Engineering Inc. - November/December 2010 - (Page 10)

Time for Change struction, more than two- ever, for more pipeline construction.” Nearly a quarter of the nation’s gas dozen utilities have submitted plans to build new pipelines are now more than 50 years old, or expand existing nuclear according to the Interstate Natural Gas reactors. These plants— Association of America. Approximately projected to cost between $19 billion of investment is needed for $8 billion and $16 billion replacement of current pipe to maintain each—would comple- existing capacity, while nearly $42 billion is ment the 104 U.S. reactors needed for new pipeline and storage projects already in operation, pro- to meet anticipated future demand. “Meeting the nation’s viding up to 20 percent of the nation’s electric power Renewable Energy future energy needs and nearly three-fourths of Although alternative or renewable energy and progressing all carbon-dioxide-free elec- sources promise to be a big part of the toward energy tricity in the United States. nation’s future energy consumption, indusindependence requires “The nation’s future try watchers say much is needed to reap the energy picture has to benefits of these emerging power options. a balanced energy include nuclear,” says MerThe modular nature of wind farms and portfolio—one that rick & Company’s Christie. solar installations, for example, along with includes increased “The current administra- the challenges associated with routing power tion has embraced review- lines to connect these facilities, frequently power generation from clean renewable ing licenses, which is a leads to long project completion times and start to a long process of high, sometimes unsustainable costs. “In sources, combined expanding nuclear capac- some cases, there’s no guarantee that a transCoal, Nuclear, with more efficient Natural Gas ity. It will be engineers who mission system will be available for a projmust develop new technol- ect,” says John Olander, associate vice presiThough renewable energy use of traditional ogy to make nuclear plant dent at Burns & McDonnell, a Kansas City, holds promise for the future sources already at construction more cost- Mo.-based engineering firm. of U.S. power generation, effective, such as the conThough renewable fuel is essentially traditional power sources our disposal.” free, the cost of building a facility typically will continue to be vital to ralPH CHriStie cept of smaller reactors.” the nation’s energy mix for Merrick & coMPany Experts say natural gas exceeds the expense of traditional power generation. Technical chalthe foreseeable future. might replenges exist as well. “Wind Coal, for example, is the least expen- resent the most “potential” and solar projects do not sive and most abundant domestic energy of any domestic traditional provide consistent levels resource, with supplies for the next two energy source. “Natural of generation. When these centuries. More than half of the electricity gas is the best energy story sources are not fully availgenerated in the United States currently of 2010,” says USEA’s able to support the load, comes from coal. But coal is not without its Wo r t h i n g t o n . “ Sh a l e load-sharing or traditional problems—mainly that, when burned, it’s a gas development is truly generation backup must be source of harmful carbon-dioxide emissions. phenomenal.” Proponents of the resource say that used,” explains Olander. U.S. DOE projections soon could change. Rapid advancements indicate that higher domesLarge-scale battery systems, in clean-coal technologies—from carbon tic production of natural “Tremendous which could help alleviate capture techniques to sequestration pro- gas—primarily advances opportunities exist these problems, are still in cesses, whereby harmful C02 gas is captured in horizontal drilling and for engineering firms. the early stages of testing and piped below the Earth’s surface for hydraulic fracturing techDespite a downturn and development. permanent storage—are making coal more niques in cost-effectively attractive. Power Forward bringing shale gas to mar- in the economy, the More than 30 new coal-fired power plants ket—will result in a decline development Despite these challenges, have been built since 2008 or are under in U.S. imports of natural of alternative energy demand for alternative construction. A new 682-megawatt coal- gas from 13 percent of total energy is on the rise—parsources will likely fired power plant in Omaha, Neb., features supply in 2008 to just 6 ticularly as venture capitalcontinue unabated state-of-the-art emission control systems and percent by 2035. ists continue to fund highis one the most efficient coal-fired plants in tech systems development. “We have gone from a for the next 10 to the world. Solar, wind, hydroelectric, 30-year to a 100-year sup- 15 years.” The U.S. nuclear power industry also is ply of domestic natural JaCk Hand biomass, geothermal and gearing up for higher projected demand. gas,” adds Worthington. Power engineers hydrogen fuel cells have After nearly three decades of stagnant con- “There is a dire need, howemerged as options. Experts say the nation’s energy landscape—Americans account for less than 5 percent of the world’s population, but consume 26 percent of its energy— is proof that the current system is unsustainable. In addition, U.S. dependency on foreign energy sources such as oil makes the country more vulnerable to economic upheaval in the event of war or political strife. New, stricter environmental laws and growing public sentiment for cleaner use of fossil fuels is forcing utilities and businesses to adapt. 10 ENGINEERING INC. NovEmbER / DECEmbER 2010

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Engineering Inc. - November/December 2010

Engineering Inc. - November/December 2010
Contents
From ACEC to You
News and Notes
Market Watch
Legislative Action
Power Play
2010 Fall Conference Highlights
Ins and Outs
Re-energized
Business Insights
Young Professionals of the Year
Members in the News

Engineering Inc. - November/December 2010