acceleration, as well as allowing for adjustable operation speeds and adjustable torque.
The AC drive is not without disadvantages, however. The most significant being difficult speed control and control complexity. An AC drive is not able to operate at speeds less than one third of the base speed. Therefore, the speed necessary for a motor is an extremely important factor to consider when deciding between an AC drive and a DC drive.
Direct-Current (DC)
Some of the most notable advantages to using a DC drive is high starting torque, control over a wide range of speeds, quick starting, stopping, acceleration, and reversing, as well as accurate step-less speed with constant torque.
Also according to Joliet Technologies, “DC regenerative drives are available for applications requiring continuous regeneration for overhauling loads. AC drives with this capability would be more complex and expensive.”
When choosing a DC drive there are also some important potential pitfalls to consider. DC drives are often high maintenance, requiring care for various parts such as the mechanical interface, the commutator and the brushes. They are also particularly vulnerable to dust, as well as physically more cumbersome – thus, making the location of the motor a very important factor to consider. Location is also extremely important in regards to DC drives because some areas could prove quite dangerous. For example, DC drives cannot operate in explosive hazardous conditions because of the risk of sparking around the brush.
Industrial motors are crucial for many manufacturing enterprises, so selecting the right drive for unique and specific applications is extremely important. The two common options are AC drives and DC drives, however, it is important to distinguish between them. AC drives and DC drives are very different and better suited to different applications.
NEW YORK (AP) — Those low gas prices on station signs aren't going away soon, the government says.
In a dramatic shift from previous forecasts, the Energy Department predicted Wednesday that the average price of gasoline in the U.S. will be below $2.94 a gallon in 2015. That a 44-cent drop from an outlook issued just a month ago.
If the sharply lower estimate holds true, U.S. consumers will save $61 billion on gas compared with this year.
Rising oil production, particularly in the U.S., and weak spots in the global economy have led to a sharp reduction in oil prices over the past four months. Not seeing much of a change ahead, the government cut its forecast for global oil prices next year by $18 a barrel to $83.
As a result, U.S. drivers will pay on average 45 cents less for a gallon of gas next year compared to this year. Based on expected gasoline consumption, that's a savings of $60.9 billion.
That may not seem like a lot in the context of a $17.5 trillion U.S. economy, but economists say it matters because it immediately gives consumers more money to spend on other things. Consumer spending accounts for 70 percent of the U.S. economy.
"It would be a reversal of the trend over the last few years where consumers can't stretch a dollar far enough," says Tim Quinlan, an economist at Wells Fargo.
Quinlan says the price of gasoline is one of the three big drivers of consumer confidence, along with stock prices and the unemployment rate. "Lately all three are moving in the right direction," he says.
After falling for 48 straight days, the average gasoline price in the U.S. is $2.92, the lowest since December of 2010, according to AAA. That was also the last full year when the average came in below $3 a gallon.
While it's not unusual for gas to hit its low for the year in late fall, the government is now saying that these prices aren't just a low point, but instead will be the norm next year.
Adam Sieminski, administrator of the Energy Information Administration, the Energy Department's statistical arm, attributed the lower pump prices to lower prices for crude oil and weak fuel demand. The EIA did hedge its bet on lower oil prices though, as it cautioned that OPEC could cut production in order to push prices higher.
The global price of crude has fallen by $35 a barrel, or 30 percent, since late June and closed at $80.38 Wednesday.
Oil production around the world has been strong in recent years. A boom in the U.S. has pushed domestic production up 70 percent since 2008. At the same time, demand for fuels is growing more slowly than expected in Asia and Europe because of weak economic growth.
The U.S. economy is faring relatively well, but more fuel-efficient cars and changing driving habits are keeping domestic gasoline demand low. The EIA expects demand to fall slightly next year despite the lower pump prices.
The EIA also slightly lowered its prediction for growth in U.S. oil production because lower prices will force some drillers to cut back. Production is expected to reach 9.4 million barrels a day in 2015, down from a previous estimate of 9.5 million barrels per day. Still, that would be an increase of 4 percent over this year and the highest domestic crude production since 1972.
Dramatically decreasing capital costs for solar and wind technologies present the prospect of an unprecedented boost for Texas companies.
Sweetening the deal is the fact that "fuel" from the sun and the wind is free. Forever. No long-term contracts to negotiate and pay out over time.
Moreover, several companies now offer payment plans that enable consumers to install rooftop solar electricity, while eliminating first-cost sticker shock. In addition, developers are starting to include rooftop photovoltaics (PV) in their standard residential packages.
Still, the nagging issue: The sun doesn't always shine and the wind doesn't always blow. This requires back-up, or "firming," power from natural gas.
This is the "new Texas blend" of generating fuels. Importantly, the market also is relatively new - Texas' deregulated electricity sector.
What does this portend for the market players, in particular vertically-integrated municipal utilities and electric cooperatives? Do they need to change their business models or infrastructure to accommodate small generators that are dispersed across their service areas? Does the affordability of point-of-use solar and wind generation (distributed generation) pose unique opportunities for unregulated retail electric providers (REPs)?
"We are aware of REPs that are investigating the potential of creating virtual utilities - utilities 'constructed' not of bricks and mortar, but of aggregated small, dispersed generators," said Russel Smith, executive director of the Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association (TREIA). "We believe that change in utility structures is inevitable; we just don't know what form or how long it will take."
These are among the issues that will be explored at Texas Renewables 2014, "Shaping Texas' Evolving Energy Markets," to be held Nov. 3-6 at the Sheraton Dallas hotel.
One panel in particular will directly address the issues surrounding utility models. It is titled "New Texas 'Utility' Models: Evolution or Revolution?" and will be moderated by Dan Seif, Senior Consultant at The Butler Firm in Austin. Ken Donohoo of Oncor Electric Delivery Company in Dallas and Peter Muhoro of Pedernales Electric Cooperative in Johnson City are among the panel of expert discussants.
When you manage a small business, attracting and maintaining a loyal customer base is crucial for overall success. By letting your customers know about your business and what you offer through different, engaging avenues, you have a better chance of earning their trust. Offering products or services that your audience needs is one step, but promoting the overall brand and story of your business is important for bringing in repeat customers. Here are seven unique ways you can share your business’ story online.
1. Create an engaging ‘About Us’ page. A page that explains who you are and what you do is a great way to quickly and easily inform your website visitors about your business and what to expect. However, keep it interesting. Include the basic facts as well as unique parts of your business’ story – such as a historical timeline or photos – to create a bond between you and your customers. Play around with different ways to present the information like in an infographic or photo story to make it stand out.
2. Manage an interesting company blog. Maintaining a blog for your business allows you to regularly update your audience on upcoming events, promotions, etc., but also keeps your website relevant from the point of view of search engines. What you write about creates a “personality” for your business that customers can connect to. By using the blog as a way to discuss everything from industry trends to company events, your story comes across to the audience in a consistent and engaging way.
3. Don’t ignore social media. In this day and age, it’s impossible to ignore social media, especially since this platform is where many audiences are the most active. No matter how great your website is, it is likely that your customers spend more time on sites such as Facebook or Twitter. By maintaining regular updates and establishing relationships, you can build customer loyalty and tell your business story.
4. Introduce your team! Make your company more personal by including a page on your website that gives visitors a chance to see the faces behind your business. This tactic shows your potential customers that there are real people behind your brand who care about your products and services. You can even encourage your employees to write their own biographies to add splashes of personality.
5. Add email marketing to the mix. As with blogs and social media channels, email marketing is a great way to retain your audience’s attention. Company newsletters and new product announcements keep your customer base interested while giving you another opportunity to talk about your company on a proven platform: Their email inbox.
6. Produce a short video. Never underestimate the power of a short, well-produced video for telling your business’ story online. This is something that could be featured on your website – either on the home page or on the ‘About Us’ section – that creatively describes who you are and what you do, and why your customers should care. Show before and after projects, tours of the facility, how-to videos, or one-on-one interviews with employees and customers.
7. Let your customers speak for you! Finally, one of the best ways to tell the story of your business is to let your satisfied customers tell it for you! By featuring customer testimonials on your website, blog, or social media channels, prospective customers can see how your business operates and treats its customers. Consumers put a lot of trust in peer reviews, so allowing them to paint the picture of how you operate is a great way to gain future business and get your message across.
For more advice and best practices on all things eBusiness, visit blog.1and1.com.
DANIEL YOUNG 1&1 INTERNET, INC. Daniel Young is a content manager at 1&1 Internet, Inc. As a Content Manager for 1&1 Internet, Inc., Daniel Young is an industry specialist providing expert advice on how small and medium businesses can grow online through websites and online marketing methods. To learn more about 1&1, visit http://blog.1and1.com or www.1and1.com
