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The article discusses four steps that could be used to build an expanded electric transmission system or supergrid in the U.S. The steps include building of additional transmission lines, provision of higher voltages, long-distance, direct-current lines, and short lines to link isolated transmission regions. Benefits of a supergrid are said to include cheaper electricity, fewer blackouts, and the accommodation of remote wind and solar power installations. Action by the federal government may be needed to overcome local political obstacles.

The article reports on the unstable condition of the atomic programs and projects in the U.S. It highlights the problems faced in several nuclear power facilities in the country and mentions the cancellation of the construction of other power plants due to financial problems, which prompted President Ronald Reagan to initiate measures to address the issue. President Reagan has also ordered the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to speed up procedures for the licensing of nuclear plants.

The article focuses on the challenges faced during the design and construction of the high-voltage, direct current (HVDC) electrical interconnection between France and Spain. It discusses the development of electrical interconnection between Perpignan and Figueres by establishing a DC underground cable in June 2008. Also mentioned are the solution to cross the Pyrenees mountain at the French-Spanish border, limited options, and complexity of finding a solution.

The article states that the state government of Maharashtra, India, has cancelled Enron Corp.'s $2.9 billion electric power plant at Dabhol, India. The event is cited as a serious jolt to foreign investors. The article also presents the charges by the state government against the United States power company and the actions taken by Enron in this context. Finally, the article comments on the amount of damages that Indian courts might award to the company.

The article reports on the results of certain studies which found that tropical hardwoods offer an environmentally safe and robust alternative to preservative treated woods for pools and crossarms of electric distribution overhead systems. The wood has been tested which proved that these woods also has superior strength essential for building these utilities. These hardwoods came from managed forests and are certified to meet strict environmental requirements. INSET: UTILITY FIELD OBSERVATIONS..

The article reports that the Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario will start building a dam and an electric power production facility in the Rapides des Joachims area on the upper Ottawa River in 1946.

The article reports on the increased job opportunities in the U.S. electric service industry for the electric contractors due to increased production of oil and natural gas. Topics discussed include views of Scott Duncan, a vice president of the construction industry analyst firm FMI, on the same, reevaluation of recruiting practices, and fracking in oil and gas industry. .

The article provides statistics on the expenditures in the construction industry on structures including education buildings, hotels and electric utilities and highlights the specifications of the construction firm Tuck-Hinton Architects. Also discussed is the contracting activity for Nashville city, Tennessee in sectors including construction, hospitality and office.

The article reports on the 32 gigawatts (GW) projects being planned under Round 3 of the Crown Estate in Great Britain. It states that the project aims to deliver a quarter of the country's total electricity demands by 2020, with a combined figured investment of 156 billion dollars. It notes that Round 3 is expected to deliver at least 25 GW of installations, as compared to the combined total of 8 GW from Rounds 1 and 2. According to Maria McCaffery, chief executive officer of Renewables UK, despite the country's lead in offshore wind energy generation, it currently behind other leading wind energy producing countries in terms of manufacturing, supply chain jobs and designing.

The article reports on the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC) and ELECSA's call on the government for energy plans consultation from industry professionals in Great Britain.

The article reports that U.S. construction spending for February 2015 declined slightly from the January figure. It states that the February 2015 seasonally adjusted annual rates for the construction segments private, residential, non-residential, manufacturing, lodging and educational construction showed increases of 0.2-0.5 percent over the January estimates while those for private electric utility construction, communications construction and public construction declined.

The article reports that the electric utility Dominion Virginia Power (DVP) proposes to construct a 1,600 megawatt (MW) natural gas power station in Greensville County, Virginia. It states that the power station will be a combined-cycle facility with three gas-fired combustion turbines and stream turbine. It mentions that the construction of the plant is expected to be in the middle of 2016, and is expected to be operational in 2019.

The article reports that Dominion, provider of electricity, natural gas and related services in the U.S., has begun commercial operations at its two facilities, one being the Bridgeport Fuel Cell facility in Bridgeport, Connecticut and the Dominion Somers Solar Center in Somers, Connecticut. The Bridgeport Fuel Cell is part of Project 150, a program sponsored by the state to increase renewable and clean energy projects in Connecticut by 150 mega watt (MW).

The article reports on the announcement on November 26, 2013 by Indian renewable-power developer Greenko Group Plc of its completion of the construction of a 15-megawatt (MW) wind farm in Karnataka state, India.

The article reports that the electrical energy provider West Penn Power Co. has energized its new 138 kilovolt transmission line to strengthen its regional transmission network. It mentions that the 14-mile transmission line connect Kirby, Pennsylvania with substation Monongalia County in Western Virginia. It presents the views of David McDonald, regional president of West Penn Power, regarding the firm's effort to deliver quality of service according to customers' expectation.

The article reports that new construction starts in June 2015 decreased by 15 percent from May 2015 to a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 620.2 billion U.S. dollars, according to Dodge Data & Analytics. Topics mentioned include an increase in highway and bridge construction in June, decrease in the electric utility and gas plant category, and an increase in the public works categories as a group.

Saudi Electric Company (SEC) is to hold clarification meetings next week with the three lowest bidders for the 1,700MW heavy fuel-fired Rabigh 2 independent power project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sponsors of the 834MW Ansan-Si combined-cycle gas-fired power project in Korea have signed a W617 million ($583 million) project debt facility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the construction of a large-scale power system converter station in 2010 in Franklin, New Hampshire which will create up to 1,200 jobs and will bring one billion dollar into the state's economy.

Reports that international engineering firm Amec says that using Iraqi labor and suppliers to rebuild the state will reduce the likelihood of attacks on facilities. Contracts won by Amec to rebuild power and water supplies; British security providers' report that there is no corresponding increase in the cost of protecting assets despite attacks on western targets in Iraq.

The article focuses on October construction whose value increased 5% to a seasonally adjusted rate of 585.6 billion U.S. dollars after a 13% jump for total construction starts in September 2013. Nonresidential building surged in October due to the start of 3 massive manufacturing plants while residential building resumed its upward track after a September pause. Nonbuilding construction declined 6% in October to 159.2 billion U.S. dollars due to sharp downturn for electric utility construction.

The article reports on the 13% increase in new construction starts in the U.S. in September 2013, according to McGraw Hill Financial's McGraw Hill Construction division. Topics discussed include an increase in construction activity in the nonresidential building category which include manufacturing plants, commercial buildings and educational buildings, the construction projects in electric utilities and public works, and a decline in construction activity in residential building activity.

The article reports on the construction of the 23-turbine Pinnacle Wind Farm project in West Virginia which will be developed by Wind Force LLC and Edison Mission Energy (EME). It states that the project will become one of the largest taxpayers in the county with approximately 10.7 million dollars of property tax payments. Moreover, the project also established a Community Benefit Fund which will provide financial resources for worthy community projects in the area.

The article reports on the expansion of the Whispering Willow Wind Farm, owned by utility Interstate Power & Light Co. (IPL), in Franklin County, Iowa. It states that the move is an investment to a plan of public utility holding company Alliant Energy for a clean and efficient way to generate electricity. It mentions that IPL is looking for a regulatory approval for the expansion.

The article provides information on the role of Kvaerner Power Inc. in designing and developing the flue-gas treatment system for a combined heat and power plant constructed by the Finnish power utility Kotkan Energia Oy. The primary motive was to fit the system in a specific, space-constrained section of the plant, designed to generate electricity as well as steam for heating. Kvaerner Power specified a V-Cone flow meter to condition the fluid flow and provide a stable flow profile to increase accuracy. This resulted in considerable cost control for the flue-gas conditioning system, by preventing the purchase and installation of upstream and downstream pipes.

The article informs that inspection firm Intertek has extended support for British electricity firm National Grid and Norwegian state-owned enterprise Statnett in the development of an infrastructure project linking Great Britain and Norwegian electricity networks. It reveals that after completion, it will emerge as world's longest high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) undersea interconnector. It also mentions low-carbon electricity to be supplied in the homes.

The article looks at the role of the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) voluntary accident reporting program in boosting electrical construction and maintenance safety. The program reveals information based on accidents informed directly to IPAF and data gathered by mass media. It showed that 53 deaths in electrical construction and maintenance in 2013 were linked to accidents involving aerial work platforms including overturn, electrocution, and height.

The article reports on the move of Mexico Power Group to start scouting for investors in two late-stage development wind projects in Mexico. The construction financing process for these projects, which total 250 megawatts (MW), is expected to start by the second half of 2013. It notes that Mexico Power Group will be considering variety of alternatives ranging from minority stakes to an outright sale.

The article reports on the plans of Schneider Electric SA to build the Global Innovation and Technology Center in Boston, Massachusetts, which will house a research and development (R&D) laboratory and more than 850 of its employees. The center is set to function as a North American R&D hub for the company and will combine all of its business units under one roof. Also, it will be featuring a cross-discipline technology integration laboratory.

The article discusses the results of an economic forecast for the U.S. construction industry for 2013 by market analyst McGraw-Hill Construction. The report predicted an increase in total construction starts, but noted uncertainty in U.S. federal spending on public works due to impending budget cuts and tax cut expirations. Other topics include single- and multifamily housing construction, commercial building, and electric utilities and power plant construction.

The article looks at the increase in power utility construction projects such as natural-gas-fired combined-cycle plants and small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs). The demand for these facilities is attributed to rising power needs, demand for power plants with lower emissions, and inexpensive natural gas prices due to expanded shale gas production. Several engineering and construction firms are discussed, including Fluor Corp., Summit Power Group, and SK Engineering & Construction.

The article offers information about the construction industry in New York City as of April 9, 2012. Topics include increases in site planning projects, a profile of the New York firm Stalco Construction, and statistics for construction starts in New York in sectors such as non-residential construction, manufacturing, and electric utilities.

The article focuses on the planned superconductor grid project of the Tres Amigas LLC aimed to connect the Eastern and Western electrical networks in the U.S. It states that the project's goal is to build a SuperStation hub near Clovis, New Mexico, which is considered one of the largest projects in the country. It notes on the three special technologies to be applied in the project which includes voltage source converters, energy storage systems, and superconducting wire and cable.

The article profiles John Lowe, a lineman who served a chief judge tool inspector and a member of the advisory board of the International Lineman's Rodeo. Lowe took an electrical installation and maintenance course and worked in the electrical field. He noted that he get calls and requests to train on various topics and skills as a technical training specialist. He also planned to go into the industry in the future and keep in touch with the technicians.

The article reports on the development and testing of a solar-powered charging stations for electric vehicles by Tennessee Valley Authority with Electric Power Research Institute in Chattanooga, Tennessee.