Improving safety and methodology techniques to protect utility workers
BY LARRY LAWRENCE, Lineman’s Testing Laboratories of Canada
In 1990, many workplace safety hazards were consistently ignored as if they were “acceptable risk” and an expected part of a worker’s daily routine. Not surprisingly, many workers who performed routine testing and maintenance procedures in high-voltage substations experienced serious and, in some instances, fatal injuries.
Additionally, electric utilities were faced with high costs associated from unfinished materials...
Electric Substation apparatus, transformers and circuit breakers, are the workhorses of the electric transmission grid. Our focus in this article is on the issue of dielectric media leaks. Specifically, oil in large power transformers and oil or SF6 gas in power circuit breakers. Oil and gas leaks...
By Leon White and Traci Hopkins, H2scan Corporation As distributed generation, electric vehicle load, and requirements for increased electricity reliability provide real-world challenges for electric utilities, asset managers must innovate to ensure their infrastructure is in good condition to...
Insulation Resistance (IR) test, often called Megger test, is more than 100 years old and assumed to be a very straightforward test. During my inspection and testing work in the past 15 years in Canada, US, and internationally, I have seen different practices of performing and interpretation of IR...
If you have oil-filled transformers, the law requires you to have a spill prevention plan in place, up to and including a secondary containment system to protect the environment and prevent oil from reaching navigable waters. Albarrie and Voltra Technology have partnered up to provide the power...
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...
High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) technology revolutionizes long-distance power transmission, offering improved efficiency and reliability over traditional alternating current (AC) systems. This article explores the latest developments and applications of HVDC substations, providing a technical...
As substations become more interconnected and automated, they are increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks. These critical nodes of the power grid are essential for ensuring a stable and reliable energy supply, making their protection paramount. Strengthening substation automation controls is key to...
The transition to renewable energy is reshaping the power landscape, with grid-scale battery storage systems playing a pivotal role in this transformation. These systems are crucial for balancing supply and demand, particularly at the substation level, where they enhance grid stability and...
In recent years, digital twin technology has emerged as a game-changer in various industries, and the power sector is no exception. Digital twins are transforming how substations are managed by creating virtual replicas that provide insights into performance and potential issues. A digital...
The electronics industry is experiencing rapid growth and innovation, with devices becoming more advanced and ubiquitous. As this industry continues to flourish, it’s crucial to consider the environmental impact of electronic manufacturing and the materials used in these devices. One area...
