Commentary

We were all required to take science courses in school and one of the ones I signed up for was basic physics. In one lecture the professor explained temperature convection, and just in case you missed or dozed off during that one, that’s where a temperature difference in gases, liquids or solids will strive to equalize through convection. Today we are witnessing convection on a previously unprecedented global scale; the shift I’m referring to isn’t what you’d think, it’s not about climate change or temperature, but represents one of the greatest migrations of power and capital that the world has ever seen. Although the economy has put a bit of a damper on things of late the flow is still heavily eastern in direction. The “Power” I’m referring to is in the degree of increased world influence and electric generating capacity that’s lighting up whatever device you looking at right now. The Anglo-Spheres dependence on imports is a power and production vacuum that has been escalating for decades and one that the East has been willingly filling, putting millions to work in jobs and at wages that westerners “currently” refuse to accept. All this eastward migration or “convection” of capital and power is happening for one of two reasons; one as payments for the goods the west is importing, or two, by companies looking to get in on the boom to build infrastructure, factories and supply the goods craved by the west. This convection of wealth and power is a virtuous and maybe vicious circle that is expanding with each revolution. Each revolution of exports-payments-investments means boat loads of money and influence for the Sino-sphere and cash drainage for the Anglo-sphere. But what is missing and needed for the circle to continue to expand is power in the form of electricity and with all this inflowing cash and demand for increasing generating capacity you would think it’s a great time to be in the power business in Asia, wouldn’t you? From a demand standpoint the potential for power plant contracts couldn’t look brighter.

It’s no secret that the power installation market is heating up in Southeast Asia.

Despite the adoption of a new electricity law in 2009 liberating the Indonesian electricity market, most electricity generated in Indonesia is sold to PLN, the state-owned utility, under 25 or 30-year power purchase agreements (PPAs).

Every government is worried with the current cost of Renewable Energies since they are – in some cases – more expensive than conventional sources, but everyone also knows that electricity cost is increasing every year and the expectations is that it will double in the next decade.

In the Asian and global power industry, maintaining the efficiency of a compressed air system is a constant battle, with leaks being a considerable source of the problem.

To answer this question, we must understand what is behind the price and pollution.

Super grid is on the card now. Growing fashion of establishing interconnections is now serving a purpose, linking diversified resources of energy production and connecting remotely located options of renewable with the load centers which are far away from production points.

Industries all over the world are continually facing hurdles when it comes to recruiting and retaining qualified personnel. Besides the common challenges, the power industry has experienced additional setbacks related to an aging workforce and poor public perception.

One of the hottest topics amongst sponsors, contractors and financiers involved in Asia’s power sector today is the growing competition felt by all participants in the industry.

Different test devices and methods are used in the market to verify the performance of current transformers during development, production, installation and maintenance. This article describes a new and innovative solution to test current transformers at all lifecycle stages by using a revolutionary testing method called "the modeling concept".

April 18, 2012 - On January 3, 2012, Platts launched a daily 7-45 day forward FOB Newcastle 5500 kcal/kg Net As Received thermal coal price assessment, the first publisher to do so.

Japan's electricity sector is creating a new frontier when it comes to electricity market planning. Go back just over twelve months and approximately 30% of generation came from nuclear power.

March 11th, 2011. Nuclear engineering sector is hit by Fukushima's accident. A year has passed and it is now time to have a look on what has come out of this. The international institute of nuclear energy, I2EN, was inaugurated in France the same year.

Th latest official Chinese projections suggest that electricity demand will grow at well below the recent double-digit level in coming years. But the country could still require twice as much generating capacity in 2020 as in 2010.

The cost of Solar energy depends on the “fuel” availability, the taxes in the country, the financing cost and it is understood in two ways: replacing other fuels or as a financial investment – similar to a long term bond with fixed interest.

Even though some Chinese solar suppliers – Suntech Power is a notable example – have frozen capacity expansions due to slow growth in demand, China is reportedly pushing its top solar companies to expand.