Utility Automation & Engineering T&D articles from January 2006

Utility Automation & Engineering T&D archives from January 2006

DistribuTECH: more than just a power distribution show.(FROM THE EDITOR)
January 1, 2006... I recently attended a trade show focusing on customer service and spoke with the sales director of a company that provides various communications solutions to the utility industry--things like high-volume call handling, outage reporting and...

FPL Group, Constellation Energy to merge.(NEWS)
January 1, 2006... FPL Group Inc. and Constellation Energy have signed a definitive agreement to create the nation's largest competitive energy supplier and its second-largest electric utility portfolio. The transaction will create a company with a market...

InfraSource transmission line completed.(NEWS)(InfraSource Services Inc.)
January 1, 2006... InfraSource Services Inc., a specialty contractor servicing utility transmission and distribution infrastructure in the United States, recently completed its construction on Bonneville Power Administration's (BPA) Schultz-Wautoma 500-kV...

AREVA T&D product receives Frost & Sullivan award.(NEWS)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... AREVA T&D was awarded Frost & Sullivan's 2005 Energy Training Product of the Year Award for its e-terrasimulator software. AREVA T&D's e-terrasimulator supports utilities, regional transmission organizations (RTOs), independent system...

Utility Automation & Engineering T&D seeking articles in 2006.
January 1, 2006... Utility Automation & Engineering T&D will be increasing in frequency to 10 times per year in 2006, and as a result, editors are currently seeking contributed articles from power industry experts on the following topics in the following issues....

Gulf Coast utility communication networks perform through hurricanes.(NEWS)
January 1, 2006... During the major hurricane season of 2005, the private, internal networks--radio, microwave and fiber--of electric, gas and water utilities for the most part continued to function throughout and immediately after the storms. According to a...

ESCO acquires Nexus Energy Software.(NEWS)(Esco Technologies Inc.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... ESCO Technologies Inc. has acquired Nexus Energy Software Inc. through an all-cash for shares merger transaction. The initial consideration paid was $28.5 million. The acquisition agreement also provides for contingent consideration during the...

Utilities Kingston selects Itron.(NEWS)(automatic meter reading)(electricity meters)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Itron Inc. has a contract with Utilities Kingston in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, to provide the municipality with Itron's advanced Fixed Network automatic meter reading (AMR) technology and CENTRON solid-state electricity meters. Located on...

Wood pole suppliers deliver in storm aftermath.(NEWS)
January 1, 2006... In the four weeks that followed Hurricane Katrina's destruction, an estimated 89,000 to 92,000 T&D poles were shipped in 2,300 trucks--some also carrying water and food for linemen and residents. In addition, approximately 90,000 wood...

Southwest Transmission implements GPS Time Source.(NEWS)(Global Positioning System)(Southwest Transmission Electric Power Cooperative Inc.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Southwest Transmission Electric Power Cooperative Inc., the Arizona-based electric power cooperative that operates and maintains a power delivery system that includes 580 miles of transmission lines and 20 substations, has implemented...

Sensus installs Canadian Smart Metering network.(NEWS)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Sensus Metering Systems has installed the FlexNet with AMDS Connect Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) system for Cambridge and North Dumfries Hydro Inc. (CNDHI) with the cooperation of their Canadian Distributor, KTI Limited. CNDHI will be...

Miner & Miner garners two contracts.(NEWS)
January 1, 2006... Chatham-Kent, a single-tier local Canadian government in southwestern Ontario, has selected ArcGIS and ArcFM to replace the legacy AM/FM system they've operated at their utility divisions since 1998. The combined ESRI and Miner & Miner, a...

How Entergy battled back-to-back hurricanes.(HURRICANE RECOVERY)
January 1, 2006... Planning, preparation and performance are the cornerstones of any response plan--a rather generic hypothesis that Entergy proved true after two hurricanes, Katrina and Rita, hit its service area in late summer. The company's deployment of...

