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Tdworld 3222 Dsc01007 4
Tdworld 3222 Dsc01007 4
Tdworld 3222 Dsc01007 4
Tdworld 3222 Dsc01007 4

Distributed Power Flow Control Devices Integrated into Georgia Power’s EMS

Sept. 1, 2015
Georgia Power, the largest subsidiary of Southern Company, currently operates PowerLine Guardians on its transmission network in Atlanta

Smart Wires has integrated control and monitoring of its PowerLine Guardian devices into Georgia Power’s energy management system (EMS), marking an important step toward creating a dynamic grid.

Georgia Power, the largest subsidiary of Southern Company, currently operates PowerLine Guardians on its transmission network in Atlanta. The devices were first piloted in 2013 and have for the past two years demonstrated power flow control and real-time sensing capabilities. The success of this pilot prompted Georgia Power to expand its deployment in November 2014 and upgrade its fleet to the newest generation of PowerLine Guardians.

Georgia Power, the world’s first utility to integrate the PowerLine Guardian technology into its EMS, gains access to real-time grid data, such as line current, conductor temperature, vibration, sag angle and real-time fault location, as well as complete control and visibility of the PowerLine Guardian devices directly from the operator’s main control panel.

The technology allows power to be shifted away from overloaded lines and onto underutilized lines, thereby reducing congestion and ensuring reliable network operation. The resulting grid has greater resiliency and an increased capability of sourcing lower cost and renewable generation. The devices are installed on overhead line conductors and limit the electrical current flowing on the line by injecting magnetizing impedance. They can be operated autonomously, based on locally programmable set points, or controlled dynamically by the grid operator.

“The product changes the nature of transmission lines,” said Haroon Inam, chief technology officer at Smart Wires. “The PowerLine Guardian technology is designed to allow utilities to solve congestion issues, manage power flow and provide real-time data and analytics on the transmission system. The sensor data appear in the same applications and screen displays as the EMS, while providing the operator with the option for manual or automatic adjustments of impedance levels of specific network lines.”

The full integration of Smart Wires command software into the EMS lays the groundwork for increased widespread control and management with real-time sensor data.

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