Standard & Poor's Associate Director Gabe Grosberg discusses the factors influencing the credit quality of U.S. electric transmission companies in this CreditMatters TV segment. He also provides S&P's outlook for the sector, which includes an increase in investment and competition.
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.
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.
Former FERC commissioner Suedeen Kelly discusses from a regulatory perspective the multi-layered complexities in reforming the large-scale electricity distribution infrastructure in the United States and provides suggestions for how to overcome the political and practical roadblocks to modernizing and extending the grid.
The original electric power grid has been called “the most complex machine on earth,” and the Smart Grid is even more advanced. Yet it is quite manageable if you take it one piece at a time, which is exactly the point of our Smart Grid 101 series. Check out this brief overview of the infrastructure that transports electricity from where it is made – coal plants or hydroelectric dams, for instance – to the homes, businesses and industries where it’s consumed. Maybe you know this stuff, but chances are you know someone who doesn't. Feel free to pass it along.
Face it, we have a long way to go before home energy management is dinner table conversation -- or energy storage options are discussed around the office water cooler. But that's the point of our Smart Grid 101 series. You may know the basics, but you may know someone who doesn't. So feel free to pass the links around. This installment focuses on the outlook for worldwide electric power generation and the move from a Petroleum Economy to an Electricity Economy over the next 30 years. It also explains how the electric grid -- the all-important “middleware” that ties the generation of electrical power to its end use – suffers from years of neglect and deferred maintenance.
Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) researchers have an ongoing effort to research and develop sensor technologies and the associated infrastructure needed to aid utilities in addressing an aging transmission fleet, as well as to increase the capacity of existing assets, and help develop the next generation of equipment and technologies. Research and development efforts are underway in the following areas: Application of Sensor Information; Sensor Developments; Communication and Sensor Data Collection; Security; Power Harvesting and Algorithms and Data Visualization. In this white paper a review of these areas, from sensor applications to visualization, is described for transmission lines and substations.
This report presents an overview and analysis of wireless power transmission, also called wireless power transfer (WPT), a means of delivering power from a source to an end-use device without wires or contacts. The recent explosive growth in wireless data applications and the surge in the use of portable electronic devices has dramatically increased the market potential for wireless energy-transfer technologies. Industries are investigating the latest wireless power technologies to improve versatility, reduce costs, maintain connectivity, and eliminate the need to replace batteries. This study summarizes the current market for WPT technologies, describes commercially available products, and analyzes both the competitive potential of WPT and the risks and obstacles associated with its widespread adoption.
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.
EPRI is working with a number of leading utility organizations to explore needs and research gaps in the area of reducing transmission losses and to identify steps that could lead to making our transmission system more efficient and ultimately help reduce the carbon footprint. This report provides a synthesis of the key findings and conclusions from a series of
workshops, including a plan for an industry-wide demonstration effort and next steps to improving the efficiency of the transmission system.
The electric power industry itself is the largest user of electricity. EPRI is working with a number of leading utility organizations to explore and research ways to reduce delivery losses in transmission. As part of this effort, Distribution Green Circuits is identifying and implementing a variety of distribution efficiency options and evaluating their effectiveness by comparing the results with previously established baselines. EPRI’s Transmission Efficiency Initiative has the same objectives but focuses on transmission.
Industrial electrical equipment is often affected by power supply disturbances, commonly attributable to the general-purpose AC relay. Referred to as an “ice cube” relay due its clear plastic cover that resembles a square ice cube, these AC-powered relays may be susceptible to many voltage sags that do not affect other elements of a control system, thus making them the “Achilles heel.” This paper discusses the basics of the relay, documents the power quality issues related to these devices, and includes case study references.
This cases study highlights the opportunities and challenges involved in SDG&E's Sunrise Powerlink project that includes a 120-mile electric transmission line from Imperial Valley to San Diego, carrying 1,000 megawatts of power – enough energy for 650,000 homes - and facilitating development of 1,000 MW of renewable energy potential in California's Imperial Valley region.
The Smart Grid Stakeholder Roundtable Group developed this document to provide principles for utilities and other smart grid project developers as they begin to plan and implement upgrades to their metering infrastructures, transmission and distribu1on networks.
Advanced sensor technology could change the way in which the power delivery grid is operated by moving from a deterministic approach to a probabilistic approach based on sensor information. Utilities may be able to extend the life of existing power generation and delivery assets via improved knowledge of their condition.
This paper presents a vision of the next generation monitoring, assessment and control functions in a future control center, which will be fully automated, decentralized and based on wide-area measurement. The paper points out the technology and infrastructure gaps to fill to fully implement future control centers, as well as a roadmap towards the proposed vision. This vision is expected to be a critical part of the future smart transmission grid. The other authors of this paper are Fangxing Li from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and Navin Bhatt from American Electric Power (AEP).
Presented by WIRES, a national coalition of entities dedicated to investment in a strong, well-planned and environmentally beneficial high voltage electric transmission system in place, this presentation provides detailed illustrations of past transmission systems and the new systems needed for the Smart Grid.
Energy Storage adds a sixth dimension to the electricity value chain.Storage Technologies are now providing the reliability and performance required; life time cost is still high but reducing as volumes increase.
The nation is in critical need of new transmission infrastructure to eliminate transmission bottlenecks that reduce system reliability and raise energy costs for electricity users. In this video, AEP explains its vision of a nationwide interstate transmission system modeled after the national interstate highway network. AEP believes its vision, conceptually known as I-765, will efficiently deliver wholesale power regionally within a competitive market while enhancing regional reliability.
A 14-page white paper from the Canadian Electricity Association that summarizes the common problems shared by the U.S. and Canada and proposes ways to collaborate on solutions. Focuses on three major opportunities: 1) grid expansion and modernization; 2) security; and 3) environmental and climate change initiatives. Written for policymakers and regulators.
Overcoming clean energy infrastructure challenges and reducing America's dependence on foreign oil is the theme for the forum covered in this video. Participants in the discussion include Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), former President Bill Clinton, former Vice President Al Gore, former U.S. Senator and United Nations Foundation President Timothy Wirth, business leader and clean energy advocate T. Boone Pickens and Center for American Progress Action Fund President John Podesta. The discussion cites inadequate access to transmission as one of the most significant barriers to widespread development of renewable energy.
A 50-page white paper that lays out a vision for the Smart Grid. Includes mention of the barriers, a description of the major initiatives, and a discussion of key technologies. Even though the report was prepared by a regional transmission operator, it discusses the distribution and customer aspects of the Smart Grid as well as the transmission side. Includes an extensive bibliography. Written to an intermediate audience.
A 40-page report that investigates energy storage for the grid. Includes an overview of the applications, the barriers, and the regulatory issues, with special attention to the potential of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Concludes with policy and research recommendations to the DOE. Written to a business audience.
A 25-page presentation from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory to the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners. Despite the clumsy title, the presentation includes a useful summary of a PNNL demand response pilot and progress on advanced phasor visualization and decision support tools. It also suggests where there are gaps in current knowledge and where to target future research and demonstrations to create a national transmission strategy.
We're getting mixed signals about the vitality of the smart grid market. On the one hand, the recent DistribuTECH conference was one of the most successful ever. On the other, a well-known Wall Street analyst recently told his clients that the smart metering sector is "facing several headwinds," including weak regulatory support in the U.S. and delays in European adoption. Taking the pulse of the smart grid industry is this week's Tuesday Topic.
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