What's the next big smart grid investment in North America?*

In this exclusive interview, Gary Rackliffe, VP of ABB’s smart grids in North America, discusses the “emerging markets” of utility analytics and asset management. From software, to transmission, to energy storage, the entire smart grid spectrum is discussed. >> Read more about the latest smart grid market strategies.

*© 2013 Modern Markets Intelligence Inc. This article was reproduced from the January 22, 2013 issue of Smart Grid Today with the limited permission of the owner.

Edgy technology

Urban Dictionary defines edgy as “pushing the envelope, to be way out there, to be on the cutting edge.” Edgy technology takes many forms. Some of these are old technologies with a new twist, others are state of the art, and a few are still on the drawing board. Progressive change is driving technological evolution, which is bringing about improvements in the way the substation performs. In the early days, the substation engineer was limited by the tools available, but today they are more limited by what they are willing to accept. The industry no longer has a tool bag, but rather a tool chest at its disposal. >> Read more.    

Transmission & Distribution World substations special supplement

>> I'd like to talk to someone about Substations

Spanning the Alafia River

The Alafia River runs east and west through central Hillsborough County, Florida, separating the primary load centers in and around the city of Tampa from Tampa Electric Company's largest generation point at Big Bend Power Station in Apollo Beach. Inspectors identified significant corrosion-caused deficiencies on the structures supporting four of the utility's seven transmission circuits crossing the river. With the ever-present threat of severe weather during hurricane season, Tampa Electric faced potentially catastrophic dangers if the situation was not resolved quickly, including major interruptions — or worse. The clock was ticking, and the utility had one of the biggest projects in its history to execute. >> Read more

>> I'd like to talk to someone about lightning arresters

HVDC grows on the grid, from China to Oklaunion

China has put high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission on the front burner, but growing wind and solar power, and grid constraints are leading to projects around the world as well. We are seeing HVDC technology bridge hard-to-cross barriers in the US as well, whether in the San Francisco Bay, or across the Red River that divides the Texas (ERCOT) and Oklahoma (SPP) power grids. Right now, those two grids are tied together by the 30-year-old “Oklaunion” HVDC link power exchange facility -- a testament to the fact that using direct current is not a completely new trend. >> Read more

Transmission & Distribution World HVDC special supplement 

>> I'd like to talk to someone about HVDC

Bringing simplicity and reliability to medium-voltage distribution networks

Over the last decade, medium-voltage distribution networks have experienced significant changes thanks to the continuing evolution in technology. The IEC 61850 standard, for example, is driving innovation in energy distribution devices, enabling new functionalities and new architectures for medium voltage switchgear, while increasing standardization. Products featuring a higher degree of integration, component standardization and greater overall versatility are now available. Not only do they improve reliability, but they also reduce the installation and maintenance time and costs. >> Read more about these new technologies

>> I'd like to talk to someone about medium voltage products