Just as when we meet to plan the contents of our monthly magazine, our editors met back in the fall to start the planning process for this issue of Mechanical Engineering Power. We all started with a blank sheet of paper in front of us, but with our minds full of ideas. The main contributor was Michael Valenti, this supplement's editor.

Listening to everyone's thoughts during the meeting was a stimulating reminder of the flurry of activity in the industries this supplement focuses on. In selecting articles that would make it "into the book," we aimed to present mostly case studies of creative solutions that users have found to pressing needs. Providing a perspective on how an individual or company solved an engineering problem has always been a hallmark of our publications.

Our other focus was to provide glimpses of emerging trends and market overviews. Contributors Jeffrey Schroeter, Lee Langston, and Jon Lane present such perspectives in this issue.

Schroeter tells us how merchant plants fit into today's rapidly changing electric-industry landscape. Langston provides both a historical and current perspective on the gas turbine industry. And Lane discusses how the merger of ABB's and Alstom's power-generating activities will impact the global gas-turbine market.

You have been kind to us during the past years, with much-appreciated praise for the content of the first three issues of Mechanical Engineering Power. Moreover, your feedback has helped guide our coverage. We trust that the current issue will provide the same sort of positive reaction. As always, we encourage your input.

Already we've begun brainstorming for article ideas for the next issue of Mechanical Engineering Power.


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