Weekly Brief

How Sensors Help Utilities Manage Energy Distribution

Utilities Tech Outlook | Wednesday, September 18, 2019

https://penetration-testing.thecybersecurityreview.com/vendors/top-penetration-testing-services-companies.html

The utility distribution network brings new perspectives to energy management systems with the help of smart sensor technology.  

FREMONT, CA: The power sector has been experiencing many latest developments that not only revive interest in research and development but also leads to important socio-economic and other non-tangible advantages for society as a whole. Smart grid, as an intelligent power generation, distribution, and control system, needs several communication systems to meet its requirements. The ability to communicate seamlessly across various networks and domains is an open issue which is yet to be adequately addressed in smart grid architectures. Increased awareness of the environmental impact and carbon footprint from all energy sources, including electricity generation, has provided impetus to renewable and alternate energy development and adoption. The second significant development that influences electrical power sector is the advent of energy system deregulation and the shift away from the vertically integrated utility business model. 

Stay ahead of the industry with exclusive feature stories on the top companies, expert insights and the latest news delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe today.

The increase of smart grid is a boon not only for society as a whole, but for all those engaged in the power industry, their clients, and their many stakeholders. The primary feature of sensors is to obtain information on the substation yard from energy machineries such as transformers, circuit breakers, and energy lines. Wide frequency bandwidth, broad dynamic range, and high precision are the primary benefits of sensors. Also, these new sensors enable the implementation of surveillance and control.

Also See: Top Precision Manufacturing Services Companies

Technological progression, sensor penetration, deployment of sophisticated protective devices, communications facility, computing, and level of automation deployed by distribution utilities differ widely across the world. The distribution network systems are undergoing a substantial shift from analog devices to digital. Moreover, in many distribution systems, it is hard to justify large investments in modernization and digital controls, owing to factors like customer density on circuits, circuit settings, and component age. Thus, there is a chance to improve the reliability and resilience of the distribution systems through the incorporation of advanced technologies.

The second generation of technology for distribution automation has been introduced very recently. Outage Management Systems (OMS) have been implemented over the previous decade, providing higher visibility in distribution circuits and supporting operators in making restoration choices. Some utilities have introduced sophisticated automation systems to find faults, isolate faulty sections, and restore the remaining sections to service automatically. These systems are typically cost-effective, similar to first-generation automation systems, only in regions with elevated client density per mile of line and on overhead lines with exposure to environmental circumstances that decrease reliability and impair recovery. However, it is unlikely that these second-generation technologies are deployed in lower density rural areas, as the potential benefits do not typically justify the increased costs.

Compared to transmission systems, which have a greater deployment of sensors, therefore provide operators with a much stronger awareness of system behavior and operation, and often local distribution utilities only track circuit breaker status and evaluate feeder current and voltage as they leave the substation and not at other places on the circuit. Although this surveillance level is unusual, some utilities started installing automation sensing and fault current indicators on feeders themselves. Most distribution utilities, therefore, continue to depend on client calls to help locate faults. Utilities without a distribution substation SCADA use client calls in the most rudimentary instances to report outages and restore and repair immediate service.

Check Out : Top Sensor Tech Solution Companies

The combination of high precision voltage sensors in the distribution scheme allows utilities to satisfy these reliability and power quality requirements efficiently, offering the information required to make critical grid choices and changes. The installation of metering class sensors on a recloser can help maximize the recloser's flexibility and implementation versatility. This enables utilities to improve grid reliability, resilience, and energy quality as well as decrease peak demand, losses in distribution lines, and carbon emissions. 

See Also : Energy Tech Review

More in News

Bangkok, Thailand , - Enlit Asia has successfully concluded its Thailand Roadshow, focused on "Catalyzing Thailand’s Green Energy Transition." Held in Bangkok at Tilleke & Gibbins’ office on April 30, 2024, the event witnessed over 200 registered attendees, with a full house onsite. Woranon Chansiri, Director of the International Affairs Division at the Ministry of Energy, Thailand, emphasized Thailand's commitment to sustainable energy. He urged collaboration and innovation to overcome obstacles and achieve environmental goals, highlighting the importance of partnerships for driving sustainable solutions. Chansiri's address served as a call to action for stakeholders to unite for a greener energy future. Supasit Boonsanong, Partner and Head of Energy at Tilleke & Gibbins, delved into Thailand's energy outlook, spotlighting initiatives such as the National Energy Plan (NEP) 2024. He outlined the plan's goals and emphasized emerging technologies like Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS). Boonsanong also addressed the New Renewable and Alternative Energy Development Plan (AEDP) 2024, including hydrogen as a significant alternative, alongside pilot projects, incentives, and support mechanisms to facilitate its adoption. Chatchai Mawong, Assistant Governor of Power Plant Engineering and Construction of Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) delivered a compelling discourse on EGAT's strategic efforts toward a sustainable energy paradigm. He outlined EGAT's pivotal role and steadfast commitment to carbon neutrality, emphasising key statistics such as EGAT's Installed Generating Capacity of 16,920.32 MW, 38,666.65 Circuit-km transmission line, power purchase contract capacity of 32,178.48 MW, and an investment of 43,317.71 million Baht across 7 affiliates in electricity generation and energy-related ventures. Additionally, the event featured a high-level panel discussion, comprising luminaries from various sectors: Dr. Worpong Sinsukthavorn, Senior Vice President – Corporate Planning, Electricity Generating Public Company Limited (EGCO) Tawatchai Sumranwanich, Assistant Governor - Power Plant Planning, Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) Pongsakorn Yuthagovit, Assistant Governor, Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) David Maclean, Senior Vice President of Asia Pacific, Landis+Gyr Eugene Loke, Managing Director, APAC, Trilliant Networks These esteemed panellists engaged in profound deliberations on crucial topics including energy security, grid stability, renewable energy frameworks, and technological innovations. Enlit Asia extends its gratitude to event sponsors Trilliant and Landis+Gyr for their support and collaboration in making this event a success. In closing, Chansiri extended his gratitude to all esteemed speakers and participants for their invaluable contributions and invited them to converge at the forthcoming Enlit Asia event scheduled for 8-10 October 2024 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to continue advancing the cause of sustainable energy. ...Read more
Shifting weather patterns and higher temperatures are some of the consequences of rising greenhouse gas emissions.  Researchers are increasingly worried about the hazards arising from carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions generated by human activities. Observable phenomena such as rapidly shifting weather patterns and rising temperatures underscore the urgency of this issue. Climate scientists, armed with empirical data, confirm these trends. The adverse effects of carbon emissions cast a long shadow over our environment, and without concerted action, the world faces the prospect of severe climate-related disruptions. This underscores the critical importance of slashing emissions, particularly among companies operating in high-emission sectors.  Attaining net-zero emissions means that the greenhouse gas emissions generated by human activities are offset by initiatives that remove an equivalent amount of these gases from the atmosphere. In essence, it signifies that entities can still produce some emissions as long as these are counterbalanced by efforts to reduce existing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Failure to achieve this equilibrium will result in more pronounced and damaging weather extremes. Distinguishing between avoiding and reducing carbon emissions is pivotal. The former entails preventing carbon or its equivalent from entering the atmosphere, while the latter involves adopting measures that lower the quantity of CO2 emitted. Fossil fuel combustion, primarily for electricity and heat production, produces a large portion of the Earth's greenhouse gases. Phasing out fossil fuels for energy production is an imperative step toward emissions reduction. In all regions, renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal power are readily available, providing companies with sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels. Additionally, embracing renewable energy helps reduce dependency on fossil fuel imports, which is particularly relevant for firms reliant on oil and gas imports from Russia. In addition to curbing carbon emissions, this transition enables businesses to diversify their economic activities. Furthermore, renewable energy is economically advantageous, with renewable technologies consistently becoming more affordable. The falling costs of renewable energy technologies make transitioning to clean energy an attractive proposition for businesses. Clean or low-carbon hydrogen is another critical component of achieving net-zero emissions for companies. Clean hydrogen, produced using renewable energy sources, has the potential to decarbonize industries facing considerable emissions challenges, such as long-haul transport, chemicals, iron, and steel production. Hydrogen also facilitates the integration of variable renewables into a company's energy system, serving as a viable option for storing electricity over extended periods. To realize its full potential, scaling up clean hydrogen production and utilization is essential, requiring cost-effective technologies like electrolyzers, fuel cells, and hydrogen production with carbon capture, utilization, and storage. Another pivotal aspect of corporate climate action and net-zero strategies is improving energy efficiency. Large corporations prioritizing energy efficiency have reported substantial savings and the avoidance of millions of tons of carbon emissions. Strategies for enhancing energy efficiency encompass various facets of a business, including internal operations, supply chains, products, services, and overarching issues. A fundamental step in achieving improved energy efficiency is assessing the overall carbon footprint, which provides a foundation for planning targeted emissions reduction strategies. ...Read more
Due to abundant open areas and typically flat terrain, farms provide desirable locations for utility-scale solar. A utility-scale solar project needs large amounts of land, and an array of solar panels capable of producing power from the sun can be installed on farmland. A solar array can be up to five megawatts and produce power using the sun's energy. The average utility-scale solar project produces more than 100 megawatts, even though a five-megawatt solar plant requires at least 25 acres of space and could power 500 to 1,200 homes. The United States will need to construct thousands of utility-scale solar projects across millions of acres to achieve its target of producing 100 percent renewable power by 2035. Solar panels' lack of energy density, which results in their ability to convert only around 25 percent of sunshine into power, is one factor. More efficient solar panels would require less room. Agricultural property and rural regions offer desirable locations for utility-scale solar due to the huge lot sizes that reduce disputes with nearby landowners. However, some individuals object to using agricultural land for solar projects due to aesthetic considerations, the possible loss of food and fiber production, or the impact on the regional agricultural sector. Utility-scale solar and agricultural production are anticipated to face further competition for land. However, combining solar and agricultural projects on the same land is possible. It is common for hundreds to thousands of ground-mounted solar panels to make up a utility-scale solar installation, which frequently also incorporates neighboring structures with sizable batteries for electricity storage. The term utility-scale solar project can refer to a solar farm, park, plant, or power station. Utility-scale solar systems are mostly used to produce power and provide it to clients off-site. Rural electric cooperatives or public utilities own a utility-scale solar facility. Large land tracts and relatively level topography make farmland appealing to utility-scale solar producers. Utility-scale solar may include a sizeable monthly lease payment from the builder of the solar facility for landowners. Utility-scale solar farms may obstruct picturesque vistas by occupying hundreds of acres of space. Local farm economies may be harmed by removing agricultural land from production, and costs and rents for land leased for utility-scale solar may increase. Restoring a solar plant's land to agricultural agriculture has certain drawbacks. Nevertheless, some landowners have persisted in grazing small animals like sheep, providing habitat for pollinators, or cultivating vegetables next to solar panels. But it is impossible to grow vast row crops like maize or wheat. How utility-scale solar on agriculture is governed varies across state and municipal governments. The ability to create a comprehensive plan, zoning legislation, and subdivision and land development restrictions that consider utility-scale solar is frequently lacking in rural communities. As a result, when presented with a proposal for a utility-scale solar plant on farmland, they could be unprepared. State and local governments determine whether to permit the construction of utility-scale solar projects in general, particularly on agricultural land. The amount of utility-scale solar will depend on carefully considering each solar plant proposal, which can take a long period. Additionally, farmers may consider augmenting their income by leasing land for utility-scale solar as a viable option. ...Read more
Effective municipal water billing software must be versatile and future-proof.  Water facilities are essential parts of every society. They have a tremendous influence on the environmental, social, and overall economic health of any individuals, families, companies, and sectors they serve. There are now around 168,000 public water systems functioning in the United States, with the vast majority being publicly owned and operated by a regional govt. agency or water district council. Municipalities rely on safe, clean water, yet the day-to-day management of a public water system may get complicated. Effective municipal water billing software must be versatile and future-proof. Water utilities and their clients can benefit from an easy-to-use customer information system. The following functionalities must be in the system: A gateway for self-service An easy-to-use self-service site that provides consumers with speedier assistance would minimize customer support professionals' burden and spend more time addressing complicated problems. In addition, such a function can assist consumers in promptly resolving problems, resulting in increased satisfaction and fewer inbound calls to water utility contact centers. Individualized customer experiences Every account holder should have a personalized experience using municipal water billing software. When consumers call the call center, personnel may immediately access their data to acquire insights into either current outages or previous difficulties. It reduces client irritation by eliminating the need to repeat themselves or check their information many times, saving time for both them and the professionals. It also enables support agents to give recommendations to customers depending on their current earnings, location, financial challenges, and other factors. Check Out This : Hotel Management Advanced metering Advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) is a component of municipal water billing software that allows utilities to assess consumer consumption remotely, stop or restart service, detect unlawful tampering, diagnose and isolate faults, and more. It has several advantages, including:  More precise consumption statistics mean fewer billing concerns. Lower labor expenses. Increased revenue. Faster dispatch of repair teams in the event of outages, disturbances, or service difficulties. Faster restoration of service when disruptions occur. Automated warnings and status update to keep the utility, field staff, and consumers informed.   ...Read more