PJM Interconnection, a regional transmission operator based in Pennsylvania, has achieved a significant milestone in its revamped interconnection process. The company announced the completion of Phase I System Impact Studies for 306 proposed generation projects within Transition Cycle #1. Project developers now have 30 days to decide whether to proceed with their requests into the next study phase of Transition Cycle #1, scheduled to begin on June 20th, 2024. Projects within this cycle are expected to complete PJM’s study process and be ready for construction by mid-2025. An additional 306 projects have already qualified for the Expedited Process, also known as the “fast lane.” PJM anticipates issuing Final Agreements for these projects throughout 2024. “This is another critical milestone for PJM’s widely supported interconnection process reform,” said Aftab Khan, Executive Vice President – Operations, Planning and Security. “New service requests for generation resources are moving through our process as designed and promised, with more than 200,000 MW of projects to be studied over the next two years to help states advance their energy policy goals.” Enhanced Transparency with New Webpage PJM has launched a dedicated webpage to share study results and project request status. This resource provides Phase I Study…
Heartland Water Technology and Empire Diversified Energy (“Empire”) have announced a collaborative effort, alongside Empire Green Generation (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Empire), to develop a groundbreaking facility at the Port of West Virginia. This state-of-the-art plant will convert food waste into clean-burning hydrogen and sustainable carbon, contributing to the Department of Energy’s Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub (ARCH2) initiative. The partnership signifies a significant advancement in transforming waste into a source of renewable hydrogen. The project utilizes a multi-step process to achieve this goal: “The project not only aligns with our vision to redefine waste, it underscores the critical role of renewable hydrogen in shaping a sustainable, circular economy. Hydrogen is more than an energy carrier; it represents a cornerstone for future sustainability goals, offering a path to decarbonize industries and energize communities in an environmentally responsible manner,” said Chris Beaufait, CEO of Heartland. “Empire is a world class developer of sustainable projects. We are excited to work together to deliver an exciting and impactful waste treatment and hydrogen generation plant.” Bernard Brown, Empire COO, added, “The ARCH2 hydrogen hub is a beacon of innovation and leadership in the renewable energy sector. By leveraging this hub as a pivotal platform…
The Association for Project Management (APM) has issued a response to the National Infrastructure Commission’s (NIC) 2024 Infrastructure Progress Review. APM echoes the concerns raised in the report, highlighting the need for a robust, long-term plan to ensure successful delivery of critical infrastructure projects across the UK. The report reflects growing industry anxieties about the increasing difficulty of delivering projects. While ambition exists, government initiatives are hampered by skills shortages, supply chain disruptions, and a general lack of confidence. The uneven progress across different infrastructure sectors is particularly concerning. Timely completion of these projects is essential for unlocking economic growth and achieving crucial climate goals. Andrew Baldwin, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at APM, commented: “Years of instability have reduced confidence in investment, but drastic policy U-turns like on HS2 are simply aggravating the issue. We must now assume instability is a given in project planning to enable us to prepare and gain more control over fluctuations. “Under-resourced project teams limit project delivery across the country, so we want to see a drastic increase in the supply, and training, of project professionals. “Transparency is needed across the sector to champion accountability, enable effective decisions, and achieve value for money…
Greyfriars Project Management recently celebrated its expansion with the grand opening of their new, larger office in Norwich city centre. The event, held on April 19th, welcomed colleagues, friends, and clients to mark this exciting new chapter in the company’s journey. The move to the new Queens Road office signifies Greyfriars’ impressive growth trajectory. Since its inception in 2018, the company has quadrupled in size and boasts an impressive client portfolio spanning the public, private, and charity sectors. Notably, they have successfully collaborated with big names like National Highways, the National Trust, and Norfolk County Council. “It’s brilliant to bring everyone together and mark the start of a new chapter in our company story! It seems like just yesterday that we moved to our previous offices, but having expanded to a team of 15, this move is much-needed!” says Jon Barnard, Director of Greyfriars Project Management. The new office provides ample space to accommodate Greyfriars’ growing staff and further strengthens their commitment to delivering top-tier project management services. “The excellent support of the Greyfriars team has been instrumental to the business’s success! This office move is part of our continued commitment to investing in our people. We’ve invested in a…
JinkoSolar, a global firm focused on solar module manufacturing, has announced the successful delivery of over 1.1 million Tiger Neo modules to the Witznitz Solar Park in Lobstädt, Germany. This project marks a significant milestone for both JinkoSolar and European renewable energy efforts. The Witznitz Solar Park boasts an impressive 650 MW module capacity, making it the largest photovoltaic (PV) project in Germany to date and one of the biggest in Europe. JinkoSolar’s high-performance Tiger Neo modules will play a crucial role in generating an estimated 0.6 terawatt hours of clean electricity annually. “We are very pleased to have found a reliable and competent partner and supplier for our major project in JinkoSolar,” explain Mr. Steffen Montag, Managing Director of MOVE ON Energy GmbH, and Mr. Wolfgang Pielmaier, Technical Director of MOVE ON Energy GmbH. The Witznitz energy park was one of the largest construction sites in Saxony in 2023. “The fulfillment of the high technical requirements paired with the smooth in-time delivery to the construction site confirms the choice of Jinko Solar as our exclusive partner in the field of module supply, ”says MOVE ON Energy GmbH with satisfaction. The project is a collaborative effort between JinkoSolar, MOVE ON…
AECOM, a world-renowned infrastructure consultancy, has announced its joint venture with Arup as the design and consenting service partner for the National Grid’s Great Grid Partnership. This partnership signifies a major step forward in the UK’s energy transition strategy. The Great Grid Partnership aims to deliver a comprehensive design and construction programme by 2030. This programme will connect clean energy sources to homes and businesses throughout England and Wales. This critical infrastructure upgrade forms part of a wider £9bn supply chain framework that will support future infrastructure projects beyond 2030. “We’re excited to work with National Grid and our partners to shape the energy transition in England and Wales through the delivery of modern, stable, and flexible grid infrastructure,” said Colin Wood, chief executive of AECOM’s Europe and India region. “Our unrivalled enterprise capabilities enable our teams to draw on a deep, global bench of expertise in grid design, positioning us to not only execute on National Grid’s ambitious objectives but to also meet the unprecedented demand for grid improvements in the region.” This major grid modernisation programme will deliver a fivefold increase in electricity infrastructure over the next six years compared to the past three decades. This significant undertaking…
The Wellhead Pressure Management Project (WPMP) at the Tengiz oil field has begun operations, marking a significant step forward for Tengizchevroil (TCO). However, challenges remain as TCO pushes towards full project completion. The key hurdle lies in managing the existing oil production while implementing the WPMP. This involves lowering pressure at wellheads and subsequently boosting it to maintain capacity at existing processing plants, a complex process requiring ongoing adjustments. While the WPMP startup is a milestone, the complete expansion relies on the successful execution of the Future Growth Project (FGP). This final stage, targeted for completion in mid-2025, will determine the ultimate production increase of 12 million tons per annum. TCO acknowledges the crucial role of partnerships and stakeholder engagement. Their success hinges on continued support from the Kazakh government, existing partners, contractors, local communities, and their skilled workforce. A significant achievement is the upskilling of 4,000 Kazakhstani employees through specialized training for the PBF project. This focus on local workforce development highlights TCO’s commitment to the region. TCO’s focus remains on collaborating with partners and the Kazakh government to ensure the safe and successful completion of the entire FGP-WPMP project. Despite the WPMP startup, there’s still work to be…
Global engineering firm Egis has announced the strategic acquisition of Thomas & Adamson, a well-respected property and construction cost and project management consultancy headquartered in Edinburgh. This move signifies a significant enhancement of Egis’ project management and advisory capabilities for clients across both the United Kingdom and the Middle East. Founded in 1935, Thomas & Adamson boasts a distinguished legacy, with a dedicated team of 100 professionals spread across the UK and the United Arab Emirates. The firm has a proven track record of assisting leading organisations in navigating the intricacies of procuring, delivering, and operating assets within the built environment. Their service offerings encompass cost and project management, building surveying, and principal designer services, catering to all major sectors within the built environment, such as commercial, education, sports, and hospitality. For the past 14 years, Thomas & Adamson has established a strong presence in the Middle East, with a particular focus on cost management across various sectors. Through close integration with Egis’ existing Middle Eastern team, the combined entity will deliver exceptional value to clients. This will be achieved by strategically merging Thomas & Adamson’s strength in cost management with Egis’ comprehensive project management and engineering expertise. Alaa Abusiam,…
Azercell, a leading mobile operator in Azerbaijan, announces the launch of the Crisis Management Group (CMG) project. This initiative, guided by the motto “Resilient communication, secure life!”, aims to strengthen the country’s communication infrastructure during crises. The CMG project focuses on four key objectives: The CMG project is a collaborative effort between Azercell, the Azerbaijan Space Agency, Aztelekom LLC, and Baktelekom LLC. Technical teams from these organizations have undergone training sessions to ensure coordinated action during emergencies. Additionally, operational groups and dedicated technical infrastructure have been established to facilitate swift response and recovery measures. Beyond strengthening communication within Azerbaijan, the CMG project has the potential to benefit the wider Turkic states and Caucasus region. It aligns with President Ilham Aliyev’s call for a Special Summit of the Turkic Council, following the earthquake in Turkey. This summit led to the signing of the Ankara Declaration, promoting collaboration on disaster management and humanitarian assistance. The launch of the CMG project signifies Azercell’s commitment to continuous improvement and ensuring reliable communication for its customers. This initiative highlights the company’s proactive approach to crisis preparedness and its dedication to safeguarding communication infrastructure during critical situations.
Stantec has been awarded a contract by BC Hydro & Power Authority (BC Hydro) to deliver transmission and distribution engineering services alongside project delivery expertise. This agreement supports BC Hydro’s 10-year capital plan to upgrade its electrical grid, ensuring reliable energy supplies and driving the province’s clean energy transition. The CAD$186-million master services agreement (MSA) holds an initial term of seven years, with the potential to extend to twenty years. Stantec’s role encompasses a broad range of services, including transmission and distribution design, substation engineering (electrical, mechanical, civil, structural, and geotechnical), project management, scheduling, cost control, procurement, and contract management. Additionally, they will handle materials management, equipment management, and logistics. This latest collaboration builds upon the existing partnership between Stantec and BC Hydro. Stantec will provide comprehensive support throughout the project lifecycle, from initial system assessments and environmental permitting to Indigenous consultation, engineering design, construction management, and post-construction monitoring. “Stantec is proud to assist BC Hydro in this major endeavor to modernize and expand the electrical grid in British Columbia,” says Mario Finis, executive vice president of Energy & Resources at Stantec. “Renewable energy generation is only part of the transition to a clean energy future. We must also design,…
