Available Now for On Demand Viewing
Our distinguished Transmission & Distribution World editors are pleased to offer web seminars on technical issues that must be addressed to advance the industry. Whether we are discussing the details related to transformer monitoring, replacement of wood pole fleets, the emergence of mobile field computing or the future of the intelligent grid, our editors work with interested participants to host web seminars bringing you expert panelists with insights, strategies and tactics you can implement.
New Airborne Engineering Techniques Grab Both Direct Thermal and Conductor Location Data
Sponsored by: URMC
The presentations will provide an overview of the technology and recent testing validated by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) which demonstrates Direct Thermal’s accuracy for measuring conductor temperatures at a 95 percent confidence level
Transformer Life Extension, Operations & Maintenance
Sponsored by: Doble
Moderated by Gene Wolf of Transmission & Distribution World, participants to this one-hour webinar will receive an overview of issues critical to extract the most out of a transformer. Materials were excerpted from presentations at the “Life of a Transformer” Seminar hosted by Doble.
Topics include the economics of transformer life as well as effective testing and monitoring for condition assessment, and maintenance techniques. The ‘economics’ introduction will be provided by Don Schubert of Marsh USA. Panelists will include Richard K. Ladroga, Paul Griffin and Rick Youngblood.
Smart Grid Network Technologies and the Role of Satellite Communications
Sponsored by: iDirect
The goal of the presentation is to provide an overview of utility communication technologies and outline the value of VSAT satellite and where it fits in with communications networks currently used to support the smart grid. In this presentation, iDirect will share key findings and implications. These include:
- A brief overview of smart grid networking applications and emerging communications technology requirements for each application
- High-level comparisons of how various networking options best meet these requirements including specifically terrestrial, microwave, cellular vs. satellite
- Smart Grid Networking Example-Southern California Edison
- Current applications and use cases that show how utility companies are successfully integrating different transport technologies to develop a smart grid communications network
Attendees Will Learn:
- Which transport technologies are best suited by both functionally and cost of ownership to support emerging smart grid applications
- When satellite communications may have the right fit to support substation automation, network resilience and security, facility safety, smart metering and AMI
- Early successes from utility companies that have begun to build out a smart grid communications network
Increasing Capacity On Overhead Lines
Sponsored by: Alcan/Promethean
While Utilities have been making significant investments in both upgrades and new overhead transmission, existing circuits are still becoming increasingly congested. We now have access to advanced line monitoring technologies and tools that can safely and reliably increase capacity on our overhead lines.
A transmission line’s physical properties, present condition, and operational limits can never be ignored, but asset utilization can now be increased reliably and optimized in real-time. While experts estimate that only small percentage of transmission circuits actually limit grid transfer capability, these circuits are responsible for a 10% to 20% loss in capacity. Both conductor temperature and line-to-ground clearance define, and then limit, maximum transmission line loading (ratings or Ampacity), but line ratings themselves are based on very conservative calculations and are almost always static.
Game Changers Series On Demand Viewing
Game Changers - Session 8: Software Giants and the Home Area Network
Sponsored by: Burns & McDonnell and GE
Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at 2:00pm ET/11:00am PT
Join Burns & McDonnell, GE and their clients as they introduce online discussions that will challenge your thinking, starting with how phasor measuring devices are changing the economics of power delivery.
Game Changers - Session 7: Smart Grid Telecom
Sponsored by: Burns & McDonnell and GE
Game Changers - Session 6: Bringing Together Utility Operations and IT for Smart Grid Success
Sponsored by: Burns & McDonnell and GE
Game Changers - Session 5: Asset Optimization (Monitoring and Diagnostics)
Sponsored by: Burns & McDonnell and GE
With the advent of imbedded intelligent sensors in our substations we have the ability to better understand the aging stresses put on the system.
Game Changers - Session 4: Distribution Optimization (Volt/VAR Control)
Sponsored by: Burns & McDonnell and GE
With the advent of imbedded intelligent sensors in our substations we have the ability to better understand the aging stresses put on the system. At the same time, data collected from individual devices allows the utilities to better analyze the health of substation assets to maximize value from the grid.
Game Changers - Session 3: Smart Metering/Advanced Metering Infrastructure
Sponsored by: Burns & McDonnell and GE
Advanced Metering Infrastructure is sweeping the globe. According to a recent poll of utility executives, 63% believe that smart metering will be the first of the smart grid components to see wide-scale utility adoption. But AMI is more than two way metering.
Game Changers - Session 2: Large Battery Storage
Sponsored by: Burns & McDonnell and GE
With technologies now available, we are seeing utility scale storage battery systems being designed and built to economically address distribution reliability issues. Whether installations are connected to the utility grid to help control areas deal with stability issues or on feeders to reduce peak demand, utilities increasingly look to add battery storage to their networks.
Game Changers - Session 1: Synchrophasors
Sponsored by: Burns & McDonnell and GE
Large Scale blackouts and overloaded systems have taken their toll. With emerging synchrophasor technology, a utility can measure the state of the transmission grid system by monitoring a property called phase angle along with system voltage. With subsequent intelligent tools, utilities can track and set power flow limits based on phase angle differences.
With information gained from synchrophasors, grid operators can now be alerted to dynamic instability situations and take appropriate actions to avoid voltage collapse and large-scale blackouts.
