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Power Distribution

 
Gulf Coast Dodges Hurricane Isaac Bullet
by
Timothy Johnson
| October 2012
| under
  • Your Business

On the seventh anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Gulf Coast residents watched as Category 1 Hurricane Isaac bore down on the New Orleans region, evoking memories of the costliest U.S. hurricane disaster on record. On Aug.

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DOE Invests Heavily In Energy Storage R&D
by
Rick Laezman
| October 2012
| under
  • Green Building

As the use of renewable power, electric vehicles (EVs) and the smart grid become more widespread and integrated, one challenge also becomes more apparent: storage. Thankfully, the experts are on it. This summer, the U.S.

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Wireless Technology Takes Grid Monitoring Underground
by
Rick Laezman
| October 2012
| under
  • Your Business

Much of the smart grid’s strength lies in its use of wireless technology to improve monitoring, information flow and efficiency. As powerful as that combination may be, a couple of California utilities have taken it to a new low. That is to say they have taken it underground.

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The Smart Grid Takes Shape
by
Jeff Gavin
| October 2012
| under
  • Residential

For the electrical contractor (EC), finding a role in the smart grid shouldn’t be a matter of “wait and see.” Now is the time to prepare for this growing opportunity. If your work involves building automation and lighting controls, you are well on your way.

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Truth or Dare: Smart Meters
by
Richard P. Bingham
| October 2012
| under
  • Residential

With the Institute of Electric Efficiency reporting more than 36 million smart meters installed from 2007 through May 2012 and a target of 65 million by 2015, it appears that smart meters are here to stay.

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‘Termineter’ Tests Smart Meter Security
by
Rick Laezman
| October 2012
| under
  • Systems

While complaints about inaccuracy and the invasion of privacy may be unfounded with smart meters, security worries may be more legitimate.

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Natural Variations
by
Richard P. Bingham
| September 2012
| under
  • Your Business

On most distribution networks (except maybe in rural areas), the voltage levels typically reduce to a couple of percentage points from nominal when the sun rises, people wake up and they start using more electricity. Conversely, as the sun sets, the voltage creeps back up, and by 10 p.m.

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Washington Utilities Testing Grid Energy-Storage Device
by
Rick Laezman
| September 2012
| under
  • Your Business

One of renewable energy sources’ biggest challenges is the intermittency of power generation. Finding a way to store power for later use helps make renewables more practical for tying into the grid where demand does not always coincide with the wind or the rising sun.

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Storm, Power Outages and Heat Wave Torment Midwest and Mid-Atlantic States
by
Timothy Johnson
| August 2012
| under
  • Your Business

As U.S. utilities made projections for the summer months and predicted there would be enough capacity to meet demand with no outages, Mother Nature seemed to have other plans.

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Editors' Pick
Power Down
by
Debbie McClung
| December 2011
| under
  • Systems

Two years ago, Verizon Communications’ 30,000 facilities worldwide consumed more than 9 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. Energy costs to operate and cool Verizon’s communications equipment accounted for a significant portion of its total corporate energy bill.

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The Smart Grid Keystone
by
Darlene Bremer
| September 2011
| under
  • Systems

Infiniti Research Limited’s report, “Global Smart Energy Meter Market 2010–2014,” forecasts that market will reach $19.5 billion in 2014. Key factors contributing to market growth are initiatives from regulatory authorities and home area networking connectivity technology.

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Coal-Fired Plants Burn On
by
Rick Laezman
| June 2011
| under
  • Miscellaneous

Despite recent reports of coal-fired power plants shutting down and states moving away from coal as a generation source, it seems the nation’s dominant source of fuel for generating electricity will be around for years to come.

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Pulseclosing Technology Allowsfor Smarter Power Distribution
by
Mike Breslin
| July 2010
| under
  • Your Business

As the electric grid develops to incorporate renewable generation, more robust transmission and smart meters, utilities are beginning to work on the final segment of delivery by automating their distribution networks.

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Smart Grid Experiencing Growing Pains
by
Mike Breslin
| July 2010
| under
  • Systems

Smart Grid pilot and demonstration programs are underway in 33 states, according to a new report, “Smart Grid Growing Pains” from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

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Americans Wising up to the Smart Grid
by
Rick Laezman
| August 2009
| under
  • Miscellaneous

All the recent hype and investment in energy efficiency, renewable power and new technology won’t amount to much without the proper upgrades to our energy infrastructure. Thankfully, the trend points to rapid growth in this dimension, too.

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The Power of IP
by
Debbie McClung
| April 2009
| under
  • Miscellaneous

Internet protocol (IP) is increasingly described as a revolutionary force. This is a well-deserved description, as the world has adopted the Web and the underlying IP superstructure for communication, entertainment, news, shopping, gaming and, now, building automation systems (BAS).

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Controlling Renewable Resources
by
Edward Brown
| March 2009
| under
  • Miscellaneous

With distributed sources, there can be a mix of grid-connected and grid-independent sources. For example, take the combination of photovoltaic sources in this figure. Ideally, there should be a mix of centralized and decentralized (distributed) generators.

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Smart Grid Technologies Catch On
by
Rick Laezman
| March 2009
| under
  • Miscellaneous

Old habits die hard, as the saying goes, and for all the talk of saving energy and the planet, modifying people’s behavior may still prove to be the biggest challenge.

READ MORE
 
Proposed Power Plant Would Aid Southeast Texas Area
September 2008
| under
  • Your Business

According to a report conducted by The Perryman Group, an economic and financial analysis firm based in Waco, Texas, the construction and operation of Exelon’s proposed nuclear power facility in Southeast Texas would not just increase energy reliability.

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News and Announcements

IDEAL Gives Away First of Four SignalTEK II Cable Qualifiers
ESFI Encourages "Electrical Safety for All Ages" During 2013 National Electric Safety Month
Milwaukee Receives 2012 Leader in Sustainability Award
Leviton Receives $1 Million Funding to Install Electric Vehicle Charging Stations throughout New York
Bridgeport Found in Contempt in On-going Legal Battle With Arlington
Southwire Circuit Wire Management System Eliminates Wire Spool Hassles
See all Announcements

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