Utility Automation & Engineering T&D articles from December 2008

Utility Automation & Engineering T&D archives from December 2008

John Tengdin.(Letter to the editor)
December 1, 2008... From: John Tengdin Sent: Sun 10/26/2008 4:47 PM To: Teresa Hansen Subject: October 2008 Utility T&D What an excellent issue. I used to work just outside the Loop in Chicago, and can really identify with the great work...

Help is on the way.(year 2008)(Editorial)
December 1, 2008... The year 2008 will soon be history, and its legacy is likely to fill a large chapter in most history books. From a business and economic standpoint, it will be remembered as a difficult year, perhaps the most difficult since 1929. Of course, it...

A chat with NREL director Dan Arvizu.(NEWS)(Interview)
December 1, 2008... Editor's note: This is part four of a four-part UAE news series. Senior editor Kathleen Davis talks with NREL director Dr. Dan Arvizu about connecting renewables to the grid. In this fourth part of the series, Dr. Arvizu talks money and...

Study reveals trends in U.S. substations.(NEWS)
December 1, 2008... The Newton-Evans Research Co.'s mid-year study on substation automation revealed a number of points: * Substation-related integration and automation programs will cost North American electric power utilities some $350 million this year. ...

NERC looks at Long-term Reliability.(NEWS)(North American Electric Reliability Corporation)(Editorial)(Report)
December 1, 2008... In late October, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) released its 300-plus-page report titled "Long-term Reliability Assessment." Focusing on the period between this year and 2017, the report examines information and...

T&D Market Index Provides Snapshot of Critical Spend Categories.(NEWS)
December 1, 2008... Denali Intelligence, a market research firm for sourcing professionals, released its latest (Q3) T&D Market Index. The Denali Intelligence T&D Market Index is based on detailed analysis of 11 critical spend categories that represent core...

Cooper Industries unveils Industrial Technology Center.(NEWS)
December 1, 2008... Cooper Industries recently completed a first-of-a-kind Industrial Technology Center located near its headquarters in Houston, Texas. The 35,000-square-foot facility features an auditorium and training rooms designed to help demonstrate the...

How will the ongoing financial crisis impact the evolution of the smart grid?(NEWS)
December 1, 2008... "We believe 'smart grids' are part of the solution for an energy efficient future. In the current financial climate, it is vital that those considering pilot projects, or new energy solutions, work closely with regulators to ensure investments...

The evolution of geospatial technology: from enabling technology to critical foundation for the smart grid.(GEOSPATIAL)
December 1, 2008... Today's utility is faced with greater challenges than ever before. Even as demand for energy grows, utilities must seek to more efficiently and reliably distribute power, while maintaining or reducing present generation levels. Utilities are...

Smart grid distribution automation for back-feed network power restoration.(DISTRIBUTION AUTOMATION)
December 1, 2008... Smart grid refers to electric power systems that enhance grid reliability and efficiency by automatically anticipating and responding to system disturbances. To achieve smart grid status at the power distribution system level, utilities have...

D-TECH brightens sunny San Diego.
December 1, 2008... In 2009, DistribuTECH enters its 19th year, and we're happy to celebrate this milestone in one of our favorite destinations, San Diego. Running February 3-5, 2009, at the San Diego Convention Center, DistribuTECH encompasses automation and...

A short overview of Hydro-Quebec's de-icing system control unit.(LINE DE-ICING)(Editorial)
December 1, 2008... Hydro-Quebec's power system is exposed to severe weather conditions. For example, the utility experienced a severe storm in 1998 when more than 150 towers collapsed due to ice accumulation. To reduce the impact of such events, Hydro-Quebec is...

Advanced metering without the AMI.(METERING)
December 1, 2008... Including its surrounding area, the population of Tucson, Ariz., recently exceeded one million people. With its burgeoning population comes demand for affordable housing and subsequent development. Jim Taylor, engineering superintendent for...

Enterprise GIS: realizing the dream.
December 1, 2008... Today's changing business and regulatory environment require utilities to be diligent about their IT investments. Pressure continues to mount on functional groups to do more with less, requiring them to make more effective use of the limited...

Next-generation DTS platform.(NEW PRODUCTS)
December 1, 2008... SensorTran, a developer of distributed temperature-sensing (DTS) technology, has a new, commercially available family of DTS systems. The platform, dubbed "Gemini," marries the company's second-generation PerfectVision multilaser technology...

Serial radio transceiver.(NEW PRODUCTS)
December 1, 2008... Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories Inc. is offering a new security solution: the low-priced SEL-3031 serial radio transceiver with optional security card. The new license-free, spread-spectrum radio creates an easy and economical...

Rugged mobile computer.(NEW PRODUCTS)
December 1, 2008... End-users may receive, collect, analyze, manipulate and transmit information in environments not suited to traditional nonrugged computers. The iX104C4 design implements best-in-class sunlight readable display technology, Dual Mode flexible...

Hazardous voltage connector.(NEW PRODUCTS)
December 1, 2008... The SBS75x Connector provides power contacts rated up to 110 amps and the touch-safe design provides protection to the user by eliminating finger contact with live circuits. The SBS75x is recommended for use with hazardous DC voltages in...

Giant LED Clusters.(NEW PRODUCTS)
December 1, 2008... The DA180 range of Giant LED Clusters, having a 66mm diameter lens, not only provides clear indication from a distance but is also visible from the side. Units are available in six colors and feature an integral current regulator to limit the...

Integrated drives.(NEW PRODUCTS)
December 1, 2008... Schneider Electric's line of integrated drives has been equipped with a POWERLINK interface. The units are used as decentral drives in machine building or automation applications. Together with a motion controller or a PLC, they allow for the...

CALENDAR.(Conference news)(Brief article)(Calendar)
December 1, 2008... JANUARY 7-9 International Conference on Energy Engineering, PEC, www.icee2009.pec.edu, Puducherry, India. JANUARY 13-14 4th Annual Web Self Service for Utilities Conference, EUCI, https://www.euci.com/conferences/0109-web-self/,...

Featured topic.(WHAT'S NEW A www.UtilityAutomation.com)
December 1, 2008... Clean Coal: Our Generation Bridge to the Future? This interactive, online Webcast sponsored by Richwood ran Tuesday, Nov. 18. Coal provides more than 50 percent of the U.S. generation fleet, but climate change concerns, possible greenhouse...

Currents: the energy news podcast.(WHAT'S NEW A www.UtilityAutomation.com)
December 1, 2008... Episode 12--The Aging Workforce If you work at a utility, look around. Almost half of the engineers and operations personnel, and maybe even you, will retire in the next five to 10 years. And when they all leave, there may be no one to take...

Top 5 articles on UtilityAutomation.com.(WHAT'S NEW A www.UtilityAutomation.com)
December 1, 2008... 1. Utilities should exceed expectations to create loyal customers Every business wants to have exceptionally loyal customers and utility companies should be no exception, particularly when they sell nontraditional products and services. ...

Featured video.(WHAT'S NEW A www.UtilityAutomation.com)
December 1, 2008... Check out UAE editor in chief Teresa Hansen's weekly news wrap-up. Recent news includes how president-elect Barack Obama's energy plan might affect utilities and how a smart-charging trial of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles in North Carolina...

Quick vote.(WHAT'S NEW A www.UtilityAutomation.com)
December 1, 2008... Quick Vote: U.S. president-elect Barack Obama understands the nation's utility/energy needs... Well, and I'm optimistic that he can lead our lawmakers to 5.75% adopt an effective energy policy. Well, but he'll have...