Wind Power
Is There Enough Wind on My Site?
Does the wind blow hard and consistently enough at my site to make a small wind turbine system economically worthwhile? That is a key question and not always easily answered. The wind resource can vary significantly over an area of… Read more
Jan 19, 2011 | By Edvard Csanyi
Wind Power
What Do Wind Systems Cost?
A small turbine can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $35,000 installed, depending on size, application, and service agreements with the manufacturer. (The American Wind Energy Association [AWEA] says a typical home wind system costs approximately $32,000 (10 kW); a comparable… Read more
Jan 18, 2011 | By Edvard Csanyi
Transformers
What Are Partial Discharges On Cast Resin Transformers?
Partial discharges are electrical discharges occuring in insulating materials. The electrical discharge’s path only spans part of the insulating distance separating the conductors. The problem of partial discharges, whilst not existing in Low Voltage, is found in High and Very… Read more
Jan 17, 2011 | By Edvard Csanyi
Cables
Oxidation Of Conductors
High-resistance oxides form very quickly on aluminum and copper conductors expose to air. Once the oxides are stabilized, they prevent further oxidation of the parent metal; however, due to this high electrical resistance, these oxides must be broken or removed… Read more
Jan 16, 2011 | By Edvard Csanyi
Industrial Automation
Information flow in the human-machine interface
Operators play an important part in the human-machine dialogue.They must use the information they have to perform actions that make the machines and installations run properly without endangering safety and availability. It is therefore crucial that the interfaces and dialogue… Read more
Jan 15, 2011 | By Edvard Csanyi
IEC Standards
EN61800-3 (IEC1800-3) – Adjustable speed electrical power drive systems
The countries of the European Economic Area (EEA) have agreed on common minimum regulatory requirements in order to ensure the free movement of products within the EEA. The CE marking indicates that the product works in conformity with the directives… Read more
Jan 14, 2011 | By Edvard Csanyi
Power Substation
Security for Substation Communications
Until recently the term “security,” when applied to SCADA communication systems, meant only the process of ensuring message integrity in the face of electrical noise and other disturbances to the communications. But, in fact, “security” also has a much broader… Read more
Jan 13, 2011 | By Edvard Csanyi
High Voltage
Gas-Insulated Transmission Line – GIL
The gas-insulated transmission line (GIL) is a system for the transmission of electricity at high power ratings over long distances. In cases where overhead lines are not possible, the GIL is a viable technical solution to bring the power transmitted… Read more
Jan 12, 2011 | By Edvard Csanyi
SCADA
SCADA Security Attacks
SCADA systems are used to control and monitor physical processes, examples of which are transmission of electricity, transportation of gas and oil in pipelines, water distribution, traffic lights, and other systems used as the basis of modern society. The security… Read more
Jan 10, 2011 | By Edvard Csanyi
Power Substation
Reasons for Substation Grounding System
There are many parameters that have an effect on the voltages in and around the substation area. Since voltages are site-dependent, it is impossible to design one grounding system that is acceptable for all locations. The grid current, fault duration,… Read more
Jan 09, 2011 | By Edvard Csanyi
Power Substation
Relationship Between Earthquakes And Substations
To secure and protect substation equipment from damage due to a seismic event, the relationship between earthquakes and substation components must first be understood. Earthquakes occur when there is a sudden rupture along a preexisting geologic fault. Shock waves that… Read more
Jan 09, 2011 | By Edvard Csanyi
Environment
Renewables And The Impact On Environment
Alternative energy sources, especially with regard to air emissions. The likely life-cycle emissions (taking into account fuel cultivation, harvesting, collection, transportation and processing, as well as power plant construction, operation and decommissioning) from main renewable energy technologies and conventional electricity… Read more
Jan 08, 2011 | By Edvard Csanyi
Energy Efficiency
NEMA TP1 Energy Efficiency Standard
Most commercial and industrial facilities require several low-voltage transformers to decrease the voltage received from the utility to the voltages used by various loads such as lighting, computers and other electrically operated equipment. Standard transformers convert approximately 95% of the… Read more
Jan 08, 2011 | By Edvard Csanyi
Solar Power
Solar Energy And Silver
The solar industry isn’t the largest consumer of silver, but it is a growing market that could give silver producers a boost. Most of the markets that silver serves follow traditional supply-demand economics and therefore competition is based on price,… Read more
Jan 07, 2011 | By Edvard Csanyi
Transformers
Transformer Losses Standards
Unlike many countries around the world, Europe has no mandatory standard on energy efficiency of distribution transformers. The two main documents which describe losses in transformers are: the European Standard EN 50464-1, which has superseded the harmonised document HD428 for… Read more
Jan 07, 2011 | By Edvard Csanyi
