Utility Automation & Engineering T&D articles from June 2009

Utility Automation & Engineering T&D archives from June 2009

Creating a new customer experience.(From the Editor)
June 1, 2009... I just attended CS Week Conference 33 in Washington, D.C., where I heard a lot about connecting and communicating with customers. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] For the most part, utilities communicate little with their customers, and vice...

To the editor.(Letter to the editor)
June 1, 2009... FROM: H. Lee Smith TO: Kathleen Davis SENT: Tuesday, May 12. 12:38 p.m. SUBJECT: May issue article: DNP3 vs. IEC 61850 Kathleen, I was very disappointed by your article; many of us in both protocol camps have been...

Part II: will industry focus on new power vision?(NOTES)
June 1, 2009... An Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) report released in March touts a "holistic" approach to power. Given that almost every item and entity in the power industry is categorized, separated, compartmentalized and labeled, the "Vision...

Q1 T&D Market Index continues to fall.(NOTES)
June 1, 2009... Reflecting continued economic distress, Denali Intelligence's T&D Market Index decreased 5.5 percent in the first quarter of 2009 (see Figure 1). Leading the downward pull were underlying commodities, including a 26 percent decrease in crude...

Report available.(EYE ON EUROPE)
June 1, 2009... REPORT AVAILABLE: The Union for the Coordination of Transmission of Electricity (UCTE) released its 2008 compliance oversight report, including audits. Member transmission system operators were evaluated on compliance with UCTE standards. On...

ABB wins order.(EYE ON EUROPE)
June 1, 2009... ABB WINS ORDER: Eirgrid, the Irish transmission system operator, has ordered a 500-MW transmission system using HVDC Light (high-voltage direct current), an ABB technology. The transmission link to the UK will run underwater for 186 km and...

CERA: efficiency may reshape Europe.(EYE ON EUROPE)
June 1, 2009... CERA: EFFICIENCY MAY RESHAPE EUROPE: A Cambridge Energy Research Associates (CERA) study, "Strategies for a Leaner Europe: Meeting the Energy Efficiency Challenge," concludes that action on the EU goal of reducing energy usage 20 percent by...

A portrait in five case studies: remote setpoint changes at KCP&L.
June 1, 2009... Traditional distribution automation (DA) projects have focused on limited remote control operating commands, data acquisition and alarm point monitoring. Kansas City Power & Light (KCP&L) brings added value to its DA system, however, by also...

Reducing power interruptions with overhead equipment surveys.
June 1, 2009... Power interruptions cost U.S. utility customers some $80 billion annually and nearly a third are caused by equipment failure, a Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) study, "Understanding the Cost of Power Interruptions to U.S....

Mobile resource management solutions streamline fleet operations.
June 1, 2009... Utility companies have some of the most complex fleet management and field force deployment requirements of any business. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Consider a routine workweek during which a single regional office must schedule and route...

Update on large AMI projects.
June 1, 2009... Advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) is headed for mass deployment in the United States. Southern California Edison (SCE), San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) and Center-point Energy are some of the latest utilities to embark on large-scale...

AMI gets fast start, still many lengths to finish race.(Advanced metering infrastructure)
June 1, 2009... Advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) describes the melding of smart grid, two-way technology and the standard meter that's been around since electrification began. With AMI, the meter knows a lot more than just power used--it knows what power...

School might be the ultimate Lineman's tool.
June 1, 2009... Arkansas State University-Newport (ASUN) and the electric cooperatives of Arkansas have teamed up to offer linemen--and potential linemen--the chance to become certified. Duane Doyle, division chair for occupational studies at ASUN, and Clay...

Choice Lineman tools emphasize safety.
June 1, 2009... This month, Kellie Sandrick, Utility Products magazine's managing editor, chose her favorite tools that make a lineman's life easier. Most of them revolve around the issue of safety, always a dominant factor in the field. ARC FLASH KIT:...

Assante talks CIP as deadline looms.(critical infrastructure protection)(Interview)
June 1, 2009... The North American Electric Reliability Corp.'s (NERO critical infrastructure protection (CIP) standards deadline is on the horizon. On July 1, all U.S. utilities must be compliant with CIP standards 002-009. To find out what that means for...

Smart grid battery.(PRODUCTS)
June 1, 2009... Xcel Energy has begun testing battery-storage technology that captures wind energy and moves it to the electricity grid when needed. S&C Electric Co. was contracted to install the battery along with the S&C Smart Grid Storage Management System...

Rugged mini PCs.(PRODUCTS)
June 1, 2009... CyberResearch MEPC-series miniature computers are ideal for thin-client applications where space is at a premium. Optional wireless LAN is available on all four models. Aluminum cases provide industrial-grade toughness while promoting good...

Thermal imaging camera.(PRODUCTS)
June 1, 2009... The MikroSHOT is the latest offering from LumaSense Technologies' Mikron Infrared thermal imaging product line. This fully radiometric thermal imager allows for affordable, pocket-sized portability with capabilities normally found in larger,...

Compact testers.(PRODUCTS)
June 1, 2009... Megger's latest MIT200 insulation and continuity testers offer safety and ease of use. They have a CAT III 600V rating in line with IEC 61010-1, and they're available in versions that offer insulation testing at 1,000 V. Despite their compact...

Calender.(Conference news)(Table)(Brief article)(Calendar)
June 1, 2009... JUNE 23-25 6th Annual Energy Delivery Asset Management Marcus Evans Energy www.marcusevans.com Denver 23-25 EEI 2009 Annual Convention/Expo Edison Electric ...

Energy independence and our aging infrastructure.(PERSPECTIVES)
June 1, 2009... It is well-documented that the U.S T&D system is aging and becoming less-stable. In addition, it is becoming more difficult to add new transmission lines and generation sites needed to address the growing supply and demand challenges. Utilities...