Get the latest updates on the Coronavirus impact on engineers.Click Here

Power Quality

Courtesy: Bentley Systems
Energy Management April 6, 2020

Digital twins drive innovation in the energy sector

Representations also serve as interfaces to further information

By Anne-Marie Walters
Rice University theorists have calculated flexoelectric effects in double-walled carbon nanotubes. The electrical potential (P) of atoms on either side of a graphene sheet (top) are identical, but not when the sheet is curved into a nanotube. Double-walled nanotubes (bottom) show unique effects as band gaps in inner and outer tubes are staggered. Courtesy: Yakobson Research Group/Rice University
Energy, Power March 31, 2020

Double-walled nanotubes have electro-optical advantages

Rice University calculations show double-walled nanotubes could be highly useful for solar panels and other nanoelectronics applications such as photovoltaics.

By Mike Williams
Courtesy: Inveno Engineering/ESC
Energy Efficiency March 31, 2020

Steam system thermal cycle efficiency

There are many chances for companies to improve overall efficiency with their steam system with a thorough analysis; learn how

By Kelly Paffel
Courtesy: Enbridge
Electrical, Power March 30, 2020

LDC Focus: Spotlight on Enbridge Gas Inc.

Ontario utility embarks on North America’s first utility-scale Power to Gas plant project

By Gas Technology
Courtesy: NW Natural; source: ICF, American Gas Foundation, Dec 2019
Electrical, Power March 27, 2020

Decarbonization and electrification: View from the utilities

Two utilities speak out regarding their efforts and views on decarbonization and electrification

By Gas Technology
Landfill gas is composed of approximately 50% methane and 50% carbon dioxide along with trace amounts of other gases including siloxanes, which are compounds containing silicon and oxygen. This landfill gas processing plant generates renewable electricity from methane captured from decomposing solid waste. Courtesy: NV5
Energy, Power March 26, 2020

Cutting carbon in California

Environmental and energy concerns are typically addressed in California first; for a preview of what’s to come regarding decarbonization, look West

By Gas Technology
RPI researchers have created a battery that uses potassium rather than lithium, which is cheaper and more abundant and more energy-efficient and could change how batteries are made. Courtesy: Chris Vavra, CFE Media and Technology
Energy, Power March 3, 2020

Metal battery using Potassium could be alternative to Lithium-ion

Researchers from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have created a metal battery that relies on potassium instead of Lithium-ion, which could create more energy efficient batteries for consumers.

By Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)
MD Series High Density Networked Power Metering System with BACnet or Modbus Protocols from Siemens Smart Infrastructure is optimized for use in equipment rooms, multi-family housing, data centers and other high metering load measurement areas. It won a 2020 Engineers’ Choice Award in the Power – Energy, Power Protection category. Courtesy: Siemens
Energy Management February 13, 2020

Three energy meter selection tips

Energy saving designs: Consider how long energy data collection is needed, how many phases and accuracy, and how the data should be collected.

By Drew Knobloch
New research by engineers at MIT and elsewhere could lead to batteries that can pack more power per pound and last longer. Courtesy: MIT News
Energy, Power February 4, 2020

Electrode design may lead to more powerful batteries

An MIT research team has devised a lithium metal anode that could improve the longevity and energy density of future batteries.

By David L. Chandler
Courtesy: Chris Vavra, CFE Media and Technology
Power Quality January 31, 2020

Wearable electronics powered by flexible batteries

Stanford University researchers have developed an experimental device designed to provide a comfortable power source for technologies that bends and flexes with the human body.

By Tom Abate