Transmission and Distribution
How Best to Spend $450 Billion on Power Grid
Today’s power grid is suffering from a backlog in capital investment. While electrical power demand surged over recent years, electrical industry restructuring left utilities in a state of suspended animation. It is unclear who is responsible to make sure power… Read more
Apr 23, 2014 | By Edvard Csanyi
Transmission and Distribution
5 technologies to boost efficiency in the T&D system
One example of efficiency measures aimed primarily at the utilities that operate the T&D system is an initiative underway at the US Department of Energy to implement new efficiency standards for distribution transformers. These are the grey cylinders you see… Read more
Apr 18, 2014 | By Edvard Csanyi
Transmission and Distribution
3 awesome HVDC projects in Australia you should know about
Modern HVDC systems combines the good experience of the old installations with recently developed technologies and materials. The result is a very competitive, flexible and efficient way of transmitting electrical energy with a very low environmental impact. It is important… Read more
Apr 16, 2014 | By Edvard Csanyi
High Voltage
Hey Mom, look at that big HVDC Transformer!
HVDC transformers are key components of HVDC stations. HVDC converter and inverter stations terminate long-distance DC transmission lines or DC sea cables. This type of transformer provides the interface between AC grids and high power rectifiers and are used to… Read more
Mar 19, 2014 | By Edvard Csanyi
Power Substation
How To Locate Current Transformers in HV Substation
Current transformers are used for protection, instrumentation, metering and control. It is only the first function that has any bearing on the location of the current transformer. Ideally the current transformers should be on the power source side of the circuit… Read more
Mar 14, 2014 | By Edvard Csanyi
High Voltage
8 main disadvantages of HVDC transmission
Few weeks back I posted an article about advantages of HVDC over HVAC transmission systems. Advantages of HVDC are numerous and very well recognized, but like everything on this earth this system has other side too. The eight main disadvantages… Read more
Jan 10, 2014 | By Edvard Csanyi
Transformers
Large power transformer tailored to customers’ specifications
An LPT (Large Power Transformer) is a large, custom-built piece of equipment that is a critical component of the bulk transmission grid. Because LPTs are very expensive and tailored to customers’ specifications, they are usually neither interchangeable with each other… Read more
Dec 30, 2013 | By Edvard Csanyi
Smart Grid
Comparison of major power grid failures in US and around the world (2)
Continued from first part: Comparison of major grid failures in United States and around the world (part 1) On the International side, about 1/5 of the power outages (9 of 44) were not given a cause in the reports. A… Read more
Dec 27, 2013 | By Edvard Csanyi
Smart Grid
Comparison of major power grid failures in US and around the world (1)
The creation and delivery of power is one basic infrastructure expected by all modern industrial societies. Power distribution basics started in the US in the early 1900s when the first AC grid was established. Since 12 independent power grids were… Read more
Dec 25, 2013 | By Edvard Csanyi
Transmission and Distribution
An overview of South Africa’s energy sector with emphasis on increased demands
Electricity provision involves three phases: generation, transmission and distribution. Generation is the process by which electricity is produced; transmission is the transportation of electricity that has been generated in power stations via high voltage, long distance power lines to local… Read more
Dec 20, 2013 | By Edvard Csanyi
High Voltage
What are the main advantages of HVDC over HVAC transmission
Despite alternating current being the dominant mode for electric power transmission, in a number of applications, the advantages of HVDC makes it the preferred option over AC transmission. Examples include: Undersea cables where high capacitance causes additional AC losses (e.g.,… Read more
Dec 18, 2013 | By Edvard Csanyi
Transmission and Distribution
Germany’s electricity networks outlook – Today and tommorow
Germany’s electricity supply is currently based on a reliable and powerful network infrastructure. But to manage the energy transition, it is essential to keep distribution networks efficiently in balance by means of sensor, management and control systems depending on the… Read more
Dec 16, 2013 | By Edvard Csanyi
Transmission and Distribution
An overview of Australia’s electricity transmission networks
In Australia, there are transmission networks in each state and territory, with cross‐border interconnectors that link some networks. The National Electricity Market (NEM) in eastern and southern Australia provides a fully interconnected transmission network from Queensland through to New South… Read more
Dec 13, 2013 | By Edvard Csanyi
Power Substation
Example of standard MV/LV network structure
Example network above consists of: MV consumer substation; Two MV ratings: 20 kV and 6 kV; The main MV switchboard fed at 20 kV can be backed up by a set of four generators. It feeds: An MV 20 kV… Read more
Dec 11, 2013 | By Edvard Csanyi
Smart Grid
Billion Dollar Storms vs U.S. Electric Grid
Severe weather is the single leading cause of power outages in the United States. Outages caused by severe weather such as thunderstorms, hurricanes and blizzards account for 58 percent of outages observed since 2002 and 87 percent of outages affecting… Read more
Dec 09, 2013 | By Edvard Csanyi