DistribuTECH 2006: the power of concentration.(show in print)(Calendar)
January 1, 2006... Four thousand attendees. 225 exhibitors. 13 conference tracks. 60 educational conference sessions. 150 knowledgeable speakers. Bountiful chances to network, including the Power Breakfast, the Power Hour and the Wednesday Networking Reception....

EEI's view: how the energy bill impacts transmission investment.(TRANSMISSION INVESTMENT)
January 1, 2006... The Energy Policy Act of 2005 offers much needed help for stimulating investment in the country's electricity grid. Importantly, the new law provides economic incentives and addresses the siting difficulties that are discouraging potential...

Three projects demonstrate HVDC applications, benefits.(HVDC APPLICATIONS)
January 1, 2006... Since the first commercial implementation of ABB's high-voltage direct current (HVDC) technology in Sweden in 1954, the technology's benefits have been sufficiently demonstrated and are well-known in the power industry. However, HVDC's high...

Isn't it time you took another look at distribution automation?(DISTRIBUTION AUTOMATION)
January 1, 2006... There are millions of miles of distribution lines in the United States. They weave through every neighborhood, office complex and industrial park in the country. As the demand for electricity increases, so too do expectations for the...

Controlling utility risk through network management software.(NETWORK MANAGEMENT)
January 1, 2006... The electric industry is complex, critical and--for those of us who have made a career out of it--prone to induce sleepless nights. And yet, one of the most rewarding parts of my job is that it makes a difference to the world. I help keep my...

Sierra Pacific Resources to build $3 billion power complex/transmission project in Nevada.(NEWS)
January 1, 2006... In early January, Sierra Pacific Resources announced its intention to move forward with development of a coal-fired power complex in eastern Nevada, and an approximately 250-mile transmission line that for the first time would provide an...

Space considerations driving GIS purchasing decisions.(GETTING EQUIPPED)
January 1, 2006... One of the biggest challenges facing utilities as they seek to improve and expand their physical infrastructure is acquiring land upon which to build. Right of way acquisition is among the most difficult, time-consuming steps in getting a new...

Sensor array.(NEW PRODUCTS)
January 1, 2006... Sarnoff Corp. has unveiled the SVD2000, a mobile system consisting of a sensor array with proprietary electronics and software that checks street level objects for stray voltage. The SVD2000 can detect an electrical charge at levels as low as...

Console System.(NEW PRODUCTS)
January 1, 2006... Moducom's UltraCom Dispatch Console System is all digital, with radio and phone plus many programmable features built into a single software application. Moducom is introducing enhanced interoperability and VoIP with their new Distributed...

SCADA cybersecurity software.(NEW PRODUCTS)
January 1, 2006... Verano Inc.'s Industrial Defender V2.0 is the latest version of its Industrial Defender security appliance suite, initially introduced in June 2003. Designed to monitor and protect the real-time control environment, Industrial Defender V2.0...

Joint Use software.(NEW PRODUCTS)
January 1, 2006... Osmose's FastGate Manager for Joint Use is a software application for managing foreign attachments, streetlights, and related field information used by electric and telecommunication utilities. The application includes: a map-based interface...

IED gateway.(NEW PRODUCTS)
January 1, 2006... Cannon Technologies Inc. has announced its SubGate sensor and IED gateway for gathering data from substation equipment such as transformers and circuit breakers. This data from equipment alarms, sensors, and IEDs can be presented by way of...

AMR Gateway.(NEW PRODUCTS)
January 1, 2006... Comverge Inc. and Landis+Gyr Inc. have jointly developed the Maingate S4e endpoint, a combination of Comverge's under-glass AMR Gateway and Landis+Gyr's S4e meter platform. Maingate is intended to replace an existing commercial or industrial...

Wireless conversion kit.
January 1, 2006... Telescada has announced the development and release of a CDPD to CDMA wireless conversion kit for the ATS-8 Series of Telescada remote terminal units. Telescada's conversion kit allows existing ATS-8 users to upgrade RTUs via the Verizon CDMA...

BPL-based meter.
January 1, 2006... muNet's new WebGate broadband-over-powerline (BPL) IP-based residential electric meter is the first in a series of models that support its flagship WebGate and WebGate mini IP-interface metering solutions. For utilities deploying BPL networks...

Silicone rubber insulators.
January 1, 2006... The new Ohio Brass family of line post insulators for 15-72 kV applications is designed for distribution and sub-transmission applications. The new insulators join the existing family of distribution deadends, suspension and post insulators...

Mobile worker software.
January 1, 2006... Trimble and Connected Innovation have worked together to develop Trimble Navigator Sample Application software that provides mobile workers with in-field access to the real-time maps and driving directions capabilities of the Microsoft MapPoint...

Tension Meter.
January 1, 2006... Dillon Inc.'s Quick-Check Tension Meter is a handheld device that measures the tension of guy wires and overhead wires. The lever-operated meter features an integrated Dillon "loadcell" with LCD display. Sheaves accommodate rated wire sizes of...

Transformer monitor.
January 1, 2006... Serveron Corp.'s Transformer Monitor Model TM3 is the latest addition to the Serveron TM series of on-line transformer monitors. Model TM3 offers repeatable on-line transformer oil dissolved gas analysis (DGA) of three critical fault gases as...

Utility Management Suite.
January 1, 2006... Mentorgen LLC has announced the first release of its Utility Management product suite. Included in Mentorgen's Utility Products are: OSSM BPL 1.0, an out-of-the-box OSS for broadband-over-powerline networks; Gen Utility Management Suite 1, a...

Intrusion detection system.
January 1, 2006... PureTech Systems Inc. and Southwest Microwave have cooperated to provide an integrated perimeter intrusion detection system that directs PTZ cameras to the point of intrusion. By using geographic information systems (GIS), advanced scene...

Thermoprotection unit.
January 1, 2006... GE Energy has developed a transformer thermoprotection unit that controls the temperature of a transformer. The Intellix PR100 digital temperature protection controller for oil-filled transformers also has the ability to trip a breaker,...

Relay System.
January 1, 2006... SKYMATIC Controls Ground Fault Relay System (GFR-3) detects any current flowing through the ground wire. There is a built-in self-test circuit and an adjustable time delay. The self-test is activated by the TEST button and will trip both the...

Tagging Relays.
January 1, 2006... New Electroswitch Series 24 and 31 Tagging Relays are used to assist automated breaker control schemes in new or existing power distribution systems. Now available with serial communications for network control, they allow remote reclosure...

Control room consoles.
January 1, 2006... Winsted's Enclosed Slim-Line Console features full length and height enclosed back panels with removable access doors for easy access to electronics. End panels and work surfaces are finished with a light oak laminate and solid oak trim. The...

Smart Synch.
January 1, 2006... SmartSynch is the preeminent provider of wireless commercial and industrial smart meters throughout North America, having sold over 90,000 meters to over 40 major utilities. During the past five years, SmartSynch has deployed more poly-phase...

Distribution Asset Analysis Suite.
January 1, 2006... Itron Distribution Asset Analysis (DAA) Suite offers asset load management and capacity planning solutions that can help utilities balance distribution system reliability with capacity planning and operational costs. By reconciling hourly SCADA...

Distribution Staker.
January 1, 2006... Itron Distribution Staker combines robust CAD rendering and editing with intuitive, easy-to-use design tools to bring municipalities, co-ops, and investor-owned utilities the automation and efficiency of computer-aided design. Distribution...

E-A-R[R] ARC Plug[TM].
January 1, 2006... Introducing, the new E-A-R[R] ARC Plug[TM]. The only arc protection earplugs developed directly as a result of the recent update to electrical standard NFPA 70E. The ARC Plugs patented Hear-Through[TM] filter technology allows the wearer to...

Calendar.
January 1, 2006... FEBRUARY 7-9, 2006 DistribuTECH 2006, PennWell Corp., www.distributech.com, Tampa, Fla. FEBRUARY 14-20, 2006 TechAdvantage 2006 Conference and Expo, NRECA, www.techadvantage.org, Orlando, Fla. FEBRUARY 19-25 The Life of...