MORE EFFICIENT GAS PLANTS AND IMPROVED GAS ALTERNATIVES NEEDED

摘要

There will be no shortage of energy issues to discuss at POWER-GEN International, December 9-11 in Las Vegas. But uncertainties surrounding the price and supply of natural gas ― for more than a decade the fuel of choice for nearly 90 percent of all new U.S. power capacity ― will be at center stage. Although capacity margins are currently healthy in most regions, a looming economic rebound could close the gap sooner rather than later. To make matters worse, much of the margin consists of generation fueled by natural gas, a resource whose increasing prices and dwindling domestic supplies have spurred government and industry to fear an impending energy crisis. As a result, there is an intensified urgency for advances in gas-fired generation efficiency, less conventional gas-fired options, new coal and nuclear alternatives, and accelerated interest in renewables and distributed generation. At least one session will take direct aim at the gas price/supply crisis and potential alternatives to address it. Gas Price Volatility ― Is Fuel Diversification the Answer? will explore the practicality of alternative fuels being used to meet this economic challenge. The session will detail the viability of alternative fuel and generation supply options, including liquefied natural gas, nuclear and coal.