Substation Technologies
Extend the Life of Your Circuit Breakers
Selecting Substation Medium-Voltage Switchgear: GIS vs. AIS
Substation Technologies
Detect Electrical Discharge Defects with Ultrasound
Electrical discharge is more common than we’d like to believe; even in new installations. Detecting these defects poses a serious challenge, particularly at an early stage when there is still time to initiate corrective actions. Vigilant technologies help reduce the risk of arc flash explosion while enhancing the overall reliability of electrical assets.
While there is no one perfect inspection technique or technology which can, on its own, detect and localize every defect, ultrasound performs...
Related Articles
Selecting Substation Medium-Voltage Switchgear: GIS vs. AIS
Understanding differences between GIS and AIS in five points BY GAETAN DJENANE, Schneider Electric, Inc. Many considerations must be taken into account before selecting the electrical medium-voltage (MV) switchgear that best meets a user’s needs. From a management perspective,...
Protection of Electrical Power Transformers
INTRODUCTIONIn most large electrical systems, generators and power transformers are the two most expensive pieces of equipment. In addition to the capital cost of purchase, these two key devices are also the most critical to continuous and reliable operation of the system.Consider, for example, the...
Smart Substations and Their Role in the Evolving Smart Grid
The power industry is undergoing a profound transformation driven by grid modernization, renewable integration, and increasing demands for resilience and efficiency. At the heart of this evolution lies the smart substation—a next-generation facility equipped with advanced sensors, digital...
The Digital Substation Vision: From Utopian Concept to Grid Backbone
A digital substation is a modernized electrical substation that replaces traditional analog equipment and copper wiring with digital signaling, intelligent electronic devices (IEDs), and fiber-optic communication. It enables real-time data exchange, advanced automation, and greater efficiency in...
Inside the Digital Substation Upgrade: Migrating to IEC 61850 Ed. 2.1, Process Bus, and Interoperable Testing
From Hardwiring to Data Networking The modernization of substations is as much a communications revolution as a protection one. For decades, copper conductors carried analog signals from instrument transformers to relays and controls. Each new circuit meant more wiring, more panels, and more room...
Grid Communications Infrastructure: Fiber, Wireless, and Networking Technologies
Reliable and secure communication infrastructure is essential to the safe and efficient operation of the modern power grid. As utilities transition to digital substations, integrate distributed energy resources (DERs), and deploy real-time monitoring systems, the need for robust, scalable grid...
Smart Substations and Their Role in the Evolving Smart Grid
The power industry is undergoing a profound transformation driven by grid modernization, renewable integration, and increasing demands for resilience and efficiency. At the heart of this evolution lies the smart substation—a next-generation facility equipped with advanced sensors, digital...
Understanding the IEC 61850 Protocol in Substation Automation
The IEC 61850 protocol has become the global standard for substation automation, enabling high-speed communication, interoperability, and streamlined integration of intelligent electronic devices (IEDs). It plays a foundational role in transforming traditional substations into digital substations...
FERC Complaint Targets Duke, PJM Transmission Planning
A coalition of large energy consumers and ratepayer advocates has filed a complaint with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), urging the agency to prohibit transmission owners from independently planning "local" transmission projects exceeding 100 kilovolts (kV). The coalition argues...
Digital Twins for Substations: Bridging the Physical and Digital Worlds
In the rapidly evolving landscape of power grid management, digital twin technology is emerging as a game-changer for substations. By creating virtual replicas of physical assets, digital twins bridge the gap between the physical and digital worlds, enabling enhanced operational efficiency and...