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Optimization is the process of making a system as good as possible. But even though the concept is simple, the practice is complex because it involves multiple variables and tradeoffs. In the case of the power grid, we must find just the right balance between reliability, availability, efficiency and cost. Fortunately, the smart grid offers solutions. First, smart devices gather information, providing a more accurate and detailed understanding. Second, smart software analyzes that data and suggests adjustments to wring maximum value from grid assets.


Results: 68 results found. You are on page 1 of 3 pages.

GE Smart Grid Acquisition Powers Up its Portfolio
GE has acquired SNC-Lavalin's Energy Control Systems, which improves the efficiency and reliability of power delivery. The Energy Control Systems software provides continuous monitoring and analysis and helps pinpoint possible power problems before they materialize.

Are We Building the Grid @$$ Backwards?
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With all the stimulus money (and press) focused on smart meters last year, you might think AMI is the only way to start a Smart Grid initiative. But Jesse Berst points to evidence the tide is turning and that grid applications may prove the quickest way for some utilities to demonstrate benefits. Click for his analysis.

Field Test: Wireless Sensors in Distribution Grid Slash Repair and Restoration Times
On-Ramp Wireless and Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories successfully completed a field test demonstrating that wireless sensors can be connected throughout the electricity distribution grid, significantly reducing the time needed to isolate, repair and restore service to customers.

All in One: AT&T and Petra Solar Merge Wireless, Solar and Smart Grid Technology
AT&T has agreed to offer Petra Solar's interactive solar electric systems which incorporate solar power generation and Smart Grid technology in one system. The offering will allow utilities to meet Renewable Portfolio Standards while investing in Smart Grid technologies.

SVC (Static Var Compensator) with Energy Storage
SVC Light with Energy Storage is a dynamic energy storage solution which combines SVC Light performance with the latest battery storage technology. It provides a new dimension in developing smart grids and cost effective, environmentally attractive, and high quality services for existing networks. SVC Light® is ABB's high performance STATCOM (static synchronous compensator). It can provide instantaneous and continuously variable reactive power in response to voltage fluctuations, thereby enhancing grid stability.

AT&T and CURRENT Group Team Up to Offer Grid Optimization and Asset Management Solutions
AT&T and CURRENT Group have joined forces to provide utilities with Smart Grid solutions designed to improve and enhance grid performance and asset management.

Press Release: GridPoint Provides Hoosier Energy with Load Management Solution
GridPoint, Inc., an established leader in smart energy solutions, announced today that its load management solution is being utilized by Hoosier Energy to reduce peak demand, make more efficient use of power supply resources and better control energy costs for its member electric distribution cooperatives. GridPoint’s centralized solution enables Hoosier Energy to aggregate and manage commercial and residential load served by its cooperatives, and provides individual co-ops the ability to execute targeted demand response events.

The Overlooked Standard That Could Unlock New Benefits
With all the Smart Grid standards now in the works, which ones are most essential? Smart Grid expert Dr. Dale McMullin argues that a single set of standards for geospatial interfaces and encodings deserve a spot on your "pay attention" list. Find out why.

Cisco Smart Grid: Company Unveils First of its "Connected Grid" Solutions
Cisco announced the first components of its Connected Grid array of Smart Grid communications solutions designed to help utilities more efficiently and reliably get electricity from power plants to homes and businesses.

The Six Most Important Smart Grid Trends
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Wait! Before you click inside to see which Smart Grid trends Jesse Berst thinks are most important right now, think about what you’d put on your own list. If Jesse’s got it right, the top trends he’s identified ought to be pretty close to yours. Find out why.

Now Is the Time to Develop Industry Standard Load Models for Voltage Optimization
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Voltage optimization for energy savings can be an attractive energy conservation investment. But as EPRI Research Director Mark McGranaghan points out, the unknown for evaluating the impact of voltage optimization is the response of different types of loads to the voltage reduction. He says a new industry-wide initiative that addresses the modeling need from two different approaches is required. He details both inside.

Smart Grids and Smart Highways Go Together Like Synchrophasors and Solar
Lighting for a large Oregon freeway interchange has been supplied in part by solar energy since late 2008. But the project will get a significant upgrade when Schweitzer Engineering's synchrophasor technology is integrated into the solar highway project to protect power quality and reliability.

Voltage Dip Immunity of Equipment and Installations
Voltage dips (also known as “voltage sags”) are short-duration reductions in voltage magnitude. Their duration is typically between a few cycles of the power-system frequency and a few seconds. The interest in voltage dips is mainly due to their impact on end-user equipment. Industrial processes may malfunction or shut down due to a voltage dip resulting in significant financial losses. Voltage dips are due to short-duration increases in current magnitude, whereas voltage dips due to short circuits and earth faults are of most concern for customers. This report presents the results from an international working group sponsored by CIGRE, CIRED and UIE aimed at improving the understanding of the compatibility between installations and the electricity supply.

Transmission Efficiency Initiative: Energy Loss Savings with PATH Project
The objective of this short paper is to demonstrate the benefits of the Potomac-Appalachian transmission highline (PATH) project for improving transmission system efficiency and reducing carbon emissions. The paper includes tasks, approach, and savings from the new line design.

Smart Grid Demand Response: Schneider Electric Reveals Ambitious Plans to Create Virtual Power Plants
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Company execs told Jesse Berst they were able to save 1 1/2 cents per kilowatt hour when they applied their new demand response initiative to NYC’s Rockefeller Center. Now Schneider Electric is targeting 200 of Chicago’s biggest buildings and expects to pull 150 MW out of the current demand of 800 MW. But energy efficiency is just part of this intriguing story. Jesse explains how if you follow the money you’ll see that Schneider may be onto something big.

Press Release: RuggedCom and CURRENT Group Collaborate to Deliver Integrated Advanced Smart Grid Applications for Distribution Automation using WiMAX
RuggedCom Inc. (“RuggedCom”) (TSX:RCM), a leading provider of rugged communications networking solutions designed for mission-critical applications in harsh environments, and CURRENT Group, LLC, a provider of innovative and industry-leading intelligent and optimized solutions to monitor and manage the distribution grid, announced today that they will collaborate to jointly deliver integrated smart grid infrastructure and advanced applications for distribution automation. The integrated solution will enable electric utilities to improve the reliability and efficiency of the distribution grid, speed integration of renewable and distributed energy resources, and reduce technical losses and total load of their distribution system in a timely, more secure and more cost-effective manner.

Control4 Gives Its Home Energy Management Platform a Turbo Charge
Control4 has introduced new software designed to help utilities make the most of power management programs over a network of households, and make it easier for consumers to manage their household power use.

Smart Grid Optimization: The Next Wave?
We talked for many years about "managing" distribution networks and "visualizing" them or making them "more efficient." Now people in the know are beginning to talk seriously about "optimizing" the Smart Grid. Click inside where I’ll tell you about an intriguing young company that claims to have the “secret sauce” for grid optimization – and big plans to stir things up.

Cut Transmission Line Loss by More than 50%? EPRI Points the Way
A new report from the Electric Power Research Institute suggests efficiency gains using superconducting DC transmission lines could be significant.

The Transmission Smart Grid Imperative
This paper puts forth the argument that growth of large central station wind and solar farms, a national priority, will be stymied until existing transmission capacity is increased using new technology (FACTS, optimized transmission dispatch, high capacity conductors, advanced storage, etc.) along with the addition of new high capacity high voltage direct current (HVDC)—800 kV—and high voltage alternating current (HVAC)—765 kV lines. Bottom line: while it is true that today’s transmission is more advanced than distribution, the transition to a smart grid requires much more transmission capability and now is the time to make the required investment.

Can You Adopt the Smart Grid Now? Verizon and CURRENT Want to Jumpstart Utilities
Verizon and the CURRENT Group team up to provide utilities with a way to more quickly implement the capabilities of the Smart Grid by coupling CURRENT's intelligent distributed sensing with an IP-based solution from communications giant Verizon. We told you cellular is coming on strong.

Finally, Sophisticated Command and Control Comes to Smart Grid
You want the big boys on your side? Global security giant Lockheed Martin has released its Smart Energy Enterprise Suite that offers utilities improved command and control. Jesse caught a sneak preview a while back and says the LM folks know their stuff.

The Functionalities and Benefits of a Two-Way Centralized Volt/VAR Control and Dynamic Voltage Optimization
In working with CURRENT Group beginning in September 2008, Xcel Energy has deployed a two-way centralized Volt/VAR Control solution in Boulder as part of the SmartGridCity project. With numerous charts and technical detail, this white paper provides a comprehensive look at the functionality and benefits of an more advanced, integrated, and centralized voltage and VAR control solution.

Superconducting Fault Current Limiters
Electric utilities have pursued devices that can limit fault current levels in transmission and distribution systems while remaining “electrically invisible” under nominal conditions. These fault current limiters (FCLs) have the potential to significantly alleviate power system stress in locations where fault current magnitudes are expected to increase beyond the duty of existing circuit breakers. Today’s superconducting materials can meet the performance requirements of power system components. As a result, a significant portion of proposed FCL designs use superconducting materials to achieve the limiting action. This report investigates the current status of these superconducting fault current limiter (SFCL) technologies and describes ongoing efforts to use them in electric power grids.

Program on Technology Innovation: Transient Response of a Superconducting DC Long Length Cable System
This report supports development of a superconducting, long-distance, high-power capacity DC transmission system configured with multiple taps such that power can be easily be injected from generating plants and removed to serve loads all along the cable. The technology that will enable the construction of such a system is based on so-called "voltage source converters." The superconducting cable used for transfer of the power will have zero dc conduction losses. These technologies, when commercially available, could make a high-voltage DC system perform in ways similar to present-day ac systems by facilitating tapping of the dc circuit. This would make DC more competitive with ac for high-power corridor applications.

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The Smart Grid is a bi-directional electric and communication network that improves the reliability, security, and efficiency of the electric system for small to large-scale generation, transmission, distribution, and storage.

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“an automated, widely distributed energy delivery network characterized by a two-way flow of electricity and information, capable of monitoring and responding to changes in everything from power plants to ...



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