The waste-to-energy market has long been associated with incineration and, more recently, the process of anaerobic digestion. However, when it comes to turning waste into electricity, there is a new kid on the block: gasification. Gasification is the process of heating a fuel to the point at which fixed carbon in the fuel reacts with… Keep reading →
Adoption of smart city initiatives appears to be dividing most city governments into two camps – those that opt for incremental add-on or pilot programs, and those that pursue some form of root-level master planning. There are advantages and disadvantages to each course. According to the 2016 Black & Veatch Strategic Directions: Smart City/Smart Utility… Keep reading →
This year the National Park Service (NPS) celebrates its centennial, having been established by the passage of the “Organic Act” in 1916. According to the Organic Act, a main purpose of the NPS is to conserve “parks, monuments, and reservations” in such a manner that “will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.”… Keep reading →
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Power Plan, which seeks to curb carbon dioxide (CO2 ) emissions from power plants, has gotten considerable news coverage recently. Another recent EPA initiative to combat climate change is not nearly as well known, despite the fact that it could also have significant implications for the overall U.S.… Keep reading →
Contracting with an energy services company can be a wise way for water and wastewater utilities to implement efficiency improvements. Performance contracting is a powerful tool, but success usually happens only when both parties fully tap the specific knowledge each participant brings to the project, and apply best practices. An energy services company (ESCO) is… Keep reading →
Thermal hydrolysis is an advanced wastewater solids conditioning process that boasts both financial and environmental advantages. With the process in wide usage across the UK, it is now starting to gain traction in the U.S., as wastewater utilities analyze whether their facilities would make a good candidate. The thermal hydrolysis process (THP) increases the biodegradability… Keep reading →
The Internet of Things (IoT) – the concept that all devices that can be connected will be connected – is starting to take root in cities in various parts of the globe. IoT is being used to better manage energy, water, transportation and safety – but what exactly does this look like in first-adopter cities?… Keep reading →
Efforts to convert shipping vessels to LNG are advancing rapidly across the marine industry. There are approximately 40 marine vessels (not counting LNG dual-fuel carriers) in use today currently powered by LNG. This number is expected to grow exponentially, to 1,800 vessels by 2020. While emissions regulations are the primary catalyst for the change, the… Keep reading →
Lower-cost capital infrastructure solutions are often the preferred choice of utility leaders and infrastructure investors. However, lower upfront costs do not always translate into lower life cycle costs as a result of evolving regulations, market dynamics and other factors. Fortunately, advanced modeling and simulation software tools easily enable simulation modeling to quantify risks and impacts… Keep reading →
Aging infrastructure is one of the top concerns among electric utility leaders across the United States. Utility leaders need to address this issue proactively before failures create serious reliability issues, accelerate costs and strain the labor force beyond its capacity. Addressing this myriad of aging assets requires manpower and extensive capital investment – investment that… Keep reading →
