Distribution Automation & Field Intelligence

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 that such local planning, lacking independent oversight, leads to inefficient and costly transmission development, resulting in unjust and unreasonable rates for consumers. Background Transmission planning involves determining the necessary infrastructure to transport electricity from generation sources to consumers. In the United States, this planning is typically conducted by transmission owners, which are often investor-owned utilities. These entities are responsible for…

In a significant move that underscores the growing demand for reliable and sustainable energy to power the expanding digital infrastructure, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has approved an interconnection agreement between Talen Energy, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Exelon. This agreement allows for the integration of new energy generation sources to supply a large-scale Amazon data center facility at the Susquehanna nuclear plant in Pennsylvania. The Growing Need for Data Centers and Renewable Energy The intersection of energy infrastructure and the rapid growth of data centers is becoming an increasingly important focus for regulators and energy providers. As industries…

The evolving demands of modern power grids necessitate the adoption of advanced technologies that can provide enhanced efficiency, reliability, and flexibility. Smart transformers are at the forefront of this technological revolution, offering a range of capabilities that significantly improve the management and operation of electrical grids. This article explores the latest advancements in smart transformer technology, their key features, benefits for real-time monitoring, load management, and fault detection, integration with smart grids and IoT devices, and examples of utilities implementing smart transformers and the outcomes achieved. Overview of Smart Transformer Technology and Its Key FeaturesSmart transformers, also known as solid-state…

The electric power industry is increasingly having to evaluate the growing penetration of distributed energy resources (DER). New sets of challenges exist for planning and operating the grid, especially with the distribution systems in which these new resources must be integrated. Now electric utilities across the world are looking at new analytical methods to assess and integrate these resources.In the United States, the New York State Public Service Commission launched the Reforming the Energy Vision initiative to more fully integrate and use DER with distribution planning and operations. New York utilities are required to establish a structure for a transparent…