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March 2015
ABB Power Update for North America

The right device in the right location

Intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) are one of the most powerful tools in an engineer’s toolkit to improve feeder reliability. They have the ability to isolate outages and restore service remotely to customers in unaffected sections of the feeder. But to realize maximum improvement, the correct device needs to be in the proper location. >> Learn what important quantifications of reliability improvements can be used to determine these factors.


Substation Automation
Enabling digital substations

A fully digital substation is smaller, more reliable, has a reduced life-cycle cost and is simpler to maintain and extend than an analog one. It also offers increased safety and is more efficient. However, not every substation needs to be catapulted into a wholesale digital world – it depends on the size and type, and whether it is new or a retrofit. Different approaches and solutions are available. >> Discover flexible solutions that ease utilities into the digital world.

>> I’d like to talk to someone about digital substations.

Transformers
Get the transformer you expect

Cost pressures are forcing many power transformer buyers to look beyond their national borders to lower the initial purchase price, but this comes with many risks. It is crucial that buyers stipulate detailed parameters in their specification or they risk equipment that fails to meet functional, safety and/or serviceability expectations. Over the expected lifecycle of the transformer, failure to factor these issues into the up-front specification can obliterate any initial cost advantage. To minimize the risk of transformer performance issues and/or unanticipated higher operational costs, buyers need to rethink how their initial purchase specification is written – especially when purchasing from new and distant manufacturers. >> How to get what you expect.

>> I’d like to talk with someone about transformers.

Wind Power Solutions
Five keys to wind farm bankability

Wind is on a fast track to provide an increasing percentage of our energy. However, it’s not without challenges. From site selection, to project development, to operations, producing energy from wind is not as easy as it might appear to the general public. To realize its potential, new wind farms must specify state-of-the-art technologies that easily integrate with existing power grid systems and maximize the efficiency for the owner/operator. >> Discover practical insights and best practices that influence project profitability.

>> I’d like to talk to someone about wind power solutions.

Wireless Communication
Using wireless communication networks to enable outage management

For decades, utilities have relied on customer phone calls and dispatching crews to the field to identify outage areas. They often received delayed and imprecise outage information, slowing power restoration. Utilities can improve customer satisfaction by deploying software, intelligent devices and network communications to implement a state-of-the-art outage management system. These technologies can minimize the scope and duration of outages and enable proactive engagement with affected customers. >> Learn more about the outage management evolution.

>> I’d like to talk to someone about wireless communication.

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