ABB's Monthly Newsletter:  Products, services, people, technologies & events

October 2012

Feature

 

Like the plot of an action movie: transformers save the day

The electric grid, which keeps beer cold, houses warm, and city traffic from turning to chaos, depends on about 2,100 high-voltage transformers spread throughout the country. But engineers in the electric business and officials with the Department of Homeland Security have long been concerned that transformers are vulnerable to disruptions from extreme weather like hurricanes, terrorist and computer attacks, and even electrical disturbances from solar storms. And while replacing transformers is not technically difficult, it is a logistical and time-consuming nightmare that can take up to two years. Until now. The electrical industry and the government has carried out an emergency drill unlike any other to explore how quickly the country could recover from a crippling blow to the power grid – using transformers as the hero.
>> Find out how


>> Watch video

 

Highlights

 
Ventyx, an ABB company
 

How IT/OT convergence increases distribution system performance

Historically, information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) have developed along separate paths, with separate goals, operating in separate arenas. Now there is much to be gained by marrying, aligning, and integrating the work that goes on in both. IT/OT integration is happening across numerous sectors and industries. With the increasing sophistication and application of smart grid technologies in the electrical distribution industry, IT applications can now work in tandem with OT applications to increase distribution system performance. Read more about this successful marriage.>> Read More

>> I'd like to talk to someone about IT and OT convergence

 
Solar
 

10 ways to prepare your grid for solar interconnection

Nationwide, more and more utilities face policy mandates to adopt renewable generation. While integrating renewables, such as solar power, delivers clear payoffs, it requires utility professionals to successfully navigate regulatory hurdles, community relations, power quality control, and distribution management. Here are the 10 most critical steps utilities must undergo when integrating renewables.
>> Read More

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

 
Smart grid
 

IEC 61850 increases grid reliability

In response to a power industry consultant's request for help solving a utility’s reliability problem, engineers performed multiple tests using different scenarios. These tests were the consultant’s first exposure to the IEC 61850 standard and GOOSE messaging capabilities. Upon sharing the test results and procedures with the consultant, he was both pleased and surprised at the ability to initiate actions between devices without the need for physical IO, the ability to monitor GOOSE health, and the ease in which these actions were configurable using the relay’s engineering software. >> Read More

>> I'd like to talk to someone about smart grid

 
Battery energy storage systems
 

Facilitating wind integration and improving power performance with battery energy storage

Renewable energy penetration is only going to increase. Without a means to overcome the inevitable challenges, customers won’t fully appreciate the green and invaluable benefits, and utilities won’t see the optimized return on their investment. Fortunately, battery energy storage systems, along with smart grid converters, will play a major role in the emerging smart grid modernization movement of the 21st century, and these energy storage systems are already providing a feasible, proven, and commercially available solution. >> Read More

>> Id like to talk to someone about battery energy storage systems

 
White Papers
Read White Paper
The two sides of highly efficient data centers

>> Download Now

Read White Paper
A low-risk, low-cost five-step strategy for public power to build a smarter grid

>> Download Now

Videos      

Increase OEM engineering time and ease

>> Watch Now  

 

Smart Grid Center of Excellence virtual tour

>> Watch Now

       
FAQs about Generation Circuit Breakers (GCB) monitoring

>> Watch Now

 

Metering accuracy to increase the bottom line

>> Watch Now

Educational Opportunities
>> The power of safety and protection for
     underground systems

     Free webinar
     October 26, 2012 12:00 pm-1:00 pm EDT
>> Tropos Networks classroom training
>> Smart grid on demand webinars
>> Protective Relay School webinars
>> Ventyx webcasts >> Recloser classroom training
>> High voltage service classroom training >> Ventyx education & training services
>> T&D Protection and Control classroom
     training
>> Automation & Power World
     on demand webinars
     

Events
IEEE/PES Transformer Meeting
October 21-25, 2012
Milwaukee, WI
  Rural Smart Grid Summit
October 28-30, 2012
San Diego, CA
 
     
Power Gen International
December 11-13, 2012
Orlando, FL
 
     

For More Information
Click here to learn more about ABB Power Products and Power Systems offerings.
 
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