Electricity Forum Intelligent Power Today Magazine Arc Flash Clothing

News and Trends

Latest News From The T&D Industry

FERC Order 1920: A Balancing Act for State and Federal Power in Transmission Planning

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Order 1920 has been a topic of debate in the energy industry. The order grants states more authority over transmission planning, which has some stakeholders concerned about potential cost increases. Proponents of the order argue that it will lead to more efficient and cost-effective transmission planning.

FERC Order 1920 was issued in December 2020. The order requires regional transmission planning (RTP) entities to develop regional transmission plans that consider...

Popular T&D Articles


T&D Buyer's Guide


T&D News




T&D Trends


Climate Change News

Climate Change Impacting Bird Migration Patterns

Climate change is increasingly influencing bird migration patterns, affecting the timing, routes, and destinations of many species. These alterations have significant implications for ecosystems, conservation efforts, and our understanding of avian behavior.​ Shifts in Migration Timing Rising...

Electrical Substations

FERC Rejects PJM Transmission Planning Change

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has rejected a proposal from PJM Interconnection, one of the United States' largest regional transmission organizations, to alter its transmission planning protocol. The decision represents a significant victory for state regulators who had expressed strong opposition to the changes, arguing that they would undermine states' authority in shaping the future of energy infrastructure.

The Proposed Changes

PJM’s proposal aimed to adjust its approach to regional transmission planning, focusing on projects addressing emerging reliability and economic challenges. This initiative was part of its effort to modernize the grid, integrate renewable energy sources, and ensure long-term system reliability.

Key features of the proposal included:

  1. Centralization of Decision-Making: Shifting more authority for project selection and prioritization from state regulators to PJM’s internal planning process.

  2. Expanded Criteria: Introducing new evaluation criteria for determining the necessity of transmission projects, emphasizing regional benefits over state-specific considerations.

  3. Cost Allocation Adjustments: Modifying...

Electrical Substations Articles


Substation Automation

SUBSTATION AUTOMATION AND INTEGRATION PROGRAMS

Newton-Evans Research Company, Inc. of Ellicott City, MD is preparing to publish market research findings from Volume 1 of a four-volume study, “The World Market for Substation Automation and Integration Programs in Electric Utilities: 2017-2020.” Volume 1 of this Substation Automation...
Substation Technologies

3-D Design for Electrical Substations

Exploring 3-D design techniques for electrical substations BY MIKE MINELLI, & HAROLD HARKONEN, Nordmin Engineering Since the 1970s, engineering consulting firms typically have been designing substations using two-dimensional computer aided design software (CAD). This common technique produces...
Substation Technologies

Circuit Breaker Lubrication

Developing circuit breaker lubrication procedures BY RICK YOUNGBLOOD, Doble Engineering Company Circuit breaker analyzers are used to determine operating speeds and velocity. This information enables the tester to determine if a breaker is safe to place back into service. The data recorded by a...