Survival of the Efficient: Updating Power Plants to Meet the Challenges of the Future

This article is written under the assumption that little will change in our federal government, i.e., the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will continue to push its agenda and, without a national energy policy, allow state governments to mandate renewable energy requirements. Avoid “lost” energy that otherwise might create system inefficiency and destroy equipment. Efficiency and reliability are complimentary. When you are looking to replace those 40-plus-year-old motors or planning a system upgrade or new construction, think total system (plant) efficiency. Efficiency is the least expensive course of action the power industry can take given the current economic and environmental situation. Efficiency comes in many forms, and motor-driven pumping systems are only a portion of the potential savings available.