Electricity Today T&D Magazine

Protecting utility workers using mobile technologies

BY TOM OCONNOR, Panasonic Solutions for Business

Nearly every lineman has heard of a colleague who has been injured—or worse—while on the job. Because of the dangers inherent to their job (that is, electrical safety in the field), these brave men and women must take every precaution to get their work completed efficiently and safely. The realities of the economic slowdown add an additional level of complexity—the expectation that workers do more with less.

In an effort to increase their productivity in the field, linemen may be tempted to take shortcuts. A better...

The integration of renewable energy sources (RES) into smart grid systems represents a fundamental shift in how energy is generated, managed, and consumed. This transformation is vital for modernizing energy infrastructure, enhancing grid reliability, and fostering sustainability. The shift from a centralized generation model to a decentralized, dynamic, and intelligent smart grid system marks a pivotal moment in the energy sector. By incorporating renewable energy sources and advanced communication technologies, smart grids enable real-time monitoring, adaptive control, and bidirectional power flows, creating a more efficient and resilient energy system.

The Need for a Smart Grid
Traditional power grids are characterized...