Jan 5, 2021 | Data analytics, Distribution Automation, Featured, Grid monitoring
In 2020 utilities dealt with a worldwide pandemic, an intense wildfire season, and an unusually large number of hurricanes and weather events. Utilities also coped with market and technology changes driven by factors such as an upsurge of renewables on the grid,...
Oct 26, 2020 | Distribution Automation, Electric utilities, Featured, Power quality
Without proper preparation, adding distribution automation (DA) devices to SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems can be a utility’s own apocalypse. Let’s look at how utilities can avoid communications glitches to gain situational awareness and...
Sep 7, 2020 | AMI deployments, Distribution Automation, Electric utilities, Featured, Renewable energy
Our century-old distribution system has aged remarkably well, but the centralized, top-down power system with electricity flowing in one direction is now outdated. A 2015 Department of Energy (DOE) report noted that 70% of power transformers were 25 years of age or...
Aug 11, 2020 | Distribution Automation, Electric utilities, Featured
We often take it for granted that when we flick a switch or push a button, the lights will automatically turn on, phones will recharge and computers will power up. We also expect a continuous and reliable delivery of electricity to our homes and businesses. For...
Apr 21, 2020 | Distribution Automation, Electric utilities, Featured, Grid monitoring, Load control, Renewable energy
If you looked up the word “optimization” in the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, you’d find a definition sure to make engineers smile: Optimization equals “an act, process or methodology of making something as fully perfect, functional or effective as possible.” Of...
May 14, 2019 | Distribution Automation, Electric utilities, Fault detection and location, Leak detection, Water utilities
Last month, astronomers made big headlines when they announced they had successfully imaged a black hole for the first time ever. This is more than just a really cool picture, it has some very important scientific ramifications. Black holes were first suggested by...
