New business

Duke Power Co.`s Marshall Steam Station received the Best Performer Award for overall operations and maintenance costs from the Electric Utility Cost Group.

Idaho Power Resources Corp. has acquired majority ownership in Applied Power Corp. The equity partnership between a utility and a photovoltaic distribution and system integration company is believed to be the first of its kind in the United States.

PECO Energy Co. has purchased rotor-mounted scanners for installation on 12 hydrogenerators at its Muddy Run and Conowingo Power Plants on the Susquehanna River.

Enova Corp. is providing $50,000 to begin developing a network of public charging stations for electric vehicles in San Diego Gas & Electric`s service area.

Planergy Inc. is merging with Tamal Energy Inc., with plans for the combined companies to retain the Planergy name. The merger is pending approval from Tamal`s shareholders and California regulatory authorities.

The top 10 steam-electric plants averaging the least cost for the past five-year period were all coal-fired plants located west of the Mississ ippi River and burning low-sulfur western coal or lignite, according to recently released rankings from the Utility Data Institute. Basin Electric Power Cooperative`s three-unit Laramie River Station had the lowest five-year average cost at $9.55 MWh.

PECO Energy Co. has purchased USX Corp.`s Fairless Works power plant in Falls Township and will convert it to burn gas created by decomposing garbage at two landfills. The plant will produce up to 60 MW of electricity and 200,000 pounds of steam an hour.