Insights and Resources

Global use of hydrogen has grown rapidly over the past 10 years in many areas, and it’s increasingly gaining traction as part of the mix in a balanced energy portfolio whether as blue hydrogen with carbon-capture technology in the short term, or as green hydrogen in power plants in the near future. Jonathan Cristiani, Advanced Power Fuels Engineer for Black & Veatch, discusses the possibilities and challenges for hydrogen, including storage and transportation, in this Power Tech Pod with host Becca Schmidt.

As a follow-up to his webinar, “Planning Considerations for Underground Transmission Lines,” Justin Bardwell answers questions critical to the success of underground projects ― from start to finish ― in this Power Tech Pod with Black & Veatch’s Becca Schmidt. Justin addresses permitting, one of the most difficult and time-consuming aspects of underground transmission projects, as well as planning to ensure competitive pricing. The session then details cable selection for optimal lifespan and performance, and Justin, Black & Veatch’s Underground Transmission Manager, shares insights from some of his experiences with submarine projects.

What is the ideal size for a hybrid solar and battery energy storage system? How many years do batteries last, and how do you plan for decline over time? Frank Jakob, Black & Veatch’s Technology Manager for Energy Storage, provides his insights into these and other questions, as well as the latest views of the renewables market, in this Power Tech Pod with Becca Schmidt. Listen to this session and view the webinar, “Hot Topics When Considering Solar PV and Battery Energy Storage Projects,” which also is available at www.bv.com/power-on-demand.

Spoiler alert: any facility that has electrical distribution equipment needs an Arc Flash Hazard Analysis. The key (and hard part) is making sure they’re done successfully, with safety driving the entire process. In this Power Tech Pod, host Becca Schmidt talks with Kevin Parish, Lead Electrical Engineer for Black & Veatch, who outlines proper steps for an analysis. Kevin discusses best practices for planning and preparation, site visits, data collection, risk mitigation and equipment labeling.

A little planning goes a long way. In this Power Tech Pod, Black & Veatch’s Tom Hudson explains how high-energy piping assessments at power plants improve safety, optimize operations and extend the lives of facilities. As more renewable energy generation comes on line, conventional power plants are further stressed due to cycling. Along with host Becca Schmidt, Tom discusses the steps operators can take now to ensure system reliability and understand potential pipe stress issues before they become major problems.

Across the Power industry, utility operators must address all forms of safety, including acoustics and noise control, especially in urban and suburban areas. In our first Power Tech Pod, host Becca Schmidt talks with Black & Veatch’s Jeff Szymanski, Senior Acoustical Engineer, about mitigating those risks early to ensure successful projects. They also discuss noise control concerns amid the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders.