Microgrids: Consulting-specifying engineers must be ready

Microgrids appear poised for a wide adoption. As a result, consulting-specifying engineers should be aware of how microgrids affect substation designs in commercial and industrial applications.

DC Power Systems: Keep Your Eyes Open

As efficiency becomes a dominant mantra today and in the future, dc is getting another look.

Remembering Stan Klein

Stan always brought a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to whatever group or organization he engaged.

Looking Ahead: Resolving Overlapping Scopes

How do we best deal with these various individual groups that are growing and migrating into overlapping areas of interest?

Six Organizations that Influence Grid Modernization

Take a look at influential organizations that are shaping the landscape of grid modernization, each in their own way.

Setting Standards: The Benefits to Getting Involved

This week let's step back and ensure that CSEs understand the benefits of being involved in the standards setting process.

The Process of Setting Standards

A grasp of the standards-setting process is invaluable for day-to-day work.

Data Encryption for Substations

Encryption has become standard practice in other verticals that depend on online data transfers, such as online banking and shopping.

Substation Insights: A Recap of 2012

Let’s take look at the topics of 2012 before plunging into the new year.

DC power and renewable resources

The use of DC for technology that could consume renewable energy (RE) or for an RE-related interconnection into the electric utility is of particular interest.

Ethernet network design issues in the substation

Intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) are including Ethernet for communications between each other.

Designing substations, transformers for bi-directional power flow, Part II

In a large commercial solar or wind farm, both the utility and the facility owner want to know how much power is flowing onto the grid.

Designing substations and transformers for bi-directional power flow

Interconnection of transformers in substations that need to accommodate the bi-directional flow of power.

Substation automation and automation of the control house

In place of hardwired control panels of the past, some sort of a human machine interface is being installed in substations.

Accommodating bi-directional power flow in substation design

Address aspects of your client’s substation design to accommodate the bi-directional flow of power.

Political and regulatory patchwork governs interconnection policies

There are many ways in which politics and regulation can affect the interconnection of distributed energy sources.

Substation physical security back on the front burner

Physical security for electrical substations has acquired new urgency and requires fresh thinking.

Addressing time synchronization issues, related standards work

Learn to finesse the issues of system design and the selection of devices in the market.

Assessing vendor claims on time resolution in IEDs

Here are some tips for assessing vendors' devices that accept time inputs.

Designing a time synchronization source

A challenge in designing a substation is to time synchronize all connected devices, which requires proper design.

Selecting a protection and control automation system

A few guidelines will help engineers avoid automation or controls pitfalls and make the best choice for their industrial clients.

‘Big data’ and the need for improved time synchronization standards

Without time synchronization, vast streams of data have limited use.

Assessing the interface: Industrial customers and the utility

Two factors should be high priorities for the engineer designing industrial control systems and their utility interface.

Look under the hood: IEC 61850 for DER interconnections

Engineers should consider IEC 61850, which is being considered as a communications protocol.

Industrials and the utility: standards for interconnection save money

There will be greater interest and need to interconnect distributed energy resources with the local electric utility.

For communications interop, follow protocols

Industrial devices will have a greater need to communicate outside of the industrial facility—whether that's to the local utility, a service provider, or their own renewable resource generation facility.

Stopping industrial hackers: Cyber security for IEDs

Let’s examine cyber security issues as they pertain to intelligent electronic devices (IEDs).