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 →
Owners of large infrastructure projects naturally try to off-load as much of the risk of the project as possible, but that also can significantly add to the overall costs. As an alternative, owners should examine ways to lower their costs by accepting some level of reasonable risk and working with high-quality EPC contractors. Project owners… Keep reading →
The old joke about how do you eat an elephant – one bite at a time – can apply to safety. How do you go months and years without a single job injury? One day at a time. Thus Black & Veatch experts say that success begins with what is referred to as a “Zero… Keep reading →
Utilities that are considering new large infrastructure projects should carefully evaluate whether to put the bid out for a lump sum contract, or whether they want to use an open book arrangement. Both methods have their advantages, depending on the owner’s circumstances, and matching the best style for the given project can make a major… Keep reading →
Lean construction and engineering principles are designed to identify and eliminate waste, and its continued growth is producing multiple benefits to all stakeholders. “Lean principles empower all stakeholders, from craft workers to management, with the ability to improve their work environment, thereby making their daily work practices better,” said Troy Ochoa, Project Manager and Lean… Keep reading →
As power, oil and gas, water and wastewater utilities begin the process of exploring how to build their next large infrastructure project, the most important decision in the entire process may rest with the selection of the EPC (engineering, procurement, construction) contractor. While many EPC providers exist, they operate in varied fashions – and some… Keep reading →
On a hot day in August 2003, a high-voltage transmission line failed in Ohio, followed by a series of failures on other vital lines over the next two hours. As the massive power flows sought a path of least resistance, they overloaded other high-voltage lines and the time intervals became shorter between each subsequent failure.… Keep reading →
A key indicator of global energy production and consumption growth is mega-project construction. Where are the world’s largest power plants, mining operations, oil & gas developments, utility-scale renewable energy projects or desalination plants being built? These mega-projects require a company to oversee the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) aspects of the capital intensive investments. It’s… Keep reading →
Although natural gas prices already increased this year more than many expected – largely due to weather-related demand and inventory draws – business opportunities for energy infrastructure projects that use natural gas as feedstock remain attractive. Engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) firms could be particularly well placed to benefit from a medium-term “mega cycle,” according… Keep reading →
Google acquired smart thermostat startup company Nest for $3.2 billion in cash. Nest had been working on a reported $150 million financing round that would have valued the firm at $2 billion. CEO Tony Fadell – a former Apple SVP – said on the company’s blog “We’ve had great momentum, but this is a rocket… Keep reading →
