POWERGEN

POWERGEN International begins: Here are a few sessions to note this week

The show runs from February 21-23 at the Orange County Convention Center.
POWERGEN International begins: Here are a few sessions to note this week
(Source: Clarion Energy.)

Professionals in the power and energy industry are descending on Orlando to discuss the latest advancements and trends shaping the future of energy, as POWERGEN International 2023 is officially set to begin.

The dozens of power and utility professionals who make up the POWERGEN advisory committee have worked tirelessly for months to put together a compelling conference program.

The show program includes eight educational tracks: Decarbonization, Planning for the Electric Future, Nuclear’s Small Revolution, Unlocking Hydrogen’s Power Potential, The Evolving Power Plant, Energy Storage Deployments, Environmental and Emission Controls and Optimizing Plant Performance.  

These topics lead the conversation for how generators can evolve into cleaner and more sustainable sources as we set our sights on 2050.

Here are some sessions to note during the next few days:

  • On Tuesday, Feb. 21, Black & Veatch will highlight a two-year study on the impacts of cycling and low-load generation on performance, heat rate, reliability and availability at combined cycle power plants. Some of the most intriguing findings from this study will be shared for the first time.
  • Also that day, DTE Energy and MapEx will discuss a hybrid analytics solution that combines machine learning, advanced pattern recognition software with a physics-based heat balance “digital twin” solution to monitor and improve the performance and reliability of a combined heat and power (CHP) plant in Michigan.
  • As energy storage systems are growing at an unprecedented pace, a panel including experts from Burns & McDonnell, UL and American Fire Technologies will address current codes and standards, as well as recent changes that all installers in the U.S. must adhere to before installing a system. 
  • On Wednesday, Feb. 22, don’t miss a panel of experts who will address carbon capture, pipeline transport and geologic storage and their relevance to the power industry. The esteemed panel includes José Figueroa and Mark McKoy with the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), Richard Esposito with Southern Company and Bob Slettehaugh with Kiewit.
  • As part of our hydrogen track, Jeff Goldmeer of GE will provide a view of the environmental concerns, as well as potential solutions to prevent NOx emission increases as hydrogen is introduced in greater quantities as a fuel in gas turbines.
  • Make sure not to miss a panel from Idaho National Laboratory (INL) and NuScale about the latter’s first small modular reactor (SMR) nuclear plant to begin operation in the U.S. The plant will deploy six, 77 MW modules to generate 462 MW of electricity. INL will provide a technical overview of the SMR design features and how they address traditional concerns in the deployment previous reactors.

Before the conference sessions begin and the exhibit hall opens, the Keynote on the morning of Feb. 21 will feature remarks by best-selling author and megatrends expert, Andrew Winston; Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer at Nuscale Power, Dr. José Reyes; SVP and CEO Duke Energy Florida and Midwest, Alex Glenn; and COO of OUC, Jan Aspuru.

The Keynote address is open to all attendees and exhibitors.